Hard or soft trumpet case – which one to choose?
The first decision you should make is whether you need a hard or soft case. While they both offer protection, they’re not exactly equal.
Hard cases are usually made out of wood or hard plastic. Although they provide a lot more protection than a soft case, they’re heavier and can be a bit awkward to carry around. Hard cases are absolutely essential for travel, especially on an airplane, bus, or van.
Soft cases are great for everyday travel from home to school or from the studio to a gig. They’re lightweight and some can even be worn as a backpack, freeing up your hands so you can easily ride a bicycle or carry other equipment. Soft cases are usually made of leather or a durable outdoor water-resistant fabric so they do provide a lot of protection in that respect. They just aren’t the best against the bumps and tossing around that your trumpet faces on a road trip or airplane journey.
Trumpet case must-take tips
As any musician knows, there are some things you need to maintain your instrument so you can have the best performance possible. When choosing a trumpet case, make sure there’s room for all the essentials.
Every trumpet player should have a bottle of valve oil and slide grease in their trumpet case, especially when traveling. Valve oil keeps the buttons lubricated so they don’t get stuck between notes while slide grease keeps the valves moving smoothly. Slide grease should be applied after every practice session so it’s important to keep some with you at all times.
A trumpet snake is another useful tool that’s necessary to clean all the spit and saliva out of your trumpet, reducing buildup and ultimately giving the instrument a better sound.
You should also clean your mouthpiece and valves regularly to keep them free or grime and buildup. Trumpets get filled with spit and it’s really important that it doesn’t just sit there for a long time.
In addition to the things you need to maintain your trumpet, there are some useful items that any musician might like to take along. A tuner is a great thing to have, especially if you’re performing professionally or semi-professionally. Even if you have a good ear, it’s not always easy to determine whether you’re in key depending on the venue.
A metronome is another useful tool that’s great for practice sessions. It helps maintain the beat so you can work on timing which makes you a better musician overall.
Also, you should have a pencil. Always have a pencil handy so you can make notes on your sheet music as needed.
Price tag
Consider your budget before making any purchase but you should know that there are trumpet cases available at all different price points. Also, remember that what you pay for a trumpet case pales in comparison to what it will end up costing you if your trumpet gets damaged. A good case truly is worth the investment.
Features to consider while buying the best trumpet case
Here are the specific things to look for when deciding what trumpet case it the best one for you.
Weight changes the game
You’re going to be carrying this case loaded with your trumpet and all your accessories so weight really matters. You never know how far away you’ll have to park from the venue or what gate you’ll be rushing to make your flight on time. Choose something that’s lightweight but doesn’t sacrifice quality.
Compartments
We just went over all the things you need to have with your trumpet when you’re on the go so it makes sense that the right case is going to have compartments to store everything. Most of these cases have a place for a mouthpiece, mute, and valve oil and some even have a spot for sheet music.
Consider whether or not you want a place to keep extra things, like your keys, pencils, or smartphone. Some of these bags, like the Protec RBCT3BK, have zippered pouches specifically for personal belongings.
Capacity
Most of the cases we reviewed only have room for one trumpet but we did include one that has a larger capacity. The Reunion Blues RBCT3BK can hold up to three trumpets or one trumpet and a flugelhorn at the same time. This is a great feature but you only need it if you have more than one horn or are planning to get another one in the future.
Sturdiness
Sturdiness is really important when it comes to trumpet cases. Although it may not look like it, a trumpet is a delicate instrument that is easily scratched or damaged from external impact to the case. You should consider both the durability of the outer material as well as padding inside.
Materials
It’s really important to choose a case made of high quality materials. The better they are, the longer they’ll last, and the more protection they’ll provide.
One important thing to consider is whether or not the case is water resistant. No matter how hard you try, you are going to get stuck in the rain with your trumpet case eventually, especially if you’re traveling. Most of our picks are made using water resistant material. In fact, the Fusion Premium Series PB-04-B even comes with an additional rain cover for added protection.
Design
Design is important because no one wants an ugly case but it’s important to remember that the primary purpose of a trumpet case is to protect your trumpet. Some of the most stylish designs cost a lot of money and don’t really provide the level of protection you need.
That’s not to say that a good case has to be ugly! The Crossrock Trumpet Case is a really good, protective hard case that comes in a few bright, stylish color options. Another good choice if you’re concerned with style is the Vincent Bach 818H which has a cool retro look and a lot of room for storage.
Accessories
There are some accessoriess that aren’t 100% necessary but are really nice to have. One is a sheet music bag. Some of these cases, like the Torpedo Bag Classic Case, have an included music pouch but if your case doesn’t, it’s worth getting one to store your sheet music and other necessities like pencils and even a metronome or tuner.
Most of these cases have a mouthpiece pouch but if you have more than one or two, you might want to consider getting a separate one. Some can hold up to eight different mouthpieces so they’re especially useful if you have more than one horn.
Mute bags are a great accessory, too. If the case you choose doesn’t have room for one, it’s essential that you get a case that keeps them safe and snug.
Warranty
Warranties are always important for practical reasons but there’s a little more to it than knowing that you’re covered if something goes wrong. Generally, it’s easier to trust a brand or product if a decent warranty is offered. Most of our picks are covered.