What is your absolute favorite F style mandolin CASE?

[Tom Sanderson]

I've got the hots for the Collins case as well. If I get a bonus this year, and if the taxman doesn't take it all, I may just spring for one.

I have one and I love it .

[T.D.Nydn]

You can't go wrong with the awesome Northfield " Airloom" case...

[Mark Wilson]

If your looking for function over fashion, get yourself a Hiscox.

Yep. Great design for daily use. Nothing fancy about the outside - just a neat "you can stand on it" case for $219 via amazon.


I have a Calton for travel but since it only accommodates mandolin and a couple picks, I prefer to use the Hiscox around town.

For just looks and about same money as Hiscox I like that TKL

[Stephen Cagle]

I've owner many different cases over the years. 3 of them were calton's. sold all 3 and wished I hadn't. All were good but my calton's were my favorite for sure. My last calton was brown exterior and green interior and sold around last Christmas. (I'd take it back if the person wanted to sell it back to me) I will say that my TKL shaped and rectangle cases we also great as well. Superior fiberglass cases was a couple of my favorites too.

[HoGo]

I personally prefer Travelite case for carrying around but If I had to buy hardshell case and not spend fortune on CF or GF cases I'd go with case supplied by Prucha:
http://en.pruchabanjos.cz/part.php?part=mandolin-cases
Actually I have one of these in the shop (though older version with less padding but the same outer shell) and it is MUCH sturdier than Gator or Hiscox cases' ABS shells. Probably because of its rounded shape. The handle and latches are high quality and rubber seal is safe to instrument.
They are made by Schuster cases in the Czech Republic but the maker doesn't seem to communicate in english and is reachable prety much only via phone. My friend called him few days back and he can do custom fit interior if you supply measurements/drawings.
The Prucha version should fit Gibson clones very well.

[doc holiday]

My favourite case was this light carbon fibre case that was the original Hoffee.. I recently replaced it with one of Bill Collings vintage-inspired cases. The Hoffee is now home to John R's Loar.

[Ryk Loske]

I bought a used ... but you couldn't tell it ..... Calton Rectangular case made back in the days of Al & Trudy Williams. Small Dog cover came with it. The storage space is wonderful and the case is everything you'd want for protection ... plus my mando gets to sleep in a bed that a Loar used to have.

Ryk

[JFDilmando]

A lot of the choice here is centered around how you treat your mandolin when traveling. Are you going to let it out of your sight, are you going to let it out of your hands, are you going to give it to someone else to handle for a period of time, are you going to put it in a case and set it somewhere that you don't have responsibility for it.... All these things will dictate how bombproof a case you need, or would like.
I have seen several Loars traveling all over the world in a Travelite case, with no issues whatsoever. However, these Loars are in the hands of owners that do not let them out of their hands, let alone their sight. Ok, maybe they go into the overhead compartment, but then you watch that no one slams a carry on up there without looking. I have never felt that the Travelite was not up to the task.... I own a Hoffee, and a Calton, and still go back to the Travelite.... but like I say, you have to be aware of what you are doing, and how you treat your mandolin....
My thoughts are.... if you aren't willing to care for it... don't take it anywhere

[JeffD]

My thoughts are.... if you aren't willing to care for it... don't take it anywhere

There it is.

And if you aren't going to be taking care, no case will help you.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Mee - Look here :- https://www.elderly.com/accessories/...ase-113356.htm $195 US !,
Ivan

[MarkELynch]

Mee--I have a spare TKL rectangular hardcase with red velour lining if you can use it. Please check your private messages.

Mark

[dschonbrun]

Rather than name a specific case, I'll name the qualities I look for:

Hardcase, but Lightweight
Thermal protection
Reasonably air tight (humidity control)
Padding that fits my instrument w. Tone guard
Extended Neck and headstock support
Room between tuners and case exterior
Room for humidifier
Space for an iPad
Available case cover
Available backpack option

The cases I considered were:
Calton
Hoffee
Hiscox
Airloom

[Paul Statman]

Rather than name a specific case, I'll name the qualities I look for:

Hardcase, but lightweight
Thermal protection
Reasonably air tight (humidity control)
Padding that fits my instrument w. Tone guard
Extended Neck and headstock support
Room between tuners and case interior

Room for humidifier
Space for an iPad
Available case cover
Available backpack option

Good one! I'm with you on all but the last four requirements.
I seem to have all that plus D rings and a shoulder strap) for my Brentrup PML, which now lives in a (modified) sun-reflective white Golden Gate fiberglass case very similar to the gorgeous *Hoffee now housing JR's Loar.
*That sexy case would be my favorite now!

[ColoradoMando]

Hoffee for me.

[mcgroup53]

I've owned Hoffees, Caltons, Prices and more. I've come back to the simple pleasures of a Gator hard foam case. It's light, compact, inconspicuous (No STEAL ME!!! sign on it) and it has ample storage space for charts and sheet music. Cheap too. If Mike Marshall can carry his Loar in a rigid foam case, that works for me, too, and my little Kimble A5

[AlanN]

Mark Leaf.

[sgarrity]

My Caltons have served me well for almost 10 years. The F5 lives in an older gator covered GWW at home for easy access.

[JeffD]

Rather than name a specific case, I'll name the qualities I look for:

Hardcase, but Lightweight
Thermal protection
Reasonably air tight (humidity control)
Padding that fits my instrument w. Tone guard
Extended Neck and headstock support
Room between tuners and case exterior
Room for humidifier
Space for an iPad
Available case cover
Available backpack option

Seriously, check out the Reunion Blues Continental case. It has most of that. It is not a hard case but it provides better protection than many. And its very very light. No financial interest at all, just my enthusiasm for a case that solves a lot of problems for me.

[Rick Crenshaw]

Can't get them anymore, but I use my old Superior Case Co. Supercase more than my Calton or my Travelite. It's not QUITE as heavy as the Calton, but much more protective than the Travelite and has lots of storage space in the pocket and zippered pouch plus room in the neck well built into the body of the case. My iPad, extra picks, strings, winders, tuners, business cards, banjo finger picks, capos for the banjo or guitar, etc. It's my gigging case. I had a pristine one I was saving for when this old dog wore out, but it's still going strong and so I sold the pristine one a few years ago in a declutter move. I regret it, but I wouldn't be using it so I hope whoever bought it here is enjoying it.

Pic on post #18 of this thread: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...t-kind-of-case

[mee]

anybody try this case?
https://www.elderly.com/accessories/...case-96039.htm

[Phil Goodson]

I find rectangular cases too bulky for me.
I have a Hoffee that I really like, but, for every day and not needing crash protection, I really like the Presto fiberglass cases that Paul Duff packs his stuff in. Fairly light, very sturdy, although likely not up to Calton level protection.

I think John hit the nail on the head in post # 33.

[mee]

A lot of the choice here is centered around how you treat your mandolin when traveling. Are you going to let it out of your sight, are you going to let it out of your hands, are you going to give it to someone else to handle for a period of time, are you going to put it in a case and set it somewhere that you don't have responsibility for it.... All these things will dictate how bombproof a case you need, or would like.
I have seen several Loars traveling all over the world in a Travelite case, with no issues whatsoever. However, these Loars are in the hands of owners that do not let them out of their hands, let alone their sight. Ok, maybe they go into the overhead compartment, but then you watch that no one slams a carry on up there without looking. I have never felt that the Travelite was not up to the task.... I own a Hoffee, and a Calton, and still go back to the Travelite.... but like I say, you have to be aware of what you are doing, and how you treat your mandolin....
My thoughts are.... if you aren't willing to care for it... don't take it anywhere

My mando is carried by me only. It does not go to the back of the van with the rest of the instruments and equipment. It travels at my feet and out of the way of everyone else. At our gigs it rests in the case in plain sight of me when not in use, right beside me or in my lap if children or careless people are present.

[f5loar]

Hard to beat that classic look of those old Mark Leaf cases in the big size. Sure they are heavy but you expect heavy to give the best protection. And then there is that "cool" factor. Like those old photos of JD Crowe and the New South (when Skaggs & Rice were in the band) come out of their bus at a Festival with all them carrying Leaf cases. I like the Price case too. Superb quality. Go light, go Hoffee.

[Ivan Kelsall]

At the risk of stating the screamingly obvious - the safety of our mandolins ultimately depends on us !. As long as a case is strong enough to protect the mandolin inside from light impacts & the ingress of moisture,that's all that's needed IMHO - for me !.

I would never allow my mandolin in any case,except maybe a Mark Leaf case,to be placed in an aircraft baggage hold. To have that done,you have to consign it to the tender mercy's of others = NO WAY !!. If i couldn't take it on board an aircraft,it doesn't fly. Under all other circumstances,my mandolins stay with me,either in my hand or close to me. The one salient factor for me is 'bulk'. The least bulky of my own,is my Gator ABS case in which i've housed my Weber "Fern" safely for over 2 years. Next up is my all time favourite case,my Travelite. A tad larger than the Gator,but also lighter. My TKL rect, case is the heaviest,but it's still easy enough to carry & not as bulky as say,a 'Hiscox' case. As a non-driver who uses UK public transport,'bulk,is important - or 'lack of bulk' i should say. The Hiscox cases are fine,i used to have one,but a bit too large for my use,
Ivan

[mee]

Well after actually seeing an oblong/rectangular case I think I will rule that out. I never thought about how large and bulky they would be. That would make it difficult to travel at my feet and I don't want it getting tossed to the back of the van with the big boys.