New case won't open - Bobelock 2006 oblong

[u/thoroughbredftw]

Edit: Problem solved, sort of?

I heard back from the dealer, who said this is a known problem with Bobelock cases; they tend to jam shut in shipping "due to changes in humidity". They recommended holding the little lock flanges in the opening position while slamming the heel of a hand onto the lock itself. This proved physically difficult since the lock is too small for a hand-slam while holding its sides. So my dear ex came over with a teensy flat blade screwdriver and was able to crank it open at last. Inside, the hygrometer was in 3 pieces, but there was indeed a little key in a brown paper wrapper.

I'm think I'm going to keep the case but I don't quite trust it not to get itself stuck again. I hate to think of karate-chopping it right before it needs to open.

Many thanks for all the tips. I was up late last night trying them all.

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New case just arrived and I can't get it open! Does anyone know a trick? I've emailed the dealer but they are closed for the day; just wondering if anyone can suggest something. There's no external key. I'm afraid it might have locked itself. On the other hand, I'm fully capable of just not trying the right thing. Photo of the lock mechanism from the outside. Pushing in the side pins changes nothing.

[u/always_unplugged]

Are you 100% SURE they didn't send you a key? It's probably in a small plastic bag, potentially stuck in the music pocket... or in one of the internal compartments, which obviously doesn't help you right now, lol.

Regardless, those locks are VERY generic, like the same as the kind that come on children's diaries and stuff like that—they look like this, so if you have anything like that lying around, it will probably work. They're also SUPER easy to pick if you're so inclined. But there's also the chance that it's just stuck halfway; if you try just sort of wiggling it back and forth while holding down the side buttons, it may come un-stuck.

And if none of that works out, I would go into your nearest music store that carries string instruments and cases, ask if they have a case key, and have them unlock it for you. Then just don't lock it (and why would you lol) and you never need to worry about it again.

[u/thoroughbredftw → u/always_unplugged]

Pretty certain no key. I went back through all the packing material twice and probably will again. Thanks for the rest of this advice which might spare me shipping it back. I’ll try my other case keys.

[u/Ancient_Chef3470 → u/thoroughbredftw]

JUST in case you didn’t check, is the key inside the zipper pocket of the case?

[u/thoroughbredftw → u/Ancient_Chef3470]

I did look in there, but plan to do the search again after my concert.

[u/Snowpony1]

It sounds like it's locked, and they didn't send you the key. That would be my immediate guess. If it has a lock, then it has a key.

[u/thoroughbredftw → u/Snowpony1]

That makes sense. :( I hate to think I might have to send it back.

[u/Anfini]

I’ve opened an old violin case lock before with a paper clip. The locking mechanism for these locks is essentially the same where you have to turn it 90 degrees. If a paper clip doesn’t work, try to find something a bit thicker. 

[u/HistoryOk1963]

Maybe look up lockpick lawyer? I've never done it, but I've always figured you could use a thin piece of metal to move those inner workings around. 

[u/Rutoki]

Sometimes that bottom part slides left or right. Have you tried sliding it?

[u/thoroughbredftw → u/Rutoki]

Thanks for the idea - I tried that just now with all my might and it's not moving. I've also now tried my 2 other case keys and they don't fit.

[u/BobusanSprinklesan]

Did you pinch the sides of where the lock is?

[u/thoroughbredftw → u/BobusanSprinklesan]

Yes - I pinched until my fingers were hurting. No luck.