Case saved the mandolin

**Keith Newell** · Jun-30-2012, 5:37pm

I had someone ship me a mandolin and when it arrived I was very worried. UPS delivered it and it looked like someone had wedged it in something then hit it so it bent the whole box. I took pictures of the box before I opened it and then of the case after I got it out. It is a Travelite F style oblong case and it has a pemanent crease in the case to the point it is bent at about 10 degrees right around where the 3rd fret is on the intrument. I unzipped it and was so scared to see the damage and was very surprised to find absolutely none. I always said that if I had to throw an instrument off my roof I would choose the Travelite and now I'm really convinced.
Keith

**citeog** · Jun-30-2012, 5:53pm

A happy ending. I like that. AND I like the testimonial for the case. I'll have to remember that.

Paul

**Charles E.** · Jun-30-2012, 6:05pm

Photo's please. Glad everything worked out.

**Cheryl Watson** · Jun-30-2012, 6:51pm

The hinges are of poor quality but overall, the Travelite is great protection. I own two and love them. I would prefer a case with latches vs a zipper and velcro, but they are so light and protective. I have a Colorado case cover over one of them to give more heat and moisture protection. Thanks so much for sharing your story and I am glad your mandolin was protected.

**billkilpatrick** · Jul-01-2012, 5:09am

(wince!) ... (whew!) ... photos, please

**Ivan Kelsall** · Jul-01-2012, 7:49am

I totally agree Cheryl. A Travelite with a well fitting lid & latches would be a 'good thing'. I still have a Travelite case,but choose not to use it on a regular basis,because in spite of stripping out the material behind the zipper which was jamming it up,the zipper itself is still a bit 'iffy' - but they are a VERY good case in all other respects,
Ivan

**Marty Henrickson** · Jul-01-2012, 8:38am

I haven't had any problems with the zipper on my travelite, I wouldn't mind having one for my mandola. Glad to hear the OP's mando was safe, and I'd love to see photos, as well.

**Cheryl Watson** · Jul-01-2012, 8:42am

I have an older Travelite and the hinge screws pulled out of the foam so I simply removed them and used it with only the zipper and velcro secures. I think I read on the MC that this is common. The zipper works quite well on that particular case. I use TriFlow on the zipper once a year.

I'll have to see how everything holds up on my new Travelite case. The zipper was very stiff and Triflow made it work a lot smoother.

**Marty Henrickson** · Jul-01-2012, 8:47am

Cheryl, is the Colorado case cover that you mentioned the same as they list for the Calton oblong case? I was searching their site earlier, after reading your previous post, and couldn't find one that was specifically for the Travelite, but the Calton looked close.