View Full Version : Custom Bowl back case
John Bertotti
May-07-2005, 12:05pm
Ok all, well I know they debate about the square cases but I chose to do it anyway. Rob will ship it to me monday. I understand the interior to be tricky with the compound shape of the bowl. I'm sure it will be fine. I will post a pick when it arrives. The only other bit I have for everyone is it weighs in at 8.7 Lbs. I had a few other alterations made in that I asked for a canvas outside and leather straps. Now, I'm going to be impatient all week.
Rob was easy to deal with and we discussed a few other options for getting a good bowl shape to him for future bowback case customers. John
Hey Rob if you have a pic you can post please do. I will next weekend. John
Jim Garber
May-07-2005, 1:09pm
Hi John:
Yes, Rob was very reasonable in price and options. My only thing was I wanted a case that was a little more shaped. However, I do look fwd to see what he came up with and may just go for that at some point.
How did you spec out the bowl dimensions to him? I might set up some sort of mailable cardboard template somehow, to avoid problems.
Jim
John Bertotti
May-07-2005, 1:18pm
I sent three templates. A profile, a end view, and a body shape from the top. I think that ultimately making some form of copy of the bowl shape would be the best. Wrap it in a couple plastic garbage bags and use spray foam or some such thing. Card board templates at several points would be less messy and just as useful. In retrospect maybe that is a better idea. We will see. John
Jim Garber
May-08-2005, 8:10pm
The only other bit I have for everyone is it weighs in at 8.7 Lbs.
I just weighed my Harptone bowlback case and it comes in at slightly more than 6 lbs. My TKL A-style case is about 4 lbs.
There must be some way to find someone to make a hardshell case that is not quite so heavy but still affords the protection. Even a straight lined triangular should shave off a little weight.
Jim
John Bertotti
May-11-2005, 2:57pm
Well I got it and love it. Having never had a hard case before I have no predetermined ideas on what I should have. This case is lighter then any other cases I carry on a daily basis, by 30 to 50 lbs. depending on the case. So at 8 lbs. it is like I'm carrying nothing. Fit is good The only mod I am making is to thin up the straps a little. Here are the pics. John
John Bertotti
May-11-2005, 2:59pm
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John Bertotti
May-11-2005, 3:00pm
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John Bertotti
May-11-2005, 3:01pm
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A handsome case, for sure. Possibly shaving the dimensions toward the trapezoidal might cut the weight somewhat, but make production trickier, with the odd angles and such.
John Bertotti
May-11-2005, 4:36pm
You all don't have to be delicate with your opinions. We've been down the square bowl back case road before. It is a large case, just small to what I'm use to. It's all point of view. John
Jim Garber
May-11-2005, 4:47pm
John:
It looks real nice. Just curious. What are the straps for? Just added security? And the weight is around 8 lbs? Looks like there is plenty of room for accessories too and I like the hygrometer.
Jim
John Bertotti
May-11-2005, 6:00pm
Hey Jim, I asked for the straps because I liked the idea. Like an old trunk. I also asked for the canvas type of material. I don't know why I did that. I want to hear what everyone doesn't like also. Can't improve without knowing both the good and the bad. Thanks John
Jim Garber
May-11-2005, 7:06pm
I like the way it looks and it looks completely solid and well protecting. Rob also , when we last communicated, gave me a completely reasonable price and from everything I have seen, his work looks top notch. For my case I would want something (dare I say it) more shaped, even with rounded corners. I think it stems back to my old days riding the New York City subways where a larger bulkier case would get jostled and banged around in rush hour.
BTW John waht are the actual outside dimensions.
Jim
John Bertotti
May-11-2005, 8:21pm
Jim, the dimensions are, 27 1/4 x 10 7/8 x 8 1/4. This is from the outer most edge of the corner protectors. Maybe a little big to be a carry on on a flight. I understand Rob's aversion to doing a curved case. It would be seriously time consuming. When trying to make a little extra money that is counter productive. I actually have a few thoughts on fitted cases but they would take a lot of work and would be cost prohibitive to sell. Always thinking I'm sure someone will one day come up with a viable alternative. I would suggest that if you do consider one to make card board templates of the instrument. There is a little fitting to do, my tracings of the bowl were close but still less then adequate. John
Jim Garber
May-11-2005, 9:19pm
I found a site that sells lute cases made in Pakistan. Take a look at one.
Since the lute has a rather long peghead the shape of the case would be reversed for a mandolin, i.e. the peghead area would be more shallow than the bowl.
This is obviously a cheap case - only $65. I wouldn't buy one anyway even if they made it for mandolin, but you get the general idea.
Jim