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LIGHTWEIGHT STRONG VIOLIN CASE RECOMMENDATION

Instruments: trying to decide between: Bam violin case, Shar Super Lite Carbon case, or Bobelock Fibreglass.

From Elaine Jeon
Posted October 25, 2009 at 05:03 AM

My heavy Musafia case that I had for 5 years is slowly falling apart.  With the zipper broken and other parts of it coming off the case, I'm trying to decide what to purchase as my new violin case. 

Main things I'm looking for in a case is its weight, since my previous case has been way too heavy.  I'd love it to be strong and sturdy, as well as not easily scratched.  I'm a pretty clumsy person, so those cute colored bobelock fibreglass cases might not work out for me.  I'm still considering them though, since they are not too expensive.  However, I'd love it if it would last more than 5 years, at least.

What I have in mind right now are these two cases -- Shar Super Lite Carbon case or a Bam case.  What concerns me the most about a Bam case is its cost.  I'm looking for one that's between $100-300, since I'm a high school student and will be paying for it on my own.  My teacher recommended the Shar Super Lite Carbon case since it's one of the lighest violin cases he has experienced.  However, when I sit in youth symphony and look around, it seems like most people own a Bam violin case. 

I definitely need a help with choosing which one I'd like to buy. What are the pros and cons of those two cases, and the bobelock fibreglass violin cases?

Elaine,

the Bobelock fibreglass case is very fine. It looks great and is very useful. But it is a bit sensitive for scratches and not really lightweight (3,3 kg). I can recommend it, but I don't know if it's the right one for you. Why don't you use the search here in this forum? It has been discussed before and you get some useful information.

Get the Shar case. It's a better deal and it's within your budget. I would recommend Bam Styluse, which is not yet $300, but it's heavy. For the value, I would go with Shar.

Don't fall into peer pressure...

Which Musafia model is breaking down?  Have you contacted them  for a rehab?  I've heard several stories about their being very good and cost-efficient about that.

In my experience, fiberglas cases are not lightweight. Also, they are frequently lacking in insulation, subjecting their contents to what might be serious temperature swings. Also, unless the padding is carefully thought out, a shock to the exterior can be transmitted to the contents. While the case can be undamaged, the contents can suffer.

Someone posted here a year or so ago regarding their BAM case; it melted when placed near a lightbulb.

I'm with Stephen on this.  Send an email to Musafia first about their repair/rehab programme before you go out and buy a completely new case.  Could well work out the best and cheapest option for you...!

The American Case Company cases have served me very well - My Mustang lasted me 15 years of major wear and tear, and now even though the zipper is broken and a few other things, I am still using it for my "camping" violin. And, I could sit on it without worrying about it caving in (though I don't do it as a common practice!). It weighs about 8 pounds. The Manhatten that is now offered in Shar looks very similar to the Mustang I bought back in 1994.

People in my area like the shaped Bam case a lot, but just now looking at the photos on the Shar site, my technogeek opinion on the Shar case is that it has better fittings (latches, handle) than the Bam, and will give you less trouble in the long run from those pieces. Their cases are reliable, and it looks like a pretty good deal.

At this point, I think I'm leaning toward the Shar case, but I never talked to someone who used it before, and there aren't too many reviews about it, so I haven't gotten much pros and cons about that particular case.

My Musafia case breaking is probably due my lack of attention and my clumsiness.  I should've taken better care of it now that I realize how expensive violin cases can be.  But travelling with my violin with this heavy case became an issue, so at this point, I think a lightweight case will definitely help.  But thanks for the great tip!

I have a BAM hitech case for my viola and just love it.  Weight and bulk had become a real problem for me because I'm frequently carrying other stuff with me.  I've had the BAM for several years and still like it.  As others have noted on similar threads, its main drawback is a lack of suitable individual pockets for the odds and ends we all seem to carry with us. It does have an internal pouch and a small and a large outside pouch, but they're of amorphous shape and something of a nuisance.  And it does roll back if left open on a floor or table.

All that said, it is light and small and provides excellent protection.  If something happened to it, I'd get another one.

I'd recommend the GEWA Strato Super Leight Weight Oblong, it is a sturdy case that only weighs 4 lbs.  I searched and searched for a bargain price on this (needed a lightweight case for my daughter to take her violin to high school) and finally found it on ebay. The ebay seller is now selling on her website on clearance at Springdale music for $99 including shipping.  It was a run that GEWA made for Glaessel, so it has a glaessel leather label instead of GEWA.  Other than that it is identical and even comes with a GEWA tag with the GEWA strato model number on it.  Usually goes for $400 -$600 at most other shops... 

Great deal for a lightweight full size oblong case. 

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