Case feedback?

[saxomophone]

I'm looking at buying a contoured case for my Reference 54, and I was wondering what people's opinions are on different kinds of cases. What would you recommend and what have you had bad experiences with? Have any of them damaged your horn?

I know that soft cases are bad for horns, and I've had bad experiences with Selmer Sax Packs bending the low Eb and C guard.

Thanks.

[Subtone Sam]

This has been discussed quite a few times before,especially in the old forum and I think Hiscox procase will get the most votes on this forum.I got one and I think its the best case in the market,zero problems with this case.Your Ref.54 should should fit nicely.

[singlereed]

Yep, the Hiscox is great, and bomb-proof as it is solid and has a fair degree of internal storage. The standard Selmer Lite case also has plenty of storage and is a good case too.

[mostly alto guy]

Maybe the best thing about a contoured case is that it gets much easier acceptance from the airlines as a carry-on. Not once (even since 9-11) have I ever been questioned with a contoured alto or tenor case. I miss the extra space of a coffin-style case, but it's a good trade-off.

[gemini]

Is there a URL for Hiscox? Are they on the web?

[gemini]

Thanks, google;)

[saxgourmet]

I think that we are kidding ourselves if we think that airlines are going to continue to allow saxophones as carry-on items in the future. A case that can be checked as luggage is most likely the only alternative in the future.

[Morry]

I disagree Steve. If you can take it out and play it, I think it'll be let on. I think there's less chance of taking laptops on that saxes. It wouldn't be hard to put a bit of C4 inside a laptop, and it still function. Hard to hide stuff in a sax.

[saxomophone]

I've been flying a lot in the past year, and I havn't had any trouble with the SKB tenor case my other horn is in. I've even seen people get on with guitars.

It all may change some day, but it seems like they are still pretty understanding of musicians not wanting their frigile investment gettting squashed by someone's 75lb Samsonite.

[Morry]

Now, I hate to stir up a big stink, but this just has to be said. It seems disingenuous to me to be creating the impression that saxes will soon be disallowed as a carry-on on the airlines, while at the same time selling anvil style flight cases on the same forum. To offer a product, and at the same time, try to create the need for it, is unseemly to me.

Just my $.02.

[saxgourmet]

I can only say to place a carry tenor in the "box" that airlines have at the boarding gate to determine the elgibility for carry on's and see if the case fits the requirements. They have every right to turn you down if your horn does not fit in that box. SOTW columnist Tim Price recently was refused permission to carry his horn on. Charles Neville has recently been refused. If it's a surprise to anyone that I sell cases, I offer my most sincere apology.

Seriously, try to put your case in the airline box.

[JEdge]

Morry,
I know what your saying and thought the same exact thing as you did upon reading the segment and Steves response...

BUT

It would probably be best to keep it to yourself and not stirr up a bunch of trouble. After all, no one wants to be "bashed" whether they are well-known or not.

[Morry]

You are correct. The timing of the two posts and the "bold face" type just rubbed me the wrong way. Probably just need my morning caffeine. My apologies to all.

[saxgourmet]

My point is simply this:

I don't make the carry on rules, the airlines do.

The airlines have every right to enfoce their rules.

Should the existing rules be enforced, saxophones will not be allowed as carry ons.

Should saxophones not be allowed as carry ons, an alternative method of transportaion must be found.

I offer such an alternative.

I don't think that Morry was trying to stir up trouble. However, I do think that it is very naive to believe that carry on rules will never be enforced.
I fly with horns on a regular basis. I always check my horn as baggage, in an Anvil case. I've have had no problems with damage to my instruments while in an Anvil case.

[Morry]

I had considered an anvil combo case to hold my alto and tenor back when I played in a band and we traveled by van. I certainly don't doubt their ability to carry horns without sustaining damage.

[garyinla]

Those Anvil cases are big and heavy.
If i want to check an alto and a tenor in separate anvil cases and also check some luggage, what kind of overcharges for overweight oversize luggage would I run into, and would i exceed the maximum permissable luggage?

[Grumps]

I'd hate to have to fly with a horn these days. Considering the fact that airlines won't let you lock your checked baggage (or risk the locks being broken), I'd hate to think of airport security cracking open my sax case, taking out the horn, grabbing it in all the wrong places, then stuffing it back in haphazardly. Perhaps new cases should come with picture instructions on the inside cover on how to properly inspect a saxophone.

[saxgourmet]

I recently had a customer whose horn was severely damaged by Danish customs.

[-j.]

Steve G.: you are correct -- only an alto contoured case will fit into the "place your carry-on baggage here"-thingie at US airports. I've posted this on the old forum, but again, back in Oct. 2001, Delta (the fascists of the air...) positively refused to let me carry my SA 80II sop (in the factory-supplied Selmer lite case) on board. Luckily, I had a friend drive me to the airport, with whom I left the horn.

Saxomophone: a Ref. 54 will fit in the Hiscox indeed, but there's quite some wriggle-room -- with the lid open. Others here have assured me that the horn will be very much secure with the lid closed, but I still remain suspicous (or, rather, paranoid!) about the fit. I used to put pieces of foam into the Hiscox to assure a good fit but got tired of it. So, I got myself a 10M as a backup horn. Not only does the Hiscox snuggle it wonderfully, it gives my 54 a run for the money, considering it cost less than half as much...

-j.

P.S. Over on the old forum, I was informed that Hiscox changes slightly the inner dimensions every now and then. THere were plenty of testimonials form Mark VI owners that swore by the Hiscox. I got my case (the pro version, of course) back in the summer of 2001. Don't know if that means anything, just letting folk know.

[john]

I'm with Grumps. I don't fly with my horn anymore. If I have to fly I've had better luck shipping the horn by UPS and "meeting" it at the destination.

Still risk with UPS but Grumps is right those airline and TSA gorillas can really do some damage and I'm sure my horn will show up on x-ray. I can just see the case opened upsidedown and my horn tumbling to the ground. I'm sure the Feds would cover all the damages though right? (NOT)

john

[3saxes]

I have flown with my Alto's and Soprano's in the standard "coffin" type cases, and Alto's in a contoured case with no problem. I have not attempted to carry-on a tenor, but I think a contoured case would be allowed in most situations, unless you get on late and the overhead compartments are full. Some airlines enforce the "size" rule more than others, and some gate agents are very selective in whom they enforce the size requirement on.

Suffice it to say, be prepared to check, leave or reschedule your flight if the airline refuses to allow you to carry-on your "babies!"

As to the Anvil cases, I don't know what the internal padding is like, but if I could get the same padding internally with an Anvil Flight Case as I have in my BAM Trekking Cases, I would buy a set to travel with. Or At least a Tenor Case.

How about it Saxgourmet?

[Subtone Sam]

Has anyone considered placing a Hiscox or WJ case into a good quality luggage,like Samsonite with some padding to make the sax case fit tight? It should work.

[gary]

Who knows what's going to happen after this week, but, as I've said on another similar thread, in the last 9 months I've flown four times, two were international flights and I carried my tenor on board without even a glance from airline personnel. It is, however, in a very compact Berkeley case. There's even a full-page ad in Europe from Alitalia promoting their concern by showing musicians taking their instruments on board.

[paulwl]

There's even a full-page ad in Europe from Alitalia promoting their concern by showing musicians taking their instruments on board.
I first read that as: "shoving musicians taking their instruments on board." :)

Anyway, keep in mind Alitalia is run by Italians.* You could probably bring all sorts of things aboard as long as they were not obviously lethal-looking.

*I am 1/4 paesan', so I can say this. The rest of you betta shudduppa you face.

[gary]

LOL! Well, these flights were all on Italian airlines. I didn't see ANY signs of organization! Even lost my baggage on a one-way, no transfer flight.

[Simon Cosgrove]

I'm about to fly to Japan for a long-term program and I have to check in either alto or soprano and carry on the other (with special permission). The sturdiest case I have for alto is the Selmer Lite Case - would this sustain any damage if checked in? Or is it a strong enough case?

[freerdr88]

The best case is the BAM case made in france its about $300 and has the protection of a hard case and the weight of a soft one. it also has a pocket large enough to hold a clarinet and backpack straps.
I recently brought mine to australia, it's great.

[singlereed]

Don't put a sax in check in, in just a Selmer Lite case. The padding near the bow is quite scant and there have been stories here of saxophones being bent when in these cases, merely having been dropped. When you think the height from which it is likely to be dropped or thrown in the airline system is so much greater, then its not a good idea. It wouldn't stand being stood on either.