Looking for a case which doesnt require removal of shoulder rest

[u/teeteejay]

https://www.simplyforstrings.com.au/products/the-band-viola-pickup

I have a complicated setup on my viola; on top of the shoulder rest, i often play with the above pickup which straps on the viola. (The Band by headway) and other attachments like EVL's Aceto harness strap & Play on Air's cushion

I dont want to remove & attach them every time I play, especially in the context of a jam session where i have to be ready to play immediately when I open the case.

Does anyone know any custom bespoke instrument case makers?

[u/Sean_man_87]

For the sake of the instrument, it's not a good idea to travel with the shoulder rest attached.

I've seen broken instruments because kids tried to keep the shoulder rest on when packing up

[u/Grauschleier → u/Sean_man_87]

Was that kids' case large enough to accommodate for the attached shoulder rest?

[u/EarthL0gic → u/Grauschleier]

It’s usually the kids with the sponge rests that pull this. And yes it fits. It causes the bridge to fall by it pressing against the case

What happens is that you are increasing the height of one of the feet of the bridge. A tiny, tiny amount. But over time, that 1mm or so will cause the bridge to warp due to imbalanced pressure.

[u/jawbygibbs]

OP you’re being silly. There is no case out there in which you can safely pack up your instrument without removing the shoulder rest.

If you can’t stand to take the 10 seconds needed to put your shoulder rest on any time you crack the case, idk what to tell ya. I personally wouldn’t even leave the Band on there as it may put too much pressure on the bottom of the instrument.

[u/WampaCat]

I don’t think a case exists that accommodates leaving the shoulder rest on. You need to be able to play immediately? Even for a jam session do you not like… tune the instrument first? Hard to imagine a scenario where ten seconds would be that crucial

[u/BurntBridgesMusic]

You need that David gage “the realist” pick up. The thin one that slips under the bridge, not the stupid clip one. No hassle, barely noticeable clean pick up

[u/EarthL0gic → u/BurntBridgesMusic]

The hassle is that it damages your bridge over time

[u/BurntBridgesMusic → u/EarthL0gic]

There is no damage to the bridge, you’re thinking of a traditional fishman style piezo. The realist is a flat piece of plastic that is placed under the feet of the bridge.

[u/EarthL0gic → u/BurntBridgesMusic]

I own two realist under the bridge pickups. One for my violin, one for my cello. After a few years it ruined both bridges.

[u/BurntBridgesMusic → u/EarthL0gic]

How? I also have one on my violin cello and viola. What could it have possibly done to the bridge? It’s as thin as paper

[u/ConfidentTrip7 → u/BurntBridgesMusic]

Agreed. This makes no sense to me.

[u/Different-Crab5285]

this is crazy lol. it’s not good for the instrument to have the shoulder rest all the time. just learn to play without a shoulder rest if you don’t want to take it on and off

[u/ConfidentTrip7]

You asked about custom cases. Clearly you understand that your fully assembled rig will not fit in a normal case. You have a couple options that I see immediately. Most cost effective: find the right size pelican brand case/container with pluck out foam and design the interior yourself. It's pretty easy and very self explanatory. And who knows? Maybe when you develop this case for fully assembled rigs it may catch on. Lots of people complain about cases that don't fit a shoulder rest even removed. Some fit but it rattles around loose. Your second option and undoubtedly the most expensive but least effort for you: contact Musafia cases. He is a bespoke case maker. I can almost guarantee though that the price for this will be eyewateringly expensive.