Case recommendations, Under ?100 Options

[Sunrise]

Hi all, well most will know I'm acquiring a new violin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) but I need to buy a case to go with her. I have to shop online as there is nowhere here to browse. I have a very limited budget now but need her to be safe.

I'm looking for a light case (my old Gewa weighs a ton - but it is 25 years old!) with rucksack straps
A music pocket
Reasonably waterproof as it can really rain hard here and I walk alot
Nicely padded with a hygro
Big enough compartments for kun shoulder rest and all the bits and bobs
A string tube if I can

Anyone got any recommendations in my price range of around ?100?
I saw the new Tom and Will ones - has anyone tried these or seen them? http://www.thestringzone.co.uk/cases-cover...gig-violin-case

[lottie]

Hi all, well most will know I'm acquiring a new violin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif) but I need to buy a case to go with her. I have to shop online as there is nowhere here to browse. I have a very limited budget now but need her to be safe.

I'm looking for a light case (my old Gewa weighs a ton - but it is 25 years old!) with rucksack straps
A music pocket
Reasonably waterproof as it can really rain hard here and I walk alot
Nicely padded with a hygro
Big enough compartments for kun shoulder rest and all the bits and bobs
A string tube if I can

Anyone got any recommendations in my price range of around ?100?
I saw the new Tom and Will ones - has anyone tried these or seen them? http://www.thestringzone.co.uk/cases-cover...gig-violin-case

Hi Dawn. I don't know if it's any help and others here may have comments but I bought a 'Tom and Will' case for my clarinet and it's excellent value for money. It's well padded on the inside (ie. well designed) so my clarinet is safe, and it's waterproof. I would like to think it's the same for stringed instruments.

I had a 'Tom and Will' viola case on my shortlist when I was looking. (I bought a BAM in the end which is very good but I don't like the hinge because it doesn't always stay open. If I get the chance or can sell it I'll be looking to change it.)

[fiddlesticks]

The Tom and Will cases seem to be quite good, I have a few pupils with them who seem happy enough. One even has a bright pink one (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Another kind I have seen recently looks even better as it is stronger but still light. Here

[Sunrise]

The Tom and Will cases seem to be quite good, I have a few pupils with them who seem happy enough. One even has a bright pink one (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Another kind I have seen recently looks even better as it is stronger but still light. Here

I was looking at Pedi online, for me the music pocket on the base is a brilliant idea. The turn off is no hygrometer ....my case doesn't have one but living in the heat/humidity here it's always a worry for me. Do you know what the rucksack straps are like on them? The tom and will look really well designed and padded.

For me it is between these two cases.

[BadStrad]

A friend bought a Tom and Will case a few years back and loves it.

[fiddlesticks]

The Tom and Will cases seem to be quite good, I have a few pupils with them who seem happy enough. One even has a bright pink one (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Another kind I have seen recently looks even better as it is stronger but still light. Here

I was looking at Pedi online, for me the music pocket on the base is a brilliant idea. The turn off is no hygrometer ....my case doesn't have one but living in the heat/humidity here it's always a worry for me. Do you know what the rucksack straps are like on them? The tom and will look really well designed and padded.

For me it is between these two cases.

I'm sure either would be fine. Although the straps are different to each other, both are padded and seem wide enough not to dig in.

[ffliwt]

I don't know if the gewa you say you have now is this one but what about the gewa shaped ones? They do one under ?100 and that's probably the best quality/protection you'll manage to get for that price (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Sunrise]

I don't know if the gewa you say you have now is this one but what about the gewa shaped ones? They do one under ?100 and that's probably the best quality/protection you'll manage to get for that price (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

The shaped cases put me off as there isn't as much space for everything in them....I normally end up heaving music around, at least my singing score if I'm on the bus etc so need plenty of music space.

[ffliwt]

Aah i see. Would i be right in remembering the violin youre getting is worth a bit
Sorry i hate asking money questions (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) Just it's hard to find a case for under ?100 to protect a nice violin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Even if you could extend your budget by even ?50 you might find something better. I've gone through so many cases, but in the end just accepted that i'd have to stretch my budget (not always possible i know), and now i FINALLY have a great case i'm happy with and trust (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I hope you don't find that offensive btw - i hate suggesting 'spend more' (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Only if it's a possibility of course (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)


Edit: just had a look for the best cases i could find for the cheapest price (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) i found http://www.arc-verona.co.uk/winter-green-l...-blue.3018.html (its from germany but ive ordered 2 cases from them and theyre great, with really fast delivery and the prices of things on there are much cheaper)
Or there is a lovely concord violin case for around ?130 sometimes as cheap as ?115.
I would say i'd sell you my carbon fibre hima case for ?160 (they usually sell for around ?230 and its been barely used) but... it's pink so you wouldnt want it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

[Sunrise]

Aah i see. Would i be right in remembering the violin youre getting is worth a bit
Sorry i hate asking money questions (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) Just it's hard to find a case for under ?100 to protect a nice violin (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Even if you could extend your budget by even ?50 you might find something better. I've gone through so many cases, but in the end just accepted that i'd have to stretch my budget (not always possible i know), and now i FINALLY have a great case i'm happy with and trust (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I hope you don't find that offensive btw - i hate suggesting 'spend more' (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Only if it's a possibility of course (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Not at all - it's 2000 EUR so not TOO expensive (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) but it is to me!!
Thing is I'll have ?20+ shipping to pay on the top of the price...
The Pedi would be stretching the budget, but maybe is a better choice than the Tom and Will...

My teacher had an amazing couple of cases to house his rather expensive strad and ancient instruments, the first one I've seen where the bows clip in with the wood towards you and the hair towards the lid - so no pressure on the hair at all. He just said they were very expensive, I didn't dare ask how much - but then when you are protecting an instrument like that..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ph34r.gif)

[Sunrise]

Edit: just had a look for the best cases i could find for the cheapest price (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) i found http://www.arc-verona.co.uk/winter-green-l...-blue.3018.html (its from germany but ive ordered 2 cases from them and theyre great, with really fast delivery and the prices of things on there are much cheaper)
Or there is a lovely concord violin case for around ?130 sometimes as cheap as ?115.
I would say i'd sell you my carbon fibre hima case for ?160 (they usually sell for around ?230 and its been barely used) but... it's pink so you wouldnt want it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Thanks Ffliwt!

I've just looked at that one, but I think I'm going to go for the Pedi one. The Winter looks like a lovely case, but the straps do not look very comfortable. It's something I have to think of as 6 months of the year here it's vest top weather and so my bare shoulders are in contact with the straps!! The Pedi should be strong and it looks well padded inside - and I like all the compartments too. Its straps are padded, and can be put away when not needed. Oh and I'm going to invest ?20 in the pack away cover for when it rains - it's monsoon-like here and that worries me too. An extra layer is a good idea!

My oldest case is dying so if the new one doesn't feel secure enough I'll swap around until I can find/afford one I like better and this one would be fine to replace it.

I would have had your hima, but I really dont think I could cope with pink and I'm nervous about the music pocket inside. I like the red Pedi but I think it will show every mark - going to have to go for boring black! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rofl.gif)

Thanks for your help on this, very much appreciated. Now just need to afford some Pirazzis and a set of zyex for my old one as spares....

[janexxx]

Edit: just had a look for the best cases i could find for the cheapest price (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) i found http://www.arc-verona.co.uk/winter-green-l...-blue.3018.html (its from germany but ive ordered 2 cases from them and theyre great, with really fast delivery and the prices of things on there are much cheaper)
Or there is a lovely concord violin case for around ?130 sometimes as cheap as ?115.
I would say i'd sell you my carbon fibre hima case for ?160 (they usually sell for around ?230 and its been barely used) but... it's pink so you wouldnt want it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Thanks Ffliwt!

I've just looked at that one, but I think I'm going to go for the Pedi one. The Winter looks like a lovely case, but the straps do not look very comfortable. It's something I have to think of as 6 months of the year here it's vest top weather and so my bare shoulders are in contact with the straps!! The Pedi should be strong and it looks well padded inside - and I like all the compartments too. Its straps are padded, and can be put away when not needed. Oh and I'm going to invest ?20 in the pack away cover for when it rains - it's monsoon-like here and that worries me too. An extra layer is a good idea!

My oldest case is dying so if the new one doesn't feel secure enough I'll swap around until I can find/afford one I like better and this one would be fine to replace it.

I would have had your hima, but I really dont think I could cope with pink and I'm nervous about the music pocket inside. I like the red Pedi but I think it will show every mark - going to have to go for boring black! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rofl.gif)

Thanks for your help on this, very much appreciated. Now just need to afford some Pirazzis and a set of zyex for my old one as spares....

Looks like you have made a decision - but just to say that I have a Tom and Will case, which has hardly ever been used - I mainly use it to store my spare fiddle safely at home. However last week I needed to take two fiddles out with me and I was disappointed to find that one of the zips on the case busted (it seems they are only plastic!!) This was not too much of a problem as I could close the zip completely with the other zipper thing, but I don't think it would stand up to regular daily use.

I think you get what you pay for.

[Sunrise]

Looks like you have made a decision - but just to say that I have a Tom and Will case, which has hardly ever been used - I mainly use it to store my spare fiddle safely at home. However last week I needed to take two fiddles out with me and I was disappointed to find that one of the zips on the case busted (it seems they are only plastic!!) This was not too much of a problem as I could close the zip completely with the other zipper thing, but I don't think it would stand up to regular daily use.

I think you get what you pay for.

I'm still thinking, I weighed my old case this morning and it's only 3.2kg...I thought it would be more. I really wanted something much lighter to protect my back, but that is strong too. The pedi weight ranges on websites from 2.2 to 2.6 kg....

still looking LOL

[janexxx]

Looks like you have made a decision - but just to say that I have a Tom and Will case, which has hardly ever been used - I mainly use it to store my spare fiddle safely at home. However last week I needed to take two fiddles out with me and I was disappointed to find that one of the zips on the case busted (it seems they are only plastic!!) This was not too much of a problem as I could close the zip completely with the other zipper thing, but I don't think it would stand up to regular daily use.

I think you get what you pay for.

I'm still thinking, I weighed my old case this morning and it's only 3.2kg...I thought it would be more. I really wanted something much lighter to protect my back, but that is strong too. The pedi weight ranges on websites from 2.2 to 2.6 kg....

still looking LOL

Hmmmm...yes I would like light and strong too, to replace the busted T & W case. It seems you can get one or the other, but if you want both it gets expensive. My main case is very strong (it even survived the famous fall downstairs, violin undamaged, which is more than I did...broke my hip!), but very heavy, but as I mostly go in my car when I go out with it I reckoned this was not too much of a problem, but I am now getting back problems (in my old age (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif) ). The T & W case is very light, and I have occasionally used it when I have to carry my instrument a lot - but then if I am using public transport I will still tend to use the heavy case because it has more protection. It's a dilemma. I am starting to think I just have to invest in a good quality strong and light. Interested to see what you decide and how you rate it .

[fsharpminor]

I have just bought for Mrs. a Gewa shaped one the 'Maestro' and it has a hygrometer , but was ?150.
Nice case though , red velour interior. Extra strap so can be shouldered. Only 2.2kilos