DEG Cases????

[Sirdoug]

Need a new case for my Beuscher/Elkhart stencil bari from the 30s. Anyone know or have recommendations (good, bad, other?) on DEG cases? Saw them on the Brooks Mays web site and WOodwind and Brasswind, too, I think. Look like they're the old heavy wood construction with plush interior just like the old case that came with my horn. I figure if it lasted 70 years or so before falling apart, maybe that's a good design to go with? I hate to get plastic. Just hate plastic. So, anyone know about these?

[Grumps]

I posted this in response to the one you had in the bari mouthpiece section (you might want to have the webmaster delete that one for obvious reasons and continue the discussion here):

I got a DEG case for my 1920's Conn New Wonder not too long ago. They are heavy, regular cases for basic storage. It holds the horn adequately, but I wouldn't let it slide around under a bus while on tour. My horn is only keyed to high Eb, but it fits in alright as the bell just makes it to the bend. It would definately hold a regular low Bb bari and probably a low A one as well. I also have a DEG for my curved soprano (Buescher TT) and I'm very happy with that one as well.

[Surfer Jeff]

Hey, does your 1920s Conn sax have keys/cages on both sides of the bell? My Elkhart does and that's one main reason I want to check about the DEG, that the case will hold a sax with cages on both sides of the bell. Some of the newer cases are really molded exactly to the shape of the horn and might not work for a both-sides sax. No one stockes DEG cases around here. It's special order, and if you order it, you bought it, even if it doesn't hold you sax. It's a catch-22.

:?: Thanks.

Jeff L.

[Surfer Jeff]

Sorry for typos on last message. Sheesh. Jeff L.

[mark_m]

Talk to the dealer and they might be able to make an exception as far as letting you bring the horn in and checking the fit.

Local dealer here (Oakland CA) let me do this with a DEG case for my Conn C-melody. This implies to me that the dealers can return them if they need to...

[Surfer Jeff]

Do you like the DEG case?

Is it molded right to the shape of the horn? I ask because my old sax has key cages on both sides of the bell, and some of the molded cases won't allow for that--the sax has to fit exactly.

Thanks. Jeff L.

[mark_m]

The one I got for my Cmel is an old-style rectangular box, with a curved piece that follows the front of the bell's curve, on the left, and has a lidded box on the right.

The older Conn's have the bell keys on both sides, like you're saying. It fits fine, definitely an improvement over the dilapidated case I have. It's not of the same quality as the original old cases would have been when new, but on the other hand it is new and so should do the job for awhile. There's no latch on the internal lid, the foam under the fabric probably won't last more than 10 years or so, and the curved piece is a little flexible/wobbly. The case covering is typical vinyl, with fairly sturdy plastic edges and chromed corner pieces.

I'd be a little more careful, in the case of a bari, as it were, since they're more prone to bending etc. With the C-mel, there simply are no other cases out there. For a bari, there are a number of choices, but the good ones cost some bigger $$$. There are other posts that discuss other bari cases if you search for them.

I keep my bari in an old vintage contoured plywood case that it came in, and I consider it very marginal and I won't let anyone else carry it, and I have bits of extra padding inside to help it out. If I was ever going to travel with it, I'd need to get something different.

Anyhow, I'd really try to work with the dealer, maybe offer a "restocking fee" if you find it doesn't fit, better to be out $20. than have a case you can't use. Good luck...

[Surfer Jeff]

Thanks a lot for the reply. I learned a lot in a few sentences. Thanks.

One more question? Isn't the DEG case made of plywood or some kind of wood? It's a hard case, right? I want something a bit more sturdy than the Pro-tec canvas and foam type case.

Thanks.

Jeff L.

[Grumps]

The DEG case will fit a bari with split bell tone holes. It is a wooden, hard case that is not molded, or sculpted; inside or out. It is rather heavy. The top cover is a cushion and the bottom nestles your horn in with mohair like cushions (but too shaggy). As I said before, it is basic storage, but will keep your horn safe and hold it in place around the house, to a band practice or to the occasional gig. It's not for road touring. I got mine from Music Suppliers International and could have sent it back if it didn't fit.

[Grumps]

(but too shaggy)
Should be "but not too shaggy"