Bowlback cases

[Martin Jonas]

I've been looking at cases for bowlbacks on the web, as I'm about to receive a vintage Neapolitan mandolin with no original case. The only one I can find in the UK is this (http://www.newcastlemusic.co.uk/common/moreinfo.asp?ID=477) one. No measurements are given. Has anybody had experiences with using such generic bowlback cases, and in particular with whether they are generously sized enough to fit most bowlbacks, including old ones?

Martin

[Eugene]

I'm not experienced with that specific incarnation of case, but it is as likely as not copiously oversized. It looks similar to some of the cases Suzuki used to use, and Suzuki mandolins were considerably larger than the bulk of the last generation of Neapolitan and American mandolins. Good cases that fit well remain problematic. Harptone used to make a fine case at just over $100. Harptone was bought out by TKL and their bowlback case went the way of the bowlback, roughly the same course followed by our reptilian friends of the Cretaceous. I have commissioned a piece from a Brazilian luthier. He uses a custom case builder to fit his odd-shaped commissions. I believe I may be able to commission a hardshell mandolin case from the case maker for under $100. I'll elaborate as the story unfolds.

[Rob Anderson]

Hi Guys,
I make custom hardshell instrument cases and would be willing to do bowlbacks specifically for your instruments. They are finger-jointed, birch ply boxes, wrapped and lined with your choice of materials. I can't compete with those Harptone prices though, my cases cost $50-60 in materials before I begin working.I specialize in lacquered fabric coverings with a real vintage look. Feel free to contact me by mail or phone.
Thanks, Rob Anderson-Dunamis Designs 920-989-1396

[vkioulaphides]

I keep my Ceccherini in a case strikingly similar to the one Martin posted; of course, I need a sizable scarf, folded under the butt of the instrument, to keep it from swimming around— a rough-and-ready solution, no doubt, but one that works to everyone's satisfaction. (Well, I have never inquired how the scarf feels about this arrangement #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif )

Still, Rob's offer is tempting, as we are all at least likely to acquire more bowlbacks than bowlback-cases. I, for one, would love to see images of the first prototypes to eventually come out of Mr. Anderson's workshop.

All best,

Victor

[grsnovi]

I purchased a VERY NICE hard shell case for my vintage Style 4 Vega from LARK IN THE MORNING back in February. I belive that Jim ended up getting one too although it didn't fit his as well as it fit mine. I posted pictures.

[Rob Anderson]

Hello,
I'll try to attach some images to this post. Hope it works. Here's an A style mando case with burgundy fur lining. Don't get too excited about the fabric, I can't find it anymore!
Rob Anderson-Dunamis Designs

[Eugene]

Very attractive, Rob. So, what would you charge for a finished bowlback case?

[Rob Anderson]

Hello,
Anyone may contact me directly at dunamisdesign316@go.com.
I think I recall something in the rules about not posting prices, also this wasn't my post initially so I'd rather not clutter up the forum.
However, I can't resist posting a pic of a hot off the press double F-style...
Thanks,Rob

[Jim Garber]

Martin,
That case looks exactly like the one that Gary and I got from Lark in the Morning (http://larkinthemorning.com/product.asp?pn=CSE032). It is a Korean case and worth the price. I recall there being a photo on their site but there is not one now. Or maybe I saw a pic of Gary's.

My Vega has a lot of room at the bottom of the case but does not seem to move around. My Pandini will not fit in it but I think it is because of the angle of the neck and the "crook" in the headstock.

I had been looking for a hard case for my Pandini. The two cheaper options I found were over $200.

BTW, Martin, the other option if you want the ultimate custom case is Kingham (http://www.kingham.co.uk/). They are in the UK but a case for my Pandini would run me about $400 with shipping. Daniel Larson uses them for his instruments.

Jim

[grsnovi]

I'm sorry, I never looked at the link Martin posted - yes - that is the same case. My Vega fits well side to side and as Jim notes there is room top to bottom, but the neck is held firm and the instrument doesn't flop around. Depending on the size of yours, you may be fine. Rough measurements would be approx. 68.5cm long x 22cm wide inside x 17cm deep in the deepest part by the bowl back and about 5cm up by the headstock. If the conversion I just did is using a good exchange rate the 47 GBP is pretty steep, I paid 60 USD

[Martin Jonas]

Jim, Gary, Victor,

Thanks for the feedback. Gary, when you're living in the UK you get used to this feeling of rage when comparing US to UK prices for the same item. In this instance it's actually not too bad -- frequently the UK price is the same figure as the US price, but in pounds instead of dollars. For a bulky item like this, there is no choice but to order locally as any saving woul be eaten up by the freight.

I'll measure the Ceccherini against the dimensions Gary has posted, but given Victor's experience with his, presumably like-sized, Ceccherini I don't think there'll be a problem. As an aside, exactly the same case is also available online from Hobgoblin UK at much the same price; I've posted the other link just because it's not as easy to post direct links to an item in the Hobgoblin catalogue.

Rob -- your cases look great, but I think are a bit more of a Rolls Royce option than I need right now. I'd be interested to hear/see the result, though, if one of the other bowlback owners want to try it.

Martin

[grsnovi]

Martin - Let me know if you need more detailed dimensions for certain areas of the case. When I ordered mine I was considering a TKL custom case for $250 (just because the Style 4 Vega deserved a better case than what it had been living in since the "clown boot" dry-rotted away). Lark in the Morning told me I could return it if it didn't fit (paying shipping both ways and I suspect a re-stocking fee). I was very pleased with the quality of the case and the fit. The case is lined with a nice thick plush, so when I measured quickly last night, I don't remember if I measured "pressed into" the plush or just eye-balled it.

[vkioulaphides]

My question to Rob would be: Would you intend your hypothetical bowlback-case to be box-like or contoured to the shape of the instrument? In the case of bowlback mandolins, with their greater depth, this is quite a crucial issue.

The problem I foresee is this: Supply may be difficult (and costly) if you intend the former; on the other hand, demand may be slight if you intend the latter. In one case (no pun intended with the material product), you would have to spend many, many labor hours contouring the materials that will constitute the outer shell of your product; in the other one, I see no defensible reason to lug around a bulky, suitcase-like case for such an, after all, small instrument.

Remember those Anvil® Cases? Their manufacturer claimed that you could drop them and their contents from the 6th floor of your average building without any damage to the contents (assuming they were packaged snugly and could withstand the jolt and whiplash of the impact.) I, for one, cannot see carrying a 45 lb. shipping-trunk with a bowlback in it.

[Rob Anderson]

Hello,
All my cases are rectangular.No contours or trapazoidals.While this design is larger than it needs to be, this extra size enables me to put a huge accessory pocket on the inside, thus turning the size into an advantage. Regarding weight, these are not flight cases, like the Anvils, and weigh nowhere near 45lbs.The weight would be only slightly heavier than your average hardshell, rectangular F or A syle mando case. My F-style cases weigh 8lbs, 12oz. A double F weighs 12 lbs.
Thanks, Rob

[levin4now]

I always thought a 'tater bug mandolin was carried in an appropriate case such as this one attached.

[Jim Garber]

Bob A:
Any relation to the potato grower Lawrence? Maybe you need one of these sacks?

Jim

[Martin Jonas]

To avoid moulding or trapezoids, there is always this (http://www.bristolauctionrooms.com/mickleburgh/lots/54.html) rather, err, angular approach... When closed, this case must look rather like a giant mallet.

Martin

[vkioulaphides]

Hmm... I wouldn't try to get that past a security check-point on my next international flight. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Jim Garber]

In the continuing search...

Someone (maybe Eugene) posted a site in Japan that had pictured a few different hardshell bowlback cases. Anyone have that link?

Jim

[Martin Jonas]

No help on Jim's question, but now that the thread has been resurrected, I thought I'd mention that I have now bought the bowlback case I mentioned in my original post. It fits the Ceccherini just fine, with some place to spare around the bowl. I keep an anti-slip mat in there, to provide padding when I'm not playing and to put on my lap when I am playing.

Martin

[Jim Garber]

In the process of searching for something else, I cam across this case maker Pierre Rousseau (http://pierre.fab.free.fr/cases.html). These look amazing, almost space-age, tho very pricey, prob close to or perhaps more than Kingham.

I emailed him to get a sense of what he would charge for a bowlback case, but I imagine it would be in the vicinity of 350 euros.

Jim

[grsnovi]

Instead of being called a "clown boot" those would have to be called: "robot boots"...