{"id":175,"date":"2008-06-08T12:25:03","date_gmt":"2008-06-08T19:25:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/blog\/?p=175"},"modified":"2009-08-14T21:53:16","modified_gmt":"2009-08-15T04:53:16","slug":"safer-sax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/blog\/2008\/safer-sax\/","title":{"rendered":"Safer Sax"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>The bigger the horn, the more you pay…and pay…and pay…and pay.<\/p>\n

When I made the leap and bought my first bari, I knew that I would have to pay more for the horn initially, and as I very quickly found out, I would have to pay more for everything baritone-related from reeds to stands and everything in between. It’s a simple case of economics: There are fewer baritone players around, so that means fewer people to absorb the costs of R&D, manufacturing, etc. etc. Personally, I think some of this is BS, much like current gas prices. Yes things do cost somewhat more, but manufacturers charge more because they can<\/em>. As bari players, we are held hostage, and don’t have a choice.<\/p>\n

Bottom line: baritone sax players get soaked on everything, and this is not limited only to tangibles like mouthpieces, reeds, and ligatures. Repairs on the larger horns cost more too. Also, larger horns are by design more prone to damage through the everyday minor events\u00a0like bumps,\u00a0jarring, and collisions (while inside their cases) with door frames. \u00a0<\/p>\n

When I got my low Bb Mark VI, the original case was long gone.\u00a0The horn\u00a0came\u00a0in a relatively new standard Protec PRO PAC case like this one:<\/p>\n

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This is a good everyday case if you’re looking for something relatively lightweight, that will offer more protection than a gig bag,\u00a0and won’t kill you in the weight department like the original plywood case will. It will not\u00a0protect\u00a0the horn very well though if someone is rough with it, or if things are placed or dropped on it. I see it as a good “all around town” case that I trust, as long as I am in sole control of my instrument.<\/p>\n

Protec also makes a contoured bari case that will accommodate both low Bb and A horns.<\/p>\n

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This is what Protec says about their cases:<\/p>\n

In 1977, Protec introduced the PRO PAC, the only hybrid case to combine the protection of a flight case with the convenience of a gig bag. At Protec, we collaborate with professional musicians to understand their needs and wants and we transform these ideas into sophisticated solutions. We\u2019re committed to delivering technology, performance and luxury in a modern and contemporary package.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Alright then, enough of their advertising spiel. “Protection of a flight case” my ass. I don’t know anyone who would be foolish enough to send their horn on a flight in\u00a0a case like this without the added protection of an Anvil-style case to house\u00a0it in.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When the band I was in started to do more traveling, and my bari was no longer always under my control, I decided I needed an upgrade. I opted for the best protection I could get for my horn, and got the BAM Hightech baritone case.<\/p>\n

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Although the cost of it is more than that of many used, student-model, alto saxophones, it is\u00a0arguably\u00a0the best protection you can get for your baritone saxophone. There are some quirky things about the case. For example, when you stand it on its side, the pull handle prevents it from laying flat, so it is not as stable as it could be. But overall, it is a great case. Over the years it has saved me hundreds of $s on repair bills. Since\u00a0my\u00a0Selmer has been in this case (February 2004), it has only needed to be regulated once. Until 18 months ago when I got sick, this horn was being used 3 or 4 times a week at rehearsals and shows all over the Lower Mainland.\u00a0So this case has already seen a lot of traveling and\u00a0handling both here and back in New Brunswick, and in\u00a0this\u00a0time has proven its worth\u00a0to me in money saved in repair bills.<\/p>\n

While I do love the\u00a0concept of being able to pull the horn, the reality of pulling a fragile baritone over bumpy terrain such\u00a0as curbs,\u00a0dips in sidewalks, etc. would be regular trips to the repair shop; no matter how well constructed the interior of the case is.\u00a0Therefore I still prefer to carry my horn, unless I’m\u00a0on a smooth surface like carpeting, hardwood, freshly paved blacktop, that kind of thing.<\/p>\n

BAM & WJ will soon have some competition in the high-end baritone sax case market. SKB will be introducing a Contoured Pro Bari Case <\/a>in August 2008. It will be interesting to see how\u00a0it will compare in features and price to the competition.<\/p>\n

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…this is just my blog<\/em>. <\/span> My \u201creal\u201d <\/b> website is<\/span> www.bassic-sax.info.<\/a> If you\u2019re looking for <\/span> sax info<\/strong>,<\/span> you should check it out too.<\/span>There\u2019s lots<\/em> there! <\/span>\n<\/div>\n
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The bigger the horn, the more you pay…and pay…and pay…and pay. When I made the leap and bought my first bari, I knew that I …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[41,59,58,644,60],"class_list":["post-175","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-baritone-saxophone","tag-accessories","tag-bam-hightech-bari-case","tag-cases","tag-photos","tag-protec-pro-pac"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t