Hodge Reed Case

[ClickRec]

Anyone try this reed case?

Hodge Alto Sax/Clarinet Reed Case
(http://cgi.ebay.com/Hodge-Alto-Sax-Clarinet-Reed-Case-6-7-reeds-NEW_W0QQitemZ230083284001QQcmdZViewItem?_trksid=p3 286.m20.l1116)
Looks like a Selmer knock-off, under $20.

[bobsax]

I just picked up one at Lee's Saxworx in SF and it's really nice, actually better then my Selmer because it has a spring that keeps it closed if the latch slips.
(like a jewelry case)
It's always bugged me that these cases were so expensive when the actual case is probably worth a buck.
It's good to see someone come along and give some competition to the other expensive cases.

It's cheaper here
http://www7.mailordercentral.com/frederichweinerinc/prodinfo.asp?number=CH17A6L&variation=

[Carl H.]

I use one for clarinet. It is a nice case.

[Little Sax]

They're OK, but I prefer the Hodge type that are a clam-shell. They have individual places for the reeds and have a better latch. You can find alto/clarinet ones here (http://hodgeproductsinc.com/store2/index.php?cPath=122_124_145) and tenor/bass-clarinet ones here (http://hodgeproductsinc.com/store2/index.php?cPath=122_124_148).

http://hodgeproductsinc.com/store2/images/4CASRCLDSCReeds.jpg

http://hodgeproductsinc.com/store2/images/8TSRCLBlackDSOpen.jpg

[Carl H.]

Those are nice cases, but considerably more expensive.

[Little Sax]

No they're not cheap, but they are sturdy and compact. The only complaint (other than price) is that they don't make one to fit baritone reeds. I have to use a Selmer case for that.

Since I use Legeres pretty much exclusively now, I only use these cases, Selmer cases, and a few of the cases that the OP asked about. Most other cases cause damage to the vamp of Legeres and so I have no use for them anymore.

The main thing is that these are much nicer than the Hodge cases the OP asked about. I still use them, but they're bulky and have an inferior latch. Since I play soprano primarily, I usually don't have a lot of space in my cases, so the Hodge cases I've recommended are really great on multiple levels.

[Carl H.]

With a little tweaking I made the latch a bit easier to manipulate one handed. It isn't an ideal case, but it is affordable and of decent quality. I actually like the design of the protec case, but the materials aren't of the highest quality.

I made my own case for soprano reeds. It fits perfectly in my case, snug but not hard to remove.

[Little Sax]

I use the case in question with my S-6 (plenty of room in that case) and I keep one in my Protec alto case too (again, plenty of room). My main horn is my SA80II sop in it's original case. All that fits in that case is the 4-reed clam-shell case and a mpc. My Selmer Series 9 clarinet (Chesterfield case) also has limited room and the same case works very well there.

What kind of mod did you do to make the latch work better one-handed?

[Carl H.]

I bent the little tab out and made sure the hook portion wasn't digging into the case covering. It now rubs, rather than digging into the covering material, and the little bump can be moved by my thumb. The spring loaded lid is still a 2 handed job to open without dumping all the reeds out but it can be closed and latched one-handed.

[Smooth Sop Berator]

I've been using one for a couple of years, and prefer it to anything else. I want two more, but Weiner music's shipping to Canada is so unreasonable I don't order from them any more on principle, and that first link doesn't offer international shipping at all. :|

[Little Sax]

I've been using one for a couple of years, and prefer it to anything else. I want two more, but Weiner music's shipping to Canada is so unreasonable I don't order from them any more on principle, and that first link doesn't offer international shipping at all. :|


I don't know what the shipping costs are, but they can be ordered from the Hodge website here (http://hodgeproductsinc.com/store2/product_info.php?cPath=122_124_145_161&products_id=256) for $19.00.

[bandmommy]

Do these work better than the Vandoren cases with the little charcol/silica tube?

[Carl H.]

I've never used one of those.

[Little Sax]

Do these work better than the Vandoren cases with the little charcol/silica tube?

I used those all the time when I was conditioning and playing cane reeds. (I have a ton of them too.) Since I switched to Legere, I had to give up the Vandoren cases as they can damage the vamp of my reeds.

I've never used a cane reed with Hodge or Selmer case so I can't comment on how cane reeds last with the absence of that little charcoal humidity control device.

[Carl H.]

I use the Hodge for my Bb/A clarinet double case. No moisture issues so far after a couple years.

[bandmommy]

Ok, Thanks!

[Sid]

Do these work better than the Vandoren cases with the little charcol/silica tube?

I tried one of those Vandy cases and found black patches developed on my cane reeds, which I took to be mould of some description. I've switched to a Selmer case ~ reeds dry flat + no mould = happy bunny!

[bobsax]

Do these work better than the Vandoren cases with the little charcol/silica tube?

That's a good question.
With the Vandoren and Leblanc holders the reeds lay on a canaled surface, I guess to hasten evaporation.
The glass bottomed cases seem the best choice for Legere and other plastic reeds but I think they are also the choice of picky cane users.
Does anybody have any links on discussions relating to the advantages of the canaled reed holder?

[bandmommy]

I've been using my Vandoren case for about 5 years with no problems.
No mold growing on the reeds or warping.
I was just curious as to if those who have used both had a preferance.

[ClickRec]

Do these work better than the Vandoren cases with the little charcol/silica tube?

My reeds get mildewy in the Vandoren cases. However, I do put my tenor reeds in a Vandoren case about 20 min before playing. (I dip the reeds in water first.) They seem to absorb the water faster and more evenly this way. But I'm think going to try a Hodge.

[bobsax]

My reeds get mildewy in the Vandoren cases. However, I do put my tenor reeds in a Vandoren case about 20 min before playing. (I dip the reeds in water first.) They seem to absorb the water faster and more evenly this way. But I'm think going to try a Hodge.
I also water the whole case and it does work better moistening the reeds.
To prevent mold I like to keep them completely dry. The best way to do that (here in the SF Mediterranean climate) is to just leave them in the case to dry out.
I mistakenly put them in a bag that retained moisture for a few weeks. When I noticed a moist smell that seemed like a good environment for mold I removed them and they promptly all warped.:(

back on the Hodge cases; I notice WWBW doesn't carry them. I guess it would be to much competition with the more expensive Selmer cases.
They also don't carry the Rico Sax Strap and instead offer much more expensive alternatives.
It pays to shop around:)

[km]

any recommendatiosn as to a good bari reed case - preferably one to keep reeds moist as it takes so long to wet a reed ready to play

and which is availale in the UK?

km