How to Buy a Violin Case

There are many options when it comes to choosing a violin case. Violin cases can range from the stripped-down, bare-minimum designs to protect the violin, to elaborate designs with a variety of features to help protect the violin under almost any conditions. Spending a little time thinking about your needs is important in making a wise purchase.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Determine your budget. This includes the maximum you are willing to pay and the price you want to pay, which can differ. This price can be anywhere from $20 to $40 for cases only intended to ward off the occasional casual bump, to well over $1,000 for custom-fitted, fully appointed cases.

2. Consider what environmental conditions the case will be under when in use. Cases that will be subject to wide temperature and humidity changes or extremes should have features like a dehumidifier.

3. Decide how large and heavy the case should be for it to be comfortable. This only needs to be an approximate idea. The weight can be anywhere from a few ounces for the soft case bags to 5 to 8 lbs. for more robust cases.

4. Check online for violin cases. Sites like Musician's Friend or Sam Ash allow you to filter results by type and cost (see Resources). Once those filters are on, check the remaining violins and find the ones that have the features and size you wanted. Write down the case models.

5. Go to a local store, such as Sam Ash or a specialty store, and test-fit your violin in the cases that you noted down. Check the fit and weight, and choose the one that fits your particular needs best.

Tips & Warnings

• Even if the case you want is not in stock at a local store, some might be willing to order it even if you do not commit to buying it. Always try to test-fit before committing to a case.

References

• All Things Strings: Violin and Viola Case Reviews

Resources

• Violin Cases and Gigbags at Musician's Friend
• Violin Cases at Sam Ash Music