Handbell Cases

[Mark Gourley]

I am going to be recommending in the near future that we purchase new handbell cases to replace the ones for our original 3 octaves .  

We have Schulmerich bells and I was wondering about the Porta-bell cases over the Schulmerich Ring 'N Roll cases?   

Any experience with either that anyone would like to share with me?

Thanks,

Mark Gourley

Danville, VA

[Paul Allen at James Rutter]

I have the older Port-A-Bell cases and like them.  I’ve heard about and seen the Schulmerich cases, and understand that they’re a quality product, but I have no experience with them.

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[Ann F]

We have had Port-A-Bell cases (for Malmarks) for 5 years now and really like them except for the very recent problem we've had with the wheel on one of them breaking. I hear the newer wheels are better, but I'm not impressed with ours given that they haven't been used out of the church or on stairs very much. We do like the cases. I can't say anything about the Shulmerich cases.

Ann

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[Nancy Kirkner]

You may want to consider the half-octave cases offered by Malmark.
Schulmerich bells fit them, though not vice versa. They're *much*
easier to carry, and easier to load and unload without having to bend
down to the floor. I stack mine on a cart parked next to the bell
table and empty (or fill) them one at a time.

I wrote briefly about cases in the series on buying bells at www.solobells.com.
However, I didn't specifically address the Schulmerich rolling cases
vs. Porta-bell, and will be interested to hear what others say.

The question I would ask is the relative weight of individual cases
fully loaded, and how that works for your situation, especially if
you're dealing with stairs. One person rolling a case into an
elevator is one thing. Having 2 people coordinate carrying a heavy
case on multiple flights of stairs is an accident waiting to happen.

Best -

Nancy Kirkner
Seattle - lots of stairs!
www.solobells.com

[Michele Sharik]

The Schullie cases are basically their regular cases with wheels, telescoping handles, and a few bumpers on them. They are even heavier than their regular cases. In my opinion, the placement of the bumpers makes them hard to go up or down stairs or curbs. 

I much prefer the Port a bell cases. 

Sent from my iPad so please excuse any typos, AutoCorrect weirdness,  Or Random CapitaliZation. I am not really illiterate, though Siri makes it look like I am. Sigh.

[Nancy Hascall]

[Daniel Reck]

Mark,

I strongly recommend Port-A-Bell cases. The Allegro Handbell Ensemble has been using them for most of a decade and we love them. We tour regularly, and they've gone to Europe three times with no problems. Based on that experience, I also purchased them for my own bells. I love the solo case that carries 3 octaves (G4-G8) in one case.

Port-A-Bell is a family business based in Texas. Thomas is great to work with and has promptly addressed each of the very few issues that have come up over the years.

In contrast, we used to budget to replace our Schulmerich cases every fourth year or so. The international travel and regular touring destroyed them. From what I can see, Michele is right about the new ring-and-roll Schulmerich cases, which does not inspire me to believe they would be any more durable. Has anyone toured extensively with the ring-and-roll Schulmerich cases?

Whichever you choose, we hope you will share your experience with us.

Ring on!

Daniel

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  Daniel M. Reck

  Media Director, Allegro Handbell Ensemble

  http://allegrobells.org

[Barbara Brocker]

 Mark,
 
I would echo Daniel’s recommendation of the Port a Bell cases.  I’ve taken the solo case on every trip to a festival in recent years, and the bells have been well protected.  When there has been a problem with a wheel or handle, Tom at Port a Bell has fixed it on the spot, and I’ve returned home with everything working fine.  They have a few bumps and dents in them now, but they still operate as if they were new.  We replaced all our home 5-octave cases with Port a Bells, and they’re easy for the “mostly lady” choir to move in and out of storage or take to festivals or gigs.

 

Barb Brocker