RafterGirl
Well-known member
I started a previous thread about the Cross Rock ABS zipper case because I was looking for a step up in protection for my Blackbird Clara. I'm flying from Utah to Florida to attend TBUG & visit family. I will be carrying my uke on the plane. At first I was ok with using the Gator bag it came with. The bag is sturdy, well padded, and it has backpack straps. Backpack straps are a must for travel. But the more I thought about the threats of travel in the overhead on an airplane, the more I wanted something more protective.
The Cross Rock would have worked ok, because you can clip backpack straps on it. But, my Clara wouldn't fit. Not even close. The measurements posted on Amazon weren't accurate.
It came down to the Reunion Blues Continental and the Fusion Urban. The Fusion looked cool, but it's a concert/tenor case, so a bit longer & a lot more money. The RB Continental came today, and I'm giving it a thumbs up so far. It's very well made, and feels super protective, with very thick padding. Beefy zippers & zipper pulls. All hardware is metal, not plastic. Multiple pockets. Hideaway backpack straps. No funky smell.
In contrast to the Cross Rock, it does have extra space inside that fits the Clara. The extra space is a bit of a challenge, with the non-traditional shape of the Clara. Even with the neck block strap secured, the Clara slips around more than I'd like inside the case. I had an extra set of Pelican Case padding blocks in my office, so I created a customized set of pads to keep the Clara in place. I murdered an old pair of black panty hose to act as smooth covers for the pads. Voila. Problem solved.
I'm posting some pictures of the padding (foam, before & after the panty hose covers), and a picture next to the Gator bag. Overall length is the same, but the RB is wider & thicker. I feel good about traveling with my Clara in the overhead now.
Cost on Amazon $86. I will report back after the trip in November.
The Cross Rock would have worked ok, because you can clip backpack straps on it. But, my Clara wouldn't fit. Not even close. The measurements posted on Amazon weren't accurate.
It came down to the Reunion Blues Continental and the Fusion Urban. The Fusion looked cool, but it's a concert/tenor case, so a bit longer & a lot more money. The RB Continental came today, and I'm giving it a thumbs up so far. It's very well made, and feels super protective, with very thick padding. Beefy zippers & zipper pulls. All hardware is metal, not plastic. Multiple pockets. Hideaway backpack straps. No funky smell.
In contrast to the Cross Rock, it does have extra space inside that fits the Clara. The extra space is a bit of a challenge, with the non-traditional shape of the Clara. Even with the neck block strap secured, the Clara slips around more than I'd like inside the case. I had an extra set of Pelican Case padding blocks in my office, so I created a customized set of pads to keep the Clara in place. I murdered an old pair of black panty hose to act as smooth covers for the pads. Voila. Problem solved.
I'm posting some pictures of the padding (foam, before & after the panty hose covers), and a picture next to the Gator bag. Overall length is the same, but the RB is wider & thicker. I feel good about traveling with my Clara in the overhead now.
Cost on Amazon $86. I will report back after the trip in November.
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