I’m constantly traveling around town with my Gibson mandolin. With my music lessons and jam sessions, I have to bring my mandolin to work a few times each week.
I don’t like the stock Gibson case. The Gibson case is too bulky and doesn’t offer the protection I want. After researching online for a better case, I ended up ordered my case directly from Jeff Hoffee with the Thinsulate lining.
I’ve been using my Hoffee Case for seven months now. I figured I would post a review for the Cafe.
My Gibson mandolin fits incredibly well inside this case. The entire mandolin is supported by the interior padding of the case. There is no movement at all. The carbon fiber is lightweight and the case just feels solid all around. The latches close securely and the rubber feet work well on the ground. There is plenty of storage inside the little compartment. It holds everything I need.
There is plenty of room at the headstock scroll so the scroll won't get broken if the case ever gets dropped. The neck and headstock have whiplash prevention. The neck and headstock get sandwiched between the top foam and the bottom foam inside the case. You can see in one of the photos how the headstock gets sandwiched between the foam. My mandolin even stays in tune as well while traveling. I can put it in the car, bring it to work, then back into the car, drive to my jam session and it’s still in tune.
The Thinsulate lining works as well. All summer long it was hot in Albuquerque so there were temperature extremes every time I went outside. One day I had to leave my mandolin inside my car for about 20 minutes or so while it was close to 100f degrees outside. When I opened the car door, it was hot as can be inside my car. I had a brief panic attack about how hot it was inside my car with my mandolin. When I opened the case, my mandolin was still cold to the touch. Very cool. I don’t recommend pushing the limits of the thinsulate lining, but for typical use and an occasional hot car, there is no concern at all for temperature extremes.
There is a great spot for a humidifier inside the case at the base of the neck. I use a small zip lock bag, with holes in it and a damp sponge. I use a business card to push the top of the bag between the foam and it stay put.
I’ve been outside with my Hoffee case when it was pouring down rain as well. When it rains in NM, it comes down hard. The Hoffee case definitely passed the rain test. I was completely soaked, but the inside the case stayed completely dry.
So far I only traveled on an airplane one time with my mandolin. It was no issue bringing my case as carryon luggage. I was on Southwest Airlines. The size of the case is small enough that that no one even questioned it at the airport. It fit really well in the overhead compartment.
I know there are other high end cases out there as well, Calton, Pegasus, etc. I never used them, so I don’t have a comparison to offer with other cases. I’ve just been very happy with my Hoffee case.
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