RichM
Well-known member
I recently purchased two concerts (an Ohana CK-25Z and a Mainland Mango) that I wanted to put in hard cases without breaking the bank. I've grown weary of all the zipping and velcro involved with the canvas-and-foam cases, so I really wanted a good ol' fashioned wooden case with latches. My KoAloha came with an Oahu case which is absolutely lovely, but more than I wanted to spend on a case for my more modest acquisitions. So I went ahead and purchased the two least expensive hard cases I could find, the Oscar Schmidt ($36 with free shipping on Amazon) and the Musician's Gear from Musician's Friend ($39.99 with free shipping). I was pleased to discover that both of these cases are very well made and more than sufficient for the average uke player.
Neither of these cases approaches the quality of the Oahu, which is definitely worth it's much higher price. Neither has an arched top, which I wouldn't expect at this price point. Both have a plywood shell covered with textured vinyl and an internal accessory pocket. The Oscar Schmidt has a sort of soft velour lining inside, while the MG has a longer shag thing going on. Here are the pros and cons:
Oscar Schmidt
Pro:
Con:
Musician's Gear
Pro:
Con:
In conclusion, I don't think you could go wrong with either of these cases. They aren't top of the line cases, but at their low price, I think they more than deliver the goods, and offer excellent protection. While I think the Oscar Schmidt is aesthetically a nicer case than the Musician's Gear, I think the Muscian's Gear is functionally a better case, with its better fit and more usable case handle. The best news is that for players looking for a quality latched case for under $40, both of these cases are great options.
Neither of these cases approaches the quality of the Oahu, which is definitely worth it's much higher price. Neither has an arched top, which I wouldn't expect at this price point. Both have a plywood shell covered with textured vinyl and an internal accessory pocket. The Oscar Schmidt has a sort of soft velour lining inside, while the MG has a longer shag thing going on. Here are the pros and cons:
Oscar Schmidt
Pro:
- Stitched together top and bottom, for extra strength (and looks nice, too)
- Brown color makes it stand out in a sea of black cases
- Case appears very well-made and very strong
- Lining appears more than adequate for protecting the uke from scuffs
- Fit is snug, but... (see Cons)
Con:
- Big Oscar Schmidt logo on the case is annoying
- Big puffy stuffed-vinyl handle is almost a deal-breaker-- it limits the mobility of the handle, which is sort of jammed in one position, and doesn't feel that good in your hand
- The dimensions of the case seem slightly off for a typical concert uke--my Ohana fits snugly, but the waist on the case does not match the waist on the uke.
Musician's Gear
Pro:
- Case appears very well-made and very strong
- Lining is a bit more robust than on the Schmidt, and should protect the uke well
- Fit is darn near perfect for the various concert ukes I tried in it
- More traditional plastic handle works and feels better
Con:
- Only the top is stitched, while the bottom is glued
- It's a generic black case... just like every other black case you've ever seen
In conclusion, I don't think you could go wrong with either of these cases. They aren't top of the line cases, but at their low price, I think they more than deliver the goods, and offer excellent protection. While I think the Oscar Schmidt is aesthetically a nicer case than the Musician's Gear, I think the Muscian's Gear is functionally a better case, with its better fit and more usable case handle. The best news is that for players looking for a quality latched case for under $40, both of these cases are great options.