Originally Posted by
dhergert
Are you using a ToneGard? Does your mandolin have a pickguard or an armrest? Or, is your mandolin deeper than most mandolins? If so, it will be tight, perhaps too tight against the bridge for storage without being adjusted...
As Adrian has described, Gator cases and other cases that use molded styrofoam for padding can be compressed to provide increased internal depth so a deeper or accessorized instrument fits just right. Unlike open-cell or closed cell foam, styrofoam has nearly immediate and nearly permanent memory of compression, so sizing a case like that is very possible.
I use the Gator ABS cases, which use the same kind of styrofoam molded inner filler that their lightweight zipper cases use.
I also use a ToneGard and I've installed a pickguard and an armrest, all which increase the depth of my mandolins.
Before closing and latching (or zipping) the mandolin up in the case, I compress the styrofoam in both the top and the bottom halves of the body area of the case enough that when the top of the case closes by gravity over the mandolin, it closes without any gaps. I compress the styrofoam one section (top or bottom) at a time with that section laying flat on the floor. I do the compression by pressing the round areas of a rubber sledge hammer firmly against the areas that I want to compress, while frequently testing the gravity-based closure of the case. I also make sure to compress around where the neck and heel of the neck fits, so the neck will remain with no tension at its normal angle inside the case.
When the top section of the case closes by gravity without gaps, the sizing is complete and the top can be latched (or zipped).
While Gator cases are not very expensive, from personal experience I can attest to their ability to protect an instrument. But sizing early on is beneficial to prevent pressure damage. Fortunately Gator's use of styrofoam provides a good way to custom size the case.
Bookmarks