How to get a case to fit

[OneChordTrick]

I've just bought a new case that's a little too big for may mandolin which is a little smaller than average so the case is a little to large.

What's the best way to ensure that the instrument stays safe? A piece of foam behind the tailpiece?

It's about "two fingers" too long.

[Bertram Henze]

I used to have a similar problem with my OM, when I didn't have a case for it and used a case for a half-acoustic guitar instead. I filled the gap with a piece of pipe insulation jacket.
But I think in your case (pun intended), a rolled-up dish towel would suffice.

[OneChordTrick]

Thanks - pipe insulation is a good idea, and I think I have some left over from another project!

[Kalasinar]

Upholstery foam worked for me. It is pretty ugly but I hid that with crushed velvet. I keep the foam in place with Velcro tabs (the softer side attached to the case, the rough side on the foam padding) so that I can remove it if I wish. Hope you’re enjoying your Hathway!

[B381]

Towel is a better idea. REMEMBER....sometimes foams are made with chemicals that can react and RUIN a finish if it's the wrong combination of the two.

Use a towel, that way you can wipe your instrument down after playing too.

[Kalasinar]

Certainly. A towel is cheap, readily available, and takes less time!

[MikeEdgerton]

Roll up a small towel or piece of cloth. People have been doing that for years. Stay away from anything that might have vinyl in it as it will kill a lacquer finish.

[OneChordTrick]

....Hope you’re enjoying your Hathway!

Definitely!!!

[Kalasinar]

Definitely!!!

Excellent! I’m taking a trip to Canterbury Hobgoblin tomorrow to try some mandolins. I must say, since following your adventure getting one I’ve been rather interested to try a Hathway. I’ve always been very shy to try the mandolins there, but my curiousity is too great now!

[OneChordTrick]

If my experience in the London store is anything to go by there's no need to be shy, they're very welcoming.

Have fun!

[Jim Garber]

Is that a piccolo mandolin? Seems very small. And the maker did not have a case for it? I wonder if there is a teardrop uke case that fits it better. Otherwise, I agree that the towel method works nicely and is safe for the instrument.

[OneChordTrick]

Is that a piccolo mandolin? Seems very small. And the maker did not have a case for it? I wonder if there is a teardrop uke case that fits it better. Otherwise, I agree that the towel method works nicely and is safe for the instrument.

No it’s a regular mandolin, on a quick check of various sites about 1cm narrower than a Weber, 2cm narrow than an Asbury, and 1.4cm narrower than an Eastman.

I bought it second hand so no case. But I’ve found some mini plush cushions that will pad it out.

[Ray(T)]

You either need a case to fit it perfectly or to modify the case so that it fits. Pretty obvious, I know, but I have a number of cases and, looking at two in particular, I had Keith Calton make me one for may first Kimble and the internals were made to fit it perfectly. My second Kimble came in an Ameritage case which has two (fixed but separate and original) pads beneath the main body to ensure that it is held securely. Fortunately it wasn't such a tight fit as to prevent me adding a Toneguard!

[DHopkins]

Eddie Blevins in Blountville, TN, is making an f-style octave mandolin for me. Cases for OMs are hard to find. We both agreed that Cedar Creek was the route to take. I chose the accoutrements for the case and Eddie supplied the OM dimensions. They'll deliver the case to Eddie and he'll fill it up and ship it to me. I said all that to say this, consider having a custom case made, especially if you have a sizable investment in the instrument.

[Ivan Kelsall]

If you have a piece of pipe insulation,cover it with non-reacting fabric of some sort to match or contrast with your case interior. I'd maybe steer away from trying to stuff anything behind the existing lining. Sometimes the lining materials can be very thin & if it's stuck down well to the padding underneath,it could tear,
Ivan

[Bertram Henze]

When I told that story about my OM and the piece of pipe insulation, I forgot to mention that he OM has a robust coat of laquer that withstood any contact with polymeric materials without a trace left behind so far. Sorry for that.

[OneChordTrick]

Not sure what mine’s finished with so I won’t take a risk. I’ve found some cheap,plush covered mini cushions that will do the job I hope. If not I’m only a few quid down..

[Beanzy]

I did the same but just lifted the lining material from the lower edge, tucked the foam up under the lining as required, then spray-glued the back of the lining back in place over the installed foam. Looks like the same case but just fits now.

[OneChordTrick]

In the end I got these guys to help out:

[MikeEdgerton]

When I told that story about my OM and the piece of pipe insulation, I forgot to mention that he OM has a robust coat of laquer that withstood any contact with polymeric materials without a trace left behind so far. Sorry for that.

Sure it's lacquer and not poly?

[Bertram Henze]

Sure it's lacquer and not poly?

Quoted from the Fylde website:
Every instrument receives up to twelve coats of lacquer, carefully checked and sanded down in between coats. The final coat is allowed to harden for two weeks before final sanding and then buffed by hand to that famous Fylde "mirror" finish.

[Ray(T)]

If in doubt, fire an email off to Roger Bucknell, via the Fylde "contact us" link. I had a query re. dating a mandolin and the size of a truss rod nut late last year and I had my answer within a couple of hours.