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When I originally contacted them, they advised me to deal with them directly.

I saw you PMed me too - I'll get back to you within the next day or two (on my way to the EU for a week or so)

I have a friend that ordered an Accord case through the US distributor in NYC. They really did a terrible job of accurately and promptly submitting the order and the whole process was a LONG ordeal(many many months beyond the original estimate) and in the mean time they had already taken the money. The final product was excellent and 95% what was ordered(the backpack system was mounted upside down).

I'd love to own an Accord case but would make ever effort to only communicate directly with Accord.

I can only throw in a couple of anecdotal points on the Accord cases. A friend bought an electric bass case. After sending in numerous measurements in seemingly all possible dimensions, he finally got a case. The bass slid around several inches both lengthwise and side to side. They sent him foam and the lining material for him to cut as needed and glue into place. Not exactly the polished result he was looking for.

An acquaintance had a cello case. While walking In NY, carrying it by her side, she slipped and the case went to the ground with her (falling less than a foot), and the soundpost went through the top of the cello.

I had considered one of their cases, but particularly the fiist anecdote did not give me confidence as to what I would receive.

FWIW
Mike

Follow up...

Disclaimer: No I don't sell Accord cases. (don't want anyone to think I'm hocking them on TubeNet, I'm not, I'm just answering questions -- this is a new type of product, and both it and the process is somewhat enigmatic still... )

Go through them directly. When I first started contacting various hi-end string case companies (to make a custom tuba case) and got in touch with Accord, they advised me to work with them directly... while almost all of their business is through distributors (they are the world's top hi-end cello case maker), the distributors have no experience with brass or brass cases, as lets face it, us tubists are a niche market! Almost all of their distributors deal with hi-end string instruments (violins, cellos, not guitars...)

With any custom job, the more direct communication, the better... (honestly, I wouldn't want some violin player referring my statistics haphazardly...) and, it's a FLUID process with any custom job. It's not production-line, it's not walking into Wal-Case-Mart and picking one off the wall. We are talking about very specific hand-made stuff. Adjustments can be made. Communication is the key. For instance, I decided that I wanted even more padding, they immediately sent me more padding options.

I sent them basically a blueprint of my horn, every possible measurement my layman hands could draw, I spent 8 hours drawing the thing 1:1 on my kitchen floor. I sent it to Croatia in a box. I would recommend hiring a draftsperson to do one for you, it would probably be worth the price. The more information you can provide them, the better.

I had my case exactly on time, they shipped it exactly when they said they would. ...it was about 3 weeks from payment. My first case was a prototype (knew that going into it) and my second is near what the production model is.

Also, keep in mind a few things... 1.) It's Croatia, it's like Italy but a bit more old school. 2.) everything they do is *completely* made by hand by artisans. NO computers are used whatsoever. (Like I said, old school!) and their website is a bit out-of-date.

My experience was extraordinary and my case is great -- I'll be using it again internationally in 2 days! I use it *every* day and drag it from here to kingdom come. It's my only case, and I work a lot. I can't explain how much easier it has made my professional life with regards to schleppage of my horn. It's even saved my horn's life, multiple times.

Feel free to PM me, gimme a few days to get back to you... I'll answer what I can.


Edit: I only recommend the toughest *flight* version of the case. It's not heavy. The lighter version that is mentioned (which many cello players use, and while advertised, I don't think they have or would actually made one for tuba) is more like a shell-gigbag, it's fairly pliable (thus the cello soundpost story from above) . The *flight* version that I have is not pliable. Also, I believe the flight version of the tuba case is even a bit tougher and thicker as of about a year ago.

great but how much is it??

arminhachmer wrote:great but how much is it??

These are quite lovely. I've admired them for a while. I, too, would love to know pricing.