From Data Nick -
" ...especially after that mando in a Calton case was dropped out of the trunk of that rental car in Santa Monica, and survived the abuse of being on the street !". Then there was the one about the mandolin in it's 'Travelite' case falling off the back of a moving motor cycle & surviving intact,which was posted on the Cafe several months ago. We must remember that if we drop a mandolin in it's case,it hits the deck with the
''combined weight x velocity'' (momentum) of the mandolin + case. A heavier case = more momentum (force) &
maybe a greater possibility of damage to the mandolin. So reducing weight whilst retaining strength is important. The limiting factor is usually the case materials we have at our disposal. Very light but very strong materials usually cost a lot of money,for example the Carbon / Kevlar construction of the ''Hoffee'' cases,for me,one of the most beautiful cases around right now. But even they come with their own limitations & most folk usually buy a cover for them to help prevent external damage. Given the wide range of materials around these days,it would be possible to design a high impact resistant case,which would also insulate the mandolin inside from the impact,but it would cost a lot of money. We'd also need to leave behind any internal 'padding' that's
stuck to the rigid exterior. Design an exterior case that
protects itself,& design the interior to
protect the mandolin.
Q) What protects ultra-high value antique 'ceramics' during transit - is it the wooden crate or the
Polystyrene granules in which they're packed ?.
A) Well,it's not the wooden crate. IMHO,to design a case to do exactly the same for a mandolin,we need to think along those (or similar) lines,
Ivan
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