I know we've had recent threads re. clarinet / flute cases, but was wondering if anyone had experience of lightweight tenor sax cases / gig bags?

I basically need a cheapish lightweight case or gig bag, preferably with rucksack type straps. I'm playing for the University Panto and doubling on clarinet / tenor sax, but currently only have a heavy Yanagisawa hard case.

I have a fair walk to the rehearsal rooms, plus ongoing back trouble, so need to find a lighter case, but also don't want to compromise the safety of my sax.

Any ideas?

Thanks

The case that came with Kingsley13 's Tenor sax is good and strong with rucksack straps. I don't know if Hanson sell them separately, but they were really helpful on the phone, so it might be worth a ring, and we had a choice of three different cases, for the same instrument, so they might well sell it separately. It is fabric covered, but not soft as such, so gives good protection. I wouldn't say it was very light, but light is probably a trade off with protection, and when worn on the back the weight is well spread. The whole thing was very good value, but no idea what proportion was instrument and what was case etc.

If you go to their website there is a phone number.

Myatt's used to do lightweight cases that might be worth a look, but you would really need to see them ...

We have a Hanson compact case with rucksack straps on Musical Maniac's alto. It sounds from the above as though it is similar to the tenor case. PM me if you want to come and have a look. You would be very welcome!

Thanks very much for everyone's ideas and your kind offer Halka. I've emailed Hanson and if they do sell them individually, then it would be great if I could pop round to see yours.

Be a bit careful with lightweight, budget sax cases. When I first bought my current tenor I spent more than I'd budgeted for on the sax and ended up really cutting back on everything else. I bought a sax case that looked fine, a "backpack" style fabric covered case that seemed to have a hard shell (I think it was an Ortola case). After a few years of use is started coming apart and I realised that the "hard shell" was in fact cardboard. I now have a Hiscox case!. Having said that, no harm came to the sax when it was in the case, so I think if you bought a lighter, potentially less protective case for a specific purpose, but used the Yanagisawa case any time you thought there was more risk of a knock you'd be fine.

I emailed them and didn't get a reply. I'm not sure they really live in the modern world. Phoning was more satisfactory as they were very helpful, but I think even that took a few tries to get through to a human.

They do sell them individually as I looked at one when we visited their showroom. Ours is a Hanson Sax but the case we have is a big oblong. I think the one others might be talking about is sort of thinner at the top. I think it was about £70. for a similar sort of price there are also Rosetti cases. There Alto ones are quite common. I have seen a Tenor one and thought it was a bit smaller than the shaped Hanson one. Not sure if they have backstraps though.

It's rectangular (the one I was talking about)

Whereas ours (for alto) is the more sax-shaped non-oblong variety!

If you can't find just what you need, you might try strapping it on to one of those suitcase pull-alongs (not sure what they are called in English).

However, if anybody can find a way to make a tenor sax feel light, they'll be winning prizes! When Viohazard brings the school one home, plus his heavy school backpack, he has to lug it 20 minutes from the station, including a set of stairs that go up and over a hill! He's usually speechless for a while after he gets home.

I'm watching this thread as I've also been looking for a lightweight Tenor alternative. I'm not looking forward to the day when daughter takes Alto and Tenor out on Saturday along with Oboe, Cor and possibly Flute. She's been trying to get in the Recorder group too. If anyone can invent a wheelie pull along to cart all that lot round then you might have a customer. It will need to hold music and lunch too.

What about one of those things grannys have for their shopping? They do quite trendy designs now.

I don't actually think it would be big enough

There is a custom made wheelie for two Saxophones but it's £300 Although I think Howarths should give us one for free but that's a whole other story......

Hmm.. I think I need to look at some by the sounds of things! I think I want a shaped one, and I'd prefer backpack straps as I may be cycling sometimes. I appreciate that carrying a tenor sax is never going to be "light", however the case I have already is quite heavy on its own and doesn't have backpack straps.

I could use my Nan's shopping trolley, but think I may get some strange looks!