Case for Octofone?

**Brutus1999** · Jun-30-2012, 4:06pm

Now that I found out that my excellent condition Octofone (basically an octave mandolin, 21 +/- inch scale) is worth more than fifty dollars I guess I need a case for it ... other than the fifteen dollar slightly padded electric guitar gig bad I've been using. I'd rather not get a big, heavy wooden thing, but I also don't want to spend a fortune. A Travelite type might be nice...or a sufficiently padded gig bag?, but the thing really is pretty fragile..........ideas?

**allenhopkins** · Jul-01-2012, 11:50am

The gig bag that comes with the Little Martin guitars works well for Octofone. It's very nice and padded, and while the fit's not snug, it's adequate.

My Octo came with a crummy unlined chipboard case advertised as "original." Considering that Regal supposedly sold the instrument for $15 "back in the day," I wasn't expecting a Calton.

I'm actually thinking of using my severely limited carpenter skills to build a "box" case for my Octofone. I've already done this for a National mandolin, my Washburn bowl-back mandola, and a Polk-A-Lay-Lee (don't ask!). As long as no one cares that the corners ain't square and the lid doesn't quite fit, I could at least get a bit more protection. In the meantime, when I'm taking the Octofone out for a spin, I put the Little Martin in a guitar stand at home and borrow the gig bag.

**Eddie Sheehy** · Jul-01-2012, 2:41pm

Rockbag make a really well-padded gig bag that fits OM's...

**Rvl** · Jul-01-2012, 5:40pm

Try out classical guitar or baritone uke or electric guitar or tenor banjo cases or 1/2 and 3/4 size guitar cases
I have all of the above cases

I recommend walking into a store and trying some out

Or make a simple cardboard case for a short time
Cardboard cases are easy and cheap , get some duct tape and strengthen the corners

Thanks

Robert VanLane

**Brutus1999** · Jul-04-2012, 9:29pm

Well, this one looks good:

http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/AGB1-3/4.htm

but then I thought about the Washburn Rover Travel Guitar case -- it seems a little sturdier. Has anyone ever checked that one out for an octave mandolin or specifically the Octofone?

**allenhopkins** · Jul-05-2012, 9:55am

Another option are the gig bags sold with Gold Tone instruments. The one that comes with their Banjola banjo/mandola hybrid fits the Octofone pretty well, and it's thickly padded. You can order cases and gig bags separately from their instruments, through a Gold Tone dealer.