How much do violin cases REALLY weigh?
When shopping for a new case, just about everyone these days compares the weight of different models to help decide which one to buy. And some manufacturers make you pay a premium for their lightest ones, because of the snazzy materials used to build them.
Which is great, until you discover that many manufacturers are – may I use a euphemism? - using “fuzzy math” to convince you to buy their products.
During an ongoing research project into case safety called Cases Secure in Movement, in which I am partnering, among others, with the F.A.A. – approved Laboratory for Transport Safety of the Milan Polytechnic University, we are testing a wide range of cases being manufactured today, and one of the things we do first is weigh them (sans straps, blanket and eventual humidifier).
The results are surprising, to say the least.
One highly-advertised composite plastic model is claimed to weigh 2.3 kg but our example actually weighs 2.79. Another model named “One-point-eight” (not in English language) weighs up to 2.13 kg. - but they don’t declare the weight on their website, making you believe it weighs 1.8 kg. without actually lying about it. Sneaky.
Almost all cases weighed in at least 10% more than their claimed weight, and not one of them weighed less. The worst offender however is one carbon fiber model, retailing for over $1,200, which is widely advertised to weigh 1.8 kg. Our example actually weighs 2.21. That’s almost a full pound more, +23%. Maybe you pay a premium… for all that extra weight! ?
So if some cases (very few) weigh what they are supposed to, and most weigh a little to a lot more, how can anyone possibly make an informed choice?
Perhaps we should petition a respected magazine, such as Strings or The Strad – or why not Violinist.com? - to publish an independent weighing of popular case models to get the truth out and put a stop to this clearly misleading and deceptive advertising.
In the meantime, when choosing a case at your local violin shop, make sure you ask them to bring out a scale!
Replies (15)
Curious, this just now got me thinking: Weight has never been a matter I considered when buying a violin case. Besides aesthetics and price and quality, my foremost concern is "does it fit my extra-tall chinrest?".
But yeah, false and misleading advertisement on any feature is a big no-no!
The carbon fiber case I mentioned above, which weighs 400g more than claimed, actually has no cover.
The logic seems to be to simply claim a number which makes the model look good in comparison with the competition. If everyone does it, that's great; if some manufacturers are more honest about it, they are penalized because their cases appear to be heavier, so all the better.
After all, no one is going to really go out there and *weigh* them, right? ;-)
The “One-point-eight” that you mentioned, doesn't refer to the weight of the case, as they have other models called "Zero Six" and I don't think they're trying to pass it as a 0.6Kg violin case. It's just some minimalist way of naming their products.
There are online vendors of this case which list a weight of 1.8 kg. for this model. They, at least, were fooled by the name, as will be their clients by consequence.
If that manufacturer were to indicate the (accurate) weights on their website, there would be no room for doubt or misunderstanding.
I think the problem lies with re-sellers coming up with strange numbers, sometimes just giving averages or combining it with packaging for shipping. I found a German website that says the "One point eight" is 5kg, an Austrian that says it's 4kg and a Korean website that says it's 2.1kg, closer to the sample you tested.
But I agree, the manufacturer doesn't mention the dimensions of the cases on the website, much less the weight. I don't find the name of the model deceiving, particularly when most of models start with a zero. If a case weights 0.something kg , I am not interested!
I'm just suggesting that manufacturers should be more straightforward and transparent about the weights of their cases, and that independent third parties could check their claims and weed out the impostors.
All in the exclusive best interest of the violinist, nothing more, but nothing less either.
Cheers!
For comparison, my two cases,
1. An ancient (30yr?) wooden rectangular 4-bow case with zipped canvas cover - 2.47kg
2. A Hidersine 2-bow case that came free with my Jay Haide. Has useful straps for carrying on the back. - 1.95kg
Both cases were weighed empty except for the blanket within each, and each has room for music in its outer cover and is adequately water-proof (I ensured this by applying wax).
Neither has had a problem in the past with accommodating a shoulder-rest and chin-rest - but I don't use those devices any more ;)
I'm like Fox: I don't worry about the weight when considering a new case. Protection is my main concern, then ergonomics and aesthetics with an affordable price.
Being curious I just weighed my case including everything in it that I normally carry. It weighs 12 pounds.
Randy, congratulations!
You passed the test and can now switch to viola. Will not notice the difference 8-))
I don't care about weight these days because I drive everywhere. But in my college days, when I'd routinely walk everywhere while lugging my case? I definitely cared about weight.
As far as I can tell, a lot of cases are marketed to people who are not mostly driving and therefore care how luggable a case is.
In a large part of the U.S., people can drive anywhere they want and that makes weight less of an issue. In the Europe and the Far East, more musicians use public transortation, thus making weight (and bulk) more important.
Some people may be surprised at how many violinists carry their instruments, even important ones, while cycling or on a scooter or motorbike. In fact, there is virtually not one case on the market that can't be worn as a backpack, while 20 years ago that was something new. As is, in parallel, the quest for lightness.
The legendary Hill cases, made until the 1970s, were heavy as lead and didn't even have provisions for carrying straps! From the boot of the Rolls to the concert hall, so to speak... :-)
"I'm just suggesting that manufacturers should be more straightforward and transparent about the weights of their cases, and that independent third parties could check their claims and weed out the impostors.
All in the exclusive best interest of the violinist, nothing more, but nothing less either."
I agree 100% with you!
I have a fairly standard Bobelock violin case that has "backpack style" straps. It's really uncomfortable to carry that way, but I have the Joey, which works very well. I have not tried putting my viola case into it. The only issue when I am riding my scooter to my lesson is that the end of the case bumps a little against my helmet, which is a Scorpion motorcycle helmet. On a bicycle you'd need to be concerned about weight since the arrangement of bicycle and rider already has a high center of mass (higher than motorcycle or scooter and rider).
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March 17, 2016 at 07:57 PM · On the presumption that they're not just making up numbers, is there a logic to what they are not weighing when they announce the "commercial" weight of the case? The outer cover, perhaps?