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We supply two types of soft outer cover: the thick Blobby Cover, which is described on this page, and the thinner Slimline Cover. For details of the latter please click here.

The Blobby Cover

In 2000 we were asked by a major London chamber orchestra to supply for hire three padded soft foam outer covers for our 'cello cases which they used for long haul flights touring in the USA. When the chamber orchestra returned from the tour, which included eight flights in three weeks, we were told the covers were excellent and showed no signs of wear at all. The soft covers were then purchased by the orchestra.

The London orchestra transporter firm who does these tours with several chamber orchestras named them "Blobby covers". We now make them as production items and have supplied many more than we ever expected. We talk with players and luthiers about the problems of long-haul travel and the feedback is that we are right to develop this idea.

Our latest soft outer cover is much improved. It has a very tough outer skin and weighs approximately 5 kg / 11 lb. With a soft outer cover, everything happens more slowly, they roll rather than crash and they are difficult to throw. The outer skin is tough water resistant fabric made for us by a company specialising in soft covers for music instruments. Inside, the 2" (5cm) lightweight foam is reinforced with dense reconstituted foam at the top and bottom. The covers open and shut with a heavy duty zip beneath a flap and taking the 'cello case in and out is easy. There are strong carry straps and also fixings for the 'cello case shoulder strap and all are reinforced at the joins. The outer skin can be removed without difficulty and mailed back to us for repairs.

We are often asked to fit wheels to the Blobbies but as yet we have no satisfactory solution. We experimented with the 'cello case wheel mount sticking out through the Blobby but it doesn't work. We believe that wheels on the Blobby itself will quickly be ripped off by airport handlers. Therefore the Blobbies for both models of 'cello case have no wheels, but they do have handles and rings for a shoulder strap.

We are happy to supply soft outer covers "sale or return" if 'cellists want to think about it. Without a case inside, they can be bundled and returned by mail.

A British university music society orchestra hired 2 carbon cases with soft outer covers April '04 for tour to Eastern Europe and afterwards I wrote:

"Any feedback on travel with the carbon case/soft outer cover combination would be appreciated. We attempt to offer better protection for long haul travel than just hard cases alone which do occasionally get damaged. Did you struggle with the soft cover? Would you have preferred a heavier stronger case and no soft cover? That would mean a heavier case to move about when not travelling."

One of the lady 'cellists emailed back :

"Dear Mr Stevenson,

Thank you so much for the hire of the flight cases for the tour. I was one of the cellists, and was asked if I could give you some feedback.

I much prefer the lighter case and soft cover to the idea of a harder, heavier case because when not travelling and there is no need for the soft outer case, the lighter case is so much easier to handle, and it really helps having wheels on the case too. I never struggle with the soft case, and I wasn't at all worried about the safety of my cello in the plane with it.

Overall, I was extremely pleased with how well the cases protected my cello - there was not a note out of tune after each flight and the cello definitely felt very secure within the cases.

Thank you very much indeed. "