Why Buy a Hard Case?
Quite simply - PROTECTION! Sadly, this is often a neglected aspect of buying a musical instrument. It doesn't matter how much the instrument cost financially, if it is valuable to you, it is worth protecting.
Gig bags are great for keeping the dust and the kid's sticky fingers off your prized possession, and maybe even the wind and rain, but what happens when you get forced against a lamppost in the street or you're trying to squeeze through a crowded doorway. Knocks, bumps and breakage's suddenly become a very real, and potentially costly danger.
A good quality hard case significantly reduces the risk of instrument damage and may even be limited to the case itself. But there are hard cases and there are hard cases and, as with most things in life, you only get what you pay for. There are many cheap cases available but check the quality, the guarantee (if any) and the after sales support and repair service.
Excellent Thermal Insulation
Thermal
insulation test results. Hiscox Liteflite Pro II case versus plywood case and other moulded case with polystyrene inner moulding.
Hot Test
All three cases were at 16°C before being placed in the oven. The oven temperature started at 24°C, rising to 70 °C after one hour. A thermo probe was placed inside the closed cases, and the temperature inside the case was checked at intervals up to one hour.
example: Time taken to reach 35°C internally
Plywood case = 20 minutes
Other moulded case = 27 minutes
Hiscox Liteflite case = 45 minutes Cold Test
All three cases were at 16°C internally before being placed in freezer set to -20°C. A thermo probe was placed inside the closed cases, as with the hot test.
example: Time taken for interior of cases to drop to 0°C
Plywood case = 14 minutes
Other moulded case = 25 minutes
Hiscox Liteflite case = 42 minutes Conclusion
Both the hot and cold tests clearly show the excellent temperature insulation properties of the Hiscox Liteflite structure.
The Hiscox structure exhibits superior thermal insulation properties when compared to plywood and other moulded cases despite being lighter in weight.
Case weights as tested:
Plywood case = 4.5kg
Other moulded case = 4.7kg
Hiscox Liteflite case = 4.0kg
What is a Good Case?*
The first requirement for most people is to ensure that the case can be lifted without the aid of a fork lift truck. If it's so heavy that you are reluctant, or unable, to carry it up a couple of flights of stairs then you may be less than inclined to use it - which sort of defeats the object.
Secondly, the case must fit the instrument properly. Now this might be a problem with some unusual instruments, but it is vitally important that you get the best possible fit. Try dropping an egg in an egg box (put an elastic band around it to stop the lid falling open) from about 3 feet onto a hard floor, and there is a very good chance that it will survive long enough for you to get it into the frying pan. Try the same again, but with the egg in a strong but loose-fitting box, and you will find that it is ready for scrambling, once you have picked out the shattered shell.
The same applies to instruments, especially acoustic ones. The instrument should fit the case snugly; not so tight that it's hard to push into place, but with no room for it to move around.
Thirdly, the case must be rigid and strong enough to resist any hazards that it will encounter during normal day-to-day use. If you are traveling with your instrument, particularly on the road with a van load of PA gear, amps and a drum kit, or even going abroad by plane, then to ensure that your instrument will survive into old age it's very important that you invest in a quality hard case or flight case.
*Adapted from an article by Alan Marshall, GUITAR October 1999.
The Hiscox "Liteflite" range of cases are lightweight, high-quality instrument protection which:
* are size for size the lightest hard-shell cases available in our price range,
* are weight for weight the toughest hard-shell cases available in our price range,
* have absolute proven reliability out in the real world
Unique "Liteflite" Construction
Case inner cross section
All fixings are riveted through the
hardware
into the aluminium valance
The criteria for the design called for the construction of the very best lightweight cases possible, encompassing the use of the finest modern materials. The result is a range of cases manufactured using a unique composite double moulded construction which gives unparalleled protection for your instrument from a lightweight case with a low/medium retail price range.
The construction consists of a moulded, high impact resistant A.B.S. plastic outer shell, bonded directly to an inner moulding manufactured from a unique blend of 'High Tech' cellular foam. This inner moulding is feather light and, being semi-rigid, is designed to soak up impact shocks from the outside world. The UNIQUE bonding of the inner moulding to the outer shell gives unbeatable, total structural rigidity which is UNMATCHED BY ANY OTHER CASE IN THE WORLD in our price range.
Acrylonitrile Butadeine Styrene, (A.B.S.) due to it's unique balance of properties, produces mouldings which have strength, toughness and rigidity over a wide temperature range. These characteristics make it first choice for applications throughout manufacturing businesses world-wide - from computer housings to motor car bumpers - and of course, Hiscox cases!
The case lining is completed with a crushed velvet type fabric of different grades depending on case type. This is bonded directly onto the shaped foam moulding giving a neatly tailored luxurious feel, perfectly fitted every time. Extra cushioning is provided by upholstered pads in the PRO and Artist ranges which are factory fitted in key areas. These can also be supplied loose in order that the body cavity may be customised to provide a closer fit for a particular instrument.
The aluminium valance is unique to Hiscox Cases. It's design not only increases the rigidity of the case, but ensures a positive location of lid to base when the two halves are closed. Unlike any other case available on the market, the valance extends deep inside the case behind the plastic shell, into which all the hardware (handles, catches, hinges etc.) is riveted. This method of fixing greatly reduces the possibility of fittings working loose. With their incredible structural rigidity, all Hiscox 'Liteflite' cases exhibit enormous crush strength - even our standard case range have has been tested to over 500kg (five fully grown people).
Guarantee
All Hiscox cases are guaranteed for a maximum period of 3 years against faulty materials or workmanship. In case of defects in materials or workmanship, Hiscox Cases Ltd. agrees, at its discretion, to repair or replace a defective instrument case without charge.
In order to claim under this guarantee, please contact the retailer or supplier you purchased the case from. Hiscox Cases will then liaise with the retailer. Hiscox Cases will repair or replace the case at their discretion, and return it to you.
No responsibility is assumed for incidental or consequential damages, nor for damage to the case due to accident, unreasonable use, neglect, alteration or other causes not arising out of defects in material or workmanship.
This guarantee does not affect your statutory rights.
Hiscox Cases Ltd. reserves the right to amend the specification of any of their products at any time.
Advice for Travelling with Stringed Instruments
Accepting that knocks, bangs and general physical abuse create the most trauma for musical instruments, stringed instruments have an even greater, unseen enemy - HUMIDITY - or lack of it, to be precise. Plywood instruments are generally more stable, but the solid woods which most professional quality instruments are made from, respond remarkably quickly to changes in humidity. All timber acts like a sponge, sucking in moisture when humidity levels are high and effortlessly releasing it when humidity levels drop. It is this release of moisture from the wood that creates the greatest danger and, if not checked, will result in the wood shrinking and cracks appearing at points of highest stress.
REMEMBER - Air temperature is not your real enemy - humidity is!
Straight forward physics tells us that warm air carries more moisture (therefore higher humidity) than cold air, but the world’s weather systems are much more complex than that. Two of the driest places on earth are, the Sahara Desert and the middle of the Antarctic - opposite ends of the temperature spectrum but, for different reasons, incredibly instrument crackingly dry.
REMEMBER
The middle of large land masses tend to be dryer than coastal regions. If you are traveling across continents, check the relative humidity.
If your instrument has been stable for a while in a relatively dry climate (i.e. less than 45% relative humidity) and you travel to an area of high humidity, the instrument will swell a little but should hold together. If your instrument has been stable for a while in a higher humidity climate (i.e. above 50% relative humidity) and you travel to a dryer area, it will release moisture, it will shrink and you do stand a chance of it cracking. How can you stop your valuable instrument giving out it’s very valuable moisture content? There are a number of proprietary humidifiers available which either sit inside the instrument or inside the case. These are simply small sponges in a variety of forms held in different types of casings, designed to release moisture in a controlled fashion, thereby keeping the relative humidity higher in the immediate environment around your instrument.
REMEMBER
Hiscox cases are excellent value for money and for a lightweight case, give superb protection, but we do not guarantee that they are airtight. There is not a lightweight, carryable case on the market that guarantees to be airtight, it can be done but the cost is very high. The armed forces of the world do use high spec airtight cases to protect electronic equipment in battlefield situations. The cost? in the region of £1000 for a rectangular box!
