Case for small Martin Tenor Guitar needed - ideas?

[scgc.om]

This time last year, I went downtown to buy a new computer and came home with an instrument instead - shows where my priorities lie, eh?!!

Now I want a better case than my tenor came in (Original, pressed cardboard) . Trouble is, it's a really small and odd size: 1927 5-17T. The 5 designated the smallest guitar size Martin ever made - Lower bout 11.25 "; upper bout 8.125"; waist 7"; depth 4"; body length 16"; overall length 33".

I tried a hardshell Baby Taylor - quite a good fit EXCEPT the neck heel of my Martin wouldn't clear the case padding - the Baby T has a bolt-on neck and the void this creates means the dedicated thermoplastic case for a Baby T has padding where my Martin needs space to accommodate the neck heel.

I'm wondering if a baritone uke case might fit - anyone know the dimensions of one? Or, anyone know of another travel/parlor guitar that would A) be similar in size AND B) also have a HSC made for it? Or, is there maybe a case available that allows the owner to custom cut the foam interior?

Maybe I should have "modified" (with a chisel!) the Baby T case - anyone ever done this?

Thanks for any help! [BTW: Playing a tenor is a LOT of fun if you are a mandolin/guitar/banjo player - different tunings can easily satisfy all three, and the unique scale length makes for a GREAT lateral thinking exercise!]

[spoefish]

I have a Larrivee parlor guitar - just measured the case and it should do just fine. #It will be a little big (36" long inside, 17 1/2" long body, 13" wide at the lower bout, 8 1/2" upper, 4" deep) but that will give you a little #room to work with. #You can get them from Elderly or I think a lot of other places - made in Canada, and about $85 for a hardshell case. #Before Harptone was bought by TKL they would make you a case for nearly anything (I have a case for an open back A scale banjo, my son got a case for his Vita Uke), but I don't think so any more. #Too bad, but try the Larrivee case. #Now that I have mine out I think I will play it for a while. #It is a neat little really flamey maple one - sounds great. #Ooooops, bact to guitars.

Stephen

[acousticphd]

A baritone uke is usually about 30-31" long. Close, but just a little smaller than the size 5 Martin guitars. Martin has recently reintroduced their size 5 guitar, so must make cases - but these would be 14-fret style and probably too short for the 12-fret body. Carving out the baby Taylor case padding does not sound like a bad idea to me.
Seagull/Simon&Patrick/Art&Luthierie parlor guitars (made by Godin) are 12 frets, and may have slightly smaller dimensions than the Larrivees, so the body shape and waist position of these cases could be a good match. I don't know the source, but I assume Canadian.

[danb]

I've heard rumors that national tenors fit a les paul case.. worth a shot but I've not tried yet

[mandolooter]

off the wall but hows the guitar sound? My martin sounds great but i prefer my bacon tenor. Tenors rule tho!!! Most fun a mando player can have with 4 strings! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[charliede]

Why don't you try contacting customer service at Martin. They may have a solution for you.

[Charles E.]

The Taylor Baby soft case fits my National perfectly and it sure is handy at festivals. It is light weight, offers good protection from bumps and scrapes, and affordable.

Charley

[Jim Garber]

I have a parlor-size Yamaha guitar that I love. It was only made for a few years and was a relatively high-end model. I wanted a hardshell case for it and found one at Cafe sponsor, finecases.com (http://www.finecases.com/browse/canadian-case/canadian-case-3280.html).

It looks like the measurements might be a little large but you could contact the folks there to measure and see if it would work.

[EdSherry]

Larry White at Thin Man Music in Alameda, CA often has cases to fit small-bodied instruments. (NFI.) I'm sure he'd be happy to check for you.

http://www.thinmanmusic.com/

[Dolamon]

A suggestion regarding a 'potential' case. Fine Cases has an assortment of Baritone Uke cases and the ProTec version is pretty interesting. I've had a few of them and they are really well built for the money, are useable for both Bari's which I have and a few old parlor guitars. At this time ... I don't have one around here to give you measurements.

I'd get in touch with them regarding your specifics. Both Ameritage and Guardian also offer Bari Cases.

Hope this helps.

[Pete Martin]

Try Greg Boyd www.gregboyd.com. He always has hand a suggestion for me, good guy!

[Michael Wolf]

There is a Gator case for 3/4-guitars that should fit the Nationals very good. I'll try it next time.

[bradeinhorn]

tkl has several old body style cases. just got a style 1 case that fits my 12 fret 0-18 like a glove. this is a purchase to be made at a store if at all possible.

[jimkend]

I got a really well-made, well-padded gig bag for $50 new from Taylor (for their Baby Taylor). It fits my Regal tenor that's especially small (32"). It's perfect and may just work for you. Check their website:
https://www.taylorguitars.com/taylorw....&page=1 (https://www.taylorguitars.com/taylorware/Item.aspx?itemid=1016&categoryid=1004&page=1)


Folks with a Regal, by the way, don't give it a second thought-it's what you've been looking for.

[John L]

I am not sure what mine is, but I bought it "off the shelf" at Long & McQuade in Toronto. Good fit for my '29 T-18 except a bit longer than necessary. Fits body and supports the neck well.