Mark Leaf Cases

[Bradley]

Hello everyone,

I just picked up a Mark Leaf Mandolin case from a guy who had bought it and never used it(literally).This is a hoss of a case with alot of storage space and protection equal to or better than Calton.

Where did these guys go to? Such a nice product to just go out of business...any feedback on the company??

[Scotti Adams]

..story I heard is that Mark Leaf got really sick from breathing the fumes while building these cases..the business was sold and then it quietly vanished....could be rumor. Trade ya a Presto for it http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[kudzugypsy]

i heard someone say they convert into excellent beer coolers. i would like to tell who said this, but lets just say they were a big time calton case dealer.

my take on the mark leaf was they were literally too big. i had one for an old martin, and i bet i did a couple thousand dollars damage to peoples walls, doors, cars, heads, etc....it never failed that you would bump into something carrying those monsters....of course the caltons will do some damage too!

[Bradley]

Mr. Scotti,

I think you and I suffer from CAS as much as MAS.....

I will get that Presto one day... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif


I picked up a Silver Dreadnaught case also if anybody needs one....it was a two-fer-one special http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Scotti Adams]

Ya think??? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Bradley]

Good things come to those who wait....

What color is that Presto on the inside...Green??

I really like the Leaf...it may be a Keeper.

I wanted a Pegasus but that exchange rate really makes them expensive.

[Scotti Adams]

..yes..its the vintage green on the inside and black on the outside...whats the colors on the ML?

[Bradley]

Black Exterior and Gold Interior

[Scotti Adams]

..dont think I have ever seen that color combo...

[El Rey del Mando]

Scotti,I thought that you would never get rid of that presto? Er...how many prestos do you have stashed?....

John

[Scotti Adams]

Scotti,I thought that you would never get rid of that presto? Er...how many prestos do you have stashed?....

# # # # # # # # # John
..just one Presto John..but hey..I bore easy...its a great case...probably will end up keeping it for a while..but you never can tell about me...my..what a good memory you have...guess Im busted... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[El Rey del Mando]

Scotti,I can still retain certin info in my old age.(well not that old,but old)

John

[Scotti Adams]

hell..Ive already forgotten what we were talking about..I had to go back and read http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[El Rey del Mando]

And I thought that I was bad my brother.

John

[Darryl Wolfe]

Mark Leaf mando cases were the rage for a while. #I believe the period was the very early 80's. #They were unquestionably the best at the time. #They were a bit bulky and heavy, but they weighed less than any other "flight case", and they introduced the wedge shape instead of these big stratocaster looking rectangular cases. #They were hard to get, as Mark was a bit cranky and didn't make many.

I had one for quite a while, but acquired an original English Calton some time later. #The ML case would not stow under an airline seat..the Calton would.

Another company acquired the rights to build the Mark Leaf case and continue the name. #They did well for a while, but the case fell out of favor due to the influx of Calton.

[flatthead]

That sounds about right. #Mark Leaf was in Virginia, (maybe Broadway?) and got sick around 1985. #I have one of the last banjo cases from him. #When I got mine, his health was on the decline, and it took about 3 months to get it. #

Later, production started back up in Kansas, but I understand prices were high…. approaching $1000 for a guitar case. #At about that same time Calton came in and started their world domination. #

I've used my banjo case for about 20 years with few problems. #I also have a Calton, but I guess I'm just used to the Leaf. #I have a Calton Mandolin case as well. # #I understand that the Mark Leaf Case company is out of business now. #

One thing about case weight: #I occasionally see that one mandolin case is lighter or heavier than another. #Well, after carrying and playing a banjo for 25 years, I can say that carrying a mandolin is fun compared to carrying a banjo!!

I bet I would make a pretty darn good lookin Quasimoto…..J

Best Regards to all

Jim Rollins