Case covers and rain

[shiloh]

Hi everyone,
I'm moving to a rainy climate for a few years. Believe me, this will be quite the change!
I'd like to get a case cover. I will probably be using my Eastman case (small, fiberglass, F-shaped). I own a Travelite too but, mostly, just assume I'll be using the Eastman.
Any advice? I have a Small Dog on my A case but obviously it won't fit on the F case. Really, what I need is a "raincoat" for the case.
What are your thoughts and experiences?

Thanks,
Jill
(almost "formerly of" San Diego)

[mandroid]

I , now, have #a Pegasus Case, it's matching gasket surfaces of rubber mean the instrument is dry inside when i ride my bicycle down to the weekly jam , in full rain gear.
Calton seems good too, though its shape isnt as curved and comfy on the side against my back,

a #welded seam PVC fabric roll top waterproof day pack from REI did a good job carrying the 20s A in original case inside, for a decade and counting..

sewn cordura covers on wooden cases, for hauling gear in from the car, should be ok.
the plush liner would absorb some moisture, #I think, so best to dry the cover off the case when practical.

Rained most of last week , looks like, after a break of a couple days,
its got the same theme #for this week, . . .
... watering the trees on the Oregon Coast.

[JAK]

For years I've used a plastic garbage can liner, which is waterproof. It doesn't look very good, but the price is right. Mind you, this is just used to transport an instrument to and from a car for a gig, so it isn't meant to be left outside in the rain for any period of time.

[mangorockfish]

There have been threads saying that a double tennis racket case will fit a smaller type F-style case. Take your case to a sports store and check it out.

[EdSherry]

It really depends on how waterproof you want to be, and how durable. #Trash bags are cheap and waterproof enough, but not durable. #

I echo the suggestion of a tennis racket cover if you find one that fits (I got mine secondhand at a thrift store). The price is certainly better than a custom cover.

My fiberglass Eastman is good enough to keep a moderate rain off going from my car to a gig, but I wouldn't want to ride for miles in the rain with it strapped to my back on a bike.

In my experience, Small Dog or Colorado Case Cover covers are great, but you have to decide if you want to spend the $. # Also, in my experience they need additional treatment (e.g., ScotchGard or similar) in order to be "waterproof."

[shiloh]

Hey EdSherry
Have you tried a Colorado Case Cover? I agree that a trash bag is okay for a once-in-awhile thing, but I'm assuming I'll be in and out of the rain more than I'd like (moving to San Francisco) so I'd rather have something a little more durable.

Thanks,
Jill

[mandroid]

Something like cordura fabric in the colorado case shell could benefit from seam sealant on all the stitching. it is a single coating of Polyureathane on the inside of the fabric which will stay for a while.
rarely see storms of such heavy weather when I lived in SF, myself. never snows .
expensive area to live in.

[AlanN]

The Small Dog, seems to me, is better in rain than a Colorado.

[EdSherry]

Jill -- I live in Berkeley, just across the Bay from SF.

I've used the Eastman fiberglass case all by itself for several years without problems. #The seal is adequate to keep the rain off, and the fiberglass is far more water-repellant than other case materials (Tolex, tweed, Cordura).

I have a Colorado Case cover that I bought from them this summer at a local bluegrass festival (a "second" designed for a Pegasus case, so it doesn't fit the Eastman perfectly, but good enough to add some protection, and 1/3 the price of a new one). #It works fine for me. #I echo the suggestion to seal the seams.

I don't go out with instruments in the driving rain, or if I do, I'm carrying an umbrella.

I haven't seen the Small Dog cover up close enough to know if it would be better than the Colorado Case cover. #Anyone with first-hand experience with both?

[shiloh]

Hi EdSherry,
Thanks for the info. Nice to hear you like your Colorado cover with your Eastman case. I'll be living in Alameda (moving sometime in December) so I'm already planning on going to the Thursday jams at the 5th String in Berkeley!

I really like my Small Dog cover on my A mandolin - but not sure if that isn't a bit overkill. The whole idea is just to keep the mandolin dry. Hmmm.

Do you ever go to the 5th String?

Jill

[EdSherry]

Jill -- Welcome to the neighborhood.

I used to go to the 5th String jams regularly, but stopped going a while back. Nowadays I primarily play Celtic music at the Starry Plough on Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley on Sunday and Monday nights. Come on down!

In Alameda, check out McGrath's Pub. Some good bluegrass and Irish jams.

[mythicfish]

Case
Case cover
What's next? ... as if I didn't know.

Curt

[shiloh]

Hey EdSherry
Did I tell you I play in a Scottish band here in San Diego? Usually the Octave (a Davy Stuart) or the bodhran. I still go to rehearsals but since I'm moving I don't play in the gigs. So, my Octave playing has gotten pretty rusty. I'll look for you at the Celtic jams when I get to the Bay. Thanks for the tips. I've heard of most of these places already.
One other thing, I'll need a place to "store" my Octave, my guitars (2) and my cello when I move to Alameda. Any thoughts on where or how I can do that? Obviously a storage unit won't work.

Jill

[EdSherry]

Jill -- Look up the SF Scottish Fiddlers when you get up here (led by Alastair Fraiser). #I have a number of friends who play with them.

On "storage," I don't know what to recommend other than (a) your new house/apartment or (b) a storage area of some sort. #(I know people who rent rehearsal space and leave their instruments there, but I doubt that's what you're considering.) #The only other alternative I can think of is having someone else store them, which of course raises the question "who?" #[Unfortunately, my MAS (etc.) is out of control and I don't have any more room.]

[shiloh]

EdSherry
Yes, actually I might be interested in renting "rehearsal space" and keeping my instruments there. Do you have any more information on that? We are going to be living aboard our sailboat so that is why I have "space" concerns, mandolin case-cover concerns, etc.

I have been to Alasdair's Fiddle camps before (he did one down here). That is when I was playing the fiddle (prior to my shoulder injury - hence I ultimately gave up the fiddle). And that is actually what led me to the mandolin.

Jill

[EdSherry]

Jill -- I have some musician friends who live aboard boats in Alameda. I don't know of good rental rehearsal space near Alameda, but I'm sure that it's available. I see ads frequently for rehearsal space in Oakland. I'd suggest you look into it when you get here; not something you can readily check out long-distance.

[shiloh]

Hi EdSherry
If it's not inappropriate I would appreciate meeting some other folks - your friends - that live on their boats, too. I could use some "instrument care" advice for boat-living!

Thanks
Jill

[EdSherry]

Jill -- I'll be happy to introduce you when you get up here.

[JAK]

Jill, if you don't already know about Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto (an hour or less south of San Francisco), you should give them a call about rain and cases. The 5th String in Berkeley is a good store, but Gryphon is a larger store that may have more options. If you visit Gryphon in person beware, MAS is rampant! Acoustic music is alive and well in the SF Bay area. Also, check-out Murphy's Irish Pub in Sonoma (an hour or less north of S.F.), where there is a variety of music every Thursday through Sunday night. A number of Bay area music groups play there. You can see their monthly calendar on line (just punch in "Murphy's Irish Pub Sonoma California"). Hope your move is a good one!

[EdSherry]

John -- I agree that Gryphon is a fine store (I've been shopping there since 1970), and its staff is first rate (Frank Ford is DA MAN!).

[shiloh]

HI guys,
Yes, I've already been to Gryphon and I don't even live there yet! In fact, I went to a dobro workshop there when I was visiting. I took my husband one day, too (he works in Mountain View) and I was laughing at his reaction to the prices on some of their older Martin guitars. He was actually counting the zeros in the price!
They do have great instruments and lots of books and teaching materials. I look forward to going back there and trying out more instruments.

Thanks for all the tips,
Jill

[lornajoy]

I just wanted to chime in on the praises of Gryphon Strings in Palo Alto. My hubbie and I go there every so often just to get into trouble. We have a lovely hammered dulcimer that we bought there. It's also a terrific place to get books about musical instruments--they have an amazing selection of "history of...." whatever acoustic fretted instrument floats your boat. Then there are all the method books and DVDs.

They are really, really fine people.

It's absolutely worth the drive, no matter where you are coming from.

--Lorna

[mandroid]

Having aquired a Fiberglass eastman , rubber gasket works well on it, too
About as well as the heavyer Presto, Cal and Peg
, a case cover more of a scratch protection as rain wont get in when case is shut
and Eastman has 3 D rings to clip backpack straps onto it..

"Not to be Used as Personal Flotation"

[evanreilly]

A couple of suggestions for moisture-proofing case-covers. 'Scotch-Gard' is a water repellent. 'Seam Sealer 3' from Kenyon will seal the seams of any fabric cover. I've used both products and they work well.

[Michael Gowell]

I heartily recommend Small Dog case covers. I use them all the time - more for insulation and shock protection than for rain. The sheepskin-like lining is an extra level of shock & temp insulator and the cordura (or whatever) exterior is tough and very water repellent. Has a nice big zippered pocket on the outside, too. At around $100 (somewhat less for a shaped mando case, a bit more for a dreadnaught guitar) they are good insurance.

[AlanN]

Vintage thread.

When I had a square Superior case for my Flatiron (good case, btw), I oufitted it with a blue canvas cover. No insulation, no lining, just a form-fitting, durable cover with a rugged zipper and one snap flap to close under the handle. This was before Small Dog/Colorado popularity. Have not seen one since, but it did the job.

[Chunky But Funky]

If you read from their website here (http://smalldogcasecovers.com/index.html): Small Dog and Colorado Case are one in the same. They merged several years back, if I remember correctly. I have covers for one of my guitars and both of my Collings mando cases. I really like them for thermal protection, tolex protection and protection from rain / snow. I will get another for my other guitar case soon!

Doug

[cocaseco]

As of May 2007, Colorado Case Company merged with Small Dog. Both case cover lines are manufactured in the same Colorado facility. In a nut shell, the Colorado Case brand is aimed at players who are touring and on the road extensively, or have very speacial instruments that they want to protect in any way possible. The Small Dog line is more on an entry level product designed for a player who doesnt travel as much, but still wants some protection. You can call us at any time (800-340-0809) and we will help you decide which one is best for you based on how you intend to use the cover and what issues are most important to you.

Steve
www.coloradocase.com (http://www.coloradocase.com)