Design, Innovation, Manufacturing Bass Cases

Tuff-Lite Cases are specially engineered with exact specifications.  We have developed a durable, lightweight case that is super protective and very functional.

So many bass and cello cases presently offered around the world today are too heavy, too big, too clumsy to use...or all the above.  Most all cases were originally designed by someone first taking some measurements of the basic case they need and then mold a case with only a rough idea of how it might turn out.  Because of this (still), the cases tend to look angular: Sharp angles, long stretches of the case having 'weak' spots and cases that while they may keep the bass from getting crushed, the concussion inside the case, is just as damaging and costly to the instrument.

Tuff-Lite cases are just that: Tuff and lightweight.  Rather than design our new cases as 'after thoughts', we work closely with an engineering firm that is specialized in the aerospace industry and experienced in planning and designing with hundreds of parameters, measurements, restrictions and requirements.  While we weren't actually making fighter jets, we used the same smart people that designed them for our own cases.  We dream, they design, then we build.   Simple right!?  Well, it took a long time and more than a few prototypes until we got the perfect case.  As our company employs bassists that work in our company, we know first hand what some worries and concerns were as well as what ultimate goal of light, functional and protective case.

Our Dream Case:  Light, easy to use, well made, durable, strong and protective.

First, the most unexpected surprise was actually finding and hiring an experienced engineering firm that could put our dream into reality.  We actually scanned basses that gave us the exact measurements all around the bass. This way, there is no wasted space.  Wasted space makes for extra, unneeded weight. We knew exactly what the typical bass (size) would be and could design and plan accordingly.  What normal, everyday professional bass and cello players take for granted, we looked at every nook and cranny of the case for economy of weight and the ultimate protection.  Every rivet and bolt has been accounted for and factored in the overall weight and balance of the case.

Additionally, there were all sorts of accessories or facets inside the case that would make the bass safer.  We looked at everything!

Sizing. Again, we wanted a case that most of the world's basses would fit.  Most people travel with a 3/4 size bass.  For our new Ultra case, we decided on a typical, middle of the road ('Plain Jane') bass size:   3/4 bass with regular arching, normal string length of 41-42", the back around 43 or 44" etc... we measured several basses.  The Thompson Plywood, Kay, 3/4 size Wilfer, etc... we scanned the exact bass into a 3 dimensional size of the instrument, then designed our case around that size and shape of the bass.  As far as we know, this has never been done before to this degree. The Ultra will fit 90% of the world's basses.

After we agreed on the right sized bass and general size of the case,  we then turned our attention to how to design a case that would best protect it.  When designing and researching a new case, we instructed our engineers to plan for the worst treatment of that case.  While they had never seen the old Samsonite Gorilla commercials, we had to show them how harsh some of the handlers could be.   Not only did the case have to be strong to protect, the design (of the inside) parts of the case were just as important, if not more so. 'Concussive' damage to a bass is probably the most prevalent way instruments are damaged by the airlines. 

We used air bags years ago and while they looked 'smart' we felt that they didn't do too much and gave a false sense of security.  The air wouldn't hold.  Additionally we also tried special kinds of canopy shock absorber designs that will allow the bass to bounce a little inside (ie to minimize impact concussion type damage.)  We literally tried everything so that in the end, we'd have the safest, best case offered in the world.  The 'bouncy' idea too, we didn't like for various reasons.  The only way to truly find which was was best, is to build it first, then throw the case, drop and slam it.....with the bass inside!  We have found that our system of strapping, STILL worked the best, gave the most protection and peace of mind.  All of our full length bass cases (The Pro and the Ultra) come with a scroll strap, a bottom neck (where it joins the body) strap, 2 straps across the shoulders and two across the lower belly.  This keeps the bass exactly in the correct placement of how the case is designed to protect the bass.  It does not shift in flight jeopardizing the bass.  Also, it is extremely reliable and easy for the TSA or other airport customs people to close and re-attach if needed.

All of our bass cases can either be used with our without a bass cover.

Cushions and positioning of the bass inside the case.  Because we knew what size the basses would fall within, we also knew where the key safeguards needed to be.  Concussion...that word again!  On the very bottom of the bass and case, all of our cases are specially designed to raise the bottom of the bass up off of the endpin. If the bass sits on the endpin and at the very bottom of the case, that endpin will act like a  'hammer' into the bottom endpin block.  Impacts here will knock the end pin block loose, or crack the surrounding bottom bout ribs.  Raising the bass upwards (just enough so that the endpin tip is not sitting on or touching the bottom of the case) , will spread and disburse the weight more evenly so that there is less risk or impact.  While both the Pro and the Traveler, use a raised platform molded into the case, the Ultra uses specially molded cushions that serve as the same purpose.  All of our cases guard against bottom impact (the most common) damage.

Composite materials make strong bass cases.

In the old days, (not very long ago) fiberglass cases were the 'cutting edge' material, but with the new technological advancements available today, we went all out!  We use the following materials and processes in all of our cello and bass cases:

1) we use a special blend of carbon fiber, combined with Kevlar.  This material goes by other brand names: Spectra, Aramid, Vectra just to name a few.  The combination of the two 'composites' makes for super strong, firm and at the same time impact resistant.  Combining the strengths of these two major materials is essential.  In addition to combining the two aramids, carbon fiber and kevlar, the process by which they are manufactured and joined together is equally important.  This also plays a key in achieving the lightest, and strongest cases.  In the old days (of hand made fiberglass) makers would pour resin into the mold and hand roll the cloth out.  While it worked, we have learned over the years that the least amount of resin makes the hardest, strongest parts!  Less IS more!  That's good news for a stronger case and one much lighter in weight.

2) all of our composite cloth material is "pre-pregnated" with resin when the cloth is 'milled' at the factory.  There is a thin sheen of resin that is immersed into the fabric.  Once this process is done, these big rolls of carbon/kevlar have to be refrigerated at our facility until the cloth is cut into our case molds.  Time is a big issue as the material now is very heat sensitive and can literally start activating while we are setting up the molds.  Soon thereafter, the entire case mold part is wrapped and bagged (sealed) so that during the next heat process stage, all or any excess resin is vacuumed out of the mold and away from the part.  (Why?)  Ever carry a can of paint from the paint store? It's heavy! Once the part gets activated with the heat (autoclave) reducing every drop of excess resin will make it stronger, and lighter. This stage of the manufacturing process is super labor intensive and there are no short cuts to be made.

3) Why White?  This was simple.  Yes, the black carbon weave looks 'cool and stylish', but is actually way hotter for the instrument that you are trying to protect.  White reflects the heating sun rays.  No exceptions are made on this.  All Tuff-Lites are white, inside and out.

4) Elastic bungee latches. What's up with that?  At first, we tried a regular metal latch on our bass cases.  They looked so much neater!  In fact, using elastic bungees have several advantages:  One, when the metal latches on our old cases stood out,  it was difficult  to totally recess them or protect them from outside elements the metal latches would eventually get broken somehow by the airlines.  Suitcases that get pushed onto or pulled across the latch would eventually loosen the latch or the base of it.  Often the composite at the base of the latch would have to be patched for an expensive repair.  The bungees too might get snagged in the same manner that that metal latch will, but here the worst scenario is that the bungee breaks and it is simple and quick to replace.  No need for costly or lengthy repairs to the exterior of the case.  All cases come with free replacement bungee cords and leather pulls as well.  The TSA loves our bungee latches as well.  It is easier for them to open the case and more importantly, easy for them to close the case back up.  From our experiences with orchestras and experienced touring musicians, they were also concerned about easy access and easy (no brainer) kind of closing of the case.  We heard too many stories of how the basses would arrive at the destination city only to find that the bass wasn't re-placed correctly by the TSA, or the bass wasn't re-secured.  Our latches and our interior strapping, easy to quickly see and do. Here it wasn't the expert and attentive player we were thinking of, but the customs or security people that just don't see a bass come through the airport that often.

There is a lot of thought, design and innovative work into all of our cases.  We want the lightest case possible, while still being strong, protective and durable.  The newest technologies developed help us achieve the most innovative and functional cases.