Leather Gig Bag

[Kayakboy]

Hi there. I am new to this world of fine instruments, but my family has been in custom leatherwork for 70 years. I recently bought a Johnson MA-100 and am in the process of making a bag for it. This is the most ambutius bag I have made, so am going to keep it simple, no liner. The only way I could imagine to close it is with a zipper. I hate the idea of having metal or even plastic around where my instrument goes in. Has anybody seen or have any ideas of a wiser way to close the bag. A flap is a possiblity but keeping with the curvature of the mandolin leads to several complications. Thank you for your time. Ty

[GnomeGrown]

could try a series of buttons......either eith button holes or loops...

industrial velcro?

likely not as secure.

I HATE working with zippers.....no fun

[pathfinder]

Welcome to the board Kayakboy, and congrats on getting your Johnson MA-100 (a nice "A" style mando BTW). With a background in leather, a homemade gigbag would be a nice personalized accessory.

Many "A" style owners go with a padded/unpadded nylon gigbag and don't have any complaints about the zipper. Some even use tennis racquet cases. #

Your only real alternative is velcro, but if your dimensions are OK, why worry about a zipper? #Do you have any photos?

[Jim M.]

Most soft cases I've seen have some soft fabric or foam between the zipper and the interior of the case. This acts to protect the instrument from rubbing on the zipper.

[Chris Burt]

Have you seen the old leather cases that hinge at the widest part of the lower bouts? The instrument slides into the case, peghead first, until only the lower bouts protrude. The bottom end of the case hinges (strap leather hinges) and closes with buckles that are attached to leather straps. There are several approaches to how much of the lower end of the case hinges. These old cases are pretty cool. I've always wanted similar ones for my instruments.

[jaydee]

Every gig bag I've seen worth using did include a flap to protect the instrument from the zipper and to keep weather out. It may be a hassle, but I think it would be worth the effort. I'd love to see a post with a picture of your new bag when it's all done.

[Bob DeVellis]

Would it be possible to stitch or glue cotton flannel to the individual leather panels before stitching them together? Then, the contact surface would be the flanel. This is less abrasive and the instrument would slide in and out more easily.

[jim simpson]

It sounds like you must have an industrial sewing maching to sew leather. If so, you could sew a thin layer of foam sandwiched between the outer leather and an interior cloth material. I made a gig bag with parapak nylon and did the foam between a soft inner cover. I also included a flap to come between the zipper and the instrument. It's not so hard if you plan your pattern. I wish I had an industrial sewing machine as I was pushing it when I used my wife's machine for the nylon bag. I also made a back pack style cover for a shaped hard case. It was fun for a while but I think I would make the next one a soft sturdy back pack style for weight considerations.
So confess, do you have an industrial sewing machine?

[Kayakboy]

Yup. #We have a Tippmann Areo Stitch. #It is powered by a couple hp(electric) aircompressor. #That thing is a tank (yes,the same Tippmann who make paint-ball guns.) #I didn't think about how easy it will be to add foam and a liner. #I also have an old wet suit that i could harvest the neoprene from..my mom just brought out a bolt of velvet too...I definatly would seperate the zipper some how...Posibly with a full width leather flap, so the zipper was basically on the outside. #The ultimate goal is to engineer a flap that would be able to take the contour of the instrument and fasten with buttons on the front. #Only time will tell, I have a few tricks up my sleeve...I will keep you folks updated, I hope to finish it this weekend:coffee:. #Thanks for all the input. PS. I am not sure what a 'bout' is. I can't quite picture what closes and is straped shut. Is the case more like a sleeve, or does it open like a case? Does it have a frame, or is only leather. I am inticed by the sound of it though. Ty

[jim simpson]

The bout should refer to the lower width of the mandolin (or case if it's a shaped case). The gig bag I made was zippered along one half of the length. Good luck! (I'm jealous about the sewing machine!)

[rsgars]

How about using the same system that some of the higher-end cases use? #Just make a piece of velvet, or other soft material to lay over the instrument before you zip the bag? #Easy on, easy off, but protects from the zipper.

[Bill Snyder]

I also have an old wet suit that i could harvest the neoprene from..
I don't know if neoprene would be finish safe. Some of the man made rubbers and vinyl have plasticizers in them that will soften some/most of the finishes used on instruments.

[Kayakboy]

Good Call, I plan on lining them with velvet anyway. That stuff is pretty thick, I doubt any would come through. The only way it could harm is if the vapors were costic to the mando. Maby I will just use foam. Ty