I have not been able to find a multi-instrument case! I have Generation G through Low D (never found out who made it). I also have two fifes, a quena, two recorders and an American Indian flute (if you haven’t tried one - DO! they are every bit as lovely sounding as a whistle and make for great contrast). Where do I get a case for 15-25 instruments? I know I will not stop aquiring whistles (I already have multiples of several keys), but I want a good case that will protect my whistles, not let them bang against each other, and not get crushed in my car. When I go to a gig (I get paid to play, what could be better?), I lug an oversize bag that also has books.
Considering the number of whistles and tubular instruments, you might want to consider one of the larger Dealer size cue cases (as in pool Cue) Here’s an example of the types of hard cases availables - Dealer](http://www.cuestore.com/groups/dealer_1.html%3EDealer) Cases or Smaller](http://www.cuestore.com/groups/hardcase_1.html%3ESmaller) hard cases.
I have one of the 3 channel cases simulart to this 1B2S](http://www.cuestore.com/cases/4108.html%3E1B2S) case by Schmelkefits my Overton low-D, Low-F and and 2-3 soprano whistles. The case is considered a 1 plus size hard case. A 6 stick hard case would have 12 channels with a mix of widths to accomodate the butt and tip sections of the cues.
You can check out more cue case options through a yahoo search for “pool cue case” and get links like
- Billiard](http://www.billiardwarehouse.com/cases/index.html%3EBilliard) Warehouse
- Cue](http://www.snooker-cues-cuecases.co.uk/%3ECue) & Case Man
- The](http://www.cuestore.com/%3EThe) Cue Store
Hope this helps you …
The whistle shop offers a bag that can hold about a dozen whistles. Some searching will probably turn up similar offerings from other merchants.
http://www.thewhistleshop.com/catalog/whistles/bags/ace/acebag.htm
“A perfect gig bag for your whistles at a great price. Made of heavy black material, these bags are approx. 18 ¾” x 8 ¼" when zipped up (approx. 16" wide when opened). The inside pouches are approx. 10" deep, they can comfortably hold whistles up to 17" long."
$15 for basic version, $25 for one with a shoulder strap
Let me add something for people with one whistle or just a few. I have two “cases.” One is an aluminum barrel bicycle pump with the innards removed. It is nearly indestructible and is a good fit for one small whistle and makes for a good travel case. The second case is a sturdy cardboard cylinder that a calendar came in. It fits four small whistles. If there is empty space in the cylinder, I can wrap each in a sheet of paper or cloth before loading, so they do not rattle against each other.
- Bill
I have found a number of excellent ideas for a small number of instruments - including the latest on the previous post to this one (bicycle pump!? There’s creativity and ingenuity for you!). Unfortunately, since I acquire - and not just by my own efforts - I want to be able to hold lotsa cylinder instruments, without paying $200+. The pool cue case is a good idea, and I have started e-mailing a cue case maker about specs, etc. He said he made one for friend for a “whistle or something” and is looking to expand his product line. Stay tuned!
Cases originally intended to carry drumsticks can make a serviceable whistle case, especially for low whistles. Most music stores stock these.
Mike
My favorite bag is made by TuffBaggs
http://www.tuffbaggs.com/
As an alternative to the Cue cases (which tended to be a little to long. I also picked up a Drawing tube for under 20 bucks that I’ve used for caring multiple whistles (each in their own custom cloth sock). The one I have is simular to this Rapid](http://www.artstuff.net/rapidesign_telescoping_tube.htm%3ERapid) Design Telescoping Tube I used it so I’d feel comfortable check my soft sided suitcase with all my whistles in the tube inside. I you check out you’re nearest Architect’s supply house. The one I got was 28 inchs, non-telescoping and around 10 bucks.
Hope this helps you carry your whistles to where you can …
If you’re looking for a hardcase, I can thoroughlly recommend the one made by Tony Dixon. I think it’s the best out there.
http://www.tonydixonmusic.co.uk/bagsandcases.html
Can hold three Low D’s. I’m not sure if it can hold low D’s with big mouthpieces e.g. Susato or Howard, so you might want to check with him if you’re interested.
And…it costs only 24 BPD (aroud $50?) ! I think a nice case like that would normally have to cost more than $100!!
Bill - Those WhistleShop bags are actually drum stick bags, which is funny because I bought a drum base pedal bag for my travels because I can pack whistles, tapes, sheet music etc. easily. Also tried from Duluth Trading Co. a chisel roll bag and a hand saw carrying bag that accomodates larger whistles. Tom states what his bags really are intended for and they look perfect for whistles!
Regards,
Philo
IF your looking for hardshell protection, A Winchester Pistol / Rifle Briefcase might be just the thing.
On the soft case end of the spectrum.. I know a guy that can make this sort of thing, and everything else for that matter. (That would be me..) 15-25 whistles is a lot of heat to be packing around.. WHat I am visualizing is a Roll bag type affair made from Ballistic Nylon, or 1000 Denier Cordura in a flambouyant color (which is to say other than black). With padding (automotive headliner), a couple of pockets for misc stuff & supplies, detachable shoulder strap, handle, and a couple other features that I do not even know how to expalin..
Colin and Brigitte Goldie of Overton whistle sell a brilliant, super-tough, very-well thought out whistle case that holds my complete set of whistles as well as three bamboo flutes (down to a low C bamboo). You can find the product here, listed as the Multiple-Whistle Softcase: http://www.overton.co.uk/texte/accessories.html
Here are two photos, from the Goldie’s site (Colin and Brigitte, let me know if you want me to take down the links or the photos) :
Chris
Cor!
Just what I was looking for too 
Ta muchly.
Ian, do you REALLY need to haul around 15-25 instruments? Next time you think about it, figure out exactly how many you actually use. When I work it out for me (no I’m not a professional by any stretch, but I like my different keys and such) I was using MAX seven instruments in a night. Whistles in one bag, giggy stuff in another. As I prepare for the night I pick the whistles I could possibly need (three fave D’s, low one, A, some other key) and limit my liability of losing my entire quiver in either an accident or theft.
I have a glorious NAF…a real artistic piece that spoke to me and convinced me that I really needed it…its irreplaceable and will not be taken out of the house. Maybe I should get a less dramatic one that I can carry along…
No WhOA, BAD WhOA! Down WhOA, Down!
Well… if you’re going to a session and you play whistle you need one, maybe two whistles - a high D and a low D (though many people don’t really like low Ds in sessions, plus it’s hard to hear them).
If you play whistle and flute then you need two instruments - a high D whistle and a D flute.
Either way, you don’t even really need a bag.
I think bags like the ones sold by the Goldies are good for two purposes - general storage of your enormous whistle collection and bag to transport them when you go to record or play at a gig (if you’re doing that sort of thing).
Chris
Because I have 10-20 and store them in my automobile (I have not counted the 4-6 in my apartment). Right now I carry all in a bag and only pull out the ones I need for a gig: 5-8 in a night…
G, F, D, Bb, A, low G, low F, low D, E (only on one song to get a train whistle effect with the A). Yes, I will play all in one night (but a max of two at one time)! I have yet to work in the C, E, Eb, or the recorders, fifes, quena or American Indian flute. AND that doesn’t count the two that sit around loose in my car (for play at the beach, so the better ones live longer). Since I am very rarely anywhere without my car, I keep the whistles there. Since I cannot keep my car clean, I want to keep my whistles healthy!
Next someone will tell me what trouble I will be in if my car is stolen! I know, there is several hundred dollars worth of microphones in there as well. Maybe I should just move into a mobile home…
Ian, that would be a “motor home”, not a “mobile home”. I know because I am currently living in one. Difficult to practice - so many ears close by…
You are absolutely correct morning girl! I lived in one for a while and sympathize with the how close neighbors ears are (relatively speaking)… or is that how relative the neighbors ears are (speaking closely)? I also like your “Location”.
Thanks, I’ve been in this condition for a number of years. Soon to move back into my house on the east coast - beautiful downtown Cape Cod - no Kennedy jokes please, we have suffered long enough.
Tha good news is that the guy my Husband bought our house from years ago was a drummer. The room he built in the basement is supposed to be sound proof. We shall soon see!
One potential solution to the neighbor factor: Buy a box of LBWs and give them to all their kids. Anybody ever try that one? he-he-he
Yes, gun cases work terrifically. My wife and I have two very inexpensive Doskocill pistol cases which we use for various expensive wooden recorders. They have a hard plastic shell and soft foam eggcrate stuff inside. A similar rifle case ought to carry a lot of whistles.
I kinda like the symbolism of cases designed to hole instruments of (potential) war being used to hold instruments of peace!