Buying a strong case for a digital piano

Subject: Buying a strong case for a digital piano
From: Rockhen
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 04:42 PM

To any of those people who are well-read-up upon music gear, I am looking to get a new case for my piano. (A Casio Privia PX300.) I have had a zipped canvas-type case which has been useless, not up to the amount of carrying about my piano gets. I have more or less decided to get something like the Gator GK 288 slim case ...see link
example of Gator case


If anyone has any experience of flight cases for guitars and keyboards, I would appreciate if you had time to let me know your thoughts. Also, if you know of good places to get a good price on cases, I would be grateful. I am in Lincolnshire, hardly known for many music shops, so it would probably mean buying online or similar.
One thing that appeals to me about the type mentioned above, rather than the trad flight cases, is that they are supposed to be about half the weight. I am no wimp but I don't want to lug my piano plus half a ton of wood about every time I play, if I can help it...
Oh, I wish I played the flute......sigh...!
Helpful suggestions would be gratefully received, suggestions involving piano, axes and bonfires, less so! :-)

Subject: RE: Buying a strong case for a digital piano
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 08:00 PM

If you're planning on any real amount of moving it about, then get an a metal flight caes. I run into quite a few bands with keyboards, via the Scottish Country Dance circuit, and they virtually all use auluminuium flight cases. They're not that heavy, and they work.

It could just be a coincidence they don't use polymer ones, but I don't believe in co-incidences....

Subject: RE: Buying a strong case for a digital piano
From: GUEST,Rowan
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 08:06 PM

The Australian ABC TV network broadcasts a show every Wednesday night called "New Inventors: where inventors show all sorts of amazing things. About a month ago, one of the items was a case which doubled as a packing case for a digital piano keyboard. When it was opened up, the case gave an excellent impression of a concert grand piano. It was light enough to be manouvred by a rather slightly built lady and would fit (when in 'case' mode) into the back of a Honda station wagon.

I can't remember the name but the ABC website lists all the programs and there are message boards you could use to track it down if you thought it worthwhile.

Cheers, Rowan

Subject: RE: Buying a strong case for a digital piano
From: Rockhen
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 08:07 PM

Ta for that. I'll try to find someone with one to have a look at or check out one of the bigger music shops. I need to move my piano about myself,sometimes, and it is ok to use a wheeled heavy case, although the lighter, the better... but am trying to consider several options before spending my money!

Subject: RE: Buying a strong case for a digital piano
From: RichM
Date: 21 Sep 06 - 09:53 PM

The Gator Case has wheels---a wonderful addition for the moving musician. I have wheels on the padded soft case of my upright bass, and I find them indispensible for manoevering this awkward instruments.

Go for the wheels!

Subject: RE: Buying a strong case for a digital piano
From: open mike
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 02:20 AM

i have a case for my nyckelharpa which was originally manufactured
for a key board...by flight form near seattle washingiton usa
http://www.flightform.com/ it has survived international travel
and i recommend this company.

Subject: RE: Buying a strong case for a digital piano
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 08:13 AM

Wheels are very useful, but one of those cheap and cheerful fold up luggage trollies will add them to a case very easily. We always carry a bands instruments for them, and a 120 bass box in case is not light. Wheels are great.

Swan ( www.swanflight.com) are the the company I've seen used the most. They will manafacture cases with wheels on request. Our dance societies PA is in them, and has suvived more flights, joureneys and general banging about than I care to think about without any problems

Subject: RE: Buying a strong case for a digital piano
From: oggie
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 05:47 PM

Gig Shop on Beverley Road in Hull - not too far from Lincolnshire. Gothardcases at the back makes case of varying standards at a decent price - my son's just got a custom one with wheels for his Triton and Yamaha for about half the price he was quoted over the net (but still not that cheap). PM for phone number (he's asleep at the moment)

oggie

Subject: RE: Buying a strong case for a digital piano
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 22 Sep 06 - 09:00 PM

I would have put up a thread to mention this, but I had an attack of Real Life...

The ABC New Inventor's show - http://www.abc.net.au/newinventors/

Stashway Foldable Piano Body
http://www.abc.net.au/newinventors/txt/s1714003.htm

video clip for demo there too

The Stashway Foldable Piano Body is a portable stand for an electric keyboard that looks like a grand piano. It folds up into a neat unit, which can be easily transported to a gig in the back of a station wagon, without the need to hire the expensive removal trucks and piano turners which would be associated with bringing a "real" grand piano. It gives a classy look to the occasion - and you can even lean on it for the smoky piano bar effect!

How does it work?

The Stashaway is technically a "Foldable Keyboard Support", according to the patent. The object of the design is to create a light-weight, easily transportable stand for an electric keyboard that looks like a grand piano.

The Stashaway is made from fibreglass with an aluminium frame. It weighs 35kg and has a wheeled trolley built into its design to make it easier to transport. It is strong enough to lean on - even jump on if you feel the urge to do a Peter Allen impersonation!

When the lid is lifted, a picture of the strings inside the body creates a reflection on the underside of the lid, like a real piano.

The name "Stasaway" is written across the front of the piano in emulation of "Steinway".

Assembly takes about two minutes, and it is even quicker to take apart, making it excellent for a quick wrap at the end of a gig.

When folded the whole unit fits into the back of a standard station wagon or larger hatchback. It comes with a cover for transporting, which protects the finish on the piano body, but it is designed to be robust, to cope with being lugged around from gig to gig.

It is designed to hold pretty much any standard digital piano keyboard (up to 1.33m long) but it is preferable to have one with the plugs at the back as this makes it look more realistic. It is also best to have a keyboard with 88 keys as this replicates the look of an acoustic piano keyboard.

Felt panels at each end of the keyboard can be adjusted or cut to cover neatly any space left by a shorter keyboard.


CONTACT DETAILS:
www.stashway.com

Subject: RE: Buying a strong case for a digital piano
From: Rockhen
Date: 24 Sep 06 - 03:41 PM

Brilliant invention but will have to wait until they come down in price!
Very clever idea!