W H A T ' S N E W ?
At Musafia cases we
are continuously striving to make better products. We listen to our dealers and to
musicians, and based on the feedback we receive we have an active research and development program in continual progress. Here
are some of our latest efforts (as well as news in general):
N E W S - P R E S T I G I O U S C O L L A B O R A T I O N :
"COMPETENCE CENTER" AGREEMENT SIGNED MARCH 26th, 2008
AXA-Art international art insurers and Dimitri Musafia enter closer collaboration. The recent near-destruction of a Guadagnini violin (initially erroneoulsy referred to as a Stradivari) while in it's famous-make case has brought the issue of instrument safety to world-wide attention. Thanks to his experience and research into crash-testing, Dimitri Musafia has been officially chosen as consultant for insurance claims when precious violins and violas are damaged while in similar circumstances.
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N E W S - U P G R A D E S A N D N E W M O D E L :
MUSAFIA INTERNATIONAL CASES ARE FURTHER PERFECTED
Recently added Musafia Sekur safety latch (left), through-bolted carrying strap fixtures (right), and monolithic impact asorbing construction system make the Musafia International Classic probably the safest case in it's price category.
NOVEMBER
2007 - Instrument safety made more affordable! Musafia
International cases have just received a number of important upgrades that
confirm their status as best-made cases in their price class. In addition to
the Musafia Sekur double action safety latch, all Musafia International
cases now have rugged through-bolted carrying strap attachments, the Musafia
multi-filament humidifier, and our
monolithic impact absorbing construction system. For more information
click here.
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N E W S - U P G R A D E S :
PHOTO-RETAINING RIBBONS NOW IN ALL MUSAFIA CREMONA ITALY CASES
Photo-retaining ribbons have a motif which symbolizes the "M" for "Musafia" broken into two superimposed "V"s, for "violin" and "viola".
JULY 2007 - Thoughtful touch! Many people like keeping photos of their friends and loved ones in the lid of the case, but often they either get damaged or cause problems with the bow ribbons. Not any more on Musafia Cremona Italy cases! Stylish ribbons keep photos in place without any problems.
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N E W S - U P G R A D E S :
ACCESSORY BOX ILLUMINATION IMPROVED BY L.E.D. TECHNOLOGY
Powerful white light well illuminates accessory boxes; orange LED, visible in the upper right, signals that the lights are on even with the accessory boxes closed.
APRIL 2007 - Much more light, much longer battery life. Recent developments in LED technology have offered us the opportunity to use high-output Light Emitting Diodes instead of conventional incandescent bulb lighting in our Enigma case (and upon request on other models, such as the Master Series Aureum pictured). The advantages are numerous: they put out far more light, use up much less energy, and will continue to work even if hit with by a stray tuning fork! Power consumption is now so low that with alkaline AA batteries the accessory box illumination will now continue to run for over 150 hours: in normal use, just about the shelf-life of the batteries themselves! Now, finding that elusive mute in a hurry has just been made a bit easier...
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N E W S - W E A T H E R T E S T I N G:
MUSAFIA INTERNATIONAL CLASSIC CASE TESTED FOR WEATHER RESISTANCE
How good are the new Musafia International cases? One way to find out is to determine for how long one can continue to offer instrument protection while left outdoors - to stand up to cold, fog, rain, sleet and snow in a Cremona winter! Tested for an entire month.
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N E W S:
MUSAFIA CASES ON DISPLAY IN TOKYO!
Every year Musafia cases are present at the Tokyo String Fair thanks to the exclusive impoter Yamaha Music Trading. This year a great selection of Musafia cases was present, including the new Musafia International cases, together with the work of some of Cremona's finest violin makers. Special thanks to Chihoko Ide and Noriyuki Kon of YMT for their exceptional support!
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N E W S - N E W M O D E L S:
MUSAFIA STYLE AND QUALITY AT A BUDGET PRICE ??
OCTOBER 22nd 2006 - The 2007 Musafia International cases presented! Musafia design and manufacturing standards, assembled under our direct supervision, finished by our personnel in our Cremona workshop. A new milestone in the moderately-priced case market, destined to render "Musafia copies" obsolete and opening a whole new window of opportunity for those who don't want to invest a great sum in their violin cases but demand quality, style, instrument protection, and five-star customer service. See here for further details.
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N E W S - G R O U N D B R E A K I N G R E S E A R C H:
PROTOTYPE SAFETY CASE PRESENTED OCTOBER 14th, 2006
No, this Musafia case won't make you a cup of espresso. But the prototype pictured below does electronically measure internal temperature and humidity, records knocks and bumps, alerts you if critical parameters are surpassed, and tells you where it is located - even if you're in L.A. and your violin is in, say, New Delhi. Or aboard the tour bus. Or at home while you're away. Or on trial with a prospective buyer. Or...
A prestigious research facility and an insurance multinational have teamed up with Musafia to produce a case which will bring instrument protection literally into a new dimension: the global wireless one. Albeit admittedly this first test case looks like something out of the film Back to the Future, the production cases will be as well-finished and user-friendly as any Musafia case, truly redefining the concept of instrument safety. More to follow soon...
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N E W S - N E W M O D E L S A N D U P G R A D E S / 1:
OCTOBER 7th 2006 - The 2007 Enigma cases unveiled. The great success of the Enigma case, presented in 2003, prompted the development of two new variations: the lighter-weight Enigma Leggero, which answers the needs of those musicians who appreciate the Engima style but would prefer a lighter-weight case, and the Enigma Aureum, which features an interior lined in satin, glove-quality leather, and silk velvet similar to the Master Series Aureum. See here for further details.
The appeal of the Enigma Leggero (left) is the inimitable style of the Enigma in a lighter package: both price-wise and in terms of actual weight. This was done by eliminating the accessory compartment illumination, PressurePorts, RadiationSafe, waterproofing treatment, Tropicalization, added frame reincorcement, Alcantara-covered bow tip cushions, and valance-and-groove Weatherguard closure. These items are of course still available as options. The Enigma Aureum, on the other hand, is a new version of the fully-equipped Enigma in which glove-quality leather takes the place of the multicolor silk velvet on the other Enigma models for a more classic look.
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N E W S - A FREE M U S A F I A C A S E W A S W O N ! ! :
JULY 31st 2006 was the last day to win a unique Master Series Ultralight case for free! Offered by The Strad, the prestigious journal published in the U.K.
Rainer Koechl (Concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic and State Opera orchestras, left) posing with the case won by a fortunate violinist in Mirecourt, France.
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N E W S - I M P R O V E M E N T S:
JULY 2006 - We've made a number of small but significant improvements to Musafia Cremona Italy cases.
All models (except Superleggero and Ultraleggero) have a new finish inside the accessory box lid (photo, left) which improves appearance. The Superleggero, Ultraleggero, and Luxury Ultralight have now received a new lid pull (right) which not only looks better, but no longer gets caught between the lid and the bottom of the case.
Another special touch is given by new bow ribbons, standard on all cases except the Salvatore Accardo by Musafia (which has it's own dedicated ribbons). These ribbons are very discreetly embossed with our trademark design which reproduces the inlay of the 1677 "Sunrise" Stradivari, and show rosin dust much less than normal satin ribbons.
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N E W S - C H A R I T Y D O N A T I O N :
JUNE 2006 - First portion of the Salvatore Accardo Case by Musafia donation made. On June 6th, in a ceremony held at Cremona's City Hall, the proceeds of the sale of the first 100 Salvatore Accardo by Musafia cases was donated to the Casa Ozanam, a shelter for underprivileged families run by the San Vincenzo Foundation.
The Mayor of Cremona prof. Gian Carlo Corada, Salvatore Accardo, the president of the Casa Ozanam Foundation Dr. Gabriela Guarneri, and Mr. Musafia pose for photos (above, left) during the press conference. In the photo to the right, Mr. Accardo examines some upgrades on case no. 101 that his own cases, made earlier, don't have.
Dr. Guarneri and Mr. Musafia at the crucial moment. This donation was made possible first of all by musicians world-wide who have purchased the Salvatore Accardo by Musafia case, secondly of course by Mr. Accardo who not only chose to appear as testimonial but also purchased three cases himself, and lastly by Mr. Musafia who priced the case actually below cost to guarantee the success of the initiative. Special thanks also to the City of Cremona for the support.
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N E W S - N E W I N S T R U M E N T S A F E T Y O P T I O N:
MAY 2006 - New "SuperSilk" interior lining stabilizes interior humidity levels. On special request, Musafia cases can now be lined in SuperSilk™, a plush velvet with particularly high silk content. Being more hygroscopic (i.e. moisture absorbent) than the velvet we normally use, this feature enhances the stability of the microclimate within the case. Please note however that SuperSilk™ velvet is not as lustrous as our normal silk velvet, which contains a higher content of viscosa. Please contact us for further details if interested in ordering.
Five colors available: Forest Green, Mojave Beige, Chianti Red, Pacific Blue, Alpensilber Grey.
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N E W S - I M P R O V E M E N T S:
JANUARY 2006 - A host of improvements for 2006 model Musafia Cremona Italy cases!
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Musafia introduces EnCase™ On all 2006 Musafia Cremona Italy cases, the frame construction now benefits from EnCase™, a system which greatly improves resistance to side impact without adding weight. This exceptional feature, a result of the continual research for performed in our workshop over several months, can be found only on Musafia cases. |
The "EnCasement" is a belt of high denier fabric resined to the side of the case, all around the perimeter, covering all the lateral joinery and inhibiting splitting in case of impact. |
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The new multi-filament filling in our Dimus II humidifiers, during extensive testing, proved considerably more effective than conventional cotton in releasing water vapor into the atmosphere, meaning that the humidity within the case will be better maintained. This is especially advantageous in winter, when dry but cooler air has less capability of absorbing moisture. Now standard on all 2006 model Musafia Cremona Italy cases, this humidifier is a significant improvement over the humidifiers present in other cases.
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The graph on the right depicts the amount of water vapor released into the atmosphere during a high-temperature (circa 80°C - 175°F) test. The humidifier with the multifilament filling (red line) released 33% more water vapor into the atmosphere within the case compared to an identical humidifier filled with conventional cotton. |
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Stabilize internal humidity with PressurePorts™ !
During hot weather research last summer we noticed that cases exposed to direct sunlight suffered seemingly inexplicable increases of relative humidity within the case, which sometimes doubled in the space of only 20-30 minutes, stressing the instrument greatly. We traced the cause of this phenomenon to the fact that the air inside the case, heating up, went under pressure - just like inside a pressure cooker. The answer? Musafia PressurePorts™ , which release excess pressure in these conditions and stabilizes relative humidity levels. Standard on all 2006 Enigma cases and optional on all other professional level Musafia Cremona Italy cases. learn more about humidity variations in hot weather |
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N E W S - M U S A F I A C A S E S E V E N S T R O N G E R T H A N B E F O R E:
JULY 2005 - Strength of cases further increased with no change in weight. Our Ultralight cases (U2012R, U3012) have benefitted from a new lid moulding tecnique which, during testing, has proven resistant to over 130kg. (285 lbs). This increase of strength (from the previous 80 kg.) is the result of our continuous testing finalized toward making better and more protective cases.
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N E W S - C O L O R N A M E S C H A N G E D :
JULY 2005 - We've rationalized some of our color names, making them more descriptive and in some cases more accurate. See individual case pages for more details. From now on, when placing an order, please use the new names and not the old ones. This will enable us to offer better service!
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N E W S - I M P R O V E M E N T S :
JULY 2005 - Cherrywood trim upgrade on Master Series Exclusive, Master Series Aureum, and Enigma cases
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Master
Series Exclusive, Master Series Aureum and Enigma cases get a further touch of
elegance and exclusivity, as the wood trim inside the lid is now cherry burl
wood, polished by hand with six coats of gumlack, a traditional violin-maker's
varnish mixed and colored in our own workshop.
It's similar to the trim in the Accardo case, only slightly narrower (11mm instead of 16mm). |
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N E W S - I M P R O V E M E N T S :
JULY 2005 - Cordura case covers now treated with Teflon. This special treatment reduces wear and scuffs, as well as resistance to rainwater, making the cover last longer in time.
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N E W S - P R E S T I G I O U S A S S I G N M E N T :
FEBRUARY 2005 - New Musafia cases commissioned for Cremona's Civic Collection.
From left to right: Mr. Musafia, the Mayor of Cremona Prof. Gian Carlo Corada, Mrs. Musafia and Prof. Andrea Mosconi, the curator of the Civic Collection.
The City of Cremona boasts one of the most significant collections of important Cremonese instruments, ranging from the early 1566 Andrea Amati through the Guarneris to the spectacular 1715 "ex-Joachim" Stradivari. These literally priceless instruments, veritable ambassadors of the city, are frequently exhibited in important events worldwide, and the newest Musafia cases were chosen by the curator Prof. Mosconi to protect them during their travels. In the left background is a special case that holds two violins and a viola. It was commissioned for the participation of the the three Amatis of the Civic Collection (two violins and a viola) in the festivities held in Maastricht (Netherlands) in March 2005 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the birth of Andrea Amati, founder of the dynasty and inventor of the violin. All the cases are Master Series Aureum models, lined in leather, silk, and satin, and include Tropicalization and Weatherguard.
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N E W S - N E W M O D E L S:
OCTOBER 2004 - Musafia cases now available with leather covers.
After about 1 year of experimentation, we are now offering leather case covers as an option for all Musafia cases. These covers are made of lightweight softest glove-quality leather, reinforced with cloth on the reverse side to help prevent punctures. All Musafia cases with leather covers benefit as well by Tropicalization (thermal insulation) at no added cost. Available in dark brown only.
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N E W S - N E W M O D E L S:
OCTOBER 8, 2004 - New Salvatore Accardo by Musafia cases introduced!
For the first time, a world-class artist helps design a case for his own needs and the end result is a case with his name on it. This is a true guarantee that the case will meet the needs of travelling musicians everywhere: light weight, elegant, protective, exclusive. Not a commercial initiative since proceeds go to charity. Production is limited to 200 cases. See individual case pages for more details.
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N E W S - M U S A F I A P R O M O T E R O F M U S I C A L L Y O R I E N T E D C H A R I T Y :
SEPTEMBER 28, 2004 - Fund-raising concert organized for the orphans of Chernobyl
In his capacity as president of the Cremona Kiwanis Club, Mr. Musafia organized a concert in Cremona featuring solists Anja Serova, Filippo Faes, and the Krasnoyarsk Chamber Orchestra from Siberia. Proceeds of the concert and the sale of the relative CD were destined to an organization that assists children in the orphanage of Chernobyl in Belarus. Program included works by J.C. Bach, Mozart, and J. Turina. The Cremona Consortium of Violin Makers supplied the instruments and Musafia supplied the cases. Special thanks also to luthier Mathijs A. Heyligers who went out of his way to help make the initiative a success and Dr. Francesco Codazzi of the Ente Triennale of Cremona. The local Lions and Rotary chapters also participated in the fund-raising.
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N E W S - I M P R O V E M E N T S:
SEPTEMBER 27, 2004 - Subway handles finally installed on double cases as well! On all Musafia cases except Ultralights the subway handle is through-bolted with brass and steel components. Up to now, this has required an empty space behind it, namely an accessory box, therefore precluding the possibility of installing the handle on our double cases. Now, a new system of attaching the subway handle allows us to install them on our double cases as well, making the cases that much more practical and easy to carry.
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N E W S - P R E S T I G I O U S C O L L A B O R A T I O N:
AUGUST 2004 - Musafia cases on permanent display - and for sale - at the Cremona Violinmakers' Consortium showroom.
The Consorzio Liutai "A. Stradivari Cremona", which unites the majority of Cremona's "who's who" of violin making, has chosen to highlight Musafia cases at their showroom on Piazza Stradivari no. 1. Visitors can find now not only some of Cremona's finest string instruments for sale, but also a case to take them home with. (photo by Stefano Konya "Il Giovane")
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N E W S - N E W M O D E L S:
JUNE 2004 - New ultralight Musafia cases introduced! After 4 years of production, our Ultraleggero and Luxury Ultralight cases have been redesigned and improved. The biggest breakthrough is the fact that, thanks to our new Continuum High Tensile™ system, our ultralight cases are now made of wood laminate instead of foam plastic while having virtually the same light weight as before. Slightly more compact than our normal cases, the new Ultraleggero III and Luxury Ultralight now offer better finish and greater durability. See individual case pages for more details.
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N E W S - I M P O R T A N T I M P R O V E M E N T:
MAY 20, 2004 - New carrying strap snap hooks. All Musafia Cremona Italy cases are now supplied with carrying straps including new heavy-duty snap hooks. These more costly snap hooks lasted longer in testing compared to the type used up to now.
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N E W S - V E R Y I M P O R T A N T I M P R O V E M E N T:
APRIL 2004 - New manufacturing process makes Musafia cases up to 1 lb. (500g) lighter! We are happy to announce that we have perfected our new plywood lamination technique called Continuum High Tensile™ System and that starting in April 2004 all of our cases (except Studio Series models) will be made this way. This system permits an important reduction in weight while maintaining the same safety characteristics. See individual case pages for more details.
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N E W S - I M P O R T A N T I M P R O V E M E N T:
MARCH 2004 - Better finish of the case cover. Starting in March 2004 all of our cases (except Ultralight and Studio Series models) have a new case cover finish on the edges, which aside from looking much better has shown to last considerably longer in our duration testing.
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N E W S - P R E S T I G I O U S C O L L A B O R A T I O N:
OCTOBER 2003 - Famed fashion stylist Roberta di Camerino commissions a Musafia case. The Venetian fashion designer, famous for her handbags and leatherware, commissioned a leather Musafia case made to her color specifications.
Interior is in red silk velvet, while literally everything else is blue: from the bow holders to the case cover. Softest glove-quality leather is used for the cover, frame covering, and handles.
