I am looking for a good hard case solution for a keyless D flute with additional Eb body. I am considering a Northwind custom case and would love to see pictures if anyone happens to a D/Eb combo case. That said, I’m not convinced that I want to spend $400 or so on a case for an instrument that stays mostly at home.
Humidity control is a majory priority for me though, so any soft cases/bags are absolutely out of the question. Likewise for leather, hard or soft.
Has anyone found a good quality, padded, camera or pistol style hard case of the right dimensions?
Something like this one should go a long way. I have a case for a set of pipes from this maker (see all different sizes on the site). Does the job and they’re very reasonably priced. They’re in Germany though. Mine was delivered in two days in Ireland but YMMV.
Similar to the one Gumby posted, I used a Vanguard case for the past 10 years–there may be a size that’ll fit a combo flute.
Living in a very dry climate now, conscious humidification has become a priority, and I’m using a Humistat to excellent effect in my new Northwind case. I’ve got a steady 50-60% humidity going, while in the house it’s more like 25-35%. What I also like about the Northwind case is the insulated Altieri case cover–but you’re right, it may be a bit much for a flute that mainly stays at home.
I spent quite a while trawling for case options, and my main findings were pistol/gear cases, soft cases, modified Boehm cases (a re-blocked B-foot/piccolo combo case could work for you), or custom jobs like Northwind. I finally bit the bullet, and I think it’s worth it.
Loren, there are plastic pistol cases out there which will hold the lot - for fairly little money too. Look for a double/dual/multiple pistol case, long/large barrel pistol case, scoped pistol case or something similar. I have a couple such cases that would hold the flute and extra bodies. One is from Doskosport I believe. I use it to carry a flute for which I have two heads. The other is probably a Plano Protector (bought at Gander Mountain). I’ve carried two flutes in that one. Flambeau makes a 17" pistol case that might work (I have one of their smaller ones, decent, does the job and cheap). There are also two tiered pistol cases. I have one from Plano that can carry a good number of flutes and whistles. Probably not ideal for your situation but they are cheap and available in most sporting goods stores. These are usually more like a Pelican case - harder, heavier plastic. If any of these would be of interest to you I’ll Google up some links.
These things are usually really inexpensive at Walmart online.
Another thumbs up for Vanguard. Sam Murray sent my flute in a Vanguard case (what it was originally meant for, i don’t know) the case is however reasonably good looking and i don’t think it could be much better protected.
Sam Murray sent my flute in a Vanguard case (what it was originally meant for, i don’t know)
He seems to be using camera cases. He used to have cases that came from Jessop’s (who I believe have gone bust since), slightly on the small side for a D/eflat combo though. Anything of that small flightcase type of thing will do the job, as long as the size is right.
Loren, here a couple of model numbers for you to take a look at.
Plano apparently bought out Doskicil’s gun case business. So the Doskocil case I have is now sold as the Plano Gun Guard Deluxe 4 handgun case. These should go for $35 - $45 if you shop around. Everyday street price is about $50. Dimensions outside are 18" x 15" X 4.4"
Next is the Plano Protector or ProMax double pistol case. The larger case is model number 1402-01. It measures 16.75" x 14.5" x 3.5". It has plenty of room and offers good protection for under $20, usually well under that.
This is similar in construction to the single pistol case Plano sells (Model 1403) which I see many flute players using. I probably have ten of these. They go for about $10-15 and are available in a lot of sporting goods shops during the fall season. They usually get blown out for bargain prices in the Spring.
And finally there are the Doskosport Gun Guard SE cases. These are available in a scoped pistol size and a larger four pistol case. The scoped pistol case is a single level case. The larger case has two levels. These are about $25.
There are lot of other cases out there that will hold your flutes. EBay is full of these and others. You just need to shop a bit. Most big outdoor sports suppliers will have single gun cases. The larger ones are rarer but I have found them on the shelves at Gander Mountain , Cabela’s, Sports Authority and Dick’s. I am sure that others here have found similar cases and can recommend suppliers.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate all the suggestions and info, it’s been helpful.
I do have a Jessops case that a Murray originally came in, which I like a lot. A slightly larger version would be perfect, but alas while Jessops seems to still be in business, they no longer offer the hard camera cases.
My problem with the Plano pistol cases has been the pyramid egg crate foam on both the top and bottom: I’m looking for cases with flat foam for affecting proper cut outs. Simply setting the flute parts on top of that pyramid foam is not an option for me - one knock to an open case and flute parts go flying. Have seen this happen too many times.
The right size Vangaurd case is $75. Not too bad, although probably a bit bigger and heavier than I want/need. Seems the best option so far though and sort of negates the German case option.
Someone else recommended a used otter box. Not sure I want airtight though as I’ve had mold problems in the past, but I could vent the case a little.
My Magic 8 Ball says: All signs point to Northwind.
Finding a case that’s good, attractive, and economical is really difficult, isn’t it? More difficult than it should be, it seems.
One other possibility, if you don’t mind some DIY, would be retrofitting/re-blocking a combo case for a Boehm flute and piccolo. My local music shop has one lying about; perhaps yours does, too.
If I had the time, workspace and energy for DIY right now I’d just build a kickass case myself Going to have to go an easier route this time around. I am very tempted by the Northwind option, but I am still looking for a C body to go with the D and Eb, so if I’m having a custom case built, I should probably wait.
Well, I hear what you are saying. In nearly twenty years of using these cases, I haven’t seen one go flying yet. But if you have, that’s fair enough. These cases are large enough that you can sit the sections in on a diagonal between the pyramids. That holds the parts in place pretty well until the case is closed. Works well enough when opening them up too. It’s your call though.
There are plenty of handgun cases with the pick-a-part foam linings. I just haven’t seen the need to go for that myself. And the two tiered cases I suggested have a middle layer of foam onto which you can trace your outlines and cut the foam out to cradle the parts.
Just do a search on eBay one day. You’ll find plenty of options. Have your measurements ready.
I’m in the process of looking for an inexpensive case to hold an NSATB set of recorders at the moment. I am sure a short gun case will work out if I find one at the right price.
