What is a MUST in a violin case (besides build quality, materials...) for you?

In my viola case I keep my SR next to my scroll. They probably collide a lot in there but so far I have not noticed any damage. I'm also not super prissy about a $4000 Chinese viola. I'll be more careful with the Burgess viola that I just bought on auction a short while ago. :)

I like Gordon's idea of having a detachable music sleeve, but it also has to be secure. I agree it's essential that one can carry enough for one's lesson or a few hours of chamber playing. I don't expect it to hold my whole library. Nor do I expect to put any biscuits in there (with or without red-eye gravy). However I am known for always having a supply of mints, as well as extra pencils and mutes. I don't think the bag should be between myself and the case, though, as I might sweat through it in the summer and sully my Kreutzer.

For those considering the Joey as a way to carry one's violin on two-wheeled transportation, I find that I can use it okay with my 50-cc moped but not on my bicycle because the Joey holds my case up too high for the bicycle and there is too much wind drag and balance issues.

I do agree with Lyndon that the case has to fit the violin. That sounds trivial but it's easily the most important thing. Some cheap cases just don't fit well.

My shoulder rest solution is now a tiny Acoustifoam, which always has a place to fit even in a small dart-shaped case. A tiny bit more awkward is the humidifier-- I use the Boveda, which will fit under the scroll but prefer a little more room. So the really tightly packed cases like the Musafia Enigma are not so good there-- the Aeternum and Superleggiero are a little more suitable. A shame, as I do love the Master and Aeternum cases in general.

Otherwise, it depends. I often have more than one case around, so I can use a dart if I know what I will be doing and which two bows I would like to have. Oblong is more flexible, and can carry more gear (rosin, tweezers, etc.) and double has less room for inside storage but can also carry more bows as well as all kinds of things in the 'music' pocket.

I have a built-in A-440 tuner button in my Musafia and I have a vast love for it. I like the beauty of the analog hygrometer but I carry a digital thermometer/hygrometer in my case anyway and would prefer to have it mounted.

A large compartment for a shoulder-rest is a must.

And I'd sort of like one compartment that can be tightly sealed and promised leakproof -- for carrying pens (I don't like the prospect of ink leaking), candy, etc.

For that reason, although I'm fine with either a shoulder strap or backpack straps, secure anchoring in the core material (as opposed to just in the canvas cover) is a non-negotiable.

Also, I want either a large enough compartment for a shoulder rest, or some other way to secure a shoulder rest and keep it from touching the instrument. I'd like to have another compartment for other items (e.g. mutes, pencils) so they don't rattle around with the shoulder rest.

Much more important is a great and secure strap AND a subway handle (the short hand strap at the scroll end of the case). I usually take a second bag with music - as said most of the case-attached ones are a great way to wear out your music treasures which tend to be large format (urtexts). And yes, I confess that some extra gizmos like a tuner etc are in there.

A little question: those of you who are using laptops for your music, do you have an attached compartment for those too?

What would I like to see? A built in humidifier with a large enough capacity to actually work. We get very dry air with the wood burning stove and I've been using guitar case humidifiers (and sometimes a wet kitchen towel in a zip-lock). Perhaps I would also like to add an extra slim pocket for a set of spare strings so that the end pocket does not get too cluttered.

[I'm quite happy with my BAM Panther 2kg.]

I tuck them behind the bow silks where most people have photos of their cat. But, unless I am going somewhere far away or going to a performance, I only carry a spare E string, not a full set. If I need to bring a full set I just stuff it into the main compartment with all my other junk. I like to have one big compartment because I don't care if it is organized. I figure I can use rapid analog pattern recognition to spot my pencil or mute in there, and if that fails there is always rummaging ...

I prefer larger cases, but would be open to a high quality dart shaped case if I could fit the SR somewhere, even externally if needs be. Indeed I do not need any cases now, but would love such a wooden dart shaped case because their small size is so convenient.

(My original, off topic post below.)

Protection/durability first, space second, weight a distant third.

My presumably old pre-owned Musafia case fits these categories in that order-it is not too heavy, but the modern market has super extra light options. I would only have a super light option if it's really protective, and most light options have few spaces for accessories. I am not in the market for a new one because I am very happy with my (1st edition Aeternum?) case, and am certain it won't break down as my older cases used to do over time.

If it doesn't protect your instrument, it still is a case I suppose, but not one I would risk my instrument with. Not worth the "savings." On a very strict budget, you can still find protective wooden cases out there. Won't look "cool", but perhaps may be better for the instrument at that price point over the nicer and "cooler looking" options at that price point.

As always, it is fine to disagree, and I am not disparaging others for the cases they choose to use. Have had my share of decent, functional, but not excellent cases over many decades.

My fire evacuation plan is to pack 4 violins, one viola and one cello into our minivan and risk sacrificing one viola and one cello to the fire (I can squeeze 4 bows into my cello case). I gave my 3rd (and oldest) cello ("for keeps") to my musical son-in-law at the same time I made this evacuation plan.

Cheers Carlo

Perhaps by having cases worth looking at we'd be slightly more vigilant than our current level of paranoid vigilance; just exceeding the threshold whereby we might forget it on a train?

A Gordge violin case I bought in 1995 that has held up amazingly well. The only part that has started to die is one of the hinges (the hinge pin wants to work loose.) The canvas cover is almost perfect. The lock works. The original zippers work fine. The interior compartment lids remain firmly in place. The plush lining has one minor wear spot.

I bought a heavily advertised brand of case for quite a high price in 2013, and its exterior is looking fairly shoddy, though nothing has broken and the interior remains nice. Not quite worth the price.