MTS vault cases

[PaulTkachenko]

Anyone know anything about these?

http://www.mtsproducts.com/pgs/vault.html" target="_blank

Prices?

They look great and I'd like one ...

[Mtrhed]

I spotted these when I started case shopping for my Martin. I called MTS with deminsions and they didn't seem to have anything that would fit what I have. These have lots of great features but look to be a bit bulky.

P.S.
I have a Unitec case I'd be willing to sell reasonably. PM me for pics and deminsions.

[PaulTkachenko]

They look pretty light and protective ... I'm wondering how much they cost.

Regular flight cases are just too heavy to be practical.

[Jess Haney]

If they have one for a Willson 3100/3050 Im in

[chhite]

Al Baer helped design these cases and he travels with them regularly. They fit the MW6450 so the Willson should be supported as well. Although, they are a custom-fit case and MTS needs a horn to mold the interior. And don't make the assumption that your horn is just like all the others ever produced. Some models have undergone slight alterations which hinders a "uniform" mold for that model. Check with MTS.

I don't remember the weight but it's not a featherweight case. It is strongly constructed with multiple ways of wheeling the case. And they are stackable and have "nesting areas" for other cases to rest.

[Mirafan]

Talked to a rep on the phone today. I inquired about a vault case for a
Miraphone 186 and was told $752.60, 2 week build time, 72lbs in weight.
Did not think to ask about shipping costs.

[Tom Holtz]

Last time I checked, a few of the airlines were charging extra for bags that weighed over 50 lbs, and not taking anything over 80 lbs. at all. Time to review the baggage guidelines for all the airlines that serve your airport if you're thinking of one of these. If it rings in around 70 lbs. empty, you may have some challenges ahead of you.

That said, they look really solid, and the stacking setup is a godsend if you have to fly with two. On the other hand, my standard MTS case, medium-size, carrying a Besson 983 with a basketball in the bell, nothing else, weighs in at 48.5 lbs. and rarely incurs fees.

[elihellsten]

On the other hand, my standard MTS case, medium-size, carrying a Besson 983 with a basketball in the bell, nothing else, weighs in at 48.5 lbs. and rarely incurs fees.

Have you ever encountered any problems flying with this case? I'm wondering if it actually is sturdy enough to be used as a flightcase. Is it that much better than other hardcases such as Jakob Winter?

[ScottM]

I used an MTS case on a trip to China a year ago and my horn suffered no damages, though I did add some bubble wrap to make sure it wouldn't be able to move. After I got back I went to see them and they added some padding so I don't need the bubble wrap. With some padding changes it fits my Mirafone 184 and my Pt20.
ScottM

[Tom]

The key to a tuba case (ESPECIALLY flight cases) is the interior. The horn needs to be held tightly so that there is zero movement of the instrument within the case. You can have the strongest case exterior in the world, but if the contents are not properly packed and can rattle around inside of the case, it's irrelevant because the horn will get trashed bouncing around inside while the outside could very possibly show no signs of trauma or rough handling.

But it's not as simple as making the interior as tight as possible. The horn needs to be held tightly only in certain places and allowed to float in others so the forces from a drop, for example, aren't exerted onto some of the most delicate parts of the instrument such as the bell flare or the valve section.

I have been the most impressed with Yamaha hard cases in this regard (which, although some have had no issues, should not be confused with flight cases). The styrofoam interior is the key and does exactly what I've described...hold certain places while allowing others to float. If they did have a stronger exterior and stronger hardware, I think they would have a very viable flight case. I have also been impressed with the aluminum Meinl Weston flight cases, as they have interiors much like Yamaha hard cases that completely immobilize the instrument. The weakness on the MW cases, in my opinion, is hardware and wheels.

What I am wary of with cases is the "universal fit" factor. It means a lot of things will fit inside and allow the box to close, but nothing really fits like a glove. I think a custom fit interior with the MTS vault shell would make a nice flight case, but even with the vault line of cases if my only option was a generic fit, I'd probably pass or plan on gutting the interior and having it redone.

If I were truly in need of a flight case for personal use, I'd probably buy an accord case. They are the closest offering to what would be ideal: lightweight (18lbs.), slim fit (not a rectangle or wedge), and seem to have the most form fitting stock interior offered (though I've never actually seen one in person). The drawback is the reported price of more than $1000 and a up-and-coming dealer network in the US that makes ordering and interfacing with the manufacturer difficult.

If I needed a flight case to use once I had a job, I'd probably have an Anvil trunk built to my specs because size, weight and overall portability would not be an issue. Major orchestras and bands typically handle their own freight when traveling locally by bus or truck and international tours require palletizing freight onto skids which can be loaded into cargo aircraft. This all makes (usually) for safer travel than most individuals encounter.