Caterina Lenzi Posted November 5, 2022 Report Posted November 5, 2022 Hello everyone! I was wondering if there is some way to carry a cello in old age when (due to some physical problems ) instruments are not easy to bring around.
Wood Butcher Posted November 5, 2022 Report Posted November 5, 2022 Carbon fibre cases certainly make an enormous difference, particularly for a cello case. Rucksack straps are much better, than a single shoulder strap, or using the carry handle. Some cases came with wheels, but the wheels were totally unsuitable for pavements or roads, and could only be used indoors, on flat floors.
Rue Posted November 5, 2022 Report Posted November 5, 2022 The fabric covers (with backpack straps)...barely weigh anything. If you travel "safely"...it might suffice as adequate protection. By that I mean...are you travelling primarily by car, with not too much walking to and from the venue...or you just have a short easy walk...etc? A fabric case wouldn't work if you are using a subway during rush hour...
Andrew Victor Posted November 5, 2022 Report Posted November 5, 2022 It was probably about 15 years ago that I purchased a "Cello Cocoon" from Linda West Cellos in Santa Barbara, California and had it shipped to me. I think the price has about doubled since then. I was probably 73 years old at that time and needed a lighter cello case because to get to our string quartet rehearsal room I had to climb a 2-story high driveway and then another flight of steps carrying my cello and my cello chair. The cello cocoon certainly made it possible to get to those rehearsals without further damage to my body. That quartet disbanded following a year of rehearsals and its one successful performance - so I no longer use the cello cocoon (I have other cases). The "cello cocoon" is light weight, fairly stiff, hold 2 bows and carries like a normal hard case, but is not as protective as a hard case. At the time I bought mine it was designed for the endpin to stick out the bottom, which I understand is no longer the situation with the new ones. I think it is worth looking into these. I don't know if they have back-straps. As an octogenarian (a very late one, at that) I would not feel safe carrying a cello on my back, although it would certainly cushion my likely fall. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and would be willing to sell my new-condition cello cocoon for about 1/3 the price of a new one, but I will not ship or deliver it.
Caterina Lenzi Posted November 5, 2022 Author Report Posted November 5, 2022 3 hours ago, Andrew Victor said: It was probably about 15 years ago that I purchased a "Cello Cocoon" from Linda West Cellos in Santa Barbara, California and had it shipped to me. I think the price has about doubled since then. I was probably 73 years old at that time and needed a lighter cello case because to get to our string quartet rehearsal room I had to climb a 2-story high driveway and then another flight of steps carrying my cello and my cello chair. The cello cocoon certainly made it possible to get to those rehearsals without further damage to my body. That quartet disbanded following a year of rehearsals and its one successful performance - so I no longer use the cello cocoon (I have other cases). The "cello cocoon" is light weight, fairly stiff, hold 2 bows and carries like a normal hard case, but is not as protective as a hard case. At the time I bought mine it was designed for the endpin to stick out the bottom, which I understand is no longer the situation with the new ones. I think it is worth looking into these. I don't know if they have back-straps. As an octogenarian (a very late one, at that) I would not feel safe carrying a cello on my back, although it would certainly cushion my likely fall. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and would be willing to sell my new-condition cello cocoon for about 1/3 the price of a new one, but I will not ship or deliver it. Thank you but I live in Firenze (Italia) and walking through our narrow streets full of people it is not always easy with a cello (hard case or not). With a cello of 6kg and a case of some other kg....it is becoming quite difficult, alas!
cellopera Posted November 6, 2022 Report Posted November 6, 2022 Alan Stevenson makes incredible Cello cases and you can customize it with wheels, so that you can avoid carrying the case altogether. https://www.stevensoncases.co.uk/cello.htm
Caterina Lenzi Posted November 6, 2022 Author Report Posted November 6, 2022 1 hour ago, cellopera said: Alan Stevenson makes incredible Cello cases and you can customize it with wheels, so that you can avoid carrying the case altogether. https://www.stevensoncases.co.uk/cello.htm Thank you so much for your suggestion9
Caterina Lenzi Posted November 6, 2022 Author Report Posted November 6, 2022 On 11/5/2022 at 12:13 PM, Wood Butcher said: Carbon fibre cases certainly make an enormous difference, particularly for a cello case. Rucksack straps are much better, than a single shoulder strap, or using the carry handle. Some cases came with wheels, but the wheels were totally unsuitable for pavements or roads, and could only be used indoors, on flat floors. Thank you for your suggestion
FromBassToViola Posted December 9, 2022 Report Posted December 9, 2022 it's probably not suitable for a cello but for the sake of thoroughness I thought I'd mention it anyway. Some double bass players attach one wheel to their end pin and then wheel their bass around in a canvas cover.
Andrew Victor Posted December 9, 2022 Report Posted December 9, 2022 Aged cellists (like other people) often have developed balance problems, which make it risky to walk around with one strapped on your back. I know, I am one and would no longer strap any instrument on my body.
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