Hard Case Recommendations Please

[Epsomsalt]

Having just bought a 96 bass 37 key piano accordion and moving 'up' from a 48 bass PA first impressions are how heavy it is!

It came with both a hard case and a gig bag with back straps but Ideally I want to buy a hard case with wheels - can anyone recommend which ones to look at please?

Based in Surrey, UK

 

[JIM D.]

I make custom hard rolling cases for accordions such as Rolands that dont come with a hard case. In your case they would be very pricey. There is a quality hard rolling accordion case on the market today and is offered as an accessory by some brands such as Hohner, but again very pricey. Many accordionists looking for a rolling hard case that will fit their box and be affordable, visit stores that sell used luggage and look for something like these -- http://www.ebags.com/brand/rockland-luggage

 

[Soulsaver]

This is not a recommendation - I dont know the product, but Ebay has them occasionally... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111454674642 £120+ for a 120 bass.

 

[goldtopia]

Some time ago I brought up the subject of accordion trolleys and some forum members agreed on whether it is wise to use these trolleys for expensive accordions. I have seen them trundled over rough ground and wondered about the effect it may have on accordions, particularly the reeds. They don't even have suspension to absorb any shock.

 

[bocsa]

A set of foldable wheels will allow you to use either the gig bag or the case, critical considerations are the size of the wheels and length of axle (bigger/wider is better), the size of the platform and the height of the handle if youre above average height.
Loads on ebay but if you have a Maplin near then you can check this one out in person:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/70kg-folding-trolley-n48jq

I have a gig bag from Allodi which has rollers not wheels, ideal for short distances e.g. car park to venue/house. Useless on gravel :tdown: I also have a shopping type trolley that I use for melodeons - has narrow wheel spacing consequently a tendency to tip especially up and down kerbs!

*just an aside
anyone else finding it tedious having to teach the US spell checker English?

 

[Soulsaver]

Yep the foldable trolley is a possibility. Be careful with checking it out. I had one and if you tipped it to a certain angle part of the chassis near the wheels touched the floor. So? Leaves two horrible cuts in your vinyl, wood, laminate flooring. May not be too good for your carpet either.

 

[donn]

I could use a hard case for my accordion, whose dimensions are a little eccentric (10x16x18 inches, 26x40x45 cm - a couple inches deeper than normal.) Travel luggage is never deep enough, but tool cases might serve. This one isnt wide enough, but since were talking about wheels -
I would feel a little better dragging my accordion over bumpy surfaces with relatively large wheels like this

Really I dont want wheels at all, so the search continues.

(Hm, I see the image oddly will not appear for me in this post. Its a DeWalt tool case with a matching hand truck ... ah, regional idiom I bet ... two wheeled dolly with waist high handles.)

 

[JIM D.]

The dimensions (10x16x18 inches) , are they interior or exterior?? And what do you have for a Box??
Would somthing like this do -- http://www.ebay.com/itm/DELSEY-HELI...-/221631361102?pt=Luggage&hash=item339a42304e

 

[donn]

The dimensions (10x16x18 inches) , are they interior or exterior?? And what do you have for a Box??

Those are the exterior dimensions of my accordion - Fratelli Crosio 4-row French style chromatic button accordion - so they would be the minimum internal dimensions of the case.

Those big suitcases might be worth a look, I should stop by a downtown luggage store and see if they have anything like that. Thered be a lot of wasted space, but the depth is there - if the internal padding is 3/4 or less.

 

[JIM D.]

There are many accordionist's that pick up these used luggage cases with or without wheels. Most of them use a beach towel for extra padding. The result is a durable and inexpensive solution. Goodwill store's always have a few. And K-Mart is loaded with them new and moderately priced.

 

[donn]

Someone at the local Sunday outdoor market had a large collection of typewriters. Antique typewriters, I guess it goes without saying, over a dozen, I didn't count - and each with a nice case that might fit a tiny accordion.

 

[JIM D.]

In my latest search for electronic parts I did find this -- http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/DURATOOL-GTK-955-/22-16342

 

[kimric]

Small cases could be made out of pine and plywood. You can get limited sizes of slide out handles that might be attached to the case permanently but the come in a limited # of sizes.
If you have a case made be sure to leave a little room for straps on the side, and have it made a bit larger (2 in each way) so you can add some foam protection.
Folding strap on luggage cart might be cheaper, and bigger wheels mean a smoother ride.