Short Neck Lightweight Case/gig bag

[Geoff B]

Hello all!

I am finishing up a flat-top, short neck mandolin and am looking for a good lightweight case for festivaling. The dimensions are on par with the shorter neck teen's A's (with the 12 fret neck join).

I'd like more protection than just a gig bag, so sturdy foam, but neck dimensions than can accommodate the shorter neck. I was thinking a travelite, but based on some pictures I've seen, there isn't much room to accommodate the shorter neck (about 1.5" shorter than an F-5 neck).

I was going to try the Access gig bag (not sure of its protectiveness), was considering a travelite (concerned about fit), then I've seen other travelite-esque cases out there, but figured I should ask folks who may already know.

Of course, if there are threads out there already, please point me because i could only find one!

Thanks!
Geoff

[Geoff B]

I guess the question is hard to see in there...

Anyone know a good soft-case (sturdier than a gig bag, lighter than a hard case) for a teens A-style mandolin with the shorter neck?

thanks in advance...

[jramsey]

Hey Geoff, take a look at this thread.

[Geoff B]

Thanks... neighbor!
... great pickin' by the way!

[jramsey]

Thanks for the complement, Geoff! Love to come by and try a mandolin or two if you have any in the shop. I'll shoot you a pm next time I'm down that way.

[Steevarino]

Hi Geoff,

I was about to point you to that link, but I see that Jordan already sent you there. As sort of an update, I have found myself liking the Access Stage 1 and Stage 3 gig bags. Not really gig bags, more of a blend between a gig bag and a case. I think they offer a lot more protection than a soft gig bag does. The sides are kind of hard, not nearly as big and puffy as a Travelite, somewhere in-between. My Traveler mandolins fit nicely inside either of these cases. I also use the Boulder/Alpine gig bags, as some people appreciate the fact that they take up a little less room, overall.

If you just need one case, let me know, as I have all three of the above-mentioned ones in stock at the moment.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Just another follow-up note on that Traveller case thread Geoff -- if you are tempted to get the Pro-Tec case pictured in the thread, please note that it is not a light-case, coming in at over 6 lbs, and does not have D-rings for back-pack straps. However, it is an excellent case that should fit your instrument, and it offers tons of storage. (If you are interested, Kennely Keys Music had several in stock last month.)

[Chris Keth]

Nice stradolin kind of thing you have going with that one, Geoff. Is that for you or a commission?

[Geoff B]

Thanks everyone!

Jordan: I'm in the process of getting a new shop, should be visitor ready around mid-May. You'd be welcome anytime.

Steve: thanks for the info. I was gonna order a couple Access bags along with another order I have with my building class. I was hoping you'd chime in, thanks.

Jim: interesting about the heavy-light case with no shoulder straps??? I actually was thinking about that one, but it doesn't look like it fits the needs. Thanks!

PanaDP: Thanks! This started as a sweep-the-floor experiment, ended up as a commission, so the case is for the new owner. It's getting finished right now, so once it's done I was gonna do a thread on it with pics, sound and everything. Keep an eye out.

[Chris Keth]

PanaDP: Thanks! This started as a sweep-the-floor experiment, ended up as a commission, so the case is for the new owner. It's getting finished right now, so once it's done I was gonna do a thread on it with pics, sound and everything. Keep an eye out.

Looking forward to seeing and hearing it. A nice little flattop like that is something I may be interested in sometime in the future when I have had more playing time and know what I want better.