Bobelock makes fiberglas cases in a variety of shapes. I have the violin shaped one, which is handy, but there's not room for a shoulder rest. Very good weather seal. There are some photos in the media section of my page here.

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Originally posted by DougD

Bobelock makes fiberglas cases in a variety of shapes. I have the violin shaped one, which is handy, but there's not room for a shoulder rest. Very good weather seal. There are some photos in the media section of my page here.

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Thanks, Doug! I checked out your photos. Looks nice. I went on to watch some videos of a few different models. There are so many out there! 

Fiddlershop sells a variety of cases, including Bobelock. If you like your new bow, why not ask for their advice on a case?

Bam made in France makes very good fiberglass cases... a bit expensive, but if you shop around several instrument supply places discount them...Carriage House Violins in Ma... just got a shipment in and offers a discount... they are great people to deal with... There are others that make fiber glass and or carbon fiber, just be aware that they can be very expensive.... Bobelock makes great cases in all price ranges... I use one of their plywood cases and feel that it give very good protection....

Play Happy

Swing

I have a Bobelock Puffy case. Rugged yet small and light. A nice, padded slipcover. Fiddle fits superbly. No problems whatever.

I have had the Tonareli cello shaped case for many years - it has held up well.

I bought a used Calton violin case a decade + ago. It was not in the neighborhood of a couple of Benjamin bucks. But it is safe to use on an airplane, That case is large and rectangular with a big storage compartment. I also have a Bobelock mandolin / fiddle case and have been using it for about as long as the Calton. Those people make a solid case. R/

GEWA makes excellent cases, and they’re available in the US now that there’s an American headquarters in Maryland.

The Pure model is near your range. A number of similar cases exist from other manufacturers, but I’d trust GEWA more.

gewamusicusa.com/item/.ps350.185/

I might mention that GEWA made their reputation with cases made in Germany. Moving some of their production to China has enabled them to serve a lower priced segment of the world market. I believe Bobelock cases are made in the Philippines. If you want a BAM or GEWA case made in Europe for some reason, it will be well out of your price range.

I have a GEWA pure 1.8. It’s fiddle shaped polycarbonate and 4 pounds. Nice case for travel and should be in your price range at least it was a year ago.

I have a Crossrock case that holds two fiddles and I've been very pleased with it. They have gone up in price (nearly $100!) since I purchased mine two years ago, but still are a pretty good value at $299. You have space for two fiddles, four bows, and a shoulder rest. I will add that they have updated/improved the latches vs. the one I have, and the new latches have a keyed locking system.  I also own a single fiddle, cello-shaped case, that has no branding.  It was purchased during a clearance at a local music store.  The Crossrock gets used more simply because when I go to jams/gigs I take two fiddles so I can have one already cross-tuned.  The cello-shaped case is for instances (hiking and festivals) where I am walking about and don't want the extra weight.

https://www.crossrockcase.com/shop/orchestra-strings-cases/violin-cases/crf2020dv/

If you're open to the idea of a wood case, I have Bobelock's "slim" shaped case, which can't recommend enough. True, it has more weight than a fiberglass one would, but it's also not so pricey. Good and snuggly for fiddle-baby. The inside pocket is big enough to have some utility (probably not for a shoulder rest though - actually, I don't know) and it's nice to have a small outside pocket too, which I think fiberglass doesn't very often have. It does close with a zipper (and a latch), so if that puts you off, nevermind. But the zipper is good quality and has never given me reason to worry. I've used mine for about 6 years so far. Full story: I have a double case which gets the most daily home use, but this case is my go-to when I need to go out and just need a single. But anyway, Black Friday sales - you never know what you'll find.

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Originally posted by Earworm

If you're open to the idea of a wood case, I have Bobelock's "slim" shaped case, which can't recommend enough. True, it has more weight than a fiberglass one would, but it's also not so pricey. Good and snuggly for fiddle-baby. The inside pocket is big enough to have some utility (probably not for a shoulder rest though - actually, I don't know) and it's nice to have a small outside pocket too, which I think fiberglass doesn't very often have. It does close with a zipper (and a latch), so if that puts you off, nevermind. But the zipper is good quality and has never given me reason to worry. I've used mine for about 6 years so far. Full story: I have a double case which gets the most daily home use, but this case is my go-to when I need to go out and just need a single. But anyway, Black Friday sales - you never know what you'll find.

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Thanks for sharing! I am open to a wooden case. I have had wooden ones over the years but I do love my fiberglass for my guitar. It wasn't that expensive but does protect my instrument! With Christmas coming, I'll probably wait to get a case but who knows, I just may press "Submit Order" lololol. I am not a fan of zippers. Even quality ones will fail. So many times I've come close to picking up my current case unzipped  

I appreciate everyone's responses! 

I haven't shopped for cases in some time, but I just looked at Earworm's wooden case vs my fiberglas model and I think things are still the same. Its commonly believed that fiberglas weighs less and offers better protection and thermal insulation than wood, but I'm not so sure about any of that. Her case is listed at 5.3 lbs, and mine is 6 lbs. I don't really know about protection from beating and banging, but good quality plywood is pretty tough. I think I found that without a cover and blanket, fiberglas is not as good an insulator either. Plus it scratches easily, which is another reason to use a cover.
I do own the Bobelock case on my page here, but I haven't really used it much, and right now its sitting empty in a storage room. If you look at the other photos of cases on my photo pages, Eric, you'll see some of the cases I still use. Some of these are the cases my fiddles were in when I got them. They have very lightweight wooden shells, and the better ones are leather covered and have nice interiors. For around the house or driving to a gig they're fine, and I've flown with them because they would fit in an overhead compartment. Trouble is they're old and latches and hinges can be troublesome, and they scuff easily. Depending on your plans, if you can find a nice one it might be an option.
BTW, I looked for some of the cases mentioned here and found many are "out of stock" - ETA for the GEWA Pure line is January 2023, so you might not be able to hit "submit" anyway!

True, that zipper closure requires an unbreakable habit, a ritual that your hands will remember before your brain does. That may explain why I now feel wrong without a zipper on my case to close.

Another option for a fiddle case is a ZERO case..they are industrial travels cases for electronic instruments etc... they have no insides, but you can add that yourself with a little imagination... a friend of mine who is a pro fiddler uses them almost exclusively

Play Happy

Swing

Do you think 170 people read this thread?? That's a lot of fiddlers eh?

One last thought - you said you do a lot of camping and festivals, so you might want to consider backpack possibilities. My Bobelock came with a shoulder strap, "subway" handle, and attachment points for their basic backpack straps. But there are cases that are built more for this purpose. BAM makes one, and Pedi cases are like this - I'm sure there are more.

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Originally posted by DougD

One last thought - you said you do a lot of camping and festivals, so you might want to consider backpack possibilities. My Bobelock came with a shoulder strap, "subway" handle, and attachment points for their basic backpack straps. But there are cases that are built more for this purpose. BAM makes one, and Pedi cases are like this - I'm sure there are more.

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Yes, I like that about the Bobelock cases. I have backpack straps for my guitar and I utilize that all the time! Even from the car to the house. Frees up the hands. 

If you’re willing to look at non-polycarbonate cases, GEWA makes a very nice inexpensive case called the Bio. It’s more spartan than the Pure or Air models, but it’s made well and does the job while also looking quite nice. It comes with a nice detachable music pouch.

Pedi cases are quite popular with the music school students in my area for their light weight and good backpack setup (the straps are built in but can be tucked into the case itself).


Yes, getting cases right now is tough due to importation issues. At the shop we buy what we can. About a month ago we bought 40 Pure cello cases, but they’re almost all gone now. I think we still have a couple of the violin Pure cases and several of the Bio.

Bobelock cases are solid and have had a good reputation for decades. They are heavier, but the shell is strong on the plywood models.

If you want something really light, we get cases from GEWA called Super-Light. They’re foam and have some Swiss engineering in them. They’re quite popular.

This has been a great and interesting topic to follow. Like many Once I find a fiddle I love as a keeper, I want it to live in the best case I can afford. The breakdown comes in that I don't want to spend a ton on it and Calton for me would be way overkill and probably exacerbate my back issues.

So I will share the 2 brands of cases I have arrived at. First is from the Heinrich Gill Co. in Germany and is a composite case. follow this link
heinrichgill.web02.osn.de/down...lisch.pdf I haven't not seen a Calton in person, but have seen most others mentioned here and the Gill case is better, IMO, well fitted, excellent German engineering and hardware and pretty "indestructo" although heavier than I would like. Not sure if or where it might be available in the US

My preferred case all in, is a Jaeger shaped case. It is an older one. that I customized by adding some suspension to. It has a Coon Hollow Canvas insulated cover, made in Montana. If you check Google for Jaeger case it was the preferred case of pro classical players until Musafia came along. Jaeger are still made and crazy expensive. I also have a double Jaeger case when needed with the same type cover. The Jaeger shaped case is very light, and strong and harder to find then the rectangular cases.

To those screaming too much money, my answer is patience and EBAY. Also none of my cases with or without covers cost as much as a top line Bobelock fiberglass case.....which is a fine case

just my .02

Greg

 

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Originally posted by Apltrez

My preferred case all in, is a Jaeger shaped case. It is an older one. that I customized by adding some suspension to. It has a Coon Hollow Canvas insulated cover, made in Montana. If you check Google for Jaeger case it was the preferred case of pro classical players until Musafia came along. Jaeger are still made and crazy expensive. I also have a double Jaeger case when needed with the same type cover. The Jaeger shaped case is very light, and strong and harder to find then the rectangular cases. 

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The old Jaeger cases were great. I love them too. They were popular with professionals, although not quite as treasured as the Hill or Gordge cases,  which are the real predecessors of Musafia. A lot of the pros here have Gordge cases that they've cherished for most of their careers. Younger players are desperate to buy even the damaged ones. 

Ritch,
Couldn't agree more. I have seen pictures of the Gordge and Hill cases but always assumed they lived in more rarified air than me.

BUT that is where that patience comes in. My double case was on Craigslist and needed help but the price was right.

Old time music, old time fiddles Old time cases...but then of course I passed the 3/4 century mark this year so I am classified as old and well used.

Best

Greg

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Originally posted by Apltrez

Ritch,
Couldn't agree more. I have seen pictures of the Gordge and Hill cases but always assumed they lived in more rarified air than me.

BUT that is where that patience comes in. My double case was on Craigslist and needed help but the price was right. The other Jaeger and the Gill were from Ebay with much patience.

Old time music, old time fiddles Old time cases...but then of course I passed the 3/4 century mark this year so I am classified as old and well used.

Best

Greg

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This has been an interesting thread, and it took a turn into different territory towards the end. For those interested in high end cases, here's an interesting article about Hill cases in the "golden age." stringsmagazine.com/w-e-hill-s...in-cases/
That article was written by Dr. Glenn Wood, who lives (or lived) in your area, Eric, and literally "wrote the book" on violin cases. Looks like his collection was sold at auction a couple years ago, and you can still see the auction catalog online, plus he had a couple interesting videos on YouTube. Also there's more, detailed information about the Hill family out there too.