Most of us have a long list of insurance policies: instrument insurance, car insurance, health insurance, homeowners insurance. The premiums can feel like a lot, but coverage exists for a good reason. The best protection is the kind that covers you where you need it most. One insurance slogan says it well: "Know the gaps." If there are holes in your coverage, find them and fix them. For musicians, that raises a question about our instruments: do we know the gaps?
If you own a fine stringed instrument, an actual insurance policy is a smart idea. A good violin or viola case works the same way, protecting your instrument from bumps, drops, crashes, and scrapes. Still, plenty can go wrong between the car and the concert hall. That's where extra coverage comes in. Short of locking your instrument in a bank vault, it's the best way to reduce your risk.
There are many excellent cases out there, but very few do absolutely everything well. Some offer great protection but weigh a ton. Some have plenty of storage but no backpack straps. This is where the Cushy Case Cover comes in. It makes up for whatever your case might lack. It's the answer to "Know the gaps": once you know where the gaps are, a Cushy Case Cover can fill them.
Protection
Picture this: you walk from your car to rehearsal in freezing weather. You get inside, open your case, and find a crack running across the top plate of your instrument. Suddenly you're thinking about repair bills and whether your instrument will ever sound the same. It may sound dramatic, but it's a real risk. Our instruments are our tools for making music, and they deserve every bit of protection we can give them.
That's why a Cushy Case Cover is worth considering for your violin or viola. Its first and most important job is protection, and it does that in several ways:
- Padding: The Cushy lives up to its name. Its 1/2" of foam padding helps absorb the everyday bumps and knocks your case will take.
- Temperature buffering: This matters most in winter, when your instrument can go from freezing temperatures outside to 72 degrees inside within minutes. Stringed instruments often develop cracks and open seams because of sudden temperature changes. The Cushy's thick padding slows those changes down, so your instrument adjusts gradually. That can save you from costly repairs.
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Water resistance: The tough, water-repellent Duracover® nylon exterior keeps your case free of scuffs and wear. It also helps keep your instrument and sheet music from getting damp in rain or snow.
A heavy-duty protective case usually costs and weighs a lot more. The Cushy adds meaningful protection at a reasonable price without much extra weight. That extra cushioning is especially valuable if your case is made of foam or another less rigid material. As a bonus, the Cushy is a quick fix for a broken case zipper you haven't gotten around to repairing. Reflective piping also helps drivers see you when you're walking home from a late rehearsal.
Convenience
Many musicians spend their days rushing from one rehearsal or gig to the next, and things get forgotten. A shoulder rest gets left at home. Rosin or nail clippers come out of the case for a quick use and never make it back in. Dinner stays on the kitchen counter.
The easy fix is to keep a spare set of essentials, like rosin, nail clippers, and a snack or two, in your Cushy. Who wants to carry, or even remember to carry, another bag? The Cushy has three storage compartments, including a full-size zippered pocket for music folders and a smaller pocket for flat accessories. Some cases can barely fit a shoulder rest, let alone a metronome, a tuner, and everything else. With a Cushy, your music, gadgets, and snacks all travel with your instrument in one package. That leaves a hand free for opening doors or holding your coffee.
The backpack straps make this even easier. They're comfortable and adjustable, and they tuck away behind a flap when you're not using them. A detachable shoulder strap is included too. This is especially handy if your case doesn't already have backpack straps. Now, if only the Cushy could also remind you to pack your dinner.
Fit
The Cushy Case Cover fits over the violin case or viola case you already own. It isn't a replacement for a case. Think of it as extra protection from the elements, filling in the gaps in your instrument's coverage.
For violinists, the Cushy comes in two styles that fit most standard full-size cases: the Cushy Deluxe Carry-All Dart Shape Backpack Case Cover for Violin and the Cushy Deluxe Carry-All Oblong Backpack Case Cover for Violin.
For violists, measure your case carefully before ordering. Viola case sizes vary quite a bit, and a very large case may not fit. Check your case's outside measurements against the Cushy's inside dimensions, which are listed on the product pages for the Cushy Deluxe Carry-All Oblong Backpack Case Cover for Viola and the Cushy Deluxe Carry-All Dart Shape Backpack Case Cover for Viola. The Cushy fits most viola cases, but it's smart to know your case's size before you buy.
You can browse the full lineup in our case covers collection. Not sure which one fits your case? Contact the Shar Music team, and we'll be happy to help. Thanks for reading!
