Mandola Flight Case

**Jim Bevan** · Aug-06-2012, 6:41pm

I have two more or less identically-shaped 10-string mandolas, a little bigger than a mandolin, a little smaller than a normal mandola, 29"-long (counting the endpin), 11"-wide.
They were made by Pete Langdell (Rigel Instruments), and both fit snugly (one at a time, of course) in the same (customized) TKL rectangular case.
One is a normal mando (wood body, f-holes, etc), and the other is a resophonic (the resonator parts were made by National Resophonic -- the instrument was a joint project between the two companies).

I'm trying to find a flight case that will accomodate them (one at a time).
Hoffee's mandolin cases are too small (I asked), as are probably everybody's.

I emailed Gary Price today about customizing one of his Combination Fiddle/Mandolin Cases
http://www.fiberglasscase.com/combocas.htm
and haven't heard back form him yet, but before I go down that road, I thought I should ask the good folks here at the Cafe if they have a better idea.

Got a better idea?

**EdSherry** · Aug-06-2012, 6:52pm

I've used Anvil-style electric guitar flight cases for odd-shaped mando family instruments before. You can often find them used in the $100 range. I usually have to customize the interior with new foam.

**pjlama** · Aug-06-2012, 10:46pm

I had Calton make a custom case for an oddly shaped instrument, I just traced the shape and sent it. It fit perfectly but they'd use their dola sized shell. If you don't mind I'd be very interested in pics and specs on your 10 strings. I'm looking at commissioning such a beast in the near future.

**Jim Bevan** · Aug-07-2012, 12:08am

I don't have any pics of the normal one, but here's a thread I started about the resophonic, with pictures:
http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/sh...phonic-Mandola

That Calton mandola case looks like it might be the ticket...

**pjlama** · Aug-07-2012, 12:19am

Yeah, Calton will make it happen, just get a big piece of paper and take lots of measurements. So wWhat's the scale length?

**Jim Bevan** · Aug-07-2012, 12:37am

Um...
15 3/16" from nut-edge to the middle of the bridge.

**mrmando** · Aug-07-2012, 12:41am

Old Towne Pickin' Parlor in Aurora, CO has a secondhand custom Calton mandola case for sale. I think, however, that it's for a 17" mandola and may not fit your Rigels. On the other hand, that would give you a shell and you might be able to modify the interior, or have someone do it for you.

**Jim Bevan** · Aug-07-2012, 12:55am

Thanks Martin, I'll look into it.

(What do you mean by "custom"?)

**Jim Bevan** · Aug-07-2012, 1:22am

Calton makes two mandola cases: a normal one, 30 3/4" ("total length", which I assume means the outside dimension), and a longer one, at 35 1/2".
My longer mando (by a 1/2") is 29", so I'd probably need the longer one anyways -- 7/8" on either end ain't much protection.

I wrote to "Uncle Kit", we'll see how this plays out...

**Chip Booth** · Aug-07-2012, 1:02pm

I tried both of Calton's standard Mandola cases and they don't quite fit my Lawrence Smart 10 string. if I remember correctly it was mainly due to neck width and headstock length, issues likely to be in common with most 10 string designs. PJ, be sure to check him out when making your decision!