Way back in the early days of the Internet, there were very few bass saxophone resources. That’s why the [now former] Bass Saxophone Co-op started, and why I created Bassic Sax.
One of the Bass Sax Co-op’s first projects was to begin hunting down options for replacement cases for vintage basses. I opted to hire a boat builder from St. Andrews, New Brunswick to make my Buescher a new case. I documented the experience, and it became a cornerstone in the first version of Bassic Sax.
Over the years a couple of other Bass Sax Co-op members were talented enough to make their own fibreglass cases. For example, there is this one by Rufus, who was kind enough to send me a series of photos that show how the case evolved from raw materials, to finished product.
Just this week in the Bass Sax Co-op, the issues of bass saxophone cases was raised again, and someone noted that Steve Goodson recently posted a link to a series of YouTube videos by Reliable Hardware. These 11 videos will show you how to make your own road cases.
So if you’re the handy type, and like to build things on your own, then perhaps making your own road case is something you’d like to tackle. If you’re more like me, you’ll get someone to do it for you.
Either way, I wish these videos had been around when I was looking for case options. It would have made Bruce’s (the boat builder’s) job much easier.
I just now stumbled across “Rufus” pictures of progress on a fibreglass bassax case. Anyway to get in touch with him? I see he has what looks exactly like a Noblet (or other Beaugnier) which is what I just acquired and want to trade experiences about mouthpieces, intonation, etc. (not to mention the great looking case).
He is a member (or was the last time I checked) of the Bass Sax Co-operative. If you are not yet a member, I suggest you join. It’s a Yahoo Group. I’ve been a member since its inception way back in 2000 or so. It is the largest group of bass sax players on the Net. There are over 400 at present, and they are from all over the world.
The group is very well moderated, and there is no spamming, or anything like that. Members are real people, and there is no BS allowed. It’s the best place to talk to bass players who play all kinds of horns, and all discussions from the start of the group are searchable. (At least I think they still are. They were when I was looking for something a few months ago.)
Wow that was very interesting. Those are 3 good cases of building a case for yourself. Thanks.
Hey there Greg.
Glad you liked it. I’m betting you’re looking at getting a new case for your bari. Based on the key guards, that looks like a JK of some strip, circa 1960s. I can’t be 100% sure, but it appears to have rolled tone holes.