I have a new Bishline case arriving in a week or so (with a banjo in it ;-)
I was wondering if there are any inexpensive soft protective cases to keep the vinyl from getting
dinged and chipped?
I'm familiar with the Greg Boyd and other insulated expensive super protective case covers, but I'm looking for something minimally padded, scuff protective for the HSC and minimally priced.
I'd consider using a cheap gig bag too but not sure what would fit a Gibson Styled Top Tension banjo case. Back pack straps would be nice.
Thanks for any ideas or recommendations of ones you've used. OME has a nice $20 space blanket-ish case but it's only for open back banjo cases...
Cheers, NB
Since you live in the USA, go to a local leatherworker and have one made for you.
Pete Seeger and Fred Starner both had leather gigbags made for their longnecks and 12-strings.
Calton has what you want, but not at your price point.
I use a bass gigbag for my longneck, but it's not big enough to be a case cover.
Does a hardshell case really need anything else ? It seems a bit obsessive compulsive to seek multiple layers of protection, (unless you're a travelling professional, & frequent flyer). A case on top of a case just means more weight & more steps to get to the instrument. Hardshell cases can last a hundred years , & they are designed to take dings & chips.
Is APPEARANCE important?
If so, go with the suggestion from Helix, and get custom leather.
It will be AWE-inspiring.
If NOT, go to a thrift shop, buy a used sleeping bag.
It's padded, it's got a big zipper.
Turn it inside out put the case in, up against the zipper,tighten it up with row of large pins.
Take out the case, stitch along the pin line, cut off the excess, turn it right side out, add carrying straps.
(Extra credit if it's a famous character KID'S bag!)
Well, figured a 100,000 orchestral string players couldn't be wrong ;-)
It's mostly for checking my instrument in a "secure holding area" at festivals
and when others handling my case aren't mindful of things like door frames or roadies.
\Obsessive compulsive. Maybe. I work hard for my money and instruments and come from an orchestral background where one doesn't just shrug off dings, dents, scrapes and tries to handle instruments and cases with the "respect" they deserve. Guess it's ingrained since college days.
I think a custom leather job is likely to be an expensive proposition if I could even find anyone locally.
If I come up with something I'll post it later. I may see if I can dig up a seamstress friend or canvas person in town for a slip on cover.
Here's the OME open back version. I may see if they can supply a resonator version at a similar price. A bit too space blankety
for me but the price was attractive for sure. https://www.omebanjos.com/product/insulated-case-cover/
Thanks
Edited by - northernbelle on 12/04/2019 18:42:55
There used to be an outfit called Colorado Case Co. (I think) that made nice sewn canvas banjo case covers. Then there was another called I think "Small Dog". You might Google those to see if anything come up.
Writing is hard
Not suggesting leather
Get canvas Or sew them up yourself
Calton makes them for riding in baggage cars
You wanted cheap, why?
Cheap because I don't need super durability and it's more of an "after thought" item for now. Just minor protection needed for certain occasions.
After paying for the banjo and just returning from a 40th Wedding Anniversary cruise ship trip, there isn't much money for quite awhile.
The Colorado case company has nice stuff. I knew about them. More than I'd need althugh back in the days when I carried my banjo case strapped to the back rest of a motorcycle in the Pacific N.W. rain those case covers would've been nice!
I'm sure I'll come up with something. I may have an old sail bag in my shed somewhere...I'll see what a kids sleeping bag might do.
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
