BEFORE YOU ASK, MAYBE HERE'S THE
ANSWER
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If I choose to purchase a Musafia from a dealer instead of directly, why
should I do so only from an Authorized Musafia dealer? First of all, only an Authorized Musafia dealer can guarantee it is an original, new Musafia case with all the latest features and improvements and not a Chinese clone or an older Musafia case. Secondly, because our Authorized Dealers are in direct contact with us and can provide up-to-date information and quality assistance to you. Thirdly, because a Musafia case purchased from an Authorized Musafia dealer has arrived directly from us or our representatives and has not been repacked and reshipped by third parties exposing it to possible damage or deterioration. Lastly, please note that our maintenance, repair, parts, and warranty services are guaranteed available only for those Musafia cases purchased from Authorized Musafia dealers. We may not be able to provide these services for cases purchased elsewhere.
How are Authorized
Musafia dealers selected? A Musafia case is a special case for a special person. At Musafia, it is important for us to offer not only an optimal product to our customers, but an optimal service as well: before, during, and after the sale. Authorized Musafia dealers are selected by their reputation, organization, dependability, trustworthiness, and willingness to collaborate with us to guarantee your satisfaction. If you would like to know if a particular dealer is an Authorized Musafia dealer, please contact us and we will let you know.
Why should I purchase a Musafia case, when there are plenty of cheaper ones on the market? There are many imitation Musafia cases being made. The design, the case cover, the shape of the padding, the bow ribbons and rope decoration, the trim, the suspension system, the accessory box pulls, even the type of the snap buttons are being shamelessly copied from what is now universally called the "Musafia style". It should be remembered, however, that on the average Musafia case there is over US$ 120 worth of materials alone! The difference is in one word: quality. On a Musafia clone, you don't know if the interior lining been tested to not chemically react with oil, spirit, and synthetic violin varnish in hot weather. Could it's synthetic fibers be abrasive to antique instruments' varnish? Are the handle and lock of the highest quality available, guaranteed not to break away or open accidentally, spilling the instrument out? Or are they just shiny? Has the structure been crash tested for safety? Is the instrument suspension correctly calibrated to protect the instrument, and not be potentially damaging in case of impact? How much load can the frame resist before breaking and crushing the instrument? Is there a warranty? Are spare covers and other parts available? Is there anyone to offer maintenance and repair service? If not, over, say, a 15 year period you may have to purchase three new "cheaper" cases while a single Musafia, if maintained, will easily last the same time. That means you save money in the long term purchasing a Musafia case.
High-quality double-action safety lock helps prevent accidental opening of the case.
OK, but how do I know that a Musafia case is really better? Currently Musafia Italia S.r.l. produces a little over a thousand cases a year. On the average, cases are expected to last at least 10 years. Theoretically that means that after 10 years, if production were to remain the same, there should be a stable or slightly rising number of Musafia Cremona Italy cases in circulation. Actually, since 1996 production has almost doubled, meaning that the number of Musafia cases being used daily by musicians is increasing dramatically. Yet, during this same period, the number of repairs we have done to Musafia cases has diminished significantly. This can only mean that the already renowned high quality of Musafia cases is continually getting even better.
Each year a few hundred Musafia Cremona Italy cases are added into circulation. The decrease of necessary repairs shown by the above graph demonstrates the continually increasing quality of Musafia Cremona Italy cases.
With new instruments it helps reduce the risk of still-soft varnish sticking to the lining. On all instruments it helps eliminate the risk of impact received on the bottom of the case being transmitted, via the soundpost, to the belly, often resulting in an f-hole crack. Musafia cases, in addition, have a special exterior bottom padding to add further protection.
Yes! Small-dial hygrometers aren't inherently very accurate, so we replaced the numbered scale with one with zones, serving the purpose quite well. The humidifier has shown to be much more effective than other types, such as vapor-bottles, due to it's greater dimensions. In dry weather, the humidifier will in fact reduce dryness to safe levels in less than two hours with the case closed.
How do bows fit in a Musafia case? While we were designing the first Musafia cases in 1983, we asked leading bow makers to give us their opinion as to if the bows should be inserted with hair up or down. The answer was that was that the bow should be preferably placed hair-up. The reason for this is simple: any contact between the bow holder and the bow should be reduced to a minimum, and the bow hair is periodically replaced while the stick, frog, and wrappings are not, therefore is more expendable. In addition, "hanging" the bow by the hair allows for a more flexible anchoring may be useful if the case receives a severe impact from the outside. So we designed this feature into most Musafia cases, this meaning that it may be difficult to insert some bows the "wrong" way (hair-down) in some positions. (Note: in order to keep the dimensions of the Aeternum and the dart-shaped models to a minimum, the lower bow positions of these models were designed to keep the hair down)
Someone told me that shoulder rests will not fit in Musafia cases. Is that true? Of course, we guarantee that Musafia single violin models will accomodate most Kun, Wolf, Resonans, Menuhin, Playonair, and Bonmusica shoulder rests (among others). In addition, Dart-Shape cases and our new mod. 3032 Classic Luxury double violin cases do as well! Most shoulder rests will fit in our viola case models as well.
We have a complete range of shoulder rests in our workshop. If you have any doubts if the rest you own will fit in the Musafia cases you desire, please e-mail us and we will tell you if it will!
The best way to keep your Musafia case looking it's best is, not surprisingly,
to make sure it doesn't get too dirty in the first place. That especially
means not letting broken bits of rosin to escape and cake up everywhere.
To get the dust out of a Musafia case, use a blower instead of a vacuum,
being careful not to direct too strong an airjet onto the bow ribbons. The
case cover can be cleaned ususally with a damp sponge, and mild soap if
necessary. Scuff marks can often be removed using a rubber eraser, and then
the damp sponge. Do NOT use solvents inside or outside!
Starting in 1983, prototype Musafia cases have been made of heat-bent PVC-plywood composite, fiberglass, directional-mat fiberglass sandwich with Coremat, Kevlar, carbon fiber, and polyeurethane foam. In subsequent testing plywood laminate, each time, proved superior for one reason or another to all of these high-tech materials in this application.
Six-layer Italian poplar ply is used to make Musafia cases, instead of the standard 3-layer used by most manufacturers
Are the Musafia Ultralight models just as safe? * UPDATED * After two years of testing and four years of production, the Musafia Ultralight cases were redesigned in 2005. They are now made with our Continuum High Tensile lamination system (therefore in wood and not in foam plastic) and are more compact than our other rectangular models, resulting in their being lighter. Safety, finish, and durability are the same as our normal models. The lid of the Musafia Ultralight cases can withstand over 130 kg. (285 lbs.) of pressure!
All
Musafia Cremona Italy cases are designed and built in our workshop in Cremona, Italy. All of the linings and most of the other
materials come from Italy, although some components are made in Germany,
Japan, and Mexico. Studio Series cases are made for us overseas
under our direct supervision and with some materials supplied by us. Musafia
International cases are assembled in China under our design and manufacturing
specifications, then finished in our Cremona workshop. Each and every case sold by us is personally inspected by Dimitri
Musafia. Curious? See meet
our staff. My Musafia case needs some maintenance. Where can I get it done, and how do I go about it? Musafia cases are serviced exclusively by only those who make them: in other words, in our Cremona workshop.To ensure quick, competent and satisfying service, please contact us. Depending on where you live, we will give you instructions as to how to have your Musafia case serviced, prices, and turn-around time.
Does the Musafia limited lifetime warranty mean that I get a new case every few years for free? Some people think that our warranty means that as soon as the case begins to show wear after years of professional use, one can get a new one free of charge. To rephrase the question, if you drive a Mercedes for six years and 200,000 miles, will the dealer give you a new one when a fender shows a dent, the driver seat is worn, and the engine needs an overhaul? No. However, we offer a maintenance service whereby your case can be restored to excellent condition even if has seen hard use, therefore putting of the purchase of a new case for years to come. If, while working on your case, any defects of manufacture or materials are found, you will not be charged for the work necessary to fix them.
Other questions? Please contact us. |
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