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Alan Stevenson graduated from Edinburgh University as an architect. He spent his latter university years playing bass part-time in the Scottish Baroque Ensemble and in the Scottish National Orchestra. After graduation, he joined the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra where he later became sub-principal double bass and married Sara who was in the 'cello section. The case business was started in Birmingham in 1971 to fill the need for safely transporting the orchestra's basses and 'cellos. The early cases were moulded by a firm making camper van roof conversions and were assembled in a small industrial unit by Alan. Demand for cases increased so Alan left the orchestra to develop the cases. |
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Early customers included the CBSO of course and the BBC orchestras who have been good customers to the present day. The assembly premises in Birmingham Handsworth were cheap but fairly unpleasant especially in winter and so on expiry of the lease, the business was moved to the city of Norwich where we have remained. One of the more unusual jobs after the move was the provision of a case for the Bond movie "The Living Daylights". Our case was chosen to house the sniper rifle! We also made the stunt case which the hero and heroine used as a toboggan to escape in the snow from the bad guys. These options aren't available from our standard range!
Over the years we have continually improved our cases, including the development of our carbon range. Providing for instruments with larger than normal dimensions always has been an important part of the business. In 1996 we moved to larger workshops north of Norwich where all production is now in-house. To cope with increased demand, the staff expanded. Neil and his brother Mark custom mould 'cello cases in carbon and fibreglass and then custom fit the cases. Bob assists Neil with surface finishing and assembly while Mike and Sylvie also mould in carbon and mould the fibreglass bass cases.
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