Compact Small Bore Cases

[FullPedalTrombonist]

So I read through a few pages just skimming for what cases people like since new things are always coming out. My new horn came in with a good ol SKB 360, which I think is fine, but for a Schmelzer I’d like something just as pretty to fit such a horn. I’m still a big fan of the Bam Softpack, but ideally I want something pretty hyper slim and compact. If I’m being picky, then no velcro and no backpack straps. I like using a big box case or a leather duffel-like thing for mites and stands and all that so the case can be super minimal.

So what do y’all like? Any gorgeous leather bags that I’ve missed? Surprise gems from the evil drop shippers? Should I get in on the Masunto preorder? And vintage cases I should hunt on eBay for one to pop up?

[Burgerbob]

Marcus Bonna baby jazz case is very small and great looking. At some point I'll get one myself

[hyperbolica]

I don't think it's necessarily compact, but my favorite case is a Marco Magi-made Shires case. It doesn't put the slide in the lid where a valve lever can hit it, it has just 2 clasps, good handles, light colored fuzzy interior and yes, pretty leather. Relatively light.

[FullPedalTrombonist]

Marcus Bonna baby jazz case is very small and great looking. At some point I'll get one myself

I watched your old review about the SKB and I agree, but it’s certainly light and compact for my needs! I’m between the MB and the Bam.

[dembones]

Marcus Bonna baby jazz case is very small and great looking. At some point I'll get one myself

I've had one for two or three years now, it looks great, very compact. And it's held up very well.

[Matt K]

Marcus Bonna baby jazz case is very small and great looking. At some point I'll get one myself

Love mine. And it comfortably fits F attachment horns. I think honestly even larger medium bores would fit but I haven’t tried anything larger than my 607

[alberttrombone]

I have a Marcus Bonna case for jazz trombone, and it's amazing. It feels super comfortable, and the instrument feels very safe inside.

However, for me it has one pretty significant design flaw. It fits a King 2B, but not a 3B—and the difference is only about half an inch. They really should have designed the case to accommodate an 8" bell, which would have made it much more versatile.

It seems there is (or was) an 8" version of the case, but they aren't selling it at the moment.

[FullPedalTrombonist]

I have a Marcus Bonna case for jazz trombone, and it's amazing. It feels super comfortable, and the instrument feels very safe inside.

However, for me it has one pretty significant design flaw. It fits a King 2B, but not a 3B—and the difference is only about half an inch. They really should have designed the case to accommodate an 8" bell, which would have made it much more versatile.

It seems there is (or was) an 8" version of the case, but they aren't selling it at the moment.

I’m very tempted! The blue options are really nice looking. Luckily I don’t regularly play or anticipate playing on a horn with an 8” bell

[Burgerbob]

Strange, both of my friends with them use them with 3Bs.

[Soulbrass]

I’ve just stumbled across MaSunTo cases. They seem very well designed and built!

https://masuntocases.com/

They are expensive, but, if you’re going to treat yourself, why not?

I’d love to hear from anyone who has seen these in the wild or owns one.

[FullPedalTrombonist]

I’ve just stumbled across MaSunTo cases. They seem very well designed and built!

https://masuntocases.com/

They are expensive, but, if you’re going to treat yourself, why not?

I’d love to hear from anyone who has seen these in the wild or owns one.

I’ve decided to knock them off the list for small bore, but if they can confirm a 50B2O can fit I’ll need ( want ) an upgrade to my rifle case. It looks like their tenor cases are focused on large tenors. Even though a small horn would fit it’d just be a bit oversized to fit my needs for compactness

[Matt K]

AH, point of correciton for me, I don't have a Jazz Baby, I have a tenor Baby. This one:
https://houghtonhorns.com/products/marc ... mbone-case

And it comfortably fits even my Getzen 725, which is basically a large bore with 8.5" bell. I did try the Jazz baby on my 607F and IIRC it was very slightly too small for the F attachment. Although I do remember visually comparing the exterior and... basically not being able to tell them apart. I don't know if there is a price difference, but I would not hesitate to recommend this one as its still VERY compact and fixes some of the issues with the traditional MB cases that caused me to avoid them after having one of them for a few years.

[TromboneMonkey]

I've been successfully using a SKB for 12 years now with no issues. It fits in all overheads.

I feel honestly like it fits/conforms to most of my small bores better than the more expensive cases seem to anyway. And it feels more rigid.

And it doesn't cost 1200 clams. Heck most of the horns I put in it didn't cost 1200 either.

[FullPedalTrombonist]

This is the Jazz Baby, correct?

https://www.thomannmusic.com/marcus_bon ... ombone.htm

[FullPedalTrombonist]

I've been successfully using a SKB for 12 years now with no issues. It fits in all overheads.

I feel honestly like it fits/conforms to most of my small bores better than the more expensive cases seem to anyway. And it feels more rigid.

And it doesn't cost 1200 clams. Heck most of the horns I put in it didn't cost 1200 either.

I certainly like a more lowkey case, but the case I have binds when closing and it causes just that much stress thinking I’m closing it on the bell or something. And I really don’t like the elastic strap for the slide flap. It’ll stay for now, but I’m looking to treat myself with the new horn

[Matt K]

This is the Jazz Baby, correct?

https://www.thomannmusic.com/marcus_bon ... ombone.htm

Yeah, and it looks almost identical to the Tenor Baby.

In all fairness, I got mine before tariffs so I did not spend $1200 for it. It's an awesome case, but I would personally not spend $1200 on it.

I got a 3BF from someone here not too long ago that has the fabled 360 mod for F attachments and find it to be almost as good, although the thumb paddle is much closer to the slide than I prefer

[alberttrombone]

That's the one I have, "For instruments with a bell diameter of up to 19 cm".

I have a friend from the US that have one for a 8" bell, don't know where is the trick here...

This is the Jazz Baby, correct?

https://www.thomannmusic.com/marcus_bon ... ombone.htm

[alberttrombone]

It's also quite cheaper than in Europe, here it costs over 600$...

This is the Jazz Baby, correct?

https://www.thomannmusic.com/marcus_bon ... ombone.htm

[Aznguyy]

That's the one I have, "For instruments with a bell diameter of up to 19 cm".

I have a friend from the US that have one for a 8" bell, don't know where is the trick here...

This is the Jazz Baby, correct?

https://www.thomannmusic.com/marcus_bon ... ombone.htm

When they first came out, it was designed only for smaller bells. Later and more recent models were redesigned for 8 inch bells.

[alberttrombone]

Oh, that's great! Maybe the new model hasn't reached stores here in Europe yet. I'll ask Thomann Europe—perhaps they have the dimensions listed incorrectly.

[paddler]

+1 for the MB Jazz case.

I've used mine daily for a few years and is proving super durable, it's super compact, and feels very secure. I use it without the removable sheet music bag and I've not come across anything modern that's more compact, well, without cutting any bells.

As OP said they were looking for something pretty, you can get custom colours too. I ordered the MB double tenor case with custom colour through Thomann (UK); it cost a little more and took a couple of months to arrive because of the custom order, but is definitely prettier than the standard black nylon. The extra wait was a bit of plus really, was enough time to forget how much I'd paid for it!

[nopos]

I recently bought a Jazz Baby from Thomann and use it with my 8" Bach 34. It fits fine.

[FullPedalTrombonist]

+1 for the MB Jazz case.

I've used mine daily for a few years and is proving super durable, it's super compact, and feels very secure. I use it without the removable sheet music bag and I've not come across anything modern that's more compact, well, without cutting any bells.

As OP said they were looking for something pretty, you can get custom colours too. I ordered the MB double tenor case with custom colour through Thomann (UK); it cost a little more and took a couple of months to arrive because of the custom order, but is definitely prettier than the standard black nylon. The extra wait was a bit of plus really, was enough time to forget how much I'd paid for it!

Yes! I’d be going two-tone blue if I pull the trigger. It’s just the tariffs. I’m fine spending money, it’s just the principle of the thing.

I have a Europe trip planned in the future so I may see if a friend would be willing who can order and hold it at their place until I get there