In doing some checking around for cases for a half set, it seems that there are two choices. Either a more compact case in which you have to partially disassemble the pipes to have them fit, or a longer case which allows the drones to fit while still attached to the mainstock.
Do pipers out there have any input about what is a preferable option? Obviously a smaller case means it will be more portable in general. My main thought here is that taking the drones apart each time means more wear and tear on the hemp binding (sorry, maybe not using the right terminology here) where the drones fit into each other. I’d like to not have to worry about replacing the hemp too soon, but taking them apart on a daily basis seems to mean it would need to be replaced fairly often.
Thanks for any thoughts you might have on this subject~
the case should be about 30 or 32 inches long by 8 or 9 inches wide and 5 1/2 inches high for most pipes, If you check out Ebay for old wooden tool boxes you may come up with sizes pretty close to the above, you may have to do a minor bit of refitting to the box, remove a compartment or so,
this is what i did when i needed a case, and i attached two straps inside the box to strap in the pipes.
By “partially disassemble” I take it that you mean only removal of one or more drone slides, i.e. the bass drone slide.
Most players I know use cases which require removal of the bass drone slide. It seems the hemp binding lasts for years anyway - requiring perhaps an extra bit of thread wrapped around every now and then. In any case hemp slides will expand and contract with the weather (unless your bass drone is of the all-metal-slide variety), so some degree of maintenance is wise anyhow.
I think the only reason to go for a longer case is convenience, and that convenience can turn into inconvenience if suddenly the case doesn’t fit into a spot where you want it to go (for instance, an overhead bin on an aircraft…).
As it happens, my own set fits into my case without removing the bass drone, but that’s because my bass slide is a little shorter than average, and I have no bass regulator. Once you add a bass regulator, you are pretty much committed to either taking some part of the pipes apart before storage, or having a very long case indeed.
full set, straight bass reg. bar… bass clarinet case… TRUST ME… great case… holds all, plus flute, whistles, recorder, booze, etc…
something like 36x8x8 plus or minus
3/4 set or turn back bass reg bar… pipe major pipe case TRUST ME… had one for like 10 years now… fits in every overhead bin, even small planes… just have to take off bass drone tuning slide (no big deal)…
something like 24x12x4 plus or minus
if you want pictures and purchase info, let me know and i will look into where i found these… at one point i had like 7 cases… got obsessed.
KAD has a great soft sided sax gig bag that would work well too…
but the bass clarinet case, i liked it so much i bought two… IN FACT if you can play two sets with one set of bellows, IT WILL HOLD TWO FULL SETS!!! how cool is that!!! heavy as %&^*(!!! though with two of em in there.