Wiseman Carbon Fiber Cases

[davewerden]

While at ITEC2019 I had a chance to look at the new Wiseman euphonium case. My review is on the blog here:

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/entry.p...Euphonium-Case

[davewerden]

I just updated the review with some additional information provide by Wiseman.

http://www.dwerden.com/forum/entry.p...Euphonium-Case

[davewerden]

I updated the blog post today with more photos (of better quality), kindly provided by Fletcher Mitchell, one of my Facebook contacts.

[John Morgan]

I updated the blog post today with more photos (of better quality), kindly provided by Fletcher Mitchell, one of my Facebook contacts.

So, do you reckon that is a storage pouch(s) on the inside lid of the case or just some padding thing? The outside pouch seems really flat and probably not conducive to carrying your mouthpiece(s) or valve oil. I wonder if that inside thing is for that and how secure it is. Or if it is snuggled up to your horn when closed.

From the new pictures, it really looks like the bumpers and pads are put in there to precisely fit "your" horn. I asked the Wiseman fellow about that at ITEC as to how they do that. He said they take each individual model of euphonium and custom fit and install the pads and bumpers to fit that horn. I asked if they had an Adams E3 to use for this task, and he said he would get one. Seems like they would have to have a pretty large stock of horns to do this for any euphonium. Or maybe they borrow horns, figure out what the configuration will be, then store that information somehow to use for each horn. I suppose that adds to the price a bit to make each case custom fit your specific horn.

I like this case and will probably get one.

[davewerden]

John,

I'm not sure that pad is also for storage, although it sure looks like it. But it is not where *I* would want to have a mouthpiece - that would close on top of the valve-slide cluster as far as I can tell.

They have an empty space in the lower-left corner, which could be a mp compartment if they added a little lid for it, or added a pad on top of the case to secure it when the case is closed.

[miketeachesclass]

Well, I placed an order for a wiseman this week. They say it will be ready in November. I’ll provide a full review when I get it.

[davewerden]

Well, I placed an order for a wiseman this week. They say it will be ready in November. I’ll provide a full review when I get it.

We're anxious to hear your observations!

[John Morgan]

I did get a message back from Dominique of Wiseman. I had asked about mouthpiece location and if the pouch like looking thing in the lid was actually storage. She replied that the pouch thing is indeed a storage compartment. It may be located such that it doesn't mash into the horn with the case closed. Looks like the bumpers might stick out farther than the pouch thing. She told me the mouthpiece had a place in the bottom right. It had looked to me from the pictures that there was sort of a compartment in the bottom "left" side. But I did not see something on the top lid to cover that compartment when the case is closed. I asked her to send more pictures, with the pouch open. And to circle the area where the mouthpiece holder is. She also said they could add an additional space/place for a 2nd mouthpiece. Have not heard back yet from her.

I will probably be buying one of these, too. I am provisionally signed up already. Will be anxious to hear about yours, Mike.

[John Morgan]

One more picture:



I'm still not quite getting where the mouthpiece goes exactly, even after Dominique from Wiseman said there was a place for it in the case.

[BrandonJones]

I own one of these cases and they are fantastic. The mouthpiece goes in the bottom right when the case is open. There is a cutout when the case is closed that keeps it in place, so that it won’t fall out and damage the horn. I also keep valve oil, an Ultrabreathe, etc in the pouch inside with Velcro closure with zero issues. I’ve been on several flights with this case and highly recommend it.

[John Morgan]

I own one of these cases and they are fantastic. The mouthpiece goes in the bottom right when the case is open. There is a cutout when the case is closed that keeps it in place, so that it won’t fall out and damage the horn. I also keep valve oil, an Ultrabreathe, etc in the pouch inside with Velcro closure with zero issues. I’ve been on several flights with this case and highly recommend it.

So Brandon, can you point out where in the case the mouthpiece goes based on the picture I put in my post just above yours? I can't quite figure it out. Does the picture I posted look like yours? Or even better yet, if you get a chance to take a picture of your case opened with the mouthpiece in it, that would be super!

By the way, what euphonium goes in your Wiseman case? You seem to have switched around a bit lately.

I have sent several messages to Dominique at Wiseman, and she has yet to respond to any of them. Not sure why.

[BrandonJones]

According to your photo, top left. There should be a hole where the mouthpiece shank fits into.

I’ve been testing a Shires Q41 with euphonium shank. It is truly fantastic. Fits in the case like a glove. As did the E3 Adams.

[John Morgan]

I got some pictures back from Wiseman. These are pictures described by Wiseman as "early workings" of the case. It does show the mouthpiece, and then I can see there is something in the lid to cover it.

[miketeachesclass]

Wiseman Photos

Well, I got my Wiseman case.

It was shipped essentially wrapped in a box, in the shape of the case. It arrived with no problem.

I ordered mine with the "Flight Jacket", which adds something like 1/2" of rubber around the outside of the case for extra impact protection.

I will be traveling with it tomorrow, and will be checking my E3 as baggage, so I'll know REAL fast whether this thing works!

I will say that it was VERY difficult to get the horn to fit. At wiseman's direction, I had to use a utility knife to cut some of the rubber out in order to make the horn fit. It's a bit annoying after paying $1600 for a "custom" case, but I can deal with it.

I'll attach some photos now:


These first few just show the case without the horn in it.

1) The bell section sits here.


2) The bottom bow sits here. You can see where the mouthpiece goes. I likely won't leave a MP in there, but I'm paranoid. You can also see where the main water key is dragging against the rubber and is causing some wear.


3) Storage pouch, and you can see some of the material I had to remove.


4) Mouthpiece location up close.


5) Top of the case that will close over the bottom bow.


6) This is the pile of stuff I had to remove from the case to get the horn to fit.


7) Bottom bow in the case


8) Bell/Lead pipe in the case


9) Horn sitting in the case


Let me know if anyone has any questions!

[davewerden]

That's a great report - thanks! All the photos are nice to see as well, especially since the display model I reviewed did not have any "guts" inside.

Your report also serves as a caution for me, I think - correct me if I'm wrong. My leadpipe angle was adjusted to fit my embouchure. That leaves the end of the receiver somewhat more straight out from the bell (it sticks out a little more), so that in the Bonna case it contacts the side of the case tighter than would otherwise be expected. If you took a pliars and bent your leadpipe (gasp!) outward by a quarter or half inch would it still fit in the case without undue contact/pressure on the end of the receiver?