[vini88]

I've been looking for my ideal case for a while, but there are few options. Slim contour, with or without wheels, and decent storage, and lightweight.

I've used the Protec Pro-Pac case, SKB hard case, and a knockoff J Winter case. The first two are cumbersome and not very fun to use (no longer have them). The SKB has 0 storage and my Mark VI low A rocked too much in it. I love my knockoff because it is so slim, but it is starting to crack along the spine and the styrofoam interior is starting to break down.

I'm circling around 3 cases at the moment. Both styles of J Winter (wheels and no wheels) are on my list, but I'm also interested in the Crossrock fiberglass bari case. I'm also potentially open to the new Protec hard case or gig-bag. Are there any other slim options? (Wiseman is out of the budget, lol)

Has anyone had any experience with the Crossrock?

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[Merlin]

I used to like the cases that came with the King Tempo baris in the 60s & 70s. Very slim and sleek, though I wonder if the protection was as good as modern cases.

 

[vini88]

I used to like the cases that came with the King Tempo baris in the 60s & 70s. Very slim and sleek, though I wonder if the protection was as good as modern cases.

YES! I just looked it up, and that's exactly the type. I don't understand why the concept is now "fits both Bb/A" and has to look like a tank....

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[Taragot]

The Bags case is relative leightweight and slim - in any case not a tank. There is a low A and a low Bb -Version.

BAGS Baritonsaxkoffer bis Tief B

BAGS Baritonsaxkoffer bis Tief B: Produktlinie: Comfort Außenmaterial: Ballistiknylon Farbe: schwarz Gewicht: 4,4 kg max. Breite: 44 cm max. Höhe: 113 cm max. Tiefe: 26 cm Sonstiges: 1 große Aussentasche Außentasche fasst A4-Format und größer Rucksacktragegarnitur ist im Preis inbegriffen

www.musical-bags.de

 

[Lambros]

I'd go with the legit Jakob Winter case.

 

[vini88]

*I only refer to my current case as a knockoff because it's the stock case that came with my B&S 1000, and it looks like the JW, but it isn't marked. It also has some major structural issues along the spine, which no longer allows me to use a strap with it....

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[turf3]

Time to get out the fiberglass, sheet aluminum, and pop rivets.

And it's not clear where the strap rings attach but I would NEVER use a strap if it hangs the case so the hinges are on top and the opening is on the bottom, which is what it looks like.

 

[Lambros]

You're right, it's the same exact case. The case I currently have is a replacement from about 2 years ago; the original that came with the SX90 was in pretty bad shape just like yours.

 

[ZenBen]

The Bags case is relative leightweight and slim - in any case not a tank. There is a low A and a low Bb -Version.

BAGS Baritonsaxkoffer bis Tief B

BAGS Baritonsaxkoffer bis Tief B: Produktlinie: Comfort Außenmaterial: Ballistiknylon Farbe: schwarz Gewicht: 4,4 kg max. Breite: 44 cm max. Höhe: 113 cm max. Tiefe: 26 cm Sonstiges: 1 große Aussentasche Außentasche fasst A4-Format und größer Rucksacktragegarnitur ist im Preis inbegriffen

www.musical-bags.de

Do you use this? It looks very interesting to me.

 

[Helen]

Here's my experience with a Winter case: 👎👎👎👎

Mine experienced the same cracks as illustrated in these photos. Mine came with my B&S Medusa. Given I hardly took my horn out of the house--it was my back-up bari--I found it shockingly badly built. When I sold the horn, the case went with it. I would never buy one period.

I have used the BAM HighTech bari case since its first incarnation. I now have 2. One is the one I bought way back in the day went they first came out in 02 or so. The 2nd is what my low A bari came shipped in when I bought it from PM Woodwind. I bought the case b/c of the rarity and condition of the horn, and I didn't want to risk damage. This 2nd one is an improvement on the first in handle placement, etc.

What I love about the BAM case is that it works for both my low Bb and A baris; has wheels; is light-weight; is super protective; does not allow for any movement; & has built in storage for M/P and neck.

 

[vini88]

Here's my experience with a Winter case:

Mine experienced the same cracks as illustrated in these photos. Mine came with my B&S Medusa. Given I hardly took my horn out of the house--it was my back-up bari--I found it shockingly badly built. When I sold the horn, the case went with it. I would never buy one period.

I have used the BAM HighTech bari case since its first incarnation. I now have 2. One is the one I bought way back in the day went they first came out in 02 or so. The 2nd is what my low A bari came shipped in when I bought it from PM Woodwind. I bought the case b/c of the rarity and condition of the horn, and I didn't want to risk damage. This 2nd one is an improvement on the first in handle placement, etc.

What I love about the BAM case is that it works for both my low Bb and A baris; has wheels; is light-weight; is super protective; does not allow for any movement; & has built in storage for M/P and neck.

I've looked into the BAM, but I have the same issue with it as I do with SKB and Protec cases- I dont need a Bb section, its just wasted space to me.

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[Helen]

Not sure what issues you are referring to that you had, since you mention a # of them, but OK. Good luck to you.

Maybe try Manning cases, and have one built to your exacting specifications.

 

[vini88]

Not sure what issues you are referring to that you had, since you mention a # of them, but OK. Good luck to you.

Maybe try Manning cases, and have one built to your exacting specifications.

Sorry, too cumbersome with the space to fit either bell.

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[KeithL]

You're pretty close to looking for a unicorn here. If you had a Low Bb bari and were looking for an aftermarket case solely designed to fit a Low Bb horn you would be dealing with custom options only. At least with a Low A you have a few options that come close. That Crossrock case looks nice but I don't see any storage space in that case at all. The Winter case at least gives you those small cutouts that you can get the neck, a mouthpiece, and maybe a strap and a few extra reeds into.

I haven't seen the Crossrock first hand but a few years back Sax Alley had one that was very similar in design that was either a ProTech or a P. Mauriat and the two things that concerned me were how flexible the shell was and how thin the padding was especially down around the bow. I wouldn't have trusted the padding to absorb more than a very minor shock and I could easily twist the lid of the case with my hands and deflect it a few inches. That told me that what was going to give the case much of its rigidity was my horn since it had little strength in dealing with a twisting load on its own.

Of course in general a twisting load like that would be unusual. However despite the best intent of band mates I've had loads like this applied to my bari case several times while carpooling when things shift during the drive and I find a bass cab leaning on one end of the case while the other is wedged tight against something.

Unfortunately there just aren't many options when it comes to bari cases. If you want something that offers a reasonable amount of protection it's likely to be heavy and cumbersome, cheaply made, or very expensive. If you go with the Crossrock I'll be interested in what you think of it after using it for a while.

 

[vini88]

You're pretty close to looking for a unicorn here. If you had a Low Bb bari and were looking for an aftermarket case solely designed to fit a Low Bb horn you would be dealing with custom options only. At least with a Low A you have a few options that come close. That Crossrock case looks nice but I don't see any storage space in that case at all. The Winter case at least gives you those small cutouts that you can get the neck, a mouthpiece, and maybe a strap and a few extra reeds into.

I haven't seen the Crossrock first hand but a few years back Sax Alley had one that was very similar in design that was either a ProTech or a P. Mauriat and the two things that concerned me were how flexible the shell was and how thin the padding was especially down around the bow. I wouldn't have trusted the padding to absorb more than a very minor shock and I could easily twist the lid of the case with my hands and deflect it a few inches. That told me that what was going to give the case much of its rigidity was my horn since it had little strength in dealing with a twisting load on its own.

Of course in general a twisting load like that would be unusual. However despite the best intent of band mates I've had loads like this applied to my bari case several times while carpooling when things shift during the drive and I find a bass cab leaning on one end of the case while the other is wedged tight against something.

Unfortunately there just aren't many options when it comes to bari cases. If you want something that offers a reasonable amount of protection it's likely to be heavy and cumbersome, cheaply made, or very expensive. If you go with the Crossrock I'll be interested in what you think of it after using it for a while.

Thanks, yeah I figure it's a unicorn, but I've only recently discovered all the brands that aren't sold in the US, so I wasn't sure if there is something else out there....

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[turf3]

Patch what you got, baby.

No big deal.

Go down the auto parts store, buy some woven glass (more expensive but MUCH easier to work with than mat) and resin, and get 'er done. I'd replace those crappy hinges with a long piano hinge (Home Despot) - pop rivet in place. If you pop rivet through plastic or fiberglass make sure to use backup washers.

 

[Taragot]

Do you use this? It looks very interesting to me.

I'll buy for my Zephyr low Bb, which has not left the building yet. A friend of mine uses it. It's sturdy and leightweight. He drives with his bike with the bari on his back without problem. Case is 4kg only and not expensive:

https://www.saxophon-service.de/onlineshop/koffer-gigbags-taschen/baritonsaxophon/819/bags-formkoffer-fuer-baritonsaxophon-/-tief-bb

 

[dirty]

Seems like you are picky enough that you should just call up Mike Manning and go custom. I shill for him all the time because the bass clarinet case he made for me is just out of this world good. It wasn't cheap, but neither is major instrument repair. It would probably be cheaper than buying four or five different cases that don't work for you.

 

[turf3]

If I recall correctly, Manning requires you ship him your horn to make the case from (and if you don't have a good case, what are you going to ship it in? And two shippings, to and from, increases the risk of shipping damage greatly especially on something as big heavy and delicate as a baritone) - so that would be a deal breaker for most. Plus you don't have access to the instrument during that time.

 

[dirty]

If I recall correctly, Manning requires you ship him your horn to make the case from (and if you don't have a good case, what are you going to ship it in? And two shippings, to and from, increases the risk of shipping damage greatly especially on something as big heavy and delicate as a baritone) - so that would be a deal breaker for most. Plus you don't have access to the instrument during that time.

My understanding is that he sends you a box with packaging and instructions for how to pack the horn, but I'm going from what I've read here. I live 20 minutes from his place, so I just dropped my horn off there.