RafterGirl
Well-known member
I have two Crossrock textured ABS cases and one smooth one. All with latches. Not with zippers. They are pretty rugged cases. I'd trust my tenors in any of these.
One of the textured cases I bought from Amazon was absolutely reeking of glue, foam and material. It took a year for the smell to totally go away. I could not have it in an indoor room without it triggering my asthma. (Not a full-on attack, but, I'd start wheezing.)
The other textured case has a slight odor to it but quickly went away. The smooth one was fine from the dealer. No odor at all. It came with a used Kanile'a K1-T I bought.
I also have a Kala textured hard case that had no odor to it. It seems to be slightly better quality than the Crossrock.
You shouldn't have any trouble with the Clara absorbing the odor. Since it is carbon fiber. But you might not want to share a hotel room with it if it's newly made.
I guess this is another thing to cross my fingers about. That the Clara fits the case & that it doesn't reek of chemicals. I do have a regular Crossrock ABS case with latches. My LN soprano came in it. No smell. Sturdy case, but not my favorite because of the way it doesn't open up fully to take the uke in & out. Something about the hinge design that you have to physically hold it open or push it hard to stay open or it slams shut.
I'll get the case 2 months in advance of the trip, so I should have a good idea about the smell. If I like the case, I'll invest a few bucks and get some decent clip on backpack straps for it.