Who makes a good case cover?

**J. Mark Lane** · Jan-05-2006, 8:17pm

I recently ordered a double mandolin case from Cedar Creek. #The exterior will be their "Traditional Tweed" (the interior black). #

I want to get a case cover for it, to provide some insulation value, some additional protection, and also some exterior storage pouches and a shoulder strap.

I wrote to Colorado Case, explaining all this, and asked them if they could make a case cover for it in a matching fabric. #The response I received, in total, was:

"Unfortunately, we only work in Cordura for our outside covers."

No, um, "thank you for inquiring," no name, no nothing. #Not to mention that it would have been easy enough for them to say something like "We have a color that is close to that" or something. #(In fact, Cordura is available in many colors, some of which are pretty close --

http://www.americanhomeandhabitat.com/product....100.htm

http://www.americanhomeandhabitat.com/product....050.htm

Check out that Taupe. Whatever.)

So I guess I'm a little miffed at Colorado Case. #I guess they have all the business they need. #

Anyone know of another company that would make a custom case cover for me?

Mark

**G. Fisher** · Jan-05-2006, 8:22pm

Try Small Dog covers.

**Avi Ziv** · Jan-05-2006, 8:28pm

Mark - I have a #Small Dog cover that includes a zipper, is lines with thick fleece-like material, has sturdy zippers and a nice carrying strap. I've very happy with it. Not a stitch our of palce after about 5 years of dragging it around. I think they do custom work too. You may want to give them a call.

Avi

**J. Mark Lane** · Jan-05-2006, 8:30pm

Thanks, guys. I just checked out their website, and it says that you can order custom covers in any color you like, so long as it is black (Henry Ford approach). Hm. Not good. I don't have to have an exact match, but black seems like a dumb color for a case cover....

**Avi Ziv** · Jan-05-2006, 8:35pm

So let your daughter decorate it for you.

Really - who says that you can't modify an item that you bought

Avi

**J. Mark Lane** · Jan-05-2006, 8:38pm

Yeah, I guess it would look good dressed up as Cindarella.

**Jim M.** · Jan-05-2006, 8:40pm

You might try Blue Heron:
Blue Heron

I had a gigbag of theirs that was very nice. I know they do custom work, they have more standard colors, and I've always heard good things about them, so they're probably worth a call.

**man doh** · Jan-06-2006, 5:37am

Originally Posted by (J. Mark Lane @ Jan. 05 2006, 21:17)

I wrote to Colorado Case, explaining all this, and asked them if they could make a case cover for it in a matching fabric. #The response I received, in total, was:

Mark not to doubt you, but your question was decieving. You asked for a "matching fabric" not a matching color. Tweed is a weave of fabric as well as a color.

**J. Mark Lane** · Jan-06-2006, 5:39am

Hmm. I didn't know that, Daryl. Maybe I am being to harsh on them. Perhaps I'll try to clarify with them that I really meant a matching color. Thanks.

**CHPorter** · Jan-06-2006, 8:31pm

Mark, I have the fitted Small Dog case for the Calton I have for my Pomeroy F4. It's very well made, but is definitely black. and some grey, now that I think about it. I agree about the color choice and thus tend to use the Calton alone when it's hot out. (The Calton is one of Elderly's speckled white 'granite' looks, w/blue interior. I assume that helps reflect some heat away from the instrument)

Then during cold weather I tuck that baby into the nice black fleece-lined Small Dog case cover and imagine I'm keeping the mando nice and warm...

Best,

Craig

**WJF** · Jan-06-2006, 8:43pm

Hi Mark ... FWIW, if you call them I'll bet that your experience will be greatly improved and you'll get the cover you're looking for in the color you want. I recently ordered a cover for my calton from them. I wanted a color other than silver and had several questions regarding insulation, etc. The guy I spoke with there was gracious and very helpful. I placed my order and had my cover sooner than the lead time he'd quoted me. In short, a very positive experience. Why not give 'em a call?

No financial interest here ... just a happy customer! Hope this helps!

**J. Mark Lane** · Jan-09-2006, 5:23pm

Just a follow-up.

After Daryl's comment, I went back and emailed them again, indicating that perhaps there was a misunderstanding. I didn't necessarily have to have a matching fabric, just a matching color. I even indicated that a range of colors would be fine, just something that worked.

I got back a smarmy email, saying "No, I didn't misunderstand," and advising me that I can have any color I want, so long as it is one of the 8 colors shown on their website. Again, the email is not signed with anyone's name, and makes no positive suggestions or indications whatsoever.

You know, I just prefer not to do business with people who can't even show the tiniest bit of enthusiasm and respect for a potential customer.

The folks at Cedar Creek were nice enough to suggest that I should check out local upholsterers, which I will do. Cedar Creek, by the way, was a real pleasure to do business with. Very responsive and helpful.

**Mandobar** · Jan-09-2006, 5:46pm

colorado case has changed hands recently (within the last year).

**J. Mark Lane** · Jan-09-2006, 8:44pm

Thanks for that info, Mary. That would explain a lot. I can't imagine Barbara Liebler conducting business like this. So much for Colorado Case....

**jim_n_virginia** · Jan-10-2006, 5:36am

Mark find a custom seamstress in your area to make your cover. I am having custom covers made for my digital work station and various pieces of equipment.

An experienced seamtress who does custom sewing and who owns a heavy sewing machine would be able to make you anything you want as long as you give them the measurements and maybe a picture of what you want it to look like. You could them have it made it anything you want even tweed if thats what you want.

**WJF** · Jan-10-2006, 8:40am

Hi Mark ... I'm scratching my head trying to figure out why our two experiences with the folks at Co Case are so different. The only thing I can come up with is that maybe they just aren't great at composing e-mails. Listen, I realize that they now have two strikes against them with your two efforts in getting a decent dialog going and if you never want to hear about them again that would be completely understandable. But ... if you're feeling charitable and feel like giving them another chance (potential strike three) I'd suggest calling them ... Local 970-226-1048 Toll Free 800-340-0809.

I don't mean to nag you on this but my experience was a very positive one. Perhaps if you call you might get the level of attention and courtesy that you're looking for ... and a pretty nice case cover too.

Again, no financial interest here at all .... just trying to help.

WJF

PS ... If you do call, I would definitely bring up the lousy way you've been dealt with via e-mail. If I were a business owner, I'd sure want to know so I could correct the situation.

**Danny Packer** · Jan-10-2006, 10:49am

For custom work,try an awning place,or a person who builds outdoor gear. Your local REI, if you have one, can probably turn you on to whomever does their repair work.

Danny

ps -- I had a good experience with Colorado Case,but it was several years back.

**Paul Kotapish** · Jan-10-2006, 2:46pm

I'd recommend getting a custom case cover made by Betty Vornbrock in Hillville, Virginia.

http://www.reedisland.com/RIR/wallpix/Autumn~1.pdf

I had her make a case cover for an A-style case about 15 years ago, and it's still as good as new. It's made a lot of trips to cold climates in the wintertime--Alaska, Russia, Canada--and provided plenty of extra protection. Betty offers insulated and noninsulated versions and a lot of different options. At the time I ordered mine, she could arrange for pretty much any color one wanted, although she has a stock of basic Cordura colors. I'm sure she'll consider a custom color choice. She also offers some nice quilting and artwork details to customize the case.

I know a lot of folks with her case covers and gig bags--mostly in the old-time scene--and they all love 'em.

As a side note, she's a great old-time fiddler, too, and has recorded with the legendary J.P. Fraley and others, placed at Fiddler's Grove, etc.

Good luck.

**Jim Garber** · Jan-10-2006, 3:04pm

I was just going to mention Betty V. as well and it is good that she still does this. She made me a beautiful cor for my mandola. I still have it and it fits perfectly and looks great.

Jim

**J. Mark Lane** · Jan-10-2006, 3:21pm

Thanks, Paul! That's exactly the kind of information I was hoping to come across here. I just emailed her.

FYI, I sent an email to Small Dog, as well, asking if they would make a custom case cover for a double mandolin case. They wrote back a very nice and helpful response, indicating that they would be happy to do it, that it could be in any color I want. They even provided some dates when they will be out of town, a list of information needed to place the order, and a price. They invited me to come in to their shop (in Boston, where I frequently visit), as I had indicated I might drop the case off for measurements. Nice people. I may go with that, or with the Autumn Wind group.

Thanks, folks.

Oh, and WJF -- thanks, I do understand that some people are just not good at email. But that's no excuse for a retailer that does business largely via the Internet. Rude is rude. I'm done with them.

**JD Cowles** · Jan-10-2006, 3:40pm

Too bad about Colorado Case. I once drove up there and bought a case from Barbara. She used to farm out some of the work to local seamstresses to do at home. Too bad the new owner can't keep up the same level of service.

J Mark- I too have a Blue Heron (gig bag) and it's bomber. Really well built and more thickly padded than my old CO Case. I'm sure their case covers are as well constructed.

Jeff

**J. Mark Lane** · Jan-10-2006, 4:12pm

Thanks, Jeff. I will check with them.

In the meantime, things don't look so good for Autumn Wind -- the email bounced, address no good.

**J. Mark Lane** · Jan-10-2006, 4:32pm

Cancel that last point. I just called Betty Vornbrock of Autumn Wind. Very nice woman. Her email address has recently changed -- for those who want it, the new email is autwind@earthlink.com.

She was very helpful. She said that she had tried to get the traditional tweed fabric a few years ago, because of a demand for covers for old Fender amps, and it was impossible to get at the time. We discussed having a look to see if some can be found now, and I will speak with Cedar Creek to see if they can supply something useable.

However, she was concerned about waterproofing, and we discussed options in Cordura (she has a variety of colors). It sounds like the cases she makes, which have an internal radiant barrier (and various options) are quite nice. She was very happy with my suggestion to have Cedar Creek ship the case directly to her (both companies in Virginia), and she will custom make the cover for the case and ship it all to me.

Problem solved! Thanks for all your help, folks. I'll follow up when it all arrives!