Guardian fiddle/mandolin combo case?

[dan@kins]

I am playing more and more fiddle these days and am considering purchasing a combination mandolin/fiddle case.

The cheapest one seems to be the guardian.

Who out there is using the guardian case?
What do you think about yours?

I see that there is no padding separating the two instruments.
Is this a problem? Can they bang into one another in the case?

I have also seen the Bobolock combination case, but its a bit more expensive.

Anyone using that one? Should I look into it in stead of the guardian case?

Thanks for your opinions.

[Jim Broyles]

There is padding between the bodies and if you use the neck strap they shouldn't be able to move within the case.
Picture

[Doug Edwards]

I've had one a couple of years. #Decent, but not a Calton. I place my polishing cloth between the instruments.

Today I have one of the zippers not always acting right, the case lock does not work, and the Velcro instrument closures are wearing out. #Who would of thought Velcro wears out?
Still it's a good case for the money and a good "from here to there" case.

This case goes everwhere at least two-three times a week. I would NOT trust with an airline.

Here's the review when I first received it.
Review

[UsuallyPickin]

I looked but decided on a Bobelock Case.Look at them too. Similar. Yes a cloth diaper or two and a pouch for your shoulder rest are needed. It's nice to lose a case to carry. Complaints I do have about the case I selected are any real weight added to the TOP pocket causes the case to overbalance. THey are also to big for overhead on an airplane. R/

[Tim2723]

I've had a Guardian double for a year. It's BIG. I mean BIG with a capitol B.I.G. Thought I could swap out carrying a case and ended up with something that weighs more than both of the cased instruments together, and takes up WAY more room. The interior pockets are small and very deep. They hold a lot of very small things, but are so deep I can't get my fingers in there easily.

It now sits in the back of a closet. Not the very worst investment I ever made, but right up there on the list.

Did I mention this thing is BIG?

[pasturepicker]

My son has one. The latch never did work real well and now doesn't work at all. One of the snaps has pulled off. The zipper and velcro still keep it closed. The instruments fit well and are suspended and secured by the neck straps. They don't touch each other. I think that the case is as small as it could be and still fit the two instruments. As someone else mentioned, I wouldn't check it as luggage on a plane and yes it is probably too big for overhead storage. It's a decent case for the money but if you plan to use it a lot you should probably spend more for something more substantial.

[dan@kins]

Thanks for your opinions. I'm not going to buy a guardian mando/fiddle case.

I might save up or sell some extra gear and get a bobelock.

[Tim2723]

Good choice. But make sure you understand what it will and won't get you. It's very cool to open one case and see both instruments side by side against black velvet. I mean, that's REALLY COOL!! It's even sexy. It's probably the highest cool factor you can get for a box with zippers. But once you carry it for a mile or two, you might not think it's all that cool.

[Frankmeister]

Tim,

Are you interested in selling that guardian case?

[maxr]

I have a Bam violin and viola double case. A standard mandolin is too wide to go in that, and my case is the biggest single I'd be happy carrying, even with backpack straps (yes, I know people carry cellos that way...). I think it's too big for airline cabin lockers, and a double fiddle/mandolin case is bigger.

[Tom Sanderson]

Do you realize that the post you replied to is over 13 years old ?

[maxr]

Do you realize that the post you replied to is over 13 years old ?

! Nope... Maybe Tim above is ready to sell his Guardian case now...

[catmandu2]

...backpack straps (yes, I know people carry cellos that way...).

And string basses too

Fwiw, I have one of these Guardian-type double cases - no, it's not deluxe but it works for me (I've flown with it, so it must have fit in some overhead compartments). If anyone has a double violin case (with one side long enough to fit a hdgfl headstock - about 5" longer than std violin) I'll trade for it.