The best money you can send on a bassoon, besides purchasing the instrument itself, is investing in a durable case that fits your bassoon snugly. A proper case typically costs no more than a couple hundred dollars, and could prevent repairs that can cost double or triple that down the line. While hard cases and gig bags are essential for virtually every instrument, they’re especially important for woodwinds due to their extremely fragile nature. From finding the right fit to security, here’s everything you need to know about purchasing a case for your bassoon.
Hard vs. Soft
When it comes to purchasing a bassoon case, this is usually one of the first questions that comes to mind. While many parents of bassoon players (and bassoonists themselves) opt for soft bassoon cases because they think it’ll be easier to transport from class to class, hard cases are actually better at protecting the instrument. Think about it this way: would you rather transport your grandmother’s antique tea set in a hard container or a flimsy plastic bag? The same logic applies here. Since many parents are held liable for any damages to a rented or borrowed instrument, and bassoon repairs can be costly if you’re paying for them on your own, it’s best to cover your bases and purchase a hard bassoon case right off the bat.
Make Sure It Fits
Once you decide on hard vs. soft, it’s important that you make sure your child’s bassoon fits snugly in its case. When your child’s bassoon is placed into the case, it must not move in any direction. If it moves up and down or side to side during transportation or storage, it won’t offer the same level of protection as a case that holds the bassoon snugly in place. If this is an issue with your current case and you want some extra protection until you can upgrade, you can fill the gaps and spaces with bubble wrap or soft foam. Just keep in mind that this is a temporary fix and isn’t a long-term solution. If you bought your bassoon secondhand and it came with a case, the padding may have compressed over time. If this is the case, you can take your case to a luggage store and have the padding replaced instead of purchasing a brand new one.
Space for Accessories
The next thing to think about is whether or not the bassoon case has room for accessories. Since your child will likely be traveling with their bassoon and a variety of accessories, including cleaning cloths, tuners, metronomes, and sheet music, keeping an eye out for a bassoon case that has room for these accessories only makes sense. If you can’t find a case with built-in space for accessories, another option is purchasing a zippered case that actually slips over standard bassoon cases. In addition to providing room for accessories, these types of cases tend to protect against rain and snow and can help provide protection against minor changes in temperature. Note: if you live in an area with extreme temperatures, speak with your child’s bassoon teacher for more information about additional measures you may need to take to protect your instrument from humidity and extreme temperatures.
Think About Security
Depending on where your child plans on traveling with their bassoon, you may wish to consider investing in additional security. Whether you purchase a case with built-in locks or a combination lock for your case, these extra safety precautions may provide you with peace of mind. Although it’s not a “must have”, a case that locks can prevent another child from stealing, taking, or accidentally breaking your child’s bassoon. While you’re at it, pay attention to the latches of your bassoon case. They should be sturdy, strong, and able to withstand a drop without your child’s bassoon rolling out. As a general word of advice, latches manufactured from metal tend to be the most sturdy available on the market.
Buy Online and Save
A bassoon can be an expensive purchase, which is why finding an affordable and durable bassoon case is so important. That’s why so many parents just like you turn to Music & Arts. With over 130 stores across 23 states and over 50,000 products on our website, you’ll find one of the largest selections of gear, accessories, and instruments at Music & Arts. If you have any questions about the specifics of a particular bassoon case, contact us and we’ll be happy to help guide you through the process. With one of the largest product offerings in the world, we offer educator-approved band instruments and accessories, including a variety of bassoon cases, from some of the most trusted brands in the industry.