Port-a-Bell vs. Ultimate bell cases

[nattwell]

Does anyone have first-hand experience with both Port-a-Bell and
Ultimate bell cases? There is a pretty significant price different
between the two brands, and I'm just wondering what accounts for it,
and if the pricier brand (Ultimate) is worth the added cost. Thanks!

Nikki Attwell
West Kelowna, BC

[Ann Frederking]

We have Port-a-Bell and love them. I'm afraid that I can't comment on
the others.
Ann

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Family web site: http://clients.teksavvy.com/~frederking/
Ann's hostas - about 170 varieties:
http://violaann.smugmug.com/Garden/Hostas-in-my-garden-A-B/7617361_qL3gHS
Ottawa Chamber Orchestra - http://www.ottawachamberorchestra.com/
Emmanubells Handbell Team - http://www.emmanuelunited.ca/worship_renewal/bells.php
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[Daniel Reck]

Hi Nikki,

I've used a five-octave set of Port-a-Bell cases for about ten years with one ensemble and use a solo case and a fourth-octave case for Shadows of Bronze.  The cases have traveled to Europe and back twice, and survived eight other summer tours on buses. We like them a lot.  Thomas, the owner of Port-a-Bell, even did some custom reworking of my solo case when the first tray didn't hold the bells in position as well as I liked. Fantastic customer service.

Like Ann, I can't speak to the quality of the Ultimate Bell Cases. Of course, the number one reason why I didn't go with them for the solo case is that their website says "Check back for our solo cases...Coming soon!" and has said so for over two years.

Best,

Daniel

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  Daniel M. Reck

  Director, Shadows of Bronze

  http://shadowsofbronze.org

[Rima Greer]

Campanile used Port a Bell, and we loved them. They saved our fannies several times..... I think a bunch of you know the story of us watching our bells being loaded into our plane.... one case fell off the conveyer belt about 10 feet to the tarmac!!! We were NOT amused.

But the case stayed closed, and when we got there we could not find any damage to the bells. One of the clasps on the outside of the case was trashed, but we couldn't believe how well it protected the bells.

Rima
http://www.ATLPublishing.com
http://www.portablebellfest.com
http://www.area12.handbellmusicians.org
http://www.campanilemusic.com

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[Patti TenBrook]

I think it comes down to how much you travel and otherwise schlepp them around. Sonos used Port-A-Bell for years, but eventually, they looked like the pictures you see here. We now have Ultimate bell cases, but haven't really travelled with them extensively yet so we'll see.

Ultimate cases really are sturdy and, I think, will hold up better. They stack nicely and are lighter when loaded (mostly because the bells are splint into more cases). Weight has become a HUGE issue with flying But, we had the same problems another person reported with it taking a long time to actually get them. They are expensive. And some of our larger bells have developed terrible trigger handles (seems G3 has it the worst) because they sit upright in the case and the lids squish them.

Regards,

Patti

"...the greatest ideas are diminished in the rigid confines of language..." Cartas literarias a una mujer: II, Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer (1836-1870)

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Patti TenBrook

Director, Harmonikos

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Pleasant Hill, CA

Member, Sonos

[Paul Allen at James Rutter]

RiverBells Sacramento has Porta-a-Bell cases, and they're excellent. The only problem we've come up with is replacing broken parts; the hinge on one of the largest cases snagged and snapped, and we've had no luck getting them replaced.

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[Port-A-Bell]

I could explain the differences if you need. 866-532-8222 Toll free in USA and Canada.