agggh, another case question

[mando_dan]

Right off the bat, sorry for posting yet another case question!

Dilemma part I:
My beloved Buckeye F does not fit the case she's shoehorned into. The TKL-type case came with an old Flatiron and fit that instrument perfectly. Unfortunately the geometry of the Buckeye is different enough so that the headstock touches the case on the hinge side; everywhere else is nice and snug. My concern is that one day I'm going to kick/drop/<insert terrible violence toward mandolin here> the case and I'll end up a Monroe-style broken headstock. I'd beat myself up for ages if that happened.

Dilemma part II: The current ill-fitting case has a really nice Small Dog case cover that I'd like to keep if I can.

Dilemma part III: As much as I'd love a carbon fiber or super high end case, that's not an option for me.

All that, does anyone have any advice to offer? I'm up for any and all creative thoughts ranging from 'the current case if fine' to 'build your own case and quit whining.'

Thanks in advance!

[MikeEdgerton]

Do you have any friends in the area that play mandolin? You might see if they will let you try their case to see how it fits. In the meantime and inexpensive alternative to get you through is a Travelight.

[Jimmy Kittle]

I have a Buckeye and have had it in a Calton and a presto and it fit fine (although both were tight with a tone guard), it also fits into an Eastman style case I have as a spare. I am now using a case I purchased from First quality a few years ago. I don't think they have this style case anymore and I really don't remember what the name of it is, but it will fit with my tone guard. I know in many of the superior cases and TKL it is very tight.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Have a good look at a Hiscox case. There's plenty of space around the headstock,
Ivan
Photo. courtesy of almeirastrings (again !)

[mandroid]

Have an empty Prestige case that could use another home, 2 cases , but just 1 F5 to put in them.

[mando_dan]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. Mandroid, want to shoot me a pm?

[EdHanrahan]

If the headstock touches the case where there's foam under the plush fabric (as opposed to directly on wood under the fabric) AND if it's a relatively stiff foam, you may be able to crush the foam away from the headstock, just with good ol' thumb pressure. I did that on a (Travelite-style) Gator case for a '90s Flatiron.

Or maybe shim the side of the neck cradle to keep the headstock clear?

[Darth Twang]

Those "travelite" and similar cases have been around a good while, my favorite was the ones First Quality used to offer (had their logo on it, a built-in hygrometer/thermometer) they are hard to find in their first version of this case, but if you can locate one, you can't go wrong.