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Thread: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

  1. #1
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    So recently I've been traveling a lot with my fiddle and mandolin, and on planes I usually carry one on and check the other inside a suitcase. Well, I just flew and had my mandolin in it's case inside a duffle bag, and when I got where I was going there was a dent in the case. Thankfully, the mandolin was uninjured, but now my case is damaged, I've lost some confidence in it, and I'd rather not check it again.

    So do any of y'all know of a company that makes a good combo case? That way I could carry them on together.
    I would prefer fiberglass, and fairly durable in a sub $300 price range. Also my fiddle is slightly wider than usual and doesn't fit some super compact cases.
    Backpack straps are also preferred.

    Thanks
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Bobelock makes a good combo case, Guardian makes one that is not as good but is serviceable. There is a Bobelock currently on Ebay for 320.00$ here is an advertisment form a dealer. R/ https://store.fisherviolins.com/Bobe...-p/bob1022.htm
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    If you fiddle is slightly larger measure it to the case specs. It’s a pretty rigid case.
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    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Question Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Says Q: "would prefer fiberglass, and fairly durable in a sub $300 price range"..

    A: let us know when you get that dream time machine built, to find pre 1960 prices ..

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    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Question Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Consider getting a padded case cover, that combines your 2 existing hard cases into one stack,
    Sewn Locally, with your desired shoulder straps,.. ..

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    Registered User jim simpson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Here's a Bobelock dual case: https://greatviolincases.com/product...-mandolin-case
    They are easier to find than a double mandolin case.
    Old Hometown, Cabin Fever String Band

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    Registered User sunburst's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Here's an anecdote about the above mentioned Bobelock mando/fiddle case.

    A good friend and customer of mine was driving home from a gig.

    At the time he had a compact pickup truck with a camper shell cover on the back. He kept a board against the back of the fender/humps in the truck bed so that he could put instruments cases in the back of the truck, under the camper shell and they would stay where he could reach them rather than migrate toward the front of the truck bed out of reach from the camper shell door.

    As he was driving home a young driver was texting while driving and lost control of his car. He crossed the median and spun into oncoming traffic, the first impact being with my friend's by-then-stopped truck. The impact totaled the truck and slightly injured my friend. He had his Bobelock fiddle/mandolin case in the back (with a mandolin that I built and a very expensive fiddle and even more expensive bow) and the impact caused the case to break through the board and slam into the front of the truck bed. When he later opened the case neither instrument was damaged but the violin bow had moved in it's clasps, though it too was undamaged.

    (Sadly, the young driver responsible for the accident was killed.)

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    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Gunnar, check the outside dimensions of a double case against what an airline will let you carry on. They are pretty big—I'm not sure one would fit in an overhead bin.

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    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    Says Q: "would prefer fiberglass, and fairly durable in a sub $300 price range"..

    A: let us know when you get that dream time machine built, to find pre 1960 prices ..

    Well, I've just been looking at bobelock and crossrock and that seems to be about the price they sell fiberglass for.

    Thanks for the responses!! I'll look closely at the Bobelock case.
    Also, I don't think dimensions will be a problem, most overhead suitcases are twice as wide as my fiddle case anyway, and airlines tend to be fairly lenient regarding instruments
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
    Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.

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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    I have carried my Bobelock mando / fiddle case in the above storage on an airplane no problem. R/
    I love hanging out with mandolin nerds . . . . . Thanks peeps ...

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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    I recently purchased a Bobelock combo case from great violin cases.com (I have no financial interest here). The price was great, the service was excellent, and I really like the case. The Bobelock houses either my Nugg A or my F2 (both with tone guards) and a very nice old German fiddle. The outer cover accommodates my IPad and strings etc. which has made it easier to haul around town. I would not hesitate to fly with it when the time comes; it’s well built and only slightly bigger than my other rectangular case which fit in the overhead.

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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Sounds like the Bobelock is the way to go especially if it fits in the overhead. I haven't flown with an instrument in a few years but when I did I put my mandolin in its hard case in a double tennis racket case. I would imagine that you can have both instruments side-by-side in a double or triple tennis racket bag as a carry-on and just check your clothes in the baggage. I prefer to not check instruments if at all possible.
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    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Thanks y'all! I think I'm gonna buy the bobelock case. I've needed a case upgrade for both instruments, and this kills two birds with one stone!
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
    Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.

    My blog: https://theoffgridmusician.music.blog/
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    Mandolin user MontanaMatt's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Quote Originally Posted by Gunnar View Post
    Thanks y'all! I think I'm gonna buy the bobelock case. I've needed a case upgrade for both instruments, and this kills two birds with one stone!
    My recollection is that the Bobelock is not fiberglass in that double case model. It is a plywood much like the guardian.
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    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Quote Originally Posted by MontanaMatt View Post
    My recollection is that the Bobelock is not fiberglass in that double case model. It is a plywood much like the guardian.
    That is correct, but it will still be an upgrade. I've seen the bobelock wooden mandolin case, and it's much more sturdy than my current case.
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
    Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.

    My blog: https://theoffgridmusician.music.blog/
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Ultimately a Calton fiberglass mandolin / fiddle is the way to go. Three problems, one is they are no longer being made to my knowledge two they are rather pricey when you can find one and three, they are HEAVY. I paid 900.00$ for one a decade ago. But , in hand, or in an overhead the Bobelock case will provide you years of good service. Keep the zipper lubricated with a bit of candle wax or bar soap and don't over stuff the outside zippered pouch. Play on sir.
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  30. #17
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Cedar Creek has a double mandolin case on reverb and a double fiddle case on ebay. I have to imagine there's the possibility of the case in question but I didn't see it on my first pass. They do customs.
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    Registered User Mark Seale's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    I owned a Cedar Creek mando/fiddle case for a while. It was HUGE to say the least. Convenient in some ways, but bulky by any standard. I found it much easier to walk jam sessions with my two individual cases than lugging that beast around. That being said, it was a really well made and strong case and I did travel with it a bit.

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  34. #19
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Question Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Wonder if the OP given their location { Balama, Mozambique, Africa } cant get a local to build one for them,
    maybe wood rather than fiberglass , but saturating the cloth with resin is pretty straight forward , just make a disposable mold. ?

    Given shipping from the US wont be cheap ..
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  35. #20
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Quote Originally Posted by mandroid View Post
    Wonder if the OP given their location { Balama, Mozambique, Africa } cant get a local to build one for them,
    maybe wood rather than fiberglass , but saturating the cloth with resin is pretty straight forward , just make a disposable mold. ?

    Given shipping from the US wont be cheap ..
    Well, probably not, people around here are very creative, but it's not into refinement. Things function but they aren't smooth about it.
    Also, I relocated to TX in January (I'm in Africa visiting at the moment, but reside in TX) and just forgot to change my about cuz I'm not on here as much as I used to be.

    I've heard some bad things about Cedar Creek, and I can't afford a Calton, so I'm probably gonna buy a Bobelock case once I get back to TX

    Thanks!
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
    Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.

    My blog: https://theoffgridmusician.music.blog/
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    My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanbanjogunnar/
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    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    I bought a mandolin fiddle in my early days of playing figuring I would need it. At that time (45 years ago) there were only Harptone cases and that case was heavier than my dreadnaught guitar cases. Also, when I needed both instruments it was just as easy to transport them in separate cases. I do have a nice light double fiddle case by Protec that I found great for fiddle gigs when I used two differently-tuned fiddles. In any case—— it is what you need, not what I need. Best of luck, Gunnar.
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    I mentioned previously that my bobelock works for my A model and my F2. I should add that my F2 is a 3 pt, which is really hard to find a decent case for. The Bobelock accommodates it easily, fits like a glove. That’s a winner for the occasional Celtic jam; an old F2 and a ancient German fiddle. Oh yea.

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    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Here is a recommendation. Borrow someone's double case if you can. After a couple weeks of lugging that thing around, 12 lbs when empty, I cursed it, went back to two separate cases, and found new respect for banjo players.


    It is not insignificant that it was not hard for me to find folks who had double cases I could borrow as they weren't using them anymore.


    YMMV.
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    Registered User jim simpson's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    I always liked having a backup mandolin with me for gigs thus my use of a double case. I don't find mine so heavy as to discourage use. I found it particularly useful when I used to take a guitar along with the two mandolins.
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  41. #25
    Registered User Gunnar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Who makes a good Fiddle/Mandolin case?

    Quote Originally Posted by JeffD View Post
    Here is a recommendation. Borrow someone's double case if you can. After a couple weeks of lugging that thing around, 12 lbs when empty, I cursed it, went back to two separate cases, and found new respect for banjo players.


    It is not insignificant that it was not hard for me to find folks who had double cases I could borrow as they weren't using them anymore.


    YMMV.
    I also play banjo, so I'm not worried about weight. I normally have five instruments with me at jams unless I also bring an accordion.... (guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and dobro) so it would be very nice to have them together. I doubt a double case weighs that much more than both cases.
    Also, when flying, it would mean I didn't have to check one of them, since mando and fiddle are what I usually travel with


    Does anyone on here have a spare one I could borrow?? I can cover shipping, I'm in TX, not Africa
    Mandolin: Kentucky KM150
    Other instruments: way too many, and yet, not nearly enough.

    My blog: https://theoffgridmusician.music.blog/
    My YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChF...yWuaTrtB4YORAg
    My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/africanbanjogunnar/
    Free backing tracks:
    https://backingtrackers.wordpress.com/

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