Initial review Pelican Storm Im2875 case

[Ben-jammin]

In an effort to have the best chance of having an accordion survive on my boat this next summer I’ve decide to use a Pelican case. I used Pelicans website to determine which case would fit my full size accordions, adding a few inches to each dimension. I’m glad I did this because if I hadn’t there would not be clearance to use the included customizable pluck and peel foam. I ordered from Amazon with free overnight shipping for prime subscribers and it arrived this morning.

So far I’m satisfied that I made a good decision. I do wish I could have bought one slightly bigger so I could have a bit more foam buffer space, but as it is it is still bulky. I initially tried gluing the foam to the case side with Gorilla spray adhesive. This hasn’t worked perfectly and the foam likes to come out partway when the instrument is removed. I think a better adhesive may solve this. It seems to be where the straps attach that this is worst. I was thinking of removing the foam there. But will see if after a while the foam takes an ok shape.

The dimensions make it so the accordion is upside down from playing orientation when the case is in wheeled orientation. This shouldn’t be a bad orientation for reed leather sag.

Once I get more experience with it I’ll update this thread to reflect what’s it’s like living with this case.

So far my thoughts are that it’s bulky, heavy and special work is required to get the foam to fit the accordion without issues, BUT that may be worth it for the amount of protection offered for the instruments.

 

[Longshore]

Once I get more experience with it I’ll update this thread to reflect what’s it’s like living with this case.

I'll look forward to your update.

It looks a very workable solution to extreme environment accordion protection.

 

[Waldo]

Ben;
Good choice. I had about a dozen Pelican cases associated with my former business and we never suffered a case failure or contents damage. I was shipping electronic detection equipment, laboratory glassware and other delicate stuff, world wide. Well worth the money to protect your valuable stuff.
Attached are several pics of my Accordion Shipping Box. It's a fiberglass, former military radio box I found in a pawn shop for $25. I painted it, added some memory foam rescued from my neighbors trash bin (her dog shredded a mattress topper) and a yard of crushed velvet. The foam is 4" thick and quite soft, cut into two slabs (no forming). I place the accordion on the lower section, put the top in place and then sit on the stack. The foam slowly compresses until I can latch the catches (8 of 'em). Note the verbiage on the bottom. With the bottom up, the bass buttons are orientated in a "hanging" position, preventing the buttons from moving below the button board in the event of an impact. I used it a lot when I had a house in Mexico. Never suffered any damage, either.

 

[JerryPH]

Instead of transporting the accordion upside down, why not simply rotate it 180 degrees so it sits in playing orientation when rolling it?

BTW, I was thinking that if I ever needed to ever transport my 8X again, this would have to be the only way I would do it (via pelican case), but I'd do as much as possible to make sure the unit was packed tight and minimal internal movement. The airport people are absolutely brutal and really don't care about things like "this side up" or "fragile" signs on the cases. Padding the insides as much as possible is our best protection, the Pelican case will do the rest for us.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[NickC]

Thanks for sharing. I looked into the Pelican cases when I was thinking about take my accordion on the boat. I haven't gotten around to it. I look forward to the updates.

 

[Ben-jammin]

Instead of transporting the accordion upside down, why not simply rotate it 180 degrees so it sits in playing orientation when rolling it?

I had considered that. There are two orientations the case can sit “upright”. Flipping the accordion 180 would make it sit keyboard down on the other orientation? Is there a real disadvantage to being upside from playing orientation. A thought comes to mind though. Maybe “face down” when the case is down and in “loading” orientation would be best? I will look into this option.

 

[jozz]

if it travels face down, or 'back' down, with the reeds travelling horizontally,

when it gets a good knock or two, there is a chance it can knock out the reeds off the blocks (mainly when enclosed in a hot space)

I learned this the hard way and had to wax in 75 reeds, upon returning home

so be careful where you place the case, and in what conditions

 

[JerryPH]

The issue is that on a flight, if they "store" it , there is no fixed orientation, they'll toss it in any way and it will sit under and/or on top of other luggage. The reason I suggested to rotate it is that at least when I am hauling it around, it's in the best possible way I can carry it.

 

[Ben-jammin]

Just wanted to give an update. After a few months of use with the pelican case on the boat I have no negatives to report. The Chinese startone has worked fine but I moved it recently to the yacht club club house so that the few other people that play can have access to it and moved one of my old Weltmeister accordions to the boat.