Bobelock's Basic Fiddle Case Rocks

Prices for violin cases seem to run the gamut from $50 to well more than I paid for my fiddle (or some of my cars for that matter). The more bells and whistles the more $$$.

Needless to say, as I watched my old fiberboard case slowly disintegrate over the last several years I began researching and considering my options - and resisting the urge to succumb to some of those bells and whistles.

I have a Protec case (about 6 years old) for my orchestra violin and it's a great case, but it's an oblong (plywood shell) so is quite heavy and a bit bulky. I also don't need the extra storage that the oblong case provided. No sheet music to stash, just my shoulder rest, my tuner and some rosin.

My answer came to me this last year when I purchased a used Andreas Eastman viola on ebay® (which in itself is a subject for a later blog post - I love the viola!). The viola came with a basic Bobelock® shaped case with a velour interior. The case is solidly constructed (plywood not foam core), not too bulky nor too heavy. It has a zipper closure and a keyed lock/latch that is covered by a velcro flap and has a decent sized accessories compartment (inside) as well as an exterior pocket. It seemed like the perfect choice when I finally decided it was time to replace my old violin case.

So I shopped around for the violin version of that case and found a great price online at J.S. Fisher Violins. The violin version on Fisher's site is actually a step up from the viola case that I already have. It features a velvet interior (rather than velour) with full suspension, a velvet/satin instrument blanket, shoulder strap and a larger accessories pocket on the outside. (NOTE: The case pictured on Fisher's page does not show the suspension pads, instrument blanket or the shoulder strap, but they are included. Also, the wine red color is in reality more of a purple shade [much more attractive] than what the picture shows - at least on my monitor.) This case was so affordable that I bought two - Anna's Salvador de Durro will need a case once it is restored.

I also want to thank Jim Fisher at J.S. Fisher Violins for his superior customer service. Jim kindly emailed me just to confirm the fact that I had actually wanted two of the same item and had not mistakenly done so. In an era where personalized service is difficult or next to impossible to find, I was surprised and impressed.

I intended to post a picture of one of the cases, but my feline friend, Luna, was also so impressed with the cases that I had a hard time getting a clear shot.