HOWEVER, I’m looking at one of these to house my C full set for flights, and wanted to ask whether you use the ProTec PS2165W Standard Viola Case (the cheaper one), OR the PRO TEC HS2166W - Professional Viola Case (the less cheaper one). Specifically, I’m wondering whether one is easier to modify than the other, as the Professional model has those rigid box storage areas that might be harder to remove. It’s supposed to hold violas up to 17" (as opposed to 16.5" for the standard), and has a little more depth (although its actually a bit narrower in height/width, 10.75") so I’m thinking it might be easier to get the bellows in there.
Anyone with experience of modifying either of these care to chime in?
I use the cheaper one as well. I can fit my 3/4 C set in there just fine, but you have to remove the bass drone from the slide and push the tenor drone in to make it fit. I imagine you’d have to remove the bass regulator on your full set as well.
It was pretty easy to modify, although I did have to remove the outer fabric cover to remove some of the staples from the wood, and in retrospect I probably shouldn’t have removed the blocks from the inside of the top cover as they marred the fabric a bit (they were glued in, instead of stapled, so removing them took away a bit of the fabric).
I love this case as it is low-profile, very light, and unobtrusive. Plus it has handy pockets for thread, papers, recording devices etc.
A true story: In Toronto, after the Chris Langan weekend a few years ago, I was walking through the subway with my pipes in a ProTec case. One of the subway buskers, a guy with a guitar, spotted me. “Hey!” he yelled, “Are you a musician?” I said, “well, I play music.” He said, “What’s that in your case, it’s too big for a violin!” And I said, “Believe it or not, it’s a set of Irish bagpipes.” His eyes got big and he put down his guitar. “That is SO cool!” he said.
I adapted the Protec case these guys describe and it works fine. Since I only have a practice set I worked it out so I could leave in one of the little “storage boxes,” which is handy for assorted small bits of junk, pieces of milk rings, thread, etc. (I cut up one of the pieces I removed and used it to make a “wall” to replace the one that was lost when I removed the viola neck block – which, incidentally is just velcroed in so it’s easy to take out. Then, like Brad, I took the cover off and pulled the small staples out with pliers.
But there’s plenty of room and it’s certainly deep enough for a mainstock, etc.
I did feel kind of cool hauling it through the airport … for about the first two legs of the trip after which my neck got pretty cranky.
Although it’s still cooler than my flute’s pistol case.
I got a good deal from Cases and More on mine; I found one other lower price which they matched and then gave me free shipping so I got the thing for, IIRC, around $100.
The Protec cases are a bit pricy. You could probably get a flight case made to measure for the same price. I was quoted $300 for a 35"x12"x5.5" (outside measurements) aluminium case. Instead I bought a pipemajor’s case for $90.
I have tried to see what I could safely pack into one of my gig bags.
Here is the result
D full set
B half set
Bb chanter
C chanter
5 D chanters (3 in the external music stand holder)
Bamboo flute
Low D whistle
2 sets of bellows - 1 large and 1 small
Practice set bag.
I the side pockets 18 whistles plus a full syn set.
This is the type of bag I have, they are the biggest nice quality ones that I could find at a reasonable price.
You are technically incorrect PJ - you have missed out the other full set in D that I don’t admit to (Pakistani ) The Roberts half set in B, the 5/8th set in Jim’s workshop and the set of smallpipes languishing under my bed.
If you’re after a dedicated flight case, what about one like these?
I got sick of having my instruments in various boxes, swapping them about when I went anywhere, so I made these up. Dustproof in the workshop, stack easily and solid as. You should be able to buy the extrusions and other materials and make up your own to your own dimensions. They are expensive to make but even more so if you have someone else do it for you. But eh, to protect your assets, especially if baggage handlers are involved, you probably can’t do better!
I use it whenever I fly. It holds a full set/ concertina/and a flute (4pc). It’s rugged and I’ve been using their cases as a pro musician for 20yrs. They have never failed.
They will custom make a bag for you as well. the bottom can have hard inserts installed too.The bag mentioned above was made specifically 1" shy of the height/width length that the airline considers the max. I’ve never had and issue. In the overhead I have a wee sign that even the thickest people can see that says," Instrument Inside! Do Not Stack." I have never had an issue.
Finally, this is LIGHT! Try walking to any ‘gate 16’ at O’Hare and you’ll wish that anvil case had a motor and wheels!
- you have missed out the other full set in D that I don’t admit to (Pakistani 
) The Roberts half set in B, the 5/8th set in Jim’s workshop and the set of smallpipes languishing under my bed.
