Care with old mandolins and modern cases...

A cautionary tale.

My F4 came in this case, half way around the world. Not the original case obviously, but seemed good enough for travel:

Attachment 196907

Took it to see a luthier this weekend, and he winced when he saw it. Not because it wasn't the original case, but because - being a shorter neck - the headstock was taking the weight on the neck rest. The neck wasn't contacting at all.

Attachment 196908

Something I hadn't even thought about. But obvious now. Case falls, headstock take impact.

Fortunately my Eastman MD 515 hardcase fits just fine, and the neck is well supported.

Attachment 196909

Here endeth the lesson.

Yup. And not just older instruments. Any instrument where the neck doesn't meet the body at about the 14th fret or so has a similar issue. My Coombe does not fit in either a Travelite or a Airloom Deluxe case. Thankfully Peter Coombe let me know it would fit in a TKL Vectra case.

The later version of the Eastman fiberglass F style shaped cases also fits shorter necked mandos. I believe they are, unfortunately, discontinued, but you still see one surface from time to time. Good to know about the TKL Vectra.

Thanks for posting this, Bazz Jass. I just realized I have this issue, too.

On some cases, where the pocket is held in place by screws or staples, it can easily be moved if you are handy with tools.
It won't work on the case in Bazz's picture, though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheMandoKit

The later version of the Eastman fiberglass F style shaped cases also fits shorter necked mandos. I believe they are, unfortunately, discontinued, but you still see one surface from time to time. Good to know about the TKL Vectra.

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Yep, I don't see the fiberglass ones available. But even the Eastman plywood case that came with my MD515 works with the shorter neck. The tuners are clear of the accessory compartment, the neck rests on the neckrest, and the headstock area doesn't make contact with anything.

Attachment 196921

So I've just swapped cases - the F4 can go in the Eastman case, and the MD515 can go in the liteflite case.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bazz Jass

So I've just swapped cases - the F4 can go in the Eastman case, and the MD515 can go in the liteflite case.

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Good solution. I have the original case for my F-4, but handle is a bit worn, so when I take it (the mando) anywhere, I put it in the Eastman fiberglass case. It doesn't have accessory storage to speak of, but it does a nice job of protecting the mandolin. I just carry other things in a separate little bag that I clip to the case handle or strap.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheMandoKit

The later version of the Eastman fiberglass F style shaped cases also fits shorter necked mandos. I believe they are, unfortunately, discontinued, but you still see one surface from time to time. Good to know about the TKL Vectra.

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The Vectra still has issues. It will not work with my Strad-O-Lin. Or probably any other instrument with a deep body. And other reviews have said it doesn't work on an instrument with an elevated pickguard. Have not tried it with a Gibson oval hole (or Eastman equivalent) as my Jr is on loan to a bandmate. So no idea if that would fit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rcc56

On some cases, where the pocket is held in place by screws or staples, it can easily be moved if you are handy with tools.
It won't work on the case in Bazz's picture, though.

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Won't work for me, either. The case is molded foam. Guess I gotta start saving my pennies and get a case instead of another instrument ;)

For a relatively inexpensive solution, (at least compared to Calton or Hoffee) try one of these. It fits my 1918 L&H like it was made for it. Should fit most shorter-necked mandolins.

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Originally Posted by Louise NM

For a relatively inexpensive solution, (at least compared to Calton or Hoffee) try one of these. It fits my 1918 L&H like it was made for it. Should fit most shorter-necked mandolins.

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That's good to know. Was very seriously looking at one of those for the Coombe before going with the TKL. Just wasn't sure it would fit comfortably.

This has been an issue that comes around every few years. Years back the solution for the A styles was a $25.00 Musicians Friend hard case. Then they changed the design and ruined that. Jim Garber most likely still has a few in use, I have one in use still. In the past some folks were modifying inexpensive F style hard cases by modifying the pick compartment or removing it all together and adding padding to brace the neck. The people that really don't have many options are the folks that own Style A & B Martin mandolins. Nothing fits those well other than original cases and they are rare.

Some past threads are here.

Just tried the F2 in the Gator case I bought for the Morris. It appears to fit pretty nicely, and that was a pretty inexpensive case.
The whole neck is pretty much sitting flat on the support.

Attachment 196952
Attachment 196953

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sue Rieter

Just tried the F2 in the Gator case I bought for the Morris. It appears to fit pretty nicely, and that was a pretty inexpensive case.
The whole neck is pretty much sitting flat on the support.

Attachment 196952
Attachment 196953

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The danger is the headstock resting on the support there. You really want all contact with the case to stop at fret 2 - no closer to the headstock than that. A sideways knock here could cause that neck rest to whack the side of the headstock.

Attachment 196956

I'm probably overthinking it, but a broken and repaired headstock is about every vintage Gibson owner's worst nightmare, and all ways to avoid it should be encouraged or even over-thought! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bazz Jass

The danger is the headstock resting on the support there. You really want all contact with the case to stop at fret 2 - no closer to the headstock than that. A sideways knock here could cause that neck rest to whack the side of the headstock.

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Hmm. I didn't know this. The case it came in is a rectangular foam one, and it's kind of cool but a much worse fit. I probably won't be going anywhere with that mando anytime soon, though. Nonetheless, I wish I had the original case - and I'm not talking about the metal and plywood one that came with it. No wonder the older ones are in such demand.