Yes, another case question!

[shiloh]

Hi all
Not another case question!

I have a Travelite which I love, but for reasons of space constraints (don't ask) I need the absolute smallest case, yet still providing very good protection. The Travelite is good protection but bulkier than a shaped case.

I would really appreciate the opinions out there. A shaped TKL? The Calton cases still look a little too big, yet I've never actually tried one....

As always, thanks in advance.

Jill
San Diego

[ab4usa]

Jill,

FWIW, I have been using a shaped TKL for the last three years. IT travels once or twice a week in my car. It's flown as carry on as well. I've never had a problem. That said, I'm seriously looking at a Calton for my to be built F5.

[shiloh]

Any idea, dimension-wise, of the Calton vs. the TKL? Anyone have both at home that they could compare and let me know? (Length, width, depth?) I am assuming the Calton is dimensionally larger. But maybe not. At some point down the road I'd like to buy a Calton anyway, primarily for flying with it.

Was looking at the Canadian (aka TKL?) shaped tweed for F model on Elderly as a thought for now. Seems about as small as one can get?

Thx.
Jill

[kyblue]

I've had a Calton and a Pegasus. The Pegasus seems smaller to me, yet with more storage and more room for the headstock, and easier to carry.

You'd want to find a used one though, due to the exchange rate of the GBP to the $, unless $ is no object (or you're across the pond.) :-)

Paula

[shiloh]

Thanks, Paula. I've heard great things about the Pegasus, too. I'll check that out as well.

Hard to find a good used case.

Jill

[Frank Russell]

My favorite sturdy case is still my Weber F case. Mine is more heat and damage resistant than any TKL-style shaped case, takes up less space than a Travelite (still my favorite overall), and has good latches. It's a tank weight-wise though, which is something to consider when carrying for a long while. Frank

[Dale Ludewig]

I have both Calton and Pegasus. If flying, I take the Peg. It's smaller, and sexier. On the other hand, I really like the Caltons also. If you are after a Pegasus, I would also recommend trying to find a used one. Good luck!

[Greg H.]

Jill,

I have both the Calton and the TKL, and the Calton is significantly larger than the TKL. I'm not home now so I can't give actual dimensions but the Calton is probably half again deeper as well as being a bit longer and wider than a shaped TKL. That said, the TKL is NOT!!! a flight case (which is why it costs $70 and the Calton $450).

[shiloh]

Thanks, Greg. You might have made up my mind for me.... I'll buy both! #
Actually, though, needing a smaller case (for space reasons) would mean that I probably would not be flying with it. If I am flying, I'd rather have the Calton/Pegasus (if I buy one).
Still curious about the actual dimensions. I'll go measure the actual space/area where I'll keep the mando, then figure out if a Calton or Pegasus would work.
BTW, is the "Canadian" case which is sold by Elderly the same as a TKL? The interior seems quiet plush on the TKL, which I prefer.
Jill

[Yellowmandolin]

Jill, the Canadian cases do look very very similar to TLK cases... #I don't have any experiance with their mando cases but do know that their ban*o and guitar cases are execelent.

[warren]

the smallest cases are the old gibson cases, they look Too small but are perfect, and unless your dropping your mando theres easily as much protection as the TKLs. They crop up from time to time on this board.

[Mike Bunting]

Does anyone know if the Pegasus cases will fit a Collings MF5 with a Soundgard on it. Thanks

[Potosimando]

I have a Calton, a Pegasus A, an Eastman A, and couple of TKL-type A's. #The Pegasus A is significantly smaller than all the others (I just lined them up side-by-side). #Not only that, the Pegasus is without question much stronger and more protective than all but the Calton. #And...the Pegasus feels so good to carry around (it's light, and the case's contour fits the human back very well), especially in comparison to the heavy, large Calton...then there is that cool/sexy look of the Pegasus mentioned above. #Problems with Pegasus are cost and availabilty--there was a Pegasus A in the classifieds a couple days ago (still there?). #

Second choice for you, giving maximum priority to size, with protectiveness a second priority, would be the Eastman A (more protective and smaller than the TKL types...and it has that cool/sexy look and feel of the Pegasus--feels pretty good to carry compared to the others, along the lines of the Pegasus)--availability with the Eastman A is a problem in that the A-style Eastman is no longer made, as I understand it. Used Eastmans run about $100 (new Pegasus are...a lot more).

[mangorockfish]

I've never seen one "live" (I do have one on the way), but the Golden Gate Vintage looks quite small to me.

[Jedclampit]

the Eastman fiberglass shaped case was the smallest thing I have ever used or seen. It's not much larger than my Reunion blues gig bag, and wasn't a whole lot heavier. Snug safe fit for an f5 style mando.. No room for anything extra, however. Downside, the gasket loosened up causing a latch to open at odd times.

[Jedclampit]

Jill, just noticed you're in SD. Too bad, the Eastman case doesn't live here any more...But I do..Where do you play?
Tom

[shiloh]

Hi Tom
I'm in North County (Rancho Bernardo). Where art thou?

Thanks everyone for all the info. The Eastman cases, from what I've seen online, don't seem to have much padding or cushion? Hmmm. Would be nice to see all the options together!

Jill

[Greg H.]

Jill,

I finally got around to measuring the two, and the difference between the Calton and the TKL isn't as significant as I thought. The Calton is 29 1/2" long, 12" wide (at its widest point), and 5 1/4" deep. The TKL is 29" long, 13 1/4" wide (so it's actually wider than the Calton), and 3 3/4" deep. Hope that helps.

[Dale Ludewig]

Mike, I don't know specifically about the Collings but I carry an F5 (usually) with a Toneguard on it in my Pegasus.

[b.pat]

OK on size alone I'll throw in another vote for the Eastman case. I just don't see [ short of shrink-wraping ]how you could get a tighter fit.

[Potosimando]

In a case-dropping contest I'd be scared to death to have my mandolin inside an Eastman case (even more so in a case-stomping contest). #But an Eastman case clearly is more protective than any TKL type case I've seen.

If a person was to go on the competitive case-abusing circuit, then a Calton would be the safest bet, despite it being large, heavy and uncomfortable to haul around.

If you were out to impress the young women who follow the the case abusers from competition to competition, then a Pegasus surely would be the ticket, inasmuch as a Pegasus would be easy to carry, would have great sex appeal, and would hold its own in the various case-abuse contests. #

Seriously, the Eastman is a big compromise on safety, but appears to be head-and-shoulders ahead of equally priced and lesser-priced cases in terms of protectiveness and appearance. #I recommend you hold out (or advertise) for an Eastman A, as they are smaller than the Eastman F (unless you are enclosing an F mando, of course, in which case just go get an Eastman F--an Eastman A does not accommodate an F instrument). #If you have extra cash, then go with the Pegasus in that it is a little smaller than the Eastman, a little sexier, stratospherically better materials and hardware, and tons more protective. #I'm ruling out the Calton for you, only because you said you are looking for the smallest good case you can find.

Too bad that size is so important to you, because your Travelite sure is a good case--I wish they made a white Travelite mando case.

[shiloh]

HI Guys,
Hey, I'm really thrilled to have these replies. Greg, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to measure all the cases. That really helps a lot. I'll go measure the small storage space and figure it out.
It is great to have the pics from b.pat, too!

I love the case dropping contest idea! Maybe someone should try that! Hmm. So the Eastman isn't as strong as I thought, but maybe more protective than the TKL?

I'll reconsider the Calton, too, based upon Greg's measurements.
So many cases, so little time!

Blessings, and thanks! It's fun to figure this stuff out! Now, anyone have a Pegasus F for sale?

Jill
San Diego

[Ted Eschliman]

Another vote for the Eastman case, and I wouldn't underestimate the durability. I've had two for nearly a year, and they've done pretty well:

http://www.jazzmando.com/images/EstmnCase.jpg

[Larry S Sherman]

I like my Eastman case. It's so light I can't tell if my mando is in there without visually checking. It comes with a shoulder strap too.

I have a TKL that I don't use, and a travelite for my Terris F-5. I do feel safer with the Travelite. I could probably throw the Travelite off the roof without disturbing the mando inside.

I wouldn't be as carefree with the Eastman..but I haven't had any issues at all with it. It's a nice looking case.

Larry

[Dale Ludewig]

A couple years ago at IBMA, and I believe it was Gordon that told me this, that (at that time at least) in no way was one to expect an Eastman case to be a flight case. They are a great case for the money, but they (at that time at least... am I repeating myself?) are in not the same class of strength of a Calton, a Pegasus, or such. They are still a great looking case and I'm sure quite protective under normal circumstances.

[shiloh]

Larry,
Great looking mandolin!

Okay, so, if you wanted protection such as "protection from the elements" in a rather damp (not rainy, but near the water's edge) type of environment, does an Eastman have a good enough seal? Would I be better to try a TKL with maybe a small dog case cover, or now am I getting back into the dimensions of a Calton? Maybe I should just do the Calton and make the space situation work.... I keep my cello in a hard case, and closed all the time, for protection from heat, humidity, etc). This is basically the same goal I have for the mando case. But not for checking it on an airline....


Jill

[Larry S Sherman]

Thanks..I'm enjoying the new Draleon Royale!

I think that the rubber gasket on the Eastman case should seal the case against water. I've had the case with me for a short time in light rain without an issue. I'll try to post a pic of the seal.

Disclaimer...I'm not at all comparing this to a Calton, Pegasus, Price, or any other high-quality flight cases. I wouldn't stand on this case, and wouldn't check it at an airport.

But for small it would be hard to beat the Eastman.

Larry

[Larry S Sherman]

The inside of the seal...

[JEStanek]

If you're holding out for an Eastman A style fiberglass case you need to get it used or one of the last production ones. #The A style isn't being made anymore to my knowledge. #I use the F style yellow one for my Weber.

With the mando on top of the case there's not much wasted space (esp. if this was an F style mando)

Mine fits quite snugly around the body and both of the closest to nut tuners touch the padding on the side. I've not dropped mine yet nor do I intend to. With an A-style there is room for extra strings under the headstock and some picks in a soft baggie in the scroll area. My strap isn't a problem as it is thin and can go to the headstock or scroll area.

Jamie

[shiloh]

HI Jamie,
I do have an F, for which I am looking for the "small, climate-controlled, well sealed" case.

Larry, thanks for the detailed photos of the case seal. So do you suppose the case keeps the mando somewhat "climate controlled?" I guess for the price of the Eastman I could give it a go. Sounds like the Pegasus would be a good choice, but if they are almost impossible to come by, that won't help much.

Jill