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Thread: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

  1. #1
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    So I recently succumbed to a temptation and bought this instrument. My first foray into bowlbacks. I know, I know, I've been saying how I can't buy any more instruments right now, but I overcame the lure of two others, so I'm ahead of the game (kind of like when politicians say they've cut a budget when they didn't expand it as much as they might have)

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    It's now up in Vermont at the Wildwood Flower sitting in a box and awaiting it's turn to be spruced up. So I haven't got it in hand and won't for some time. It hasn't got a case.

    There's an opportunity for me to acquire a piece of 1920's luggage that with some modification (shaped foam, padding and lining) could potentially make a cool case for reasonably short $. But I don't know the mandolin's measurements, so I can't be sure of the fit. I guess I'm wondering if anyone has one similar to this and could let me know the length, width and depth of the instrument. (I wouldn't try to make the case before I get the mandolin, I'm just trying to evaluate the potential.)

    Thanks to anyone who can help or has any other case related thoughts.
    Last edited by Sue Rieter; Jan-20-2023 at 3:26pm.
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  2. #2
    harvester of clams Bill McCall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Couldn’t you call them and have it measured?
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  3. #3

    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Most bowl backs are about 24” long; my schmidt 12 strings 2” longer. Width is 8”, depth is 6” to the bridge top. Bodies vary, about 12”. Modern cases exist, and about 1/3 of my rescued instruments came with cases, canvas over cardboard being common, some loading from the back, others with full length lids. I don’t keep any mandolins in their cases, for which I can be judged a temperature-humidity denier by some for whom this is existential.

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  5. #4
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Sue: I have a style 3… I am guessing yours is a style 1. I have to say that Vegas in general are among the best of American vintage bowlbacks. I think Jake probably knows this but if he can he should put Dogal Calace RW92b dolce strings on it for the best tone IMHO. I have mine in an old harptone cases made I think in the 1980s.

    in the meantime I will PM regarding a case.
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  7. #5

    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Sue, a (later) Vega and case are presently on SGW, photo attached. This is embossed leather, back opening.
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    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    Sue: I have a style 3… I am guessing yours is a style 1. I have to say that Vegas in general are among the best of American vintage bowlbacks. I think Jake probably knows this but if he can he should put Dogal Calace RW92b dolce strings on it for the best tone IMHO. I have mine in an old harptone cases made I think in the 1980s.

    in the meantime I will PM regarding a case.
    Fair play to you, Sue. I agree with Diego G.

    To my ear, Vegas are the most "Italian" sounding of the bigger US producers. (I'm leaving Manello, Ricca, Favilla out for arguments' sake.)

    Lighter, more responsive and more resonant.

    I had a Style 1 for a long stretch before it became invested in our house.

    Jim is right. Get Jake to put on some Dogals. You will love it.

    The 20s suitcase case sounds cool.

    Post some photos when you McGiver it into service.

    I've built a few 'coffin' cases for bowlbacks and enjoy the peculiarity of the bowlback case design challenge.

    That's a nice looking mandolin.

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  10. #7
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Quote Originally Posted by Richard500 View Post
    Sue, a (later) Vega and case are presently on SGW, photo attached. This is embossed leather, back opening.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Those end opening cases are not very practical for carrying though some are nice made. More like a leather gig bag.
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  11. #8
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill McCall View Post
    Couldn’t you call them and have it measured?
    Bill, I could call up there, but I feel a little bad about it. He's been very good to me and was kind enough to let me drop ship it there and then check it over to make sure there was no shipping damage, etc. But last time I was up there, he was up to his eyeballs in instruments waiting for attention. I thought if someone here had an instrument close at hand (maybe even out on a stand!), it might be easier.

    The suitcase has an inside length of 25.75", so if an average bowlback is 24" long, I'm not sure whether that might be too tight of a fit.
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Is it possible you could angle it in the suitcases and gain some length?
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

  13. #10

    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    1 3/4” should be plenty as there are no extras on that headstock. The solid, bentwood case shown has essentially zero clearance over its contents, and looks as if whomever made it might have been able to make the mandolin too…
    But one consideration for transport and impact, is that the bowl has no shoulders and is difficult to restrain, unlike later designs, so both ends are held firm to keep movement small. Unless the case is particularly sturdy, this could be a problem, so if you intend travel, a good conformal fit and shock absorption might be safest.
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  14. #11
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    If I was going to build a case I'd want to have the mandolin in hand. I've always been surprised that more people haven't jumped on the DIY case band wagon. We've had the occasional nice wooden box case but it seems to me that there's an underlying market here for a new breed of builders to build cases. Steve Kirtley (Cafe member Loudloar) has an entire Facebook page and website devoted to vintage cases and some information regarding repairing those cases. I'm surprised more folks haven't tried to build similar cases. I will note that I have on several occasions gathered case parts for cases I've never built so I'm as guilty as anyone else for not doing so.
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    Pataphysician Joe Bartl's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Sue, I have a #2 style from 1911.
    Entire length: 23 ½ "
    Height of bowl (including bridge): 6 ¼ "
    Length of peg head (including nut): 6 "
    Fingerboard (neck) from bottom of nut to join at 10th fret: 5 ¾ "
    Width of bowl: 8"

    Hope this helps.

  16. #13

    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    A cool old suitcase repurposed sounds like a good plan. I've seen a bunch of "handmade" cases over the years and while they function OK, most are overbuilt and way too heavy. (thick plywood, etc.) A suitcase sounds like a good start.

    I've also used old suitcases for guitar amp housings -- put modern amp "guts" in an old case for a vintage look. It makes me happier to look at than the plain ol' black box everybody has.

    You can tell by now that I am a fan of old suitcases. I taken this back to their original use, I bring old tweed suitcases when I fly and check my baggage -- the advantage is they are easy to spot on the baggage claim conveyor, amidst an endless sea of black bags...

  17. #14
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Quote Originally Posted by Joe Bartl View Post
    Sue, I have a #2 style from 1911.
    Entire length: 23 ½ "
    Height of bowl (including bridge): 6 ¼ "
    Length of peg head (including nut): 6 "
    Fingerboard (neck) from bottom of nut to join at 10th fret: 5 ¾ "
    Width of bowl: 8"

    Hope this helps.
    Thanks, Joe. Yeah, the inside measurements of the case are 25.75" x 14.7%"; the depth of the bottom is 7.75" and the top 3.75". I might be able angle the mandolin a bit, too. The top, I guess, would be pretty much filled with foam and padding.

    Mike, I'd need to have the mandolin in hand for sure. I'm just doing a feasibility study here.
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    When you get down to the task at hand consider using paper maché to create the bowl support. There are lots of ways to firm up that medium to support the bowl.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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  20. #16
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    I'm rethinking the plan. The case I was looking at weighs about 17 pounds before I even get into foam and padding
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    I'm rethinking the plan. The case I was looking at weighs about 17 pounds before I even get into foam and padding
    That would keep you in shape just carrying it around.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Saw this and thought of your post

    https://www.thomannmusic.com/gewa_mandolinenetui.htm

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  25. #19
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Quote Originally Posted by Steve Mead View Post
    I think Neil Gladd got one of those. You do have to order from Germany so I believe that with shipping the price is around double. The strange thing about bowlbacks is that the proportions are a bit odd. I have shipped cases and mandolins and rarely can you find a good box that fits them properly with good padding.

    The depths of the bowl are considerably deeper than any carved top mandolin which makes it difficult to find a case.
    Last edited by Jim Garber; Jan-23-2023 at 6:12pm.
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Quote Originally Posted by Sue Rieter View Post
    I'm rethinking the plan. The case I was looking at weighs about 17 pounds before I even get into foam and padding
    That's even more than my Calton case and that's heavy but how often will you be carrying it with other instruments?
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    My Calton weighs 11 lbs. without the mandolin. I always use a shoulder strap when carrying it, it is heavy and I would like something lighter as I get older, but I like the protection it gives. Sue's will most likely end up at 20 lbs. Something to think about.
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  28. #22
    Registered User Sue Rieter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Yeah, it would be like carrying around a full bag of charcoal or a full water tank from my big humidifier.
    Not that I'd be carrying it around that much, but there are better options.
    "To be obsessed with the destination is to remove the focus from where you are." Philip Toshio Sudo, Zen Guitar

  29. #23

    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Just put some wheels on it, like a .... wait for it....suitcase!

  30. #24

    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    That solid bentwood case from 1921 weighs just 2 3/4 pounds, and so far, has survived 102 years. Woodwork!
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  31. #25
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making A Case for a Vega Bowlback

    Sue, I think you should consider making your own clown shoe case out of leather.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
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