From dfibraio@comcast.net Fri May 12 08:56:17 2006
Subject:RE: Just say NO to semi-hard cases and bags!

It's funny we're talking about this. I'll share my story and you all tell me
what you think.

I was using gator semi-hard cases in my band for a while now. I carried a
motif es7, kurzweil k2661 and alesis ion. Now I just carry the motif and the
kurz and a roland ax1. I am totally blind and don't drive. This forces me to
rely on other guys in the band to transport and move my gear. IN the band or
offshoots of this band I have played in, I have had the following happen
while my gear was in the care of others: Roland VK7 that wouldn't power up,
two different occurrences, a jp8080 that wouldn't power up, a motif es6 with
the rear left corner cracked, i.e. pieces came off in the motif bag, a
previous roland ax1 cracked where we had to tape the casing back together, a
quicklock 3 tier stand that that the screw holes where the second and third
tire connect stripped down to nothing and had to junk the stand. Not to
meion the wire for my k2661's external ribbon controller is breaking. Also,
my gator cases were getting destroyed, the pegs that hold them upright
broke, the cases are ripping and tearing, and I was getting more alarmed by
the month. So, my cousin and I went to look at different solutions. I wanted
the sbk cases, because I knew they were light, but I couldn't get the motif
es7 into the 76 key version that Guitar Cetner had, and the 61 key wasn't
liking the Kurzweil k2661, either. The only other protective alternative was
the roadready cases which are huge, heavy, but they fit my gear. Now, the
band is complaining about moving these. My singer drives a hyundai and we
have to struggle to get them into the car. They want me to go back to the
other cases, at least for practice, but I am afraid of more things happening
to my gear. I am in a bind, though, because of my disability. I've tried
patiently explaining this, but I don't want to start a fight, either. So,
since we are on the topic of cases, that is my tale of woe. Be glad you can
all move your own gear and transport it yourselves.

-----Original Message-----
From: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of bjlove15
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 9:17 AM
To: CloneWheel@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CWSG] Just say NO to semi-hard cases and bags!

I've never understood the logic of "protecting" the very expensive tools of
our trade in a soft bag or "semi-hard" case. Players who think nothing of
dropping three or four grand on a new board often balk at spending a couple
hundred on a decent hard case. I don't get it. Granted genuine ATA approved
Anvil-style road cases are extremely heavy, expensive and probably overkill
for most of us, but SKB proved years ago that polyethelene cases are a great
light-weight, reaonably priced alternative to the traditional plywood
monsters. (Though back in the day when I regularly had to trust my gear to
airlines and cartage companies, I would trust nothing less than the great
ball-cornered beasts.)

Consider this: The Gator GK-76 semi-hard case weighs about 25.5 pounds and
costs about $110. The GK-276R poly hard case weighs about 27.5 pounds and
costs about $230. Isn't the far greater protection afforded by the hard case
worth the extra 2 pounds and 120 bucks? (I own a GK-276R, by the way, and my
V-Combo fits beautifully)

All that said, I admit I do own a soft bag. I use it to occaisionally carry
a 12 year old Alesis QS6 to a jam session or rehearsal. It's quick, light,
easy to store and a hard case for the QS6 would cost more than it's worth.
But the instruments I gig with? That I depend on to make my living and feed
my family? They deserve the best protection I can wrap around them.

bj

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