Anybody recommend any good uke case?

pbagley said:

I have the Uke Crazy foam hard case, the one with the nylon cover that zips up. The interior is size a little generous for my Kala concert size, and the Kala is too large to fit into the Mele concert's case. Over all I like the case, but I like the hard case for the Mele better.

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70sSanO said:

There are some basic considerations to protecting a ukulele. Value of the uke and the environment.

If you spend $50 on a ukulele you may not want to spend $100 on a case, unless the ukulele has special significance that there is a need to make sure it is protected. And as the value and cost goes up and the inability to replace it goes up, there is a greater need for a better case.

If you are in an environment where the uke is never going to be subjected to harsh treatment, nothing is gong to fall on the instrument and the case is merely to protect it from dust, then less can be spent on a case. I know some people leave fairly expensive ukuleles out on display.

However, if you plan on taking the ukulele out into the world so to speak, you have to consider how harsh the environment will be. If I am going to carry a ukulele on an airplane it goes in a hard case. If I am going to drive someplace I have used both a hard case and gig bag depending on which instrument I am taking. There is also a security/locking aspect when traveling that I won't go into.

For my experience, most of the damage that can happen doesn't occur when transporting/storing a uke in a case, but when using it, setting it down, playing and turning into something, etc.

John

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Cassie said:

Thanks. When I learn to play, I'm planning on taking it with me to day care centers and schools to entertain kids. My overall goal is to Pass on the songs that I learned as a kid to today's kids. I could do that with my Casio but the Casio requires electricity and plus, I want to teach little kids about the uke. Of course, I'm not just going to show up with a uke and say I want to entertain the children. First, I'm going to learn to play, then contact some day care centers, schools and other places good for kids and see if I can entertain them for a while and even teach them about the uke. First, I have to learn to play.

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sukie said:

Chances are when you get your ukulele you can buy a case at the same time. Check with the uke dealer. I do recommend a hard case.

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Fleacia said:

Someone hinted at this above, but not specifically. If your uke is laminate, I'd get a gig bag. Not the thinnest kind that has little or no padding, but the 15 or 20MM foam lined ones. Gig bags are easier to transport in general.

I do agree with the hard case option. I have a Guardian hardshell for my uke. But the uke is all solid wood and has a soft top. The case is expensive, but I got it pre-owned and at a big discount. I like this case for this uke, even though the case is heavy compared to the Uke Crazy cases.

When I've had laminate ukes, I used gig bags exclusively and never had a problem. And for all the talk about my uke hard case, my guitar is in a gig bag. But it's less prone to changes and accidents than the uke.

In some instances, a hard case can be overkill. I think the main thing is to be aware of how you treat the uke in general. I.e. keep it from bumping into things when it's in your hands. Avoid dropping it, the same as we (hopefully) do with other things we own. Accidents happen, but paying attention and using common sense can prevent most of them.

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Fleacia said:

Someone hinted at this above, but not specifically. If your uke is laminate, I'd get a gig bag. Not the thinnest kind that has little or no padding, but the 15 or 20MM foam lined ones. Gig bags are easier to transport in general.

I do agree with the hard case option. I have a Guardian hardshell for my uke. But the uke is all solid wood and has a soft top. The case is expensive, but I got it pre-owned and at a big discount. I like this case for this uke, even though the case is heavy compared to the Uke Crazy cases.

When I've had laminate ukes, I used gig bags exclusively and never had a problem. And for all the talk about my uke hard case, my guitar is in a gig bag. But it's less prone to changes and accidents than the uke.

In some instances, a hard case can be overkill. I think the main thing is to be aware of how you treat the uke in general. I.e. keep it from bumping into things when it's in your hands. Avoid dropping it, the same as we (hopefully) do with other things we own. Accidents happen, but paying attention and using common sense can prevent most of them.

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lewclev said:

I have several hard cases ranging from the Musicians Gear to the Ko'Olau brand. These range in price from $35 to $75. I don't see a huge difference in the protections these cases offer. The Ko'Olau case that came with my Pono has a nicer look and feel; maybe nicer materials. However, I think any of the hard cases would adequately protect an ukulele in most situations.

I agree with advice given here about pricing the case according to the uke. However, I would recommend a hard shell case. A gig bag might keep the dust off and prevent a ding or two but, if some trips over or steps on your uke in a gig bag, you're going to likely have some serious damage.

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mailman said:

I have seen instances with ukes and kids that were scary. I've seen uke cases stood upon and sat upon by different kids at different times. If I were planning on carrying my uke into a kid-rich setting, I'd want a something more substantial than a gig bag.

Also, the more often you take your uke out and about, the more likely that it may get dropped, banged, bumped or whatever. Just sayin'....

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