Accord vs BAM violin cases
Has anybody compared the "Accord" violin cases with the "Hightech" BAM cases - in terms of strength, protectiveness, weight, materials used, etc.? They seem, based on their advertizing, to use similar materials, with similar aims - supposedly super protection. The "Accord" costs a lot more. Does anybody know of similar cases by other companies that are cheaper than either of the above?
Replies (17)
I have to say that I prefer wood cases for protection. Mostly because past a certain point, I *want* the case to start coming apart in order to absorb impact energy.
An indestructible case is great if the case is fixed in place (or on the ground) and gets stepped on. Or if you believe that the energy of the kinds of impact hit you care about can be successfully aborbed by the padding around the instrument inside the case and you're most concerned with crush protection.
For drops or other situations where the case and instrument are moving and then suddenly have to stop moving, with an indestructible case, the only thing that will absorb some of that energy is the padding inside the case surrounding the instrument. The rest of the energy gets transmitted right into the instrument.
Note that cars are built the same way. Modern cars are designed to deform/crush in certain ways to aborb impact/deceleration energy so that the people and seatbelts are forced to absorb less.
- Ray
I've heard some odd stories about the guy who makes Musafia cases...he runs them over with his car, sets them afloat down the river, might have even thrown a firecracker at one, I dunno, but anyway he found out that they're basically indestructible. I have a Musafia so that's comforting! :)
I have the BAM hightech. I got it because it is super light. It is very "no frills" inside, but it's great because of the backpack straps and weight, or lack of. It also has D-rings, that you can clip a folding stand bag or other stuff on to it. Great for people on the go.
As far as strength, I don't know. I haven't abused it much yet, and don't plan to.
I've compared both Bam hightech carbon and Accord Carbon Fiber. One thing to note, Bam's is not carbon fiber, it's carbon fiber look and actually made of ABS. It does look great, and it relatively strong. The Accord one, being actual carbon fiber is a bit lighter and a lot stronger. They've got newer patterned carbon fiber shells too, which look nicer. Both cases though, have a thin varnish layer that's easily scratched, so don't cry when your expensive case is scratched, as it will be in regular use.
Now the interiors are a bit different. The interior of the Bam case is high tech through and through, molded foam to hold the violin, and the accessory bag is smart and cool looking. The Accord's interior looks like just another violin bag, granted the fabrics are patterned silks. The Accord has a string the ties the violin neck down, and it's fairly secure with that and has suspension as well pushing down from the top. The bam has a velcro neck strap, but the violin is already held in it's foam padding, making it ultra secure. It also has suspension too.
As you can guess, I bought the Bam case. If I did it again though, I might not get the carbon look. It was painful to see my first scratch. I think the non carbon's they'd be less noticable. Oh a word on it too, my case, had it's handle on the end come off, and it had to go in for servicing. Bam did send fed ex though, paid for shipping, repair, etc though.
Oh, if you have an odd shaped violin, the Bam case will not work at all since it has the molded foam. I also have a Jordan Electric, and there's no way it would fit. I'd imagine the same would be true for Steinberger, Yamaha, Zeta, basically any not strad style violins. The Accord though, will work for those. I talked with the folks at the Accord booth at NAMM, and they said they'd even put in a custom cutout for the Jordan shoulder rest. That's where your high dollars go for Accord, custom service;)
Anyway, hope that sheds some light.
I have the Bam High-Tech contoured case. I found that the Velcro for the neck wasn’t keeping the violin secure enough and the top was hitting the bows, causing some small scratches. I had an upholsterer install another foam pad on the top of the case to secure the neck when closed. Now that that problem is resolved I absolutely love the case for its lightness and ergonomic design. And, I don’t mind the scratches on the case at all; I think they give it character.
Brack-case, http://www.brack-case.ch/ seems to have a similar case, although I couldn't find pricing information - you have to email them, apparently.
I'm still kicking myself that I passed up the chance to get an Accord for 50% off 4 years ago when they were in the final testing stage. Oh well - mine holds more music!
Thanks for all your responses. Ray Chen made an interesting point. I wonder whether tests were made on the physics of the shells of either case to see whether, and to what extent they absorb shock, transmit it, or (if this is even possible) repel shock - and whther some combination of all the above can take place.
At any rate, I'm not worried about dropping the case - something that only happened once in my life when a shoulder strap gave way - but a situation where I have to put it in an overhaed compartment in a plane, etc.
(A touch of after-the-fact self-editing: "whether" and "overhead"!)
Accord and BAM casses both very cool casses. They make you look like you are carrying a sniper rifle or A character on the Matrix or A CIA or FBI assasian. I hope I will get one or the other for Christmas.
I have a regular BAM. It's awesome!
It's funny - I forgot that I was the one who started this thread! Actually Howard Core has come out with pretty much what I'm looking for: a double case, high-tech, not too heavy or expensive. The catch is that they only sell to dealers. But Ed Maday, who is making a new violin for me, will order one for me as part of the deal!
Raphael,
Do you have VAS, or what? Good thing you aren't a guitarist ;-)
What's VAS?
Violin Acquisition Syndrome
Yes, I'm Raphael, and I'm a vio-holic!
(Everybody say "Hi Raphael!")
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March 29, 2006 at 08:18 PM · Hello,
I don't know. One of the strongest cases for the price is the ones made by Valises d'Aluminium Rouillard in Montréal (you have to order custom). I have had mine for 15 years and it is still in great shape. The price is highly reasonable at $525CND for a case and sturdy as can be (Airplane grade aluminium with steel corners). Beats in my opinion anything like the BAM or Accord for strenght. It is heavier, but I don't mind for the protection.
Cheers!