High-End bow cases

.matthew e wengerd. · #1 11-21-2006, 11:22 AM

(I'm pretty sure I'm not violating the TOS with this, as I have nothing to sell. Nevertheless, I welcome mod editing or removal...)

Would you be interested in a ultra high-end bow case? My father is looking for some extra income and has very good woodworking chops, so I've hipped him to the idea of making bow cases.

I'm not talking plywood and cordura, but furniture-grade and exotic wood cases, plush lined, with brass and leather accents.

Presently, what we've worked up is a case shaped roughly with the outline of the bow. Split in half, it would hinge on the hair side (straight side) and have either a locking latch (a la humidor or jewelry box) or leather straps with a snap-latch.

A picture would help, but I have none at present. Should our prototype (mine) come out as planned in a couple weeks, I think he may consider making it a second income.

What would you want in a case like this (if you want it at all)?

What price point would be appropriate?

Thoughts and ideas, please.

**Basschair** · #2 11-21-2006, 01:16 PM

Sturdiness and dual bow capacity.

I'd be all over a good bow case if I could afford one

Quote:

Originally Posted by .matthew e wengerd.

(I'm pretty sure I'm not violating the TOS with this, as I have nothing to sell. Nevertheless, I welcome mod editing or removal...)

Would you be interested in a ultra high-end bow case? My father is looking for some extra income and has very good woodworking chops, so I've hipped him to the idea of making bow cases.

I'm not talking plywood and cordura, but furniture-grade and exotic wood cases, plush lined, with brass and leather accents.

Presently, what we've worked up is a case shaped roughly with the outline of the bow. Split in half, it would hinge on the hair side (straight side) and have either a locking latch (a la humidor or jewelry box) or leather straps with a snap-latch.

A picture would help, but I have none at present. Should our prototype (mine) come out as planned in a couple weeks, I think he may consider making it a second income.

What would you want in a case like this (if you want it at all)?

What price point would be appropriate?

Thoughts and ideas, please.

**Francois Blais** · #3 11-21-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .matthew e wengerd.

(I'm pretty sure I'm not violating the TOS with this, as I have nothing to sell. Nevertheless, I welcome mod editing or removal...)

This thread is being locked until we take a decision on its commercial potential....

Thanks for the patience, and sorry for the inconvenience!

**Francois Blais** · #4 11-22-2006, 01:10 PM

Hi again.

Paul's verdict:

Quote:

The CUP does allow a commercial entity to seek opinions on a product in development. So I would say he is able to ask the community questions like 'would this be in demand' and 'what's a good price point'. However he should not be posting prototype pictures, final pricing info, or any other info which would lead a prospective buyer to a sale.

"--Threads may be created in order to solicit user input and opinions regarding a product in development. Any abuse of this exception will not be tolerated."

Please note the sentence which I put in bold though.

Good luck with the case!

Regards,
François

Kam · #5 11-22-2006, 02:00 PM

I think there's a market for this as a gift. I would buy one for a valued teacher or good friend who plays, but probably not myself. A brass plate that could be engraved would be another incentive for buying it as a gift..

Jake · #6 11-22-2006, 10:59 PM

Hey Matthew,
I'd be interested in a nice wooden bow case if it wasn't outrageously expensive. If you could keep it near the price of one of those cases a lot of pros use with the straps, I think you would do a lot of buisness. I've always thought those were overpriced for what they are anyway. What would interest me would be a low profile (thin and not boxy) case made of like ebony or rosewood (& maybe a cheaper one in maple or mahogany) that was a tank construction wise that would hold one bow. Perhaps you could also make double bow cases down the line.

**Damon Rondeau** · #7 11-23-2006, 07:44 AM

A bit of cold water: once you've got a nice rosewood case, do you need a case for your case? It's gonna get chipped and scratched if it gets used to actually transport the bow... I guess most bass bags have bow sleeves, though. It would be good if the high-end case fit into most of those sleeves.

mrpc · #8 11-23-2006, 05:57 PM

Solid wood case..... whole lotta solid wood coming from unmanaged rain forests in Indonesia these days. I guess there would be plenty for now to make solid wood bow cases. Seems that solid wood will be prone to shrink and expand, the nature and beauty of wood.... warpage, the slightest bit which will let the same elements inside to warp your bow. Don't you think so?

This is assuming that you actually carry the bow beyond the drawing room where you are keeping your fine port and smoking materials, alongside your rare English shotguns, fine handmade musical instruments and other collectable memora.

Still I'd say there is a market for a compact and reasonably priced plywood bow case. For working and practicing bassists. Make some, put 'em up for sale as "used" or "proto", and find out what people need. Keep the price low.

Lemur sells something like this (oblong slimline plywood fits well in bag). It's overpriced IMHO. That's just as well because Cordura with the metal rod works just as well and is cheaper.

**Damon Rondeau** · #9 11-23-2006, 10:12 PM

If it's gonna be high end, why not a custom-fit nest for the bow to sit in inside the case?

mrpc · #10 11-24-2006, 12:19 AM

If guess another issue is that you better be damn sure you use wood that absolutley won't splinter, even after it's been dropped on concrete. Ever had a piece of rosewood or maple stuck in your thumb or forefinger? Ouch.

Jake · #11 11-24-2006, 12:26 AM

I can see your points about it getting scraped up and dropped on the floor. My current bow case I got from Lemur spents a lot of time on the floor, and I haven't even been playing any orchestral gigs lately. I have seen a solid wood bow case and thought it was cool though. I guess you'd just have to be a lot more careful with. It wouldn't be that hard to just throw the case back in the bow pocket everytime you take the snow suit off the bass.