My pipes with the bass bar and drone ends removed are about 32" long. The big issue is that my bellows when pressed flat are a tad under 6". I’m wondering if anyone else on here uses this case for a full set? If so, how strong is the case with the padding removed and how comfortably does everything fit in there? And if possible, what are the dimensions of the exterior pocket?
It seems perfect if I can squeeze my pipes in there. I’m also hoping the exterior pocket can fit my flute case and maybe a small box for reeds. I have a Bagpiper brand case that I use for my säckpipa but my uilleann pipes could never squeeze into it unless I pull them apart almost completely.
Don’t know about the bass clarinet case (seems sort of shallow for comfort), but Tommykleen and I swear by our ProTec viola cases. I think Tom has this one; I have an earlier version of that. (Pardon the Amazon link – I’m having trouble resolving Protecmusic.com links right now.)
The “adjustable shoulder block” is completely removable. The bow clips can be unscrewed pretty easily. There’s also an optional backpack-strap kit. And the internal gear-boxes are invaluable (mine has two)!
On the much cheaper end of the spectrum, I recently hacked up and reupholstered a $40 baritone ukelele case to accomodate a practice set or half set. (A bass ukelele case might even be big enough for a 3/4 set or full set.) It took 90 minutes of my time, a yard or so of fabric to replace the fake fur I removed before chopping out the extraneous styrofoam, and several sticks of hot glue; but it all turned out pretty well.
Others prefer banjo cases or rifle cases. There are many threads on this topic archived here!
I have one, and love it. I do have a full set but with a Taylor style bass reg.
I don’t think a straight bass reg bar would fit without taking it apart.
Thanks Pyper, that’s exactly the answer I need. In my case I know my pipes are 32" with the drone ends and bass bar removed so it will fit that way. I was just worried with all the regs and trying to fit bellows that it wouldn’t work. Any chance you can measure the exterior pocket? I’m hoping I can a least fit my flute case in there.
Mke_mick, do you know of any full sets fitting into the viola case? Also how spacious is the exterior pocket? I do like the idea of having those two internal compartments for reeds and a bottle of mace for every time someone tries to play or sing tunes like Danny Boy or the Irish Washerwoman
I have also been using the Protec viola case for a full set. It’s a bit safer than other instrument cases (even from Protec) in that it’s unlikely that someone would want to steal a viola
“So young, and already a violist.”
“The difference between a viola and a coffin is that with the coffin, the dead person is inside…”
With the rectangular type of viola case and the “shoulder” block removed a full set fits easily. The external pocket runs the full length of the case – big enough for “Pipe Friendly Tunes” to sit end-to-end with “O’Neill’s Music of Ireland.”
