Bobelock cases: Fiberglass or Regular?

February 29, 2008 at 04:53 AM · They manufacture those Bobelock cases in my country, I think. I also thought the half-moon looked pretty cool (probably because no one else had one, at least no one that I know). But the thing with the fiberglass is it might be too heavy. If you have to go around (and don't have a car, like me), and have to go through baggage inspections wherever you go (the malls, other public places - because of bomb threats. oh, maybe we're the only ones who have bomb threats), then it gets to be a chore. But if you can carry the weight, why not?

February 29, 2008 at 03:48 PM · Putch, there maybe once a year where I need to take the violin on the plane, but other than that, it stays at home, go into my car, to my teacher's house, and comes home with me. Not much walking at all. Thanks!!

February 29, 2008 at 06:11 PM · Hey! I'm THE perfect guinea pig to answer your question as I actually have 2 Bobelock cases for my 2 violins: one regular "Hill" model and the last fiberglass model I purchased a couple of months ago for the same reasons you describe (i.e. I believed it looked cool). I don't have the half moon model, but the regular oblong model, though. After using the fiberglass case for a while to carry my main violin, I recently switched cases, and put the spare violin in it. The fiberglass case looks good, but it is very fragile - i.e. each time you'll even knock it softly against a wall or a door, it will get nicked or scratched! Also, it is not convenient at all, as it has no pouch to put the music in - unless you use the ugly huge fabric cover that comes with it, but then, all the "coolness" of having a fiberglass case is gone as you basically lug around a huge fabric covered case that looks way worse than a regular one...Finally, the fiberglass case is kind of heavy and bulky, and the inner storage space is not that great...So, if you want my advice: either get a BAM Hightech fiberglass case (they have a built in music pouch and weigh less than the Bobelock), or stick with a classic - and cheaper Bobelock model. This said, I've read horrors about the BAM case as well...Good luck!

February 29, 2008 at 06:31 PM · I love the interior of my fiberglass Bobelock, but the fabric cover is awful and the case warped quickly, making it difficult to close the case. I wish I could find that same interior in another case. Or at the very least find a different cover for the case. They're not cheap cases, either, although not top-dollar, either.

February 29, 2008 at 07:16 PM · hey i have the pink half-moon one. it looks awesome but it doesn't have a pouch to put your music in, so you have to put the black cover on it. it's also very heavy. i wanted a bam case but they were expensive and they didn't come in pink..

i don't know if i'd recommend getting it.

February 29, 2008 at 07:41 PM · One of my daughters has had a Bobelock fiberglass case for her viola for a couple of years. It's very scratched-up after just normal wear, and it's on the heavy side. Some of the scratches she's been able to "erase" with, of all things, hand sanitizer, which I think is a mild solvent. (Imagine what it does to your hands). But otherwise, the case is still working for her.

Someone recommended the BAM Hightech case. My daughter's new BAM hightech (different daughter, different instrument) melted when it came into contact with a lightbulb of a vanity mirror while she was on tour. Hers was not the only case that melted in this incident, but only the BAM hightech cases were affected. They're also expensive, and the hardware on the music pockets tends to break.

So, in our case the cheap Bobelock case has some cosmetic defects, but is still going strong after two+ years, but the BAM case was seriously in need of replacement after a few months.

March 1, 2008 at 12:21 AM · Wwe have two Bobelock cases, a plywood half-moon and a Hill-style that seems to be made of some kind of rigid foam covered in cloth.

The half-moon is nice and compact, not very heavy, and seems protective. The Hill is bulky but light; the case really has to be zipped up to protect the instrument. If you just use the single latch, it gapes open along the sides. It has more room in it than the half-moon, but I don't think the foam protects as much from impacts.

I've not been impressed with the various fiberglas cases I've seen; little thermal protection, heavy, and tend toward getting scratched up. Also sort of expensive.

I don't know your budget or the value of the instrument you're trying to protect, but Musafia cases are some of the best in the world, and can frequently be had for a substantial discount rom list price. Their website (musafia.com) lists bargain cases on a regular basis. They are also very attractive. They will end up costing about twice what a good Bobelock costs.

March 2, 2008 at 07:38 AM · I have a Bobelock traditional (plywood) half-moon. I have really enjoyed this case!

March 2, 2008 at 09:04 AM · I just went to the violin store, and they have the new fiberglass that's not even on bobelock's site. It's not exactly shaped like a violin, shaped almost like the BAM contoured, very nice and cheap! (Under 200). I am extremely tempted!!