So you've kicked the
wheels, tested the locks, and taken it around the block for a test
drive. It sounds like a trip to the local car dealership, but instead
you're on a quest for that perfect around-town cello case. One that
will fit in the back seat or trunk of your car, or be light enough—and
manageable enough—to travel with you via bus or subway to classes,
gigs, and lessons. To help make your shopping experience a little
easier, we've polled dozens of Strings readers, players,
and instrument dealers in an online survey to find their views on
the best cello cases for short-distance travel. We discovered that
there are many more short-distance travelers lugging cellos around
than we had originally thought—nearly everyone surveyed traveled
with a cello more than three times per week. And the cases they
use vary from mere gig bags to valises better suited for airline
travel. But a majority gravitate to a specific set of case criteria:
prices between $500 and $700, lightweight durability, a suspension
system, and secure locks and closures. Although most participants
aren’t sold on the newer cello-case models that sport wheels,
most agree that backpack straps are essential. Although high prices
are a prevalent concern, many survey participants concede that investing
in a good-quality case can save money in the long run, in both cello
repair and replacement-case purchases.
We compiled a list of cases suggested by our survey participants,
then contacted the top 11 manufacturers. We asked each to send their
best-selling around-town cello case priced below $1,000. This resulted
in a wide variety of day-to-day travel cases for the student to
professional player. We've tested each case for durability, weight,
and fit, and reviewed each case's accessories and amenities.
There are other cello-case manufacturers, but those listed here
were among the favorites in our survey, the top three being Bam,
Hiscox, and Bobelock.
Here are the features included in the models we reviewed:
Accord
Made of a durable kevlar and carbon-fiber fabric weave, the new
Accord Special model is one of the lighter cases Strings
reviewed. And the clamshell design makes for a relatively reliable
weatherproof seal. However, the placement of the bow holders is
a bit problematic. Although better than Velcro, the holders are
situated in such a way that there is no backing and only the tip
and frog meet the top of the case—leaving no other support
for the stick. The tension locks, designed on a flip-latch principle,
are very secure and easy to use. Accord includes Velcro pads for
added protection—you can move them to any spot where you might
need extra padding, from the neck to the upper or lower bouts. For
around-town use, this is a good option. But we'd recommend buying
more comfortable backpack straps to fit into the two key rings on
the back of the case (the pair that come with the case are unpadded
and may prove uncomfortable).
Specifications: Accord Special (shown at right), $985. 7
lbs., adjustable from 1/2 to full size. Available in black exterior
with gray interior. www.accordcase.com.
Bam
Bam is one of the companies favored by both dealers and readers
polled in our online survey. Recommended for their incredible durability
and solid construction, these cases provide safe, economical, and
well-designed protection for cellos. The new Bam Newtech
case is no exception. The well-placed handles make the case easy
to lift, and the wheels function well on both hard and carpeted
surfaces. The seal held up under pressure, and the case didn’t
buckle under weight testing. The interior pocket is large enough
to hold coiled strings and rosin, and the interior material is both
soft and tear-resistant. Another favorite is the bam shuttle case
(ABS shell), weighing in at 15 pounds; it sells for $710.
Specifications: Bam Newtech (shown at right), $824. 11.7
lbs., full size. Available in four metallic finishes: mint, black,
royal blue, and terra cotta (all treated with antiscratch coating);
also available in a lighter 11 lbs. version without wheels. www.bamcases.com.
Bobelock
This newer ABS 2000 fiberglass cello case from Bobelock is
offered as an improvement on the older ABS model, and comes in two
specialized sizes: one for average European-size instruments and
a wider version for Montagana-patterned cellos. The valance has
been redesigned to keep out moisture and dust, and the easy-flip
latches allow one-handed closure. Bobelock also offers an optional
padded travel cover that envelops the entire case and has backpack
capability. One of the top three choices among our online survey
participants, the Bobelock case was voted a favorite for its durable
design and lower price.
Specifications: Bobelock ABS 2000 (shown at left), $479 ($79
travel cover available). 14 lbs., full size. Available in blue,
green, black, red, silver exterior, and burgundy, dark blue, tan,
and light-gray interior. (800) 862-3468.
Concord International Group
The plush velvet interior and well-padded suspension system are
appealing aspects of the Concord PCCL12 case, as are the
recessed endpin hole and comfortable backpack straps. The bow spinners
do come rather close to the cello scroll when the case is closed—but
in our testing, we never saw the two make contact. This is another
good student case—it’s light and easy to carry. We also
looked at the CACL11W Hill-style Concord cello case (with
wheels), which comes in 1/4 to full size. That case has widely placed
wheels and an easy pull strap for smaller players.
Specifications: Concord PCCL12 (shown at right), $638 ($698
with wheels). 13 lbs., full size. Concord CACL11W, $498 ($450 without
wheels). 16 lbs., full size. Both available in black, blue, or brown
exterior; burgundy, blue, green, or gray interior. www.concordgroup.com.
J.W.
Eastman
The Z-Tek Deluxe case has a solid layer of suspension padding,
including a rim of extra filling around the cello bouts and at the
scroll. Other features include a well-designed neck block and scroll
harness. The case sports a heavy-weather gasket, rubber valance,
and keyed locks. Many of our survey participants recommended Eastman
cases for their reliability, lightweight design, and well-padded
interiors.
Specifications: J.W. Eastman Z-Tek Deluxe (shown at left),
$650 (available without wheels and pull handle for $570). 9.25 lbs.,
1/2 to full sizes. Available in: red, white, blue, green, silver,
and black with burgundy or camel interior. www.eastmanstrings.com.
Gewa
We'd like this case more if there were backpack straps. However,
the Gewa Idea Futura proved to be relatively durable in our
testing. The valance isn't quite as strong as most of the other
cases Strings looked at, and the unusually large flip-style
latches weren't a favorite. Also the use of a belt-style neck strap—even
with the protective flap—is just asking for body scratches.
However, the interior is soft, with an extra layer of padding around
the cello body for nice suspended support. All in all, this is a
great case for a starter cello, but not one we'd recommend for that
Montagnana.
Specifications: Gewa Idea Futura (shown at right), $977.
11 lbs., full size. Available in (exterior/interior colors): black/red,
dark blue/blue, charcoal/red, red/charcoal, white/red, yellow/charcoal,
dark green/charcoal. (574) 293-6686.
Hiscox
Front and back arching give the Hhiscox Liteflite cases an
extra level of protection. This British manufacturer also incorporates
a specially designed aluminum valance into its cases adding notable
rigidity to the outer shell. When open the case is not as malleable
as many of the other ones tested—which was a welcomed trait.
The bow holders are especially soft and protective, with extra padding
for the tip. When closing the case, the top and bottom fit together
perfectly without coaxing (again, not so with many of the cases
reviewed). All of the catches, latches, and handles are riveted
through the aluminum valance for enhanced longevity and durability.
Hiscox promises on its website that all Hiscox Liteflite cases exhibit
enough "crush strength" to support the weight of up to
90kg., or 198 lbs.—Strings tested up to 125 lbs. of
pressure and found that the case withstood this weight with no damage.One
of the three favorites in our online survey, the Hiscox case is
a good example of lightweight durability and inventive case design
at an affordable price.
Specifications: Hiscox Liteflite, $750 ($850 with wheels,
shown at left). 12 lbs., full size. Available in charcoal, ivory,
or burgundy exterior; wine or light olive interior. www.hiscoxcases.com.
Meisel
Meisel has been distributing instruments and accessories in the
United States since 1878—and its attention to quality and detail
is evident in its products. The very protective 101SA Extra Light
cello case offers lightweight durability. It has a zippered
closure, but with a large-toothed zipper and an added rain flap
for extra protection against the elements. The comfortable straps
and light weight make this case a winner when it comes to ease and
mobility. If you're traveling often by bus or subway and need to
run to make connections, this case is a great option.
Specifications: Meisel 101SA Extra Light (shown at right),
$599. 8 lbs, full size. Available in (exterior/interior): navy blue/gray,
black/burgundy. www.meiselmusic.com
Saga
Although not technically a hard case, the Saga Travelite
is quite durable. The foam shell is extremely hard and easily held
the weight of one person without buckling. The multiple handles
make for very manageable transport—as do the adjustable backpack
straps. There is one catch-latch on the inside of the case with
a Velcro-close flap for added protection. This case also offers
a good deal of padding and a recessed endpin hole for added protection.
Specifications: Saga Travelite (shown at left), $195. 10.5
lbs., 1/4 to full size. Available with gray-blue interior and black
exterior. www.sagamusic.com
SKB
SKB offers the SKB-344 Deluxe, a basic travel case designed
with the student cellist in mind. The case is of the "no-frills"
variety and offers only the basic necessities: padding, suspension
system, strong locks, convenient handle, and wheels. But every aspect
of this case is top quality—the hardware is very strong, and
the outer shell withheld our weight tests. All these aspects make
this option a good "starter" travel case. SKB also makes
the SKB-544. It weighs a bit less and costs a bit more—and
provides another lower-priced option for student players.
Specifications: SKB-344 Deluxe (shown at right), $300. 17.5
lbs., full size. SKB-544, $309.95. 16.5 lbs., full size. Available
in black exterior and blue or black interior.
www.skbcases.com
Jakob
Winter
The high-quality JW3035 CS offers extra padding at the lower
bouts and base of the case—along with padded bow spinners and
a plush velvet interior. In addition to just looking nice, with
the black Cordura cover and the dark evergreen interior, the Jakob
Winter case proved extremely durable considering it isn't constructed
of fiberglass, and it didn’t buckle under our 125 lbs. of test
weight. Four rubber feet at the bottom of the case add extra support
while it’s standing. A backpack harness—a trait unique
to the Jacob Winter cases—snaps into the back of the case.
The only drawback is that the case ran a little narrow for our test
cello. (Be sure to bring your own instrument to a shop and test
the fit of this or any other case before bringing it home.) Jakob
Winter also makes the JW2035 RO cello case. That option has
a vacuum-formed ABS plastic exterior with a strong aluminum valance,
and an interior suspension system with foam-rubber support. The
case also has wheels, several handles, and a carrying strap.
Specifications: JW3035 CS (shown at left), $775. 12.5 lbs.,
full size. Available in (exterior/interior): black/green, black/blue,
black/red, red/red, brown/green, brown/red, brown/blue, blue/blue.
JW2035 RO, $552, 16 lbs., full size. www.boosey.com/Instruments/
Winter/FrameWinter.htm
