Our head technician, Cal, discusses the most common way instruments get damaged. The best case for your instrument means you spend less in the long-term scenario.
The Best Case Scenario for Your Instrument
As an instrument repairer, the most
common reason I see damaged instruments coming across my bench needing
work is because they are in an incorrectly fitting case – this is not
the Best Case Scenario.
You don’t even
need to drop your instrument (even inside your case) to bend keywork and
cause a misalignment of the mechanics of the instrument. A case that
does not fit your instrument correctly can cause damage and bending to
your treasured instrument just in regular use.
A poorly fitting case can be a problem in two ways:
- Too loose – this allows your instrument to move around inside it
- Too tight – this applies undue pressure on the instrument in places that aren’t good for it.
There is a quick
and easy way to tell if your case is too loose. Close the case and
gently (very, very gently) shake it. If you can hear or feel the
instrument moving inside, this case is NOT the right one. When you
transport your instrument normally in this type of case, your instrument
moves around; just as it did when you shook it. Not just the
instrument, but the other contents of the case move around also, these
can dent or scratch things (including destroying your favourite
mouthpiece – if it is not in a good pouch).All this can result in bent keys and posts and even a mildly banana shaped body; which can be a very expensive problem to fix.
If
the case doesn’t rattle at all, you should also check where the
instrument is resting inside the case and on which parts of the
instrument pressure is being applied.
As a general rule, if the instrument is resting primarily on any of the “sticking out” keys (eg. Low Bb/C#/B/G# table or palm keys on a sax) it is an incorrect fit. Plus, if there is pressure on the top half of the body that pushes it sideways this is likely to cause the mechanism to bend.
Believe it or
not, even the original manufacturer’s case may not be the best or most
suited case for your instrument. And don’t forget that cases can also
wear. The mouldings might compress or become damaged over time thus
reducing their effectiveness.
Case Maintenance
Once you've found the perfect case you
need to look after it too! Remember to clean out your instrument case.
Empty it out completely, get all those odds and ends out. Small items
that seem harmless can bounce around inside the case during transport
and scrape and dent the instrument or even prevent it from playing (like
that $2 coin left over from busing that is now firmly lodged down the
bell of a trumpet…). Discard all old reeds, packaging and any other
rubbish. Try to only keep the accessories that are relevant and
regularly used in the case. Many cases have external pockets, this is
usually a better place for accessories.
Don't let your
cat or dog use your case as a bed (or a toilet!). I know it seems like
this should go without saying, but... We regularly see cases full of pet
hair, this can get inside your instrument and interfere with airflow,
cause brass instruments to bind up or woodwind instruments to leaks as
they stick to the pads.Give the
case a vacuum and deodorise if necessary. Often just leaving the case
open in the sun for a couple of hours can really help to freshen it up.
This will help prevent mould growth and insect infestation.
Never
underestimate the value of a good case in transporting your instrument
as well, combined with key clamps where applicable, traveling with your
instrument in a high-quality, correct fitting case can mean the
difference between your instrument arriving in perfect condition or
barely playing. Many cases are also designed for specific purposes and
should be taken into consideration as to what will suit your use best.
An example of this is the Bam Cabine case range that is made for fit carry on limits in planes.
Investing in the right case could save you HUNDREDS of dollars in the mid-term. This is your instrument’s best case scenario. Even with the perfect fitting case it won't make any difference if you don't make sure you close the case before picking it up. Every
year we see a couple of instruments that have experienced flight
because the owners forgot to latch or zip up the case before going to
carry it away. This can be easier to do than it sounds. A tip we like
is to always have the lid open if the case is open. If you close the
lid, zip or latch it straight away.
If
you are at all unsure about the suitability of your case it is best to
ask a technician to have a quick look for you. Remember, when buying a
new case, take your horn along and check!