I’ve been toting my guitar and mandolin around in separate beat up old cardboard type cases for years — I was thinking of making a nice case to carry both at once.
anyone think of any pointers or links? thanks
pete
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Replies
Pete, I can't think of a good reason to do it, except in order to have a unique case. It seems that one big case will always be more difficult to pack and store. And what happens if you want to sell one of them? Or let the kids carry the mandolin?
I'll bet you're gonna do it anyway, so post a picture.
DR
the reason is, I've never gone anywhere without both of them. even though I can only play one at a time, somebody will always pick up the other. (that's the idea -- it's just not the same without a crowd of pickers)
When you're gigging, one less thing to carry just might be huge. Heck, when I was in a band I was carting around four instruments, and seriously considered putting the mandolin and fiddle into a single box. Would have made life easier!
When it comes to selling, no big deal. You still have the individual cases. Plus normally we sell to finance the next better instrument... and that one should fit into the combo case. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
thats what I'm talking about. I think the one lid, instruments 180 degrees to each other is the ticket. I'm just wondering about things like -- should I use foam and cover it with felt for the interior negative spaces or are there better options and ideas. lid? latches? hinges? soft foam? ridgid foam?
You might get a good idea by looking up some of the case manufacturers (Carlton is particularly well regarded) and asking questions. I've never made one, but I sure wanted a custom case! In fact I considered making one with a fiberglass shell, which would hold a guitar, fiddle and mandolin!My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
thanks for the lead -- I'm checking it out. wow, a three instrument case, ok, I meant guitar, mandolin, banjo and fiddle! just kidding.
You said:
>wow, a three instrument case, ok, I meant guitar, mandolin, banjo and fiddle! just kidding.
That would be easy. Once you put a banjo in the case, the other instruments would run away! <BG>
If it was me (and it ain't - I have enough trouble with one instrument, let alone two!), I'd make the case a rectangle and snuggle the mando up along the neck of the guitar. (Too hard to make nice curved sides without adding a lot of weight.) Build the box, foam it in, and then trim out everything that doesn't look like your mando &/or guitar. If you mount the instruments a bit on the diagonal, you might be able to get the size (& weight) down a bit. Since the case will have a large, unoccupied spot on one side of the guitar neck, you could get some additional storage for straps, earplugs for when that banjo shows up, etc. Line with felt (some really cool color would get you major points at the gig!). However, everything I have ever read leads me to believe that any case you can make will be way heavier than a store-bought case. Uh -- casters and a handle like those tow-along suitcases? The downside I see is that makin' the case will seriously cut into your pickin' time. Now THAT'S a problem!
Mike HennessyPittsburgh, PA
that is cold. banjos have feelings too ya know.
I like the idea -- I think that's pretty much what I'll do. I don't care as much about the extra weight as I do a nice box.
no worries, I haven't played all week and my wimpy little calouses are going to hurt later.
I have made a lot of cases and weight is a consideration. Solid plywood is going to weigh a lot. My design would be:1/8 ply sides and 6 ply matboard sides.
Cover in scuff free material - often free scraps from shop that makes convertable tops
Have foam interior cut by upholstery shop.
Veneer cover for french fit interior.
Case hardware can be obtained from http://www.ohiotravelbag.com. Your local luggage repair or shoe shop can order for you if you don't want to set up an account.
thanks -- good pointers.
I checked out that website, very impressive.
when you say '1/8 ply sides and 6 ply matboard sides.' -- I assume you are thinking of bending a shape to follow the curves of the instruments. I think I'll just go boxy -- so, is 1/4" plywood about right? how do I make an easy right angle transition for the sides without getting into boat building?'
what do you mean by "Veneer cover for french fit interior." ? I don't understand what gets veneered and what is french fit? or is that what your snooty waiter has when you undertip him?
I was just thinking a single rectangle with the guitar fitted diagonally, the mandolin fitted over the neck, and a parts compartment under the guitar body.You could use 1/4". It would be heavier but strong enough to sit on. Inside the case you will have a solid block of foam with the instruments cut outs covered in velour. Usually you cut out a matboard panel and cover in the same velour to cover the foam, but a nice veneered panel would look cool and would put on quite a show when you open the case.
What do you call a person who hangs around with musicians?
A banjo player.
What's the difference between a sheet of plywood and a banjo player?
A sheet of plywood can support a family.
As to the guitar/mandolin case, I think current state of the art is basically building a frame and encasing it in fiberglass, with some sort of foam cut to shape inside, aluminum channels on the edges, and covered with cloth inside. Making of box of wood is just way too heavy.My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
How do you know when the stage is level?The banjo player drools out of BOTH sides of his mouth.[Avoid schadenfreude]
Edited 2/8/2006 8:29 pm by Trappist
Speaking as a banjo player (it's next to the fiddle on the wall in my living room) I like it. Funny. :)My goal is for my work to outlast me. Expect my joinery to get simpler as time goes by.
It would seem to me you'd only have a few options:
1) Make a thicker case
a) either with a hinged opening on 2 sides - one for each instrument
b) or with a compartment in the lid with a latching panel to enclose the mando
At least one of the instruments would always be upside down in the case though which would nag at me if it were my instruments
c) As much as possible make it like a standard case but with a really thick lid, that itself has a hinged lid for a mando compartment. Both would be right-side up in this arrangement.
2) Make a longer case. Overlapping the necks with the bodies at opposite ends of the case would seem to make the most sense if you went this route.
3) Make a wide case. It would have to be pretty wide to fit both side by side, but it couldn't be too much worse than a case for a double-neck guitar.
It will be interesting to see what you come up with.
If you build it he will come.
guitar and mandolin
been looking on the N
et but never found which one should be in front?
Edited 2/10/2006 10:53 am by WillGeorge
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