Accord Flight Case

[Aaron Tindall]

Sorry for the wait everyone, but we have received word that the 6/4 case will finally be in production soon. There were just a few details that needed to be taken care of.

If you are interested in more information, please contact Aubrey or myself.

[Kenneth Amis]

A lot of aspects of the Accord Case prevent bell damage:
1.) When the case is closed, the kevlar and carbon fiber composite makes it incredibly strong. You would literally have to drop it from the roof of a three story building to damage it.

A Styrofoam cup can survive a 4-story drop if it's empty. Assuming this test was actually done (noting the use of the word "literally"), was the drop test done with an empty, 13lb case? The product of the equation will be quite different once a 25lb tuba--almost twice the weight of the case--is added to the mass of the falling case.
In other words, is the case rated to survive a 4-story drop ("roof of a three story building") with 25lbs added to its mass? Such a differential will would reduce the height from which the case could reliably withstand failure.
I'm not asking to be a nuisance. I've just seen the baggage handlers drive the conveyor ramps around in the inclined position while luggage is on the inclined belt! Plus, the cargo area of most mid-sized aircraft is over 10ft above the tarmac.

Does Accord offer any type of written warranty for their product?

[Rick Denney]

Thanks for posting the images. The fact that the leadpipe is on the hinge-side of the case is a new one on me. I've always thought the horn was oriented with the leadpipe toward the handle so it's not apt to be exposed if the case is set down hard on the bottom.

EDIT: (Okay, this is a necro-thread. So sue me.)

Ray Grim used to own a wood case for his 186-5U C Miraphone that was oriented that way. The case had formed-plywood sides and was truly compact compared to the usual wood cases of the day, and even compared to the usual ABS cases of today, while providing what I considered to be better protection. (Alas, that case eventually gave up its life for that cause, as seems to happen with all wood cases used by guys who actually do use them and play every day.) The leadpipe does not project out from the line between the bell edge and the bottom bow, so if something gets to it, you'll have other problems, too.

FURTHER EDIT: For Blokes who want to support the bell using the hoop strength of the throat, the old trick of inflating a soccer ball (or other suitably sized ball) in the bell to carry a large share of the load on the bell end should solve any perceived issue with overloading the bell rim.

Rick "who has considered trying to design something similar, but who already has a job" Denney

[Rick Denney]

Kariso tuba cases have this orientation.

http://www.hornboerse.de/en/Kariso+-+Case+for+Tuba.htm

Yes, that's the case that Ray used for many years.

Rick "who always admired the shape and orientation of that case" Denney

[akniffen]

So now it's September, 2015 - has anyone flown with a 6/4 case yet? I'm ready to order, just curious.
Tony

[Kenneth Amis]

So now it's September, 2015 - has anyone flown with a 6/4 case yet? I'm ready to order, just curious.
Tony

Those cases have still not gone into production. You should call their US distributor (Quality Strings, I think) and tell them you're interested so that they have more incentive to put time toward this.

[akniffen]

Thanks, Ken, I have, and he told me to measure my tuba and send it on to him. I will likely do this, but I would be nervous about measuring windows, and even more nervous about being the first one to actually fly with a new design.

[laitc]

Are they now making flight case that would fit 6/4 C tuba?

[Lectron]

Kariso tuba cases have this orientation.

http://www.hornboerse.de/en/Kariso+-+Case+for+Tuba.htm

Yes, that's the case that Ray used for many years.

Rick "who always admired the shape and orientation of that case" Denney

I know it is used for 50cm bells (Kariso 273), but here is the internals I got
"
Thank you for your inquiry.

Here are the internal measurements of the case:

Highness: 96,5cm
Width: 56,5cm (up) 45,5cm(bottom)
Depth: 47cm (bell)
"
Padding will probably accept a tad more then, and could probably even be a (snugg) fit for a 345

[bloke]

back to page 1...

These would prevent me from considering checking this tuba in this case as baggage:

[bloke]

...so this happened to my former student/customer/friend this weekend...

Again,
It sucks, but some of you folks should (possibly...??) become accustomed to the concept of "driving".
Often, door-to-door in the USA (particular if staying on the east side of the Mississippi River, as are the majority of USA flights), it's only a three to ten hour difference between flying and driving)...cheaper (even with a $65 motel and gasoline), no TSA, no baggage manglers.
"Heavy-duty" cases" are really only "heavy-duty" (in my view) in regards to "the stowage area of the symphony bus"...etc...

bloke "Perhaps Superman is a Man of Steel - and not a Man of Carbon Fiber - for a reason...??"