Mandolin case comparison (for A-models)
So, over the years, I’ve had multiple cases and asked a lot of questions. However, those discussions often fall into things like: get a Travelite, Mike Marshall uses one for his Loar; if you care about your instrument, only a Calton/Hoffee/Pegasus will do; I’ve never needed anything other than a generic, just be careful; I’ve travelled the world with just a gig bag; etc. All decent points, but they aren’t so helpful when you just want to buy the best case for you.
So, in my basement right now I happen to have some of the most common alternatives to an OHSC. I have a Calton, a Bobelock Arrow, a Travelite, and a Superior fiberglass A-model. I purchased a Crossrock Fiberglass, but the fit was awkward and sloppy for the mandolin I was purchasing it for.
I’ve been looking for a case for my Collings MT with a Tone-Gard. The Collings-branded TKL, while a lovely case, is too shallow for the MT with its Tone-Gard. My Calton fits the Collings perfectly, but it does weigh a lot and is awkward to lug around.
So…here’s a comparison of these five cases. I tested each case with a Collings MT, a Breedlove American OO, and a Kentucky KM-276.
TKL (Collings branded). All fit very snugly. To me, they feel too snug. With a Tone-Gard, it’s a no go. It has super tiny pocket. Picks and a tuner, that’s it. Strings can fit under headstock. Metal feet on back and side opposite handle. Hinges are expected to double as feet. Handle is nice leather. Probably the best of the bunch. Three latches that feel cheap (stamped metal). No d-rings for straps. It’s maybe a bit lighter than the Bobelock. It’s a bit longer than the Superior, with otherwise similar dimensions.
Bobelock - with the Collings, some side to side andfront to back slop. Plenty of room for headstock. Has a velcro tab to hold neck in place and it’s a suspension style case. It does feel like a violin case, as it should given the company is known for its violin cases. With the Breedlove, less side to side movement, but more front to back. With Kentucky it’s a near perfect fit. Case pocket is small and at the end of the case. Just two latches, they are flip latches and the nicest of the bunch. Rubber valance all the way around. Stays open well on its own. Rubber feet on bottom and back and side opposite handle. 4 d-rings for a shoulder strap or backpack straps. Comes with a cover. Cover has a large pocket and has a subway strap at the top. I really like subway straps. Enormous seatbelt material shoulder strap included which heavy and awkward. Backpack straps available from Bobelock. They are ok, but there are better options available aftermarket. Case has a cheap hard plastic handle. Nice for a plastic handle, but a real downer compared to the others. It comes in a few colors, which is nice so your case doesn’t accidentally wander. There is some slight flex to the top when I push on it. $295 with the cover in red, blue, ivory, or black.
Travelite: first off, does not want to stay open on its own. Collings is perfect fit. Breedlove fit has half inch of movement back to front. Kentucky is snug and perfect. Pocket will hold a pack of strings. Really only fully functional pocket in the bunch. Zips all the way around. The center latch has two gnarly teeth on it, which make me nervous. Metal feet on bottom, back, and side opposite handle. 3 rings on bottom for backpack style straps (included, but cheap). Two piece, gig bag style handle. $95 makes it the budget choice.
Calton: Collings fit is perfect. Breedlove has about 1/3 inch back and forth. Kentucky is super snug. Pocket is decent. If you took your strings out of the cardboard package, you could fit a set in there. Three latches with bumpers protecting each latch. Rubber bumpers all around. 4 d rings for shoulder strap or backpack straps. Rubber valance all the way around. Can buy a cover aftermarket. The cover is great, but will cost same or more than the other cases. Nice leather handle. Zero flex in the fiberglass. Any color you want. Of course, they are crazy-expensive. $1250 +350 for a cover.
Superior: Collings a near perfect fit. Breedlove has maybe 1/4 inch back to front and 1/3 inch side to side…headstock is touching the end, but Breedloves have a longer than average headstock. Kentucky, is once again, a near perfect fit. Pocket is quite small, will hold a tuner and picks. There really isn’t even room under the headstock for a pack of strings. You’d have to take them out of their cardboard for them to fit at all. Four standard draw latches. Rubber feet on bottom and side opposite handle. 2 D-rings for shoulder strap (but no backpack option). Rubber valance all the way around. Decent shoulder strap included. Soft comfortable nylon handle. The top has a bit of flex when I push hard on it. It’s $212 and only in white (which I really like).
Size and weight: the Travelite is lighter than the superior, but not by much. These two are the lightest of the bunch. The Travelite is the largest case here. The Bobelock is about an inch longer than the Travelite, but smaller in all other dimensions.
Excluding the length of the Bobelock, the Travelite is longer, wider, and thicker than the others.
It’s no surprise the Calton is the heaviest, with the Bobelock falling somewhere between it and the Superior. The Calton and the Bobelock are similarly sized, with the Superior and the TKL the smallest.
So, for me and my main mandolin (my Collings), my Calton will be where my Collings will go when I travel, and the Superior will be my about town case. I wish it had rings for backpack straps and more room in its pocket. It’s compactness and lightness have sold me.
The Bobelock is great, and my daughter (who mostly plays my/her Breedlove) likes the case. The Travelite is just too bulky, too onerous (with the zippers), and too worrying with the latch to be much but storage for the Kentucky. The Crossrock, if it had fit my Collings might have been preferable to the Superior because it has a subway strap. But, it looks like an F case and fit like one.
I don’t think you can go wrong with either the Bobelock or the Superior. The Bobelock is, I think, a better overall case, but not the case I was looking for at this time (and it already has an instrument that resides in it. If I had to pick just one, it would be the Calton…but thankfully I don’t.
Collings MF (2004)
Collings MT Gloss-Top Wide Neck (2015)
Breedlove American OO (2013)
Martin 000-18 (2016)
Guild D-35 (1976)
Paramount Style A (1927)
Vega Little Wonder (1916)
Ibanez AVT1NT (2019)
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