Adapting Protec cases (revisited)

malanstevenson · Post by **malanstevenson** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:32 am

I know this topic has been done to death, and specifically the question of adapting Protec viola cases has also been addressed: http://chiffboard.mati.ca/viewtopic.php ... ec+pro+tec

HOWEVER, I'm looking at one of these to house my C full set for flights, and wanted to ask whether you use the ProTec PS2165W Standard Viola Case (the cheaper one), OR the PRO TEC HS2166W - Professional Viola Case (the less cheaper one). Specifically, I'm wondering whether one is easier to modify than the other, as the Professional model has those rigid box storage areas that might be harder to remove. It's supposed to hold violas up to 17" (as opposed to 16.5" for the standard), and has a little more depth (although its actually a bit narrower in height/width, 10.75") so I'm thinking it might be easier to get the bellows in there.

Anyone with experience of modifying either of these care to chime in?

Thanks much,
Mark

Patrick D'Arcy · Post by **Patrick D'Arcy** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:22 pm

The PS2165 is the one I use and the one I've seen most pipers use:

http://www.protecmusic.com/items.aspx?P ... tegoryID=7

The double violin case is alos excellent and probably what I'd get next time:

http://www.protecmusic.com/items.aspx?P ... tegoryID=7

Pat.

bradhurley · Post by **bradhurley** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:42 pm

I use the cheaper one as well. I can fit my 3/4 C set in there just fine, but you have to remove the bass drone from the slide and push the tenor drone in to make it fit. I imagine you'd have to remove the bass regulator on your full set as well.

It was pretty easy to modify, although I did have to remove the outer fabric cover to remove some of the staples from the wood, and in retrospect I probably shouldn't have removed the blocks from the inside of the top cover as they marred the fabric a bit (they were glued in, instead of stapled, so removing them took away a bit of the fabric).

I love this case as it is low-profile, very light, and unobtrusive. Plus it has handy pockets for thread, papers, recording devices etc.

tommykleen · Post by **tommykleen** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:16 pm

I too use one of these cases. It's great. Plus it has a certain amount of caché: people assume you are a classical musician...maybe someone famous even!

Until you tell them what you play

Anyone ever tried putting backpack straps on one of these cases?

T

Patrick D'Arcy · Post by **Patrick D'Arcy** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:10 pm

tommykleen wrote:Anyone ever tried putting backpack straps on one of these cases?

That is SO gay!

Pat on D'Arsy

tommykleen · Post by **tommykleen** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:35 pm

Patrick D'Arcy wrote:
tommykleen wrote:Anyone ever tried putting backpack straps on one of these cases?
That is SO gay!

Pat on D'Arsy

Um...I know this guy who wants to know

t

malanstevenson · Post by **malanstevenson** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 11:28 pm

I was thinking of tricking out the case a bit, but nothing over the top:

One can imagine the dagger looks of envy I'd be getting with that rig.

bradhurley · Post by **bradhurley** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:47 am

tommykleen wrote:I too use one of these cases. It's great. Plus it has a certain amount of caché: people assume you are a classical musician...maybe someone famous even!

Until you tell them what you play

A true story: In Toronto, after the Chris Langan weekend a few years ago, I was walking through the subway with my pipes in a ProTec case. One of the subway buskers, a guy with a guitar, spotted me. "Hey!" he yelled, "Are you a musician?" I said, "well, I play music." He said, "What's that in your case, it's too big for a violin!" And I said, "Believe it or not, it's a set of Irish bagpipes." His eyes got big and he put down his guitar. "That is SO cool!" he said.

It could happen to you too

Cathy Wilde · Post by **Cathy Wilde** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:27 am

I adapted the Protec case these guys describe and it works fine. Since I only have a practice set I worked it out so I could leave in one of the little "storage boxes," which is handy for assorted small bits of junk, pieces of milk rings, thread, etc. (I cut up one of the pieces I removed and used it to make a "wall" to replace the one that was lost when I removed the viola neck block -- which, incidentally is just velcroed in so it's easy to take out. Then, like Brad, I took the cover off and pulled the small staples out with pliers.

But there's plenty of room and it's certainly deep enough for a mainstock, etc.

I did feel kind of cool hauling it through the airport ... for about the first two legs of the trip after which my neck got pretty cranky.

Although it's still cooler than my flute's pistol case.

I got a good deal from Cases and More on mine; I found one other lower price which they matched and then gave me free shipping so I got the thing for, IIRC, around $100.

PJ · Post by PJ » Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:54 am

The Protec cases are a bit pricy. You could probably get a flight case made to measure for the same price. I was quoted $300 for a 35"x12"x5.5" (outside measurements) aluminium case. Instead I bought a pipemajor's case for $90.

fel bautista · Post by **fel bautista** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 6:05 am

I'm looking at adapting a tenor sax case as well

BigDavy · Post by **BigDavy** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:08 am

fel bautista wrote:I'm looking at adapting a tenor sax case as well

Why not use a tenor sax gig bag.

I use this one.

It will take a Bb full set, with plenty spare space for extra chanters, a practice set bag etc, and that is not counting the outside pockets.

David

PJ · Post by PJ » Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:42 am

Davy,

With your collection of pipes (2 Bb, concert pitch, various chanters), I thought this would be more in your line:

tansy · Post by **tansy** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 10:33 am

BigDavy wrote:
fel bautista wrote:I'm looking at adapting a tenor sax case as well
Why not use a tenor sax gig bag.

I use this one.

It will take a Bb full set, with plenty spare space for extra chanters, a practice set bag etc, and that is not counting the outside pockets.

David

Davy, would 2 half sets (C & D)) and 1 bellows fit in that gigbag?
I've been looking for something lighter than my wood case.

tansy · Post by **tansy** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 1:48 pm

I just ordered a tenor sax gigbag from musicalinstruments.com. Marked down from $99.99 to $19.99. Can't beat that price

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Adapting Protec cases (revisited)

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