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Thread: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

  1. #1
    Registered User Freddyfingers's Avatar
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    Default Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    Hi all. I have this octave mandolin with out a decent case. As of now it sits in a cheap banjo gig bag. It measures about 36.5 inches long, about 12 inches across the widest point of the body, and about 5 inches deep from back to bridge top. Even if there isn’t a proper case, what else do you all suggest? I have considered the decent gig bags that come with Baby Taylors and similar sized guitars. I attached a photo, but the measurements are close. I dont need a case thats bomb proof, but something that i can get in and out of a car easily and quickly without worries if I’m careful.
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    Its not a backwards guitar.

  2. #2
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    I'd go to the Gold Tone case webpage and check around, see if one of their guitar cases might come close. I found cases for a long-neck banjo, and nicely lined gig bags for instruments like "banjola" and other weirdnesses. Gold Tone makes and sells a lot of "niche" instruments and cases for them.

    Gonna be hard to fit this one, but that's where I'd start.
    Allen Hopkins
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  3. #3
    Registered User Freddyfingers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    Thanks for the lead!
    Its not a backwards guitar.

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  5. #4
    Registered User Steve Baker's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    Glenn Cronkhite makes beautiful and very protective custom gig bags. When traveling I encase it all in a Clam shipping case. Not at all cheap but great stuff.
    https://glenncronkhite.com/product/mandolin
    Steve

  6. #5
    Registered User Marcus CA's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    Quote Originally Posted by Freddyfingers View Post
    I have this octave mandolin with out a decent case.
    It may be without a decent case, but it looks like it has a great story. Tell more!
    still trying to turn dreams into memories

  7. #6
    Registered User Freddyfingers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    Quote Originally Posted by Marcus CA View Post
    It may be without a decent case, but it looks like it has a great story. Tell more!
    I am always on the look out for blue mandolins. Not many out there. Came across her website, saw some funky colors and gave her a call. She had the image thats ion there engraved, which is a cartoon face my son came up with. Its also on the head stock. I wanted a oval hole F style. It was priced higher than what i expected, but below what other builders of reputation had to offer, so i took a chance. Top is a little thick, had to send it back as it arrived with too much i adjustable buzz in the G strings. Came back the same, sent it to a local luthier who leveled the fret board. Plays a little better, but it will always have some buzz on the G strings, as i have a heavy hand at times. Other than that, its unique, blue, and fun to play.
    Its not a backwards guitar.

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  9. #7
    Registered User foldedpath's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    You might want to consider a Crossrock fiberglass case. The classical guitar size worked out well for my Weber F-style OM and I posted about it in this thread:

    https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...e-for-Weber-OM

  10. #8
    Registered User Isaac Casas's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    The best gig bag I could find for my Weber F4 Bitteroot octave in terms of size, weight and protection was the Mono Parlor case. It's not perfect for my mando in terms of body size, but with its headlock and well closed it's great. The case itself it's fabulous.

    https://monocreators.com/products/cl...tar-case-black

    The Weber's original hard case is sturdy as it can be, but not really practical for taking it outside the house, which I do regularly.

    Hope this helps!

  11. #9
    Registered User Freddyfingers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    Thanks for the lead. They seem like really nice cases, but way out of my budget.
    Its not a backwards guitar.

  12. #10

    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    New Taylor Aero Case. Looks good for under $200
    https://www.taylorguitars.com/taylor...ini-choc-brown
    Girouard Concert A5
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    www.singletonstreet.com

  13. #11
    Registered User Freddyfingers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    Quote Originally Posted by Chuck Leyda View Post
    New Taylor Aero Case. Looks good for under $200
    https://www.taylorguitars.com/taylor...ini-choc-brown

    Thats a possibility. I will recheck measurements. Thanks!
    Its not a backwards guitar.

  14. #12
    Teacher, repair person
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    Or, you could build a box, then fill it with a piece of foam with a cut-out in the middle the same shape as your OM, then line it with the material of your choice.
    That's the way a lot of violin cases are made these days, and also the modern rectangular mandolin cases.

  15. #13
    Registered User Freddyfingers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    Or, you could build a box, then fill it with a piece of foam with a cut-out in the middle the same shape as your OM, then line it with the material of your choice.
    That's the way a lot of violin cases are made these days, and also the modern rectangular mandolin cases.
    That i may be able to do.
    Its not a backwards guitar.

  16. #14
    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    I've made a couple "coffin" cases, one for an 1890's Washburn bowl-back mandola, one for a National Triolian steel-bodied mandolin. Oh yeah, one for a Polk-A-Lay-Lee as well (4-foot-long "surfer uke"). I am in the bottom 5% of woodworkers, and the cases I made look awful, but they're quarter-inch plywood and relatively protective. The Washburn rode in the baggage compartment of flights to and from Phoenix, and emerged unscathed.

    You might consider the same, at least as an interim solution. Don't worry about linings, good hardware, precise fit and finish. Everything you need's at your friendly hardware store; garage door handles work well on homemade cases, e.g. Lotsa padding, check the balance before you attach the handle, and I've painted mine white to reflect radiant heat.

    Did I mention I also made a triangular case for a bowed psaltery? It went to Phoenix as well, but packed in a suitcase, so when I got back, I made the case. Doesn't get a lot of use; few gigs for psaltery players...
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

  17. #15
    Registered User Freddyfingers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Looking for a octave mandolin case, not having luck

    Quote Originally Posted by allenhopkins View Post
    I've made a couple "coffin" cases, one for an 1890's Washburn bowl-back mandola, one for a National Triolian steel-bodied mandolin. Oh yeah, one for a Polk-A-Lay-Lee as well (4-foot-long "surfer uke"). I am in the bottom 5% of woodworkers, and the cases I made look awful, but they're quarter-inch plywood and relatively protective. The Washburn rode in the baggage compartment of flights to and from Phoenix, and emerged unscathed.

    You might consider the same, at least as an interim solution. Don't worry about linings, good hardware, precise fit and finish. Everything you need's at your friendly hardware store; garage door handles work well on homemade cases, e.g. Lotsa padding, check the balance before you attach the handle, and I've painted mine white to reflect radiant heat.

    Did I mention I also made a triangular case for a bowed psaltery? It went to Phoenix as well, but packed in a suitcase, so when I got back, I made the case. Doesn't get a lot of use; few gigs for psaltery players...
    How about a photo?
    Its not a backwards guitar.

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