In my experience good, inexpensive simple-system flute cases are a little hard to come by, so I thought I’d pass on this recent find.
I’ve been keeping my flute in a basic plastic Doskosport pistol case, which works fine, but I’ve been looking for something more secure (where the flute doesn’t just sit on the foam) and perhaps a little more stylish. Here’s what I found last week at a sporting goods store:
The VGP 3201 is just big enough for a keyed flute with a split midsection, hygrometer, and cork grease. No messy foam cutting necessary; the diced foam is great–it can be plucked out to create slots for the various flute sections, so the flute is in the foam and not on it. And it looks more like an instrument case; people no longer think I’m bringing Allen wrenches to the session. I found it for $30, but I’ve seen it online for less.
I have a Vanguard case for my border pipes and it is great (VGP-13 or 13s). I will probably look for one for my GHB if I ever fly anywhere that requires me to check my pipes below. I had my eye on Vanguard cases for a while when one popped up on eBay ended up being less than $20 with shipping.
I’ve got a vanguard case for my flute as well, #GDS-7230C, although mine is branded Winchester. It’s got plenty of room for my GLP, along with the cleaning rod as well as two compartments for cork grease, humidifier, etc. Mine has the eggcrate foam in it. I keep intending to replace the foam with the other type, and seem to forget to as often as I remember to. Great cases.
My keyless Murray showed up in one of those cases; it’s great! Thanks for the line on where to find another – I’ve wanted one for my keyed flute for a while.
lol
makes you wish you could play the case, too, eh?
you want cool cases? THESE are cool…also expensive!!
I thought of commissioning one (Andrew Crawford is his name) a few years back…but way, way too much for me.
I LOVE the two-sided case holding the Quantz flute!
Yah ! Now those are cases…but don’t forget the “Otter Box” sealed pistol cases…they can be used as humidors as well…got a couple w/ the Gallagher…real nice…
My German friend, the master cabinet maker, almost has a flute box finished, Oak with a inlayed top and octagonal sides. The lid will be gasketed, with felt or leather. Stay tuned… I will post a photo if he ever finishes one!
They are lovely boxes… trouble is if you went anywhere you’d be fretting about the box and the flute! So you end up with a case for a case as in the picture. Andrew does courses in box making as well which are rather tempting.
I had the same thought; I’d be afraid it’d be sort of like having a Porsche Boxster … thieves would just assume there’s a Bose stereo system inside.
Of course, I’ve also wondered about having a pistol case or even a cool case like the Vanguards. Does it suggest contents far more attractive to a thief than the reality — a warped wooden flute?
But wow, those are absolutely beautiful. Works of art, indeed.
On the other hand, maybe we should design a stealth case. Sort of like those black keys Maurice Reviol’s putting on his flutes … On a blackwood flute on stage, would anyone know that those blazing F naturals are assisted??
I inquired once to Andrew Crawford about making a case for me, but he said I’d have to send him my flute in order for him to fit it properly, and I didn’t want to risk it…sending it overseas to England and then him sending it back. I asked if I could just send a scan but he seemed reluctant. So I went elsewhere…actually a very nice fellow in Texas named Matt McCullough ended up making one for me and I’m very happy with it. Patrick Olwell saw it last summer and said, “wow, who made that gorgeous case?” He loved it (as do I). There’s info on Matt at the bottom of this page:
Can anyone here recommend a good flute case case maker? I’d like to get something in mahogany. Also, does anyone know of any sturdy ATA-style flute case case case brands?
Oh, and what are some good fabrics (e.g. Nylon, leather), for a flute case case case cover?
Speaking of nice cases, when I bought eilam’s McGee from him, he sent it in a GORGEOUS dovetailed walnut box he’d made for one of his recorders. Not lined or anything (I need to fix that), but …
… eilam? Are you out there? Maybe there’s a market for you if you get tired of building cool things for Patagonia stores!
Anyway, eilam’s box is a keeper. It’s one of the handsomest pieces of wordworking I own, that’s for sure!
Perhaps that’s the Official Sam Murray case then. That’s what my keyless came in (although the mailing carton was originally packaging box for a set of rollerblades, so you never know).
I shouldn;t admit this, but when I got home, I immediately oiled the flute. And promptly dropped the bottom hand section on the kitchen floor, causing the long F to warp and bend too much into the flute. No other damage and I was able to fix it with minimal effort, but Monday was NOT my flute-playing day.
Great cases.
I’ve been worrying.