Cases

[Mando Medic]

Well we have talked about a few cases of cases over the years, but I have yet to see a string about just the different types of mandolin cases there are and the average retail prices they go for. I think it's time we compiled a string on just cases. We can go back afterwards and rate them if you wish.
Before we just throw out the word Calton or TKL, remember, there are many different models of those cases so let's build a discussion with models if we can. Who's first?
Kenc

[JeffS]

Ooh, and I was going to start a thread. I've been eyeballing the Canadian cases that Elderly sells. Specifiaclly this one,

http://elderly.com/images/accessories/138N/MCEV-AT_case-open.jpg

"shaped wooden shell, arched lid, plush padded interior, vinyl tweed covering."

Are they pretty good? I love the look of it. I don't care about water or air tight like the Caltons. Besides, I'd like a case in the next couple of weeks. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Michael Lewis]

Saga is now delivering shaped vintage style cases that look very good. They are plywood, not fiberglass.

[Gail Hester]

Thanks Ken, this is a great idea for a thread.

Hey, I bought a tweed, “A” style TKL case like that recently for my 1919 Gibson and I love it. #It’s well built, strong but fairly light and fits the teens Gibson A-style like a glove. #Not a Calton but only cost about $70.00.

Speaking of Calton I’ll start out with the obvious. #Here’s my Calton Delux F-style mandolin case. #It’s hard to imagine a better case IMHO and I love it. #It’s very sturdy and I suspect darn near water-proof, nice leather handle, great latches, has plenty of storage and is surprisingly light. #I don’t have a problem with room in the headstock scroll area as mine barely touches the fur and the neck slot holds the mando very securely. #I paid about $390 new.

-Chuck

[Bradley]

I just bought a GWW case .I must say that it is as good as any case that I have ever had.Very Sturdy.plenty of room and good hardware.The GWW people do have a website as well

[Jim Garber]

I also got one of the GWW cases. It is very well made. My only beef is that it is very heavy for its size.

Jim

[Scotti Adams]

..Isnt the GWW group the company that makes the Master Model case for Gibson....pretty sure it is...thats a fine lookin case Bradley.....Bobelocks are a good case also...plenty of storage and classy looking...may not be bullet proof...but I dont need that....I aint in no gang or nothin http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Russ Jordan]

I also recently got the GWW case pictured above. #Does anyone know what the suggested retail price might be on those? #It is heavy, looks great, has plenty of storage space, and there is no movement of the mandolin inside the case.

GWW also manufactures the cases used by Weber. #I had a shaped F case that was very nice, though the fit permitted some movement--I wasn't using it for a Weber mandolin, however.

[Russ Jordan]

Can someone comment on the cases used by Rigel? I understand they can be used by a variety of mandolins. I'm considering one for an A5 mandolin. Looks to be a good case for $100, though I haven't seen one in person.

[Tim Saxton]

I just purchased the GWW case mentioned above. According to the shop keeper that I spoke with the company closed it's doors. That seems strange to me. And he also said that they made cases for Weber. Some of the old stock he bought had their logo on it.

I got mine for $65.00 delivered

Here is a link for one on ebay of a different style.
These can be baught for 60 plus freight. If you call.

GWW CASE (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=10179&item=3740492852&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)

Tim

[Russ Jordan]

Are you sure he meant GWW was closing their doors? I was told those cases were built for the Tennessee Case Company, which went out of business before they got started.

[Scotti Adams]

..Ok..I want one of those cases pictured above...I find the other style shown on ebay.....where can I find one? or would one of you guys wanna trade me out of my Bobelock/...

[mandorado]

The Modern Supercase is a very nice case. You can purchase them from FQMS, or Modern ... Or you can buy a new Pomeroy mandolin (This is the case Don ships with his mandolins now).
Here are some shots of the Supercase. (Sorry, I couldn't figure out how to load them onto the page with my .mac account)
Modern Supercase Photos (http://homepage.mac.com/jjmcmullen/PhotoAlbum17.html)

[jmkatcher]

I have the fitted Weber case and the Rigel case so I can comment on both.

The F-shaped Weber case is a snug fit on my Gallatin (with an armrest installed) and is very solid. I especially like the arched top and its contribution to this feel. The instrument seems very safe in there. The latches (three of them) are pretty good, and one locks.

The oblong Rigel case is a TKL and looks good, but it doesn't convey strength to me i.e. it creaks when the cat walks on it. Fit is OK, but it seems like there's a slight degree of slippage. Hardware is quite solid, but there's no lock and only two latches. I love my G-110 dearly and have a Calton on order for it.

http://www.gwwcases.com/carycase.htm

[Bradley]

I bought the GWW from Ebay last week, and there was 2 of them .Shortly after I bought the first one the second one disappeared....I believe the seller sold it offline to a buyer.

I have more pictures should someone want to get a quote on it from GWW.

[Tim Saxton]

I more than likley did not understand the seller. They maybe did not go out of business. That was what I thought I got from him.

Tim

[ethanopia]

That CWW does look really cool, very much like a MM case. Tempting is that a Brown leather handle? on the one pictured above...

[Rob Anderson]

Hello,
I'm Rob Anderson and I make custom cases for mandos, steel guitars, etc. Anything smaller than a guitar.
Here's a shot of an F-style in burgundy lizardskin with a black crushed velvet interior and vintage catches. It's not sold yet! Single mandos $200, doubles $250. Add $25 for lacquered fabric. My web site is close to completion and in the meantime here is a link to photos of some of my creations.
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dunamisdesigns317/my_photos
Thanks,
Rob Anderson-Dunamis Designs 920-989-1396

[jim simpson]

Rob,
Nice case! I enjoyed looking at your photo link. The Boogie amp looks cool. I also enjoyed seeing the double mando case. I just put a deposit in the mail to you today for my order.
Jim

[evanreilly]

Here is an 'Anvil' style road case a friend built for me.

[evanreilly]

Rolfe Gerhardt is also using a custom case from GWW for his Phoenix mandolins. I wrote to the company and had a case cover made up for my case.

[Scotti Adams]

..so...nobody with one of them GWW cases willing to trade me even up for my Bobelock...yep...I see how ya are http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[evanreilly]

According to their website, GWW also makes cases for Rigel.
I didn't see anything resembling a MM style case, tho...

[Bradley]

Going back at least 6-8 months there was a thread about "being able to purchase a Master Case" in which we found out that the MM case was being built by GWW.The only problem was they were manufacturing the case only for Gibson and were under contract to keep it that way.

That Rob Anderson makes a fine looking case at a good price.
Looks like theres enought storage for strings,tuner,micropohone and a bologna sandwich http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Great craftsmanship Rob!!

[Jim Garber]

Here are cases from days long gone. At one time the high end case for bowlback mandolins. One player termed them clownshoe cases.

Jim

[Jim Garber]

Here is another, a coffin case from an 1888 catalog.

Jim

[Ted Eschliman]

My Levy's (Cheetah print) plush Gig Bag.
Pretty easy to spot from a distance, & complete with backpack straps. Very handy for short distances.

[Scotti Adams]

Going back at least 6-8 months there was a thread about "being able to purchase a Master Case" in which we found out that the MM case was being built by GWW.The only problem was they were manufacturing the case only for Gibson and were under contract to keep it that way.
..Yep...when I was looking for this style of case I contacted the GWW Co. The lady I was talking to via email told me they would make me a Master Model style case...no problem...I think I even posted her reply here somewhere. Well once the Gibson folk read about it it was canned..somebody must have gotten their wires crossed or something. Now Pearl..the case you got is Brown and the interior is not quite the MM style so maybe that is why these style cases are out there and obtainable.

[Russ Jordan]

Pearl says:

"I bought the GWW from Ebay last week, and there was 2 of them .Shortly after I bought the first one the second one disappeared....I believe the seller sold it offline to a buyer."

That would have been me. Pearl outbid me at the end, and I immediately called the seller to see if they had any more. They sold me a case at the same price as Pearl's winning bid.

I just put the case with mandolin on my bathrooms scales--16 pounds. How does that compare with Bobelock and Calton?

[fatt-dad]

I have my Flatiron in a cast built by Superior. Real nice case, but I have not seen any reference to these in the catalogs or at the Cafe. It seems to look like the Loar-style case, but having never seen a Loar or a Gibson Master Model, I am going fromo photos.

I also purchased an Everest case (shaped f-style) case on ebay, which I use for my Aria Pro II. It is a real nice case too. Most of my other cases are original to the instruments, so they are Harptone and TKLs, excluding the chipboard cases that came with some of the original Japanese mandolins. I was researching Harptone and they were bought out by TKL (Oilville, Virginia), I understand that the molds from Harptone will be (have been) relocated to Virginia and TKL, may be able to custom make the Harptone line at some point. I reference this as Flatiron used Harptone cases at some point in their production (maybe other manufacturers too).

f-d

[Scotti Adams]

F-D..here are a couple of pics of a Loar style case for your reference...

[Scotti Adams]

the inside...I just acquired this puppy recently..

[Bradley]

[QUOTE]Now Pearl..the case you got is Brown and the interior is not quite the MM style so maybe that is why these style cases are out there and obtainable.

Yes, but you can see the same construction style between the new MM case and definetly can tell they are made by the same people.The store said that they were "old stock" so whatever that means.Back in the mid-late 80's the Kentucky mandolins had a master model style case with the km1500's that was very similar too except it was black.

As far as weight,It is definetly heavier than the Bobelock and probably heavier than a Calton or very close

I was wandering who got that 2nd case...I was actually gonna trt to get it since it was 4-5 days behind on the bid cycle.The early bird still gets the worm Huh

Happy Pickin http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[fatt-dad]

Scotti,

Thanks for the photos. My Superior case (that holds my A5-1 Flatiron) is modeled after the Loar-style case. Is your puppy a Gibson Fern? Looks beautiful!

f-d

[Scotti Adams]

..No F-D..its a (dare i say it) BRW...made by Ben Wilcox of Ostrander, Ohio...this one is #6..he building me #40 now.

[fatt-dad]

Ah, so you must have been one of the active members in the "thinking of a BRW". I will work on taking a photo of my Superior case (along with my mandolin). It appears to be a real high quality case. I just don't hear of them very often.

fatt-dad

[Scotti Adams]

..A buddy of mine has a Superior case that housed his Taggert mando...fines cases indeed...they are no longer made of that style..

[fatt-dad]

So, then what is known about Everest Cases? While it is a shaped f-style case (housing my Aria Pro II, F-5 clone), it too seems to be a good quality case. I recall it being made in America, but not too sure right now.

f-d

[BigMons23]

I got the last GWW Aligator case. The one that had some very small blemishes on it. It seems like a very tight fitting case. However, the latches are horrible. I can lift up on the top and make one of them come off. I can't quite open with out unlatching it but very close. They dont snap closed when you shut the latch. I guess I will get a quick lesson in how to install latches on a case soon.

As for the quality of it otherwise it is very nice. It seems very sturdy and heavy.

Tim Saxton

[Bradley]

My latches work fine....

I will say that in time the sring loaded latches will shall we say "lose their spring" which scares me.I too will probably take the time to replace them in the future...I have never done any latch work, are the fasteners a rivet style thing or can they be removed with dykes or something like that??

I actually have an A-style soft case. Its not a gig bag the material is thick and the inner material is that of a hardshell. The brand is well known but im not sure i remember the name. I do know they have it on www.elderly.com though.

[peterbc]

Are there any recangular cases without open side areas, to the right and left of the neck? I'd like to have more room to carry things but would rather not have everything flying around! I have a shaped F case (tweed, canadian I think?) that I like quite a bit but I can't quite fit everything I need (minidisc with small mic, tuner, extra strings, small notebook, picks).

[Scotti Adams]

Bobelock cases are very nice....contact Russ Jordan...hes a member here...you can find his name just up above...

[Jim M.]

Here's a Bobelock mando/fiddle case:

Very nice, and I got it from finecases.com for a very good price.

[Scotti Adams]

..now thats snazzy...I really like my Bobelock...it really all I could want in a case..

[eightstrings]

I'm looking into that Bobelock mando/fiddle case. It looks nice. How is it holding up?

Brett http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Scotti Adams]

although mine isnt a mando/fiddle combo its just a mando it is holding up really well...no problems what so ever..

[Jim M.]

The Bobelock is holding up great. I have a single fiddle Bobelock too. They are very nice cases. Not as protective as a Calton/Pegasus, but they have as much protection as you need outside of an airline luggage compartment. And, of course, they cost a lot less.

[mcashion]

Does anyone know where to get a reasonably priced mando/fiddle case? I'm getting tired of dragging two cases around all the time.

[jim simpson]

Marie,
Contact Rob Anderson at # dunamisdesigns316@go.com # # He is currently making me a double mando case. He can make any combo that you would like and his prices are good! # Rob will make sure he understands what you want and can send samples of case materials, tracings, etc.
Jim

[mandopete]

Good thread, thanks Ken. Two questions:

1) I have seen double mandolin cases, where can one find these? I would like to find on to hold an F-Style and an A-Style.

2) Who makes the tweed, rectangular mandolin cases, those are really cool!

[Rob Anderson]

I make real tweed, lacquered, rectangular cases. These are tweed fabric and not the look alike tolex that you see quite often. Give me a call.
Rob Anderson-Dunamis Designs 920-989-1396

[pickinNgrinnin]

My Travelite Case:
Here's the description:
Travelite cases are made of modern, space-age, poly-expanded material. This provides the ideal combination for strength and light weight. The rigid foam structure insulates as it protects. Travelite cases are covered with a thinly padded 600-denier black ballistic nylon, which provides excellent protection against the elements. (2) removable backpack straps allow you to carry your mandolin with greater ease. Travelite cases are easy to carry around to festivals, yet protective enough for airline travel.

* Precision engineered instrument cavity
* Full suspension on top and bottom
* Wood reinforcement all around
* Arched top construction
* Roomy interior compartment
* Plush velour interior
* Nylon exterior zipper
* Flexible padded handle
* Latch with key
* Feet for horizontal or vertical placement

[pickinNgrinnin]

Here's an inside shot:

Very light case. Quite sturdy too. Yes, it's an import http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif