Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 26

Thread: Bowlback mandolin case needed

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    10

    Default Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Trying to locate a badly needed case in very good and better condition for a vintage bowlback mandolin.
    Any and all suggestions, offers, and referrals are much appreciated!
    Best wishes to everyone for an enjoyable and meaningful holiday season.

  2. #2
    Registered User Louise NM's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    825

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    About six months ago I got one from Hobgoblin. They were out of stock, as they appear to be too, but they contacted me when they arrived and shipped it right out. Not cheap, but it's a sturdy case.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    10

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Thanks, Louise.
    Yes, seems that every retailer in the US and Europe are out of stock.
    Long shot, I know; but am hoping for a used one sooner than new stock is available from the retailers.
    Glad to know that the Viking case sold by Hobgoblin is a quality product.

  4. #4
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Maryland
    Posts
    2,811

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    The Eastman fiberglass cases are really nice, if you can find one. They're a bit more expensive than the wood cases, but they seal up nicely and are more weatherproof. Serious hardware as well.

  5. #5
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    10

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Thanks, Bob.
    I think I’m set, now, thanks to Jim.

  6. #6
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,736

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Quote Originally Posted by danersen View Post
    Thanks, Louise.
    Yes, seems that every retailer in the US and Europe are out of stock.
    Long shot, I know; but am hoping for a used one sooner than new stock is available from the retailers.
    Glad to know that the Viking case sold by Hobgoblin is a quality product.
    Yes, there is a bowlback mandolin craze happening now and the shipping venues are all flooded. Oh well...
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  7. The following members say thank you to Jim Garber for this post:


  8. #7
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,322

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    For others who may be looking, Elderly Instruments (NFI) used to sell a fiberglass bowlback case, seems like they now only sell a chipboard-type case. Many of the gig bags fit bowlbacks too. I use gig bags for mine in the house, if I take them out I have the one fiberglass case I use for added protection away from home.

  9. #8
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,736

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Quote Originally Posted by LadysSolo View Post
    For others who may be looking, Elderly Instruments (NFI) used to sell a fiberglass bowlback case, seems like they now only sell a chipboard-type case. Many of the gig bags fit bowlbacks too. I use gig bags for mine in the house, if I take them out I have the one fiberglass case I use for added protection away from home.
    I think that was the Eastman case which I believe the company stopped importing into the US. Harptone also made a plywood molded bowlback case but they were bought out I believe by TKL who does not make them any more.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  10. #9
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    London, UK.
    Posts
    815

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    I also bought one of the Hobgoblin ones 2 years ago: https://hobgoblin.com/gr31070-viking...-mandolin-case

    I did a sort of review and shared some pictures and thoughts here: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...ck-cases/page4
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

  11. #10
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,736

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Quote Originally Posted by Dusepo View Post
    I also bought one of the Hobgoblin ones 2 years ago: https://hobgoblin.com/gr31070-viking...-mandolin-case

    I did a sort of review and shared some pictures and thoughts here: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...ck-cases/page4
    Hi Jo: those are still listed on both Hobgoblin sites as out of stock. The US store does not say when they will have them again but the UK one says February.

    my favorite cases were Chinese foam cases imported into the US by a eBay seller but they don’t seem to be around any more. I found them on some importer sites and inquired but never got an answer.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  12. #11
    Unfamous String Buster Beanzy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Cornwall & London
    Posts
    2,920
    Blog Entries
    5

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    I've seen someone using a bagpipe case for theirs. It's oblong, so some excess space, but it did look like a decent alternative.
    Eoin



    "Forget that anyone is listening to you and always listen to yourself" - Fryderyk Chopin

  13. #12
    Registered User Brian560's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    131

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    I discovered this link for cases in Japan a few days ago. You have to go to the bottom of their menu (below "No.26) to see the two types of cases:

    http://www.fana.co.jp/mandolin.html

  14. #13
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,736

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Quote Originally Posted by Brian560 View Post
    I discovered this link for cases in Japan a few days ago. You have to go to the bottom of their menu (below "No.26) to see the two types of cases:

    http://www.fana.co.jp/mandolin.html
    looks like about $209 for the foam case. Have you bought either of these and how much was shipping and how long to receive. The hard case looks very much like the Eastman one.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  15. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    10

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Quote Originally Posted by Brian560 View Post
    I discovered this link for cases in Japan a few days ago. You have to go to the bottom of their menu (below "No.26) to see the two types of cases:

    http://www.fana.co.jp/mandolin.html
    Thanks, Brian.
    I tried the link, but it displays in Japanese without an English or translate option.
    Suggestions?
    Dan

  16. #15
    Registered User Brian560's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    131

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Quote Originally Posted by danersen View Post
    Thanks, Brian.
    I tried the link, but it displays in Japanese without an English or translate option.
    Suggestions?
    Dan
    Dan: I used the translate feature on the Microsoft Edge browser.
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	aranjuez case.png 
Views:	97 
Size:	789.6 KB 
ID:	198346Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Super Light Mandolin Case.png 
Views:	74 
Size:	742.9 KB 
ID:	198347Click image for larger version. 

Name:	how to order.png 
Views:	66 
Size:	154.7 KB 
ID:	198348

    Another possible source for cases is Calace: email rcalace@tin.it
    Last years price list has their cases at 60 euro for a soft case and 140 euro for a hard case

  17. #16
    Full Grown and Cussin' brunello97's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Ann Arbor/Austin
    Posts
    6,277

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Nice looking case.

    30,000 yen translates to about $261 US for the padded ones if my exchange link is correct.

    The hardshell ones are cheaper.

    Brian...you beat me to the punch...

    The very bottom link goes to their "terms and conditions" page and on Google Chrome a pop up translation menu shows up.

    Mick
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	dolin-case2.jpeg 
Views:	65 
Size:	92.0 KB 
ID:	198349  
    Ever tried, ever failed? No matter. Try again, fail again. Fail better.--Samuel Beckett
    ______________________

    '05 Cuisinart Toaster
    '93 Chuck Taylor lowtops
    '12 Stetson Open Road
    '06 Bialetti expresso maker
    '14 Irish Linen Ramon Puig

  18. #17
    Registered User Brian560's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    New York
    Posts
    131

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim Garber View Post
    looks like about $209 for the foam case. Have you bought either of these and how much was shipping and how long to receive. The hard case looks very much like the Eastman one.
    Jim: I have not purchased these cases. It seems most everything related to bowl backs comes from overseas.

  19. #18
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,736

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Quote Originally Posted by brunello97 View Post
    Nice looking case.

    30,000 yen translates to about $261 US for the padded ones if my exchange link is correct.

    The hardshell ones are cheaper.

    Brian...you beat me to the punch...

    The very bottom link goes to their "terms and conditions" page and on Google Chrome a pop up translation menu shows up.

    Mick
    I used xe.com and got the same amount for the soft case. I thought that was the list price and the 24000 yen was the actual price.

    It is sad that those eBay cases aren’t longer available. I bought 3 or 4 since they were about $45 with shipping. I think I have three Eastman cases plus two old Harptones. The Harptones weigh a ton. Eastman made a prototype carbon fiber bowlback case like their fiberglass ones and a friend of mine bought it. Very nice and very light. I don’t think they went into production. I guess Eastman doesn’t think it worth it to import their cases to US.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  20. #19
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2022
    Location
    NE Florida
    Posts
    44

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    I just bought a bowlback case from Thomann in Germany. In route now to USA.
    https://www.thomann.de/gb/gewa_mandolinenetui.htm
    Richard

  21. #20
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    10

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Thanks, Richard.
    Maybe the dealers are starting to receive stock from the manufacturers.
    Be Well,
    Dan

  22. #21
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,736

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Neil Gladd resurrected this older thread with this post: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...=1#post1859489

    Neil just ordered a Gewa case through ThomannUSA. I think you do have to pay shipping from Germany.
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  23. #22
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2022
    Location
    NE Florida
    Posts
    44

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    I received the GEWA case from Thomann in Germany this evening. I'm in Florida. It is a good fit for my Martin bowlback. I don't have any experience with these cases so I can't say how it compares to other cases, but it seems to be a decent case for the inexpensive price. There are lots of photos of it at the link I gave in post #19. It's a good thing that there was only an empty case in the box because the box was badly beaten. Delivered to my door by UPS. Yep, the shipping from Germany was about $62.
    Richard

  24. #23
    Mando-Accumulator Jim Garber's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Westchester, NY
    Posts
    30,736

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Quote Originally Posted by GoingHome View Post
    I received the GEWA case from Thomann in Germany this evening. I'm in Florida. It is a good fit for my Martin bowlback. I don't have any experience with these cases so I can't say how it compares to other cases, but it seems to be a decent case for the inexpensive price. There are lots of photos of it at the link I gave in post #19. It's a good thing that there was only an empty case in the box because the box was badly beaten. Delivered to my door by UPS. Yep, the shipping from Germany was about $62.
    Richard
    so what was the total price including shipping?
    Jim

    My Stream on Soundcloud
    Facebook
    19th Century Tunes
    Playing lately:
    1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1

  25. #24
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2022
    Location
    NE Florida
    Posts
    44

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    Total cost for the GEWA case (for me) was $133.29. $64 for the case and $69.29 for shipping to Florida from Germany.

  26. #25
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Sep 2015
    Location
    Ohio
    Posts
    1,322

    Default Re: Bowlback mandolin case needed

    That's not a bad price for a good case. Glad for the information in case I ever need another one.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •