I've recently gotten the JP852 Pro Euph Case as my Jin Chuan China-made soft gig bag was not really working out. I've been hugging the soft gig bag around when I need to travel with the horn, as I wasn't confident about using the backpack strap.
First thing's first, it looks extremely sleek, relatively well-made on first glance. The logo design is a little different compared to the official website. It was surprisingly light too! A Marcus Bonna clone at a fraction of the price of an MB case, not bad at all!
+Extremely sleek
+Doesn't weigh too much
Comparing it side-by-side with my soft gig bag, it definitely looked a lot thinner (The gig bag had thick padding after all). It looks very compact overall, but there's a slight issue with it:
-It cannot stand on its bell at all. The case is slanted to the side a little, so the weight distribution is a little off & it will easily tip over after awhile (Funny thing, my soft case can stand on it's bell perfectly fine, but it cannot be placed horizontally without tipping over. This case is the total opposite of it)
Perhaps it has something to do with the oddly shaped padding at the bell? As you can see in the photo, the bell padding is fastened down with 3 round circular fabric (screws underneath, I am guessing?). The padding looks a bit off to me.
It comes with 3 adjustable padded blocks, a mouthpiece pouch, a rectangular pouch & a name tag.
I haven't figured out the best configuration for the padded blocks, as the case feels like a very snug fit for my JP274. There's very little wiggle room for it. I've placed a block pressing against the valves when the case's closed & one near the leadpipe. Would like to hear the configurations that others on here have, if you have a case with these padded blocks.
Also, my lyre holder screw was digging into the case and left a mark, so I removed the screw instead.
The 2 internal compartments does not seem to be able to hold much, I have a tuner, 1 Hetman Valve Oil & 1 Slide Gel and it's pretty much filled up. I am not sure where the mouthpiece pouch is supposed to placed, as there's just no place at all, unless I leave it in between the spaces of the horn.
Not sure if you can see it here, it was clear on my phone, but not my PC's monitor. This is the joint of the compartment, held together by 4 pieces of fabric (again, screws underneath, I believe). One of the circular fabric actually came off and I had to put some super glue to stick it back.
-The YKK zippers works, but they have the tendency to get stuck around corner, so you need to gently coax them when closing or opening the case. Using too much force will probably ruin the zipper rather fast.
The A4 sheet music compartment has lots of space, but caution is needed as putting in too much and you risk tearing the compartment out. I initially tried to put my A4 file, clothes, oils etc in it and the threads came loose, as you can see in the photo.
On all the official photos of the case, the configuration of the shoulder straps look as if you are supposed to carry the case with the bell facing down, but I am fairly certain that's not possible, as the bell will just bump against your backside as you walk. I've tried it & it's not comfortable. Based on the configuration of the hooks, the bell would be facing up, and it's slightly angled to the side a little.
+It felt extremely comfortable when you have it on your back with the bell facing up & definitely feels much lighter compared to hauling it like a suit case.
In summary.
+Sleek looking
+Doesn't weigh too much
+Comfortable when it's on your back
+looks sturdy
+The extra accessories like mouthpiece pouch and the rectangular pouches are very convenient
+The handles at the bow end of the case, and another one at the leadpipe end. (2 ways of carrying the case by hand if you're inclined to do so)
+shoulder straps & hooks seems sturdy
+- snug fit for a JP274
+- A4 sheet music compartment is roomy but be careful with what & how much you put in it.
-Gotta be careful around corners when opening or closing the zip
-Doesn't stand on its bell (but I guess you shouldn't be doing that at all)
-Compartments are tiny, no idea where to put the mouthpiece pouch.
-Some questionable build quality (the belll padding, the A4 compartment's threads and the circular fabric that came off. The slit around the shoulder strap hooks looks a little rough around the edges.)
Overall, I would say that the + outweigh the - & I really love the case & the convenience/mobility that it provides
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Originally Posted by bbocaner
