Questions re: SKB 450 and ProTec XL

[JeremyLC]

First, let me give a brief explanation, then I'll ask my question.

I recently bought an SX90R tenor, and I love it. The case it came with, however, is just too big for me to heave around. I'm only 5'7" and the size of the thing makes it awkward to carry. (and, I have my doubts about how well it protects my horn) (1) I really would like a smaller case for it. This means, most likely, a contoured case. I've searched high and low through the forums trying to get some idea of what will fit my horn. It seems the SKB450 or the ProTec XL are my best candidates. (please don't suggest other cases, I've seen all the suggestions for cases that are known to fit, and these two seem like the best bet) (2)


My question is, what kind of foam do these cases have inside? Is it hard, high density foam? (feels like styrofoam) Or, is it soft, flexible foam? (feels like soft egg crate type foam) Also, is the XL a hard shell case? I realize it has a nylon exterior surface, but does it have a hard layer beneath that?


Ideally , in the case of an accidental drop, I'd like my case to have an elastic collision with the pavement (it bounces off or, at least, doesn't deform), and an inelastic collision with the horn inside. (the foam compresses and decelerates the horn safely, absorbing the energy of impact in the process)

1) Odd, really, since I played an SA80II low A bari in HS, and that beast had a HUGE rectangular wooden case that I didn't hesitate to lug around

2) The Hiscox case has the best rep. for protection, but I, apparently, cannot be certain it would fit. I saw one thread that just went back and forth between "it fits" and "not even close". :(

Thanks,

Jeremy

[zxcvbnm]

The protecs are hard cases. Good protection but not as good as the hiscox.

[AhCheung]

Hm!
I know I am not supposed to mention other cases ;-) but I believe that if you wish an exterior ABS + soft interior which is indeed what you're looking for,
the Walt Johnson (or clone thereof, eg Maestro) would be a good choice as it has softer padding inside that doesn't transmit the energy of an impact to the horn, as styrofoam would (albeit with some diffusion).
I've noticed that Protec has added softer foam here & there inside since the old days but there are still harder spots I believe, not far from the wooden shell.
In any case, investing in a good case is smart.

[youngsaxman]

Hi Jeremy,

I own the SKB case that you mention of, and have it for both my tenor and alto saxes...one thing i would note, the alto case seems to fit the alto shape alot better than the tenor case does on my tenor sax, i.e the alto fits snuggly inside it's case, where the tenor has alot more internal packing/foam around it.

The case is lined with very good quality foam, that really seems strong...it's a very rigid foam, not soft, so it holds the sax very firmly in place once the lid is down.

The drawback of this style, I feel, is that potentially if the case were dropped with the sax in transit, it doesn't provide any cusioning as such...in contradiction, the case takes knocks and scuffs very well, and has stood up well to everyday use on the exterior.

In addition, SKB provide a lifetime guarantee i believe, so the case should provide adequete protection where you need it.

[JeremyLC]

Hm!
I know I am not supposed to mention other cases ;-) but I believe that if you wish an exterior ABS + soft interior which is indeed what you're looking for,
the Walt Johnson (or clone thereof, eg Maestro) would be a good choice as it has softer padding inside that doesn't transmit the energy of an impact to the horn, as styrofoam would (albeit with some diffusion).

Mostly I want to avoid starting yet-another-which-case-fits-or-doesn't thread. The WJs in particular seem to be rated as either "super protective" to "wouldn't put a mexi-conn in it!", so I'm not sure I'm willing to find out he hard way which one is right. (plus, $395! Yikes!:shock:)


I've noticed that Protec has added softer foam here & there inside since the old days but there are still harder spots I believe, not far from the wooden shell.
In any case, investing in a good case is smart.

That's good to know. I like softer foam inside. (the fit needs to be snug, however, for it to protect well)

[JeremyLC]

Hi Jeremy,

I own the SKB case that you mention of, and have it for both my tenor and alto saxes...one thing i would note, the alto case seems to fit the alto shape alot better than the tenor case does on my tenor sax, i.e the alto fits snuggly inside it's case, where the tenor has alot more internal packing/foam around it.

The case is lined with very good quality foam, that really seems strong...it's a very rigid foam, not soft, so it holds the sax very firmly in place once the lid is down.

The drawback of this style, I feel, is that potentially if the case were dropped with the sax in transit, it doesn't provide any cusioning as such...in contradiction, the case takes knocks and scuffs very well, and has stood up well to everyday use on the exterior.

In addition, SKB provide a lifetime guarantee i believe, so the case should provide adequete protection where you need it.


I didn't know about the lifetime guarantee. The interior foam, however, sounds exactly opposite of what I want. Thanks.

[spike421]

Also consider Gator cases. They're a good by and seem to be well thought out and made.

[jamesg]

Speaking of the ProTec XL, like others said it has a couple different foam densities, both soft for protection and hard for support and rigidity.

I haven't had any issues with my tenor case (yet), but I did break the zippers on my alto case, so its something to consider.

[JeremyLC]

Hm!
I know I am not supposed to mention other cases ;-) but I believe that if you wish an exterior ABS + soft interior which is indeed what you're looking for,
the Walt Johnson (or clone thereof, eg Maestro) would be a good choice as it has softer padding inside that doesn't transmit the energy of an impact to the horn, as styrofoam would (albeit with some diffusion).

Mostly I want to avoid starting yet-another-which-case-fits-or-doesn't thread. The WJs in particular seem to be rated as either "super protective" to "wouldn't put a mexi-conn in it!", so I'm not sure I'm willing to find out he hard way which one is right. (plus, $395! Yikes!:shock:)

Supposing I had thought about this a bit more, and might have changed my mind...where, exactly, would I be able to buy a WJ case? All the online retailers I checked explicitly state "does not fit Keilwerth" in their listings. (obviously they are not listing the Keilwerth-sized model)

[hgiles]

Also consider Gator cases. They're a good by and seem to be well thought out and made.

You weren't supposed to mention other cases!!

But I would have suggested the inexpensive Gator GL too. I have one for tenor and alto and both work fine for me. I had a GC at one point for alto that was fine too, but I don't like an ABS outter shell cause it eventually gets all scratched and ugly. A softer case can brush against the car when loading in and out and cause no damage to the car nor the sax in the case. Moreover, a lighter case can be loaded more gingerly because it's lighter to handle (duh). At the end of a long gig/day it's the heavier stuff that gets the rougher handling.

[JeremyLC]

Mostly I want to avoid starting yet-another-which-case-fits-or-doesn't thread. The WJs in particular seem to be rated as either "super protective" to "wouldn't put a mexi-conn in it!", so I'm not sure I'm willing to find out he hard way which one is right. (plus, $395! Yikes!:shock:)



That's good to know. I like softer foam inside. (the fit needs to be snug, however, for it to protect well)


You weren't supposed to mention other cases!!

But I would have suggested the inexpensive Gator GL too. I have one for tenor and alto and both work fine for me. I had a GC at one point for alto that was fine too, but I don't like an ABS outter shell cause it eventually gets all scratched and ugly. A softer case can brush against the car when loading in and out and cause no damage to the car nor the sax in the case. Moreover, a lighter case can be loaded more gingerly because it's lighter to handle (duh). At the end of a long gig/day it's the heavier stuff that gets the rougher handling.


I know about Gator cases. I have one for my guitar. The valance does not close all the way around the head stock area :-/ I'm not so sure about the quality of their cases.

[DixieSax]

Good friend of mine has a ProTec XL for his SX90. He likes it so much he bought ProTecs for his bari and his alto as well. I have a ProTec TriTnr for my SML gold medal tenor. Seems to be an excellent case so far.

The ProTecs are hard shell with ballistic nylon stretched over the shell. The foam inside seems more than adequate to protect a horn in normal travel from home to gigs, etc. I wouldn't pack them in an airplane cargo bay, however. Everything depends on how you plan to use the case.