An Alternative To The Soft Gig Bag

[Chris Timson]

Hi,

 

We saw Jonathan Taylor with one of these bags recently. He told us they came from the Music Room, so we bought a couple. As you can see from the photos, it's a neat way of ading a strap to a concertina case:-

 

 

The idea is that it fits around your existing case. It costs about 16 pounds. According to Gill at the Music Room they come in two sizes - standard and large - for the same price. Gill says that the standard size will take most cases - wrong, I'm afraid. It will fit a Morse case like a glove, anything larger is a non-starter, which is the great majority of cases. Fortunately, it was two Morses we wanted to house, so we were OK.

 

The only other disadvantage is that if you are in a hurry to get your concertina out of its case then you've got another layer to get past. The convenience of being able to sling the thing over your shoulder, but with much more protection than is given by the standard padded gig bag outweighs this, in my opinion.

 

Chris

[John Wild]

We saw Jonathan Taylor with one of these bags recently. He told us they came from the Music Room, so we bought a couple. As you can see from the photos, it's a neat way of ading a strap to a concertina case:-

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I have one of these and agree with Chris that they are a good idea. Another advantage is that you can walk around playing and have the empty case slung across your shoulder - useful when in a procession. There is one potential hazard, which I almost - but not quite - fell victim to. That is - always remember to check if the zip is fastened before you pick it up.

 

- John Wild

[Jim Besser]

We saw Jonathan Taylor with one of these bags recently. He told us they came from the Music Room, so we bought a couple. As you can see from the photos, it's a neat way of ading a strap to a concertina case:-

 

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I've been doing something similar with a nice, mid-sided Lowenpro camera bag. Lots of padding, holds the small hardshell case nicely, has an accessory pocket to use for tools and stuff and has an adjustable neck strap.

 

The foam bottom provides nice padding when the concertina is riding in the car, as well.

[John Wild]

Gill Noppen-Spacie has asked if a correction can be posted to the detail in Chris' original posting. I quote her as follows:-

 

The item in question concerned an alternative to the padded gig bag, and relates to the soft zipped concertina case cover we market at the Music Room. It does

indeed come in 2 sizes, as Chris said, but I made it quite clear to him on the phone that the smaller (standard) size fits most STANDARD or SMALL hard cases such as the Morse ones, or the Music Room or Marcus standard size hard case, and the LARGE size fits over - well, as you might expect  - our LARGE hard case - suitable for English Tenor Trebles, and some Duets, as well as larger Anglos.

End-quote.

 

Regards,

 

John Wild

[JimLucas]

As you can see from the photos, it's a neat way of ading a strap to a concertina case...

 

The only other disadvantage is that if you are in a hurry to get your concertina out of its case then you've got another layer to get past. The convenience of being able to sling the thing over your shoulder, but with much more protection than is given by the standard padded gig bag outweighs this, in my opinion.

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The following photos show my case, made by Steve Dickinson. Concertina makers/dealers who either make their own cases or have cases custom made for them should seriously consider these aspects of the design:

.. The strap across the top makes a handy handle for carrying, and "fits" any size hand.

.. The strap over the top but attached to the "box" -- rather than a handle affixed to the front or cover -- provides that if the latch comes open, gravity holds the top closed, rather than pulling it open.

.. The length of the strap provides that when it is buckled it prevents the top from opening far enough to let the instrument fall out, even if the latch is loose and the case tumbles end over end.

.. Attaching the hand strap via a solid ring on the one side (detail) and a solid buckle on the other side allows any standard shoulder strap to be attached for convenient over-the-shoulder carrying, as I've done.

 

Edited to make the full-size images smaller, so each fits on a screen without scrolling.

Edited July 4, 2005 by JimLucas

[Chris Timson]

It does

indeed come in 2 sizes, as Chris said, but I made it quite clear to him on the phone that the smaller (standard) size fits most STANDARD or SMALL hard cases such as the Morse ones, or the Music Room or Marcus standard size hard case

I stand by my original statement. Gill did say this, but she is wrong. It will fit a Morse case nicely, but Morse cases are unusually small. Cases slightly larger can be forced to fit, but it is hard work and will damage the bag in a short time. So if you have a small case, yes, but if you have a standard case, go for the larger size.

 

I am unclear why Gill is so defensive here, the larger size costs no more, after all.

 

Chris

[Guest]

Does the Music Room sell the hard cases as well? I'm picking up my "new" 1923 Lachanel in England in September, and will need a hard case for it.

 

Cheers

Morgana

[Chris Timson]

Does the Music Room sell the hard cases as well? I'm picking up my "new" 1923 Lachanel in England in September, and will need a hard case for it.

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Yes, they do.

 

Chris