#bam case

What kind of features do you want? Lightweight? Roomy? Large music pocket? No music pocket? Posh? A super cool looking case is kind of a double edged sword. On one hand, other people give you props but on the other it becomes a target for theft. Do you want a place to put your shoulder rest? Small for travel? - There are travel cases out there where the main case is the size of your violin and your bow is in a separate case to make it easier to stash a violin in an overhead compartment of an airplane. Do you care about where it’s made and by whom and with what materials? If so, those considerations are worth researching. I don’t know your price range, values, or goals.

I would focus on getting a case that has a suspension system. The case will have supports near the bottom of the instrument and where the neck comes into the body of the instrument (block areas) so the center of the back of the instrument is not coming in contact with the case itself. This is to shield the violin from any knocks it my encounter while in the case. Soundpost cracks (and other damages to the back) are much less likely to happen if the instrument is in a case with suspension. Most websites will list inside attributes and suspension will be one of them if it is used.

All that being said, I have a bam case that I paid a lot of money for. I’d probably buy the same case again, as it’s done well for me for over 10 years now and is still going strong. Other cases in their line are great as well. I have an oblong with no music pocket. I had one with a music pocket that I used through college. I learned that I tend to put too much stuff in my case. It made my back hurt and damaged the case a little from putting the case down too hard with so much music (multiple pounds - that pocket can hold a lot of stuff!) The little feet on the bottom started to implode a little. No more excessive amounts of music for me. Also, my library is on my iPad now. Much lighter. https://www.bamcases.com/en/instruments/string-cases/violin/

Protec has some lower cost cases that seem well made. They use beefy zippers to close the case. If you’d rather deal with latchs, don’t do protec. https://www.protecstyle.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=MX044

Bobelock is another solid brand, but they feel heavy. I don’t like the half moon shape, cause you can’t stand the instrument up on its end, which is nice for public transportation or waiting while standing in general. http://www.bobelock.com/violinCases/1002oblong.html

If you go for a shaped case, I would make sure there is a spot to put your shoulder rest.

Here is a shaped case that has latches and an interior pocket. I have a student that has one of these (or of this line) and she loves it. http://www.jakobwinter.de/en/string-instrument-case/violin-case/violin-case-Greenline/JW_52017.php

Anything much cheaper than the protec is probably not going to last you more than a few years of constant use.

I think if you buy anything online, there is a 30 day window to return something if it is not what you expected. Individual shops will have their own policies.

Hey guys, I know I'm supposed to be on hiatus for a bit but a few problems have come up and I'd really appreciate your help! This is going to be a really long post, but bare with me, its really important.

First of all, I got a new case for my birthday (woo), its a Bam Trekking Original for Oboe and its lovely but it doesn't seem to fit my oboe properly... Specifically the middle joint. I think the problem is that I have a Marigaux 2001 with an adjustable thumb plate, and the case doesn't seem to cater for the extra part that sticks out at the thumb plate! This means that part of the joint sticks out more than it should, and I feel like it puts too much pressure on the Left F key when the case is closed.

Also I think my oboe must have slightly strangely placed LH pinky keys (as in Low B/Bb, Left Eb, Left F) because when I put it in the case, the gap doesn't seem to fit the low Bb key! This means there's always a bit of pressure on it, but perhaps it won't do anything bad? I really don't know...so I'm not going to use it until after my HSC Trials Performance in 2 weeks, because I can't risk any damage. But if any of you have any tips at all I would greatly appreciate it, as I want to know if I should return the case or get it fixed or if its a problem at all!! 

Second problem!: For some reason, whenever I play first octave E (and sometimes F) at a dynamic more than, say, mezzo forte, it goes a bit buzzy and sort of down the octave... My teacher said its probably gunk stuck under one of the keys, but I've cleaned them all as much as possible (without taking it apart, I don't want to risk it!!) and nothing's changed! Is there a chance it could be the octave key? I thought it might be, except that it doesn't happen to any of the other notes...

Okay I know that wasn't a particularly good explanation but absolutely any advice or anything you know would be amazing, because, as I said before, I have my trials performance coming up and its worth like 30%! Oh and I have my final HSC performance a few weeks after that *headdesk* so this is kiiiind of urgent.