I’ve been looking for this information for a while as I’m shopping for a case for an incoming set with a straight bass-reg bar. Would someone be willing to measure their D Full Set (with a straight regulator bar) from tip of the bass drone to tip of of the reg bar? Also, how tall and wide the is your mainstock with regulator keys and all?
Thanks in advance. I’ve got my eyes on a banjo case that’s 38" internal by 5" height. I know I’ll have to take the end off the bass drone to store it in almost all cases - I just want to make definitively sure that it’ll fit in the banjo case. I dislike returning things.
You might want to consider a mountain dulcimer case (hard sided). I have one that I can fit a C set into, with an upright bass reg bar. I have to take that off, as well as the bass drone slide. If tight (from other junk) I take off the bari slide as well. The bellows fit nicely in the larger end, nested at the bottom of the set.
I don’t know who made the case I have, but this looks a lot like this one:
Hey thanks! I’ve definitely thought of that, but the only thing I want to have to disassemble is the bass drone slide. I’d like to leave the bass reg intact as much as possible. Any guesses as to the total length on your set - bass reg included? Just curious.
Perhaps it would be better to wait until you have your set and measure it. Not all sets are made equally and measurements and sizes will differ from one maker to another.
I suspect that if you want to keep your bass reg in one piece you’ll be looking at something like a guncase. Have a look at flight cases, gun or otherwise of the appropriate size.
In my own experience keeping the size (and weight) of the case to a minimum, even if it requires a degree of disassembling, is the more practical option.
This is my experience also. I started out with gun cases; they’re very strong and protective and I can fit my full D set in without disassembling the (straight) bass reg, but they weigh a ton. I am in good shape, but get tired of carrying it around after while. It’s they way to go if you ever have to ship them or check them as luggage on a plane, but otherwise they’re just too heavy.
I’ve tried a few others, and my current favorite is this Chinese carbon-fibre viola case, that a fellow C&F piper recommended to me:
I pulled all the viola padding and lining out (it was just hot-glued in) and made my own foam pads by experimenting with different densities and thicknesses of upholstery foam. It is strong and weighs almost nothing. The hinges and clasps are cheap, but it has held up so far and I like it. Much more practical than a rifle case.
If it still matters, the mountain dulcimer case I have at home and use for the C set is about the size of the larger one that I linked. I also have a D set by the same maker, with an upright bass reg bar, and I’d think (though I have not tried) it will also fit in the same case - perhaps with the bass bar cap in place.
The D set might fit into the shorter case without the bass bar cap in place…but better to have your set in hand before you buy if you are not certain.