As a Protec dealer, I see a lot of their cases through my shop. My favorites (of their clarinet cases) are the Micro Zip (reviewed by you here), Slim Line, and Luxe. The others are okay, but my top 3 Protec clarinet cases are these. I also got their double case for myself, which I like because it doesn't weigh a lot, I can put a lot of stuff in it (including an instrument stand and my giant music folder), AND the bells are separate from the bodies. I just checked the Micro Zip with my personal clarinet, which has the aux lever on the lower joint, and it fits with no rubbing or compression in that spot. As a multi-instrumentalist, the Luxe case can hold my music, a multi-instrument stand, AND my oboe case.
A zipper going around a corner will always fail...at some point. I love the Altieri covers! It's been a long time since I have had a case that is right for those. One of my students and I listened to you play Viktors Tale yesterday. (different channel same person right?) Great playing
Thanks! Our cases are a big part of our daily clarinet life. Bam cases are great! I would love to have the carbon fiber bam. Those didn’t exist the last time I bought a bam case (which is in itself a tribute to how long their cases last)
I have a Lomax case which I love. It's extremely sturdy and keeps the clarinets in a really stable environment in terms of temperature and humidity. It's very heavy though!
It's a hard shell with zero flex like you were talking about (I think I heard he makes them from gun cases 😅🤔) , with a case cover, which is somehow fixed to the shell I believe. The instruments float and are held in place at the tenons with really sturdy foam, so the keys never touch anything inside the case which I feel is great for keeping them in adjustment. Storage is ok, there is a pouch on the top of the case cover and you could fit stuff inside, but you would would probably want to take that out when you use the case's other feature, which is to plug in and gently warm your instruments up lol
Yes. Love my Eb and Single Bb Lomax cases!!! 🖤🖤 and the nylon zipper case on the outside has ample room for a LOT .. tuner , reading classes , EXTRA reeds , Mouthpieces , Barrels , Reeds Cases… reed geek … swab …. Rabbits Foot …
I'm still using the original Linton Pochette case that came with my R13. I purchased the clarinet brand new in the packaging 40 years after it was made. Case manufacturing has certainly changed but I have zero doubts about its protection. An added bonus is that the case is wooden, I keep a humidipack inside and have never had to change it despite living in AZ. My gripes are lack of extra storage space and that it doesn't hinge open as much as I'd like. I was considering a supplemental case for trips into the wild. Thanks for the comparison video because the MB case isn't readily available but highly touted. P.S. - I too have owned Protec cases and can recommend their Lux and Slimline cases. For the money you could buy 3 for the price of 1 BAM though they're polystyrene, I believe, as opposed to BAM's softer material.
In my opinion, the pouchette is certainly the classiest way a clarinetist can comport themselves. The cost for rolling like that is a heavy case. For me, the twenty minute walk to the train and subsequent time walking on the other end (often times with an additional bass or other horns), means I am not strong enough (literally) to be that fly:)
@@clarinetninja I have the advantage of typically carrying one instrument at a time (complete amateur). The Bb is nothing compared to my bass which I had a Pelican case made for with custom cut foam (heavy but weatherproof and nearly unbreakable).
My original Buffet pochette cases fit very nicely into a laptop bag - the bigger briefcase type. It slips in a compartment and I have storage for all my extras plus music.
The protec case you showed... is probably the cheapest they have and would be best for a student. My Ridenour Aurea Bb clarinet came with a Protec slimline (sells for about $100). It does protect my clarinet and it also fits the left hand Eb/Ab lever. I am considering upgrading it to the Protec ProPac Carry-All case, but I'm not convinced it will fit the Eb/Ab lever.
The regular Protec PRO PAC case is great, very protective and has a large pocket to stick your stuff in. I don't think you reviewed that one. I've had two and they are long lasting and have thick walls, etc. Very snug fit for my Yamaha. I don't know why anyone would need the microsized case unless they are just putting it in a larger case.
The only reason I didn’t review it is because I don’t have one. I used the small case to fit into messenger bags with a flute in there as well. I think protection has great designs, but have been less than impressed with longevity. I am glad you had a better experience along those lines
I have a Pro Tec BM307 that has no flex whatsoever, contrary to what is stated here. It is small but has more than enough room for a reasonable set of accessories. It's a perfect fit for my Buffet Crampon B12. The original OEM plastic case was pretty well worn out when I bought this instrument. I am glad that I needed to buy a new case.
I am glad to hear that yours has no flex to it. Perhaps they have changed or I just happened to get one that is an outlier. As far as the room for accessories - it strikes me that you and I have a differing take on a reasonable amount of accessories…and I, for one, think there is room for differing opinions in this world. That being said, there is not a chance in the world I would characterize this case as having any room for accessories:). Thanks for watching and commenting
@@clarinetninja Thanks very much for the nice comment. Note my comment, "reasonable set of accessories!" You are right. There is not much room here but I was mostly looking for a compact case and they don't get smaller than this. If needed, it can go inside a larger bag that can accomodate all I would ever need. I enjoy your videos.
I haven't bought an Altieri case since Donna sold the business to another company, but if their quality has held, neither of my Altieri covers for my Rossi single and double cases has had a single stitch that has come undone or frayed. They are still in the same excellent shape that they were when I bought them, despite daily use. [Sorry to leave this out: My Altieri case covers are over 15 years old.]
I’m poor and have the double micro zip with the alteri bag and I’ve never had an issue with it but I’m poor. I’m thinking about getting a Jakob Winter case though since it is a little more secure.
I think you have a great case situation. My caution about the flex of that case is meant only if somebody is making the choice of buying a new case. If you have it already, particularly if there is no issues, I think it’s great. I don’t know the winter case. I will check it out so that I am informed:)
I'm so confused. It looked like only that one Altieri case was a case that would accommodate a clarinet in its hard case. We just spent a billion dollars for a nice Buffet Festival for my kid and he's getting ready to start taking it to school. We think it's best for him to carry it in its Buffet hard case but we don't want the hard case to get all banged up. Is there any benefit to this Altieri case that he doesn't get by just carrying his instrument in its case inside a Jansport backpack? And is Altieri the only option for a case of this configuration?
First of all, I think it's wonderful your son has such support! The Altieri is really just a nice way of covering the case. It does nothing more protection wise than a back pack or messenger bag. I have spent a lot of time using that solution. My only warning with that is the transporting of "stuff" outside the case (but inside whatever backpack or bag is being used). The items not stored in the case, have a tendency to be forgotten if for some reason the case alone is brought somewhere. There may be more options (buffet may have one as well) but I am not particularly familiar with them. The maid advantage of any case cover is more storage space.
Bonna has certainly dominated the bassoon and french horn case market. It seems like they have taken over the clarinet case market as well. They are a quality product for sure. Outside of my strap not being sturdy enough to take the weight of the case, I am all in on Bonna cases
@@clarinetninja I’m checking out the bass clarinet options at Earspasm in NYC in July as well as mouthpieces. Curious to see what triple case options are there for Bb A and bass
@@danielponder690 lowenstern is great and will know more than me about this specific topic…but the only triple case I know of is the wiseman case. It’s an amazing product. It is expensive and heavy when fully loaded. There is a carbon fiber option that is lighter and more expensive. For transport of all three horns at the same time there is nothing better…unless Mike lowenstern says there is, in which case I defer to him:)
Why not just get a large purse like bag and put your smaller clarinet case inside and have have plenty of room in the bag for your other stuff. If you want a back pack, get a backpack and put your smaller clarinet case inside of it and have plenty of space left over for stuff.
I have a version of that in my arsenal. It works exactly like you imagine. The trade off has downsides that make it only a part of the solution for me. Things get “mushed” in the extra space. Music that I carry around gets bent (I know that lots of people no longer use paper music). If I had my Bb, A, and Eb that would put three separate cases in one backpack with none of the cases having a large place dedicated to reed storage. The result means either small reed cases inside the individual cases or reeds stores outside of the cases. As a lunatic who likes to have lots of reeds in reed cases who would also always forget my reeds if they are stored outside of my clarinet case…this solution creates lots of stress. I used a Swiss army shoulder bag for years in the way you describe. I had two cases arrangement’s - Swiss army bag for when not using my A clarinet and a BAM case for when I needed my A. That system was very functional, but lots of stress in making sure I had reeds in the right place and a spare mouthpiece in every clarinet case. Long answer! I have a surprising amount of stress related to this topic:) thanks for watching my videos!
As a Protec dealer, I see a lot of their cases through my shop. My favorites (of their clarinet cases) are the Micro Zip (reviewed by you here), Slim Line, and Luxe. The others are okay, but my top 3 Protec clarinet cases are these. I also got their double case for myself, which I like because it doesn't weigh a lot, I can put a lot of stuff in it (including an instrument stand and my giant music folder), AND the bells are separate from the bodies. I just checked the Micro Zip with my personal clarinet, which has the aux lever on the lower joint, and it fits with no rubbing or compression in that spot.
As a multi-instrumentalist, the Luxe case can hold my music, a multi-instrument stand, AND my oboe case.
Great video. Thanks for mentioning failing zippers. It’s been the one point of failure on the Altieri case covers I’ve used for the last 35+ years. 😢
A zipper going around a corner will always fail...at some point. I love the Altieri covers! It's been a long time since I have had a case that is right for those.
One of my students and I listened to you play Viktors Tale yesterday. (different channel same person right?) Great playing
great video man, I think I'm going to get one of the carbon shell BAM cases, hopefully to be a forever case
Thanks! Our cases are a big part of our daily clarinet life. Bam cases are great! I would love to have the carbon fiber bam. Those didn’t exist the last time I bought a bam case (which is in itself a tribute to how long their cases last)
I have a Lomax case which I love. It's extremely sturdy and keeps the clarinets in a really stable environment in terms of temperature and humidity. It's very heavy though!
I have heard those are great. I don’t have one, so I didn’t feel comfortable speaking about it. Is the outside a hard shell? How is the storage?
It's a hard shell with zero flex like you were talking about (I think I heard he makes them from gun cases 😅🤔) , with a case cover, which is somehow fixed to the shell I believe. The instruments float and are held in place at the tenons with really sturdy foam, so the keys never touch anything inside the case which I feel is great for keeping them in adjustment. Storage is ok, there is a pouch on the top of the case cover and you could fit stuff inside, but you would would probably want to take that out when you use the case's other feature, which is to plug in and gently warm your instruments up lol
Yes. Love my Eb and Single Bb Lomax cases!!! 🖤🖤 and the nylon zipper case on the outside has ample room for a LOT .. tuner , reading classes , EXTRA reeds , Mouthpieces , Barrels , Reeds Cases… reed geek … swab …. Rabbits Foot …
I'm still using the original Linton Pochette case that came with my R13. I purchased the clarinet brand new in the packaging 40 years after it was made. Case manufacturing has certainly changed but I have zero doubts about its protection. An added bonus is that the case is wooden, I keep a humidipack inside and have never had to change it despite living in AZ. My gripes are lack of extra storage space and that it doesn't hinge open as much as I'd like. I was considering a supplemental case for trips into the wild. Thanks for the comparison video because the MB case isn't readily available but highly touted.
P.S. - I too have owned Protec cases and can recommend their Lux and Slimline cases. For the money you could buy 3 for the price of 1 BAM though they're polystyrene, I believe, as opposed to BAM's softer material.
In my opinion, the pouchette is certainly the classiest way a clarinetist can comport themselves. The cost for rolling like that is a heavy case. For me, the twenty minute walk to the train and subsequent time walking on the other end (often times with an additional bass or other horns), means I am not strong enough (literally) to be that fly:)
@@clarinetninja I have the advantage of typically carrying one instrument at a time (complete amateur). The Bb is nothing compared to my bass which I had a Pelican case made for with custom cut foam (heavy but weatherproof and nearly unbreakable).
My original Buffet pochette cases fit very nicely into a laptop bag - the bigger briefcase type. It slips in a compartment and I have storage for all my extras plus music.
The protec case you showed... is probably the cheapest they have and would be best for a student. My Ridenour Aurea Bb clarinet came with a Protec slimline (sells for about $100). It does protect my clarinet and it also fits the left hand Eb/Ab lever. I am considering upgrading it to the Protec ProPac Carry-All case, but I'm not convinced it will fit the Eb/Ab lever.
The regular Protec PRO PAC case is great, very protective and has a large pocket to stick your stuff in. I don't think you reviewed that one. I've had two and they are long lasting and have thick walls, etc. Very snug fit for my Yamaha. I don't know why anyone would need the microsized case unless they are just putting it in a larger case.
The only reason I didn’t review it is because I don’t have one. I used the small case to fit into messenger bags with a flute in there as well. I think protection has great designs, but have been less than impressed with longevity. I am glad you had a better experience along those lines
I have a Pro Tec BM307 that has no flex whatsoever, contrary to what is stated here. It is small but has more than enough room for a reasonable set of accessories. It's a perfect fit for my Buffet Crampon B12. The original OEM plastic case was pretty well worn out when I bought this instrument. I am glad that I needed to buy a new case.
I am glad to hear that yours has no flex to it. Perhaps they have changed or I just happened to get one that is an outlier. As far as the room for accessories - it strikes me that you and I have a differing take on a reasonable amount of accessories…and I, for one, think there is room for differing opinions in this world. That being said, there is not a chance in the world I would characterize this case as having any room for accessories:).
Thanks for watching and commenting
@@clarinetninja Thanks very much for the nice comment. Note my comment, "reasonable set of accessories!" You are right. There is not much room here but I was mostly looking for a compact case and they don't get smaller than this. If needed, it can go inside a larger bag that can accomodate all I would ever need. I enjoy your videos.
I haven't bought an Altieri case since Donna sold the business to another company, but if their quality has held, neither of my Altieri covers for my Rossi single and double cases has had a single stitch that has come undone or frayed. They are still in the same excellent shape that they were when I bought them, despite daily use. [Sorry to leave this out: My Altieri case covers are over 15 years old.]
I haven’t used one for years, but your experience matches mine. Great product. I was unaware the company had been sold.
They’re still good but the new owners won’t make special order covers for the oval bassoon cases despite the fact they used to make them
I’m poor and have the double micro zip with the alteri bag and I’ve never had an issue with it but I’m poor. I’m thinking about getting a Jakob Winter case though since it is a little more secure.
I think you have a great case situation. My caution about the flex of that case is meant only if somebody is making the choice of buying a new case. If you have it already, particularly if there is no issues, I think it’s great. I don’t know the winter case. I will check it out so that I am informed:)
I'm so confused. It looked like only that one Altieri case was a case that would accommodate a clarinet in its hard case. We just spent a billion dollars for a nice Buffet Festival for my kid and he's getting ready to start taking it to school. We think it's best for him to carry it in its Buffet hard case but we don't want the hard case to get all banged up. Is there any benefit to this Altieri case that he doesn't get by just carrying his instrument in its case inside a Jansport backpack? And is Altieri the only option for a case of this configuration?
First of all, I think it's wonderful your son has such support! The Altieri is really just a nice way of covering the case. It does nothing more protection wise than a back pack or messenger bag. I have spent a lot of time using that solution. My only warning with that is the transporting of "stuff" outside the case (but inside whatever backpack or bag is being used). The items not stored in the case, have a tendency to be forgotten if for some reason the case alone is brought somewhere. There may be more options (buffet may have one as well) but I am not particularly familiar with them. The maid advantage of any case cover is more storage space.
The Bonna bassoon cases are pretty the best out there
Bonna has certainly dominated the bassoon and french horn case market. It seems like they have taken over the clarinet case market as well. They are a quality product for sure. Outside of my strap not being sturdy enough to take the weight of the case, I am all in on Bonna cases
@@clarinetninja I’m checking out the bass clarinet options at Earspasm in NYC in July as well as mouthpieces. Curious to see what triple case options are there for Bb A and bass
@@danielponder690 lowenstern is great and will know more than me about this specific topic…but the only triple case I know of is the wiseman case. It’s an amazing product. It is expensive and heavy when fully loaded. There is a carbon fiber option that is lighter and more expensive. For transport of all three horns at the same time there is nothing better…unless Mike lowenstern says there is, in which case I defer to him:)
How about a bropro clarinet double case?
I have never seen one in person I looked it up. It appears very similar to pro tec in design.
Why not just get a large purse like bag and put your smaller clarinet case inside and have have plenty of room in the bag for your other stuff. If you want a back pack, get a backpack and put your smaller clarinet case inside of it and have plenty of space left over for stuff.
I have a version of that in my arsenal. It works exactly like you imagine. The trade off has downsides that make it only a part of the solution for me.
Things get “mushed” in the extra space. Music that I carry around gets bent (I know that lots of people no longer use paper music).
If I had my Bb, A, and Eb that would put three separate cases in one backpack with none of the cases having a large place dedicated to reed storage. The result means either small reed cases inside the individual cases or reeds stores outside of the cases. As a lunatic who likes to have lots of reeds in reed cases who would also always forget my reeds if they are stored outside of my clarinet case…this solution creates lots of stress.
I used a Swiss army shoulder bag for years in the way you describe. I had two cases arrangement’s - Swiss army bag for when not using my A clarinet and a BAM case for when I needed my A. That system was very functional, but lots of stress in making sure I had reeds in the right place and a spare mouthpiece in every clarinet case.
Long answer! I have a surprising amount of stress related to this topic:) thanks for watching my videos!
orly...my fave because of pouch size that holds full size music folder.
I will check that out. I don’t know it:)
For the algorithm