I have an A-scale chuck lee 5 string that needs a case. I'm posting here, because I've learned that tenor cases might be the way to go. Maybe someone here can point me in the right direction? I did try posting in the "shopping" forum, to no avail. And yes, I did message Bob Smakula and Chuck Lee, and I've spent probably hours googling cases and I'm just not figuring this out.
So, what cases do you like? I'm interested in hard cases and sturdy gig/foam cases. At this point I'm open to guitar cases even. Or octave mandolin. Whatever works.
The dimensions of my banjo are
rim diameter: 11" rim, but it's 12" diameter total, including hardware
total length: 33 3/4" including tailpiece
Height including bridge: 3 3/4 " (this is maybe the tricky bit, Chuck's banjo pots are deeper than most)
Thanks for any leads. :)
Edited by - KatB on 01/27/2023 18:51:47
I've found that there are many more quality guitar cases available, & affordable than banjo cases. I have many banjos in guitar cases. If they need some space adjustment & padding , that is easily accomplished.
Edited by - tdennis on 01/27/2023 19:48:14
In the affordable range, I’d look at Superior and Guardian. Check with various dealers.
These are terrific - you might be able to find one that fits.
quote:
Originally posted by Bill RogersIn the affordable range, I’d look at Superior and Guardian. Check with various dealers.
Superior did make an openback tenor case that would probably fit. I ordered 100 custom cases and they came in deeper than I ordered. I rejected them and Saga, the importer of Superior cases, took them back ans sold them. They sold out and they are not planning to make that a regular offering.
Guardian does not offer an openback tenor case. Their only openback case, the CG-044-JO is for a full length 5-string. The length is listed as 40". Not sure if that is the interior or exterior length.
The big issue is the depth of the rim. Being deeper than most openback banjos, it may be the only alternative is to customize a standard case. Not impossible, but a big pain.
Bob Smakula
TKL makes pretty nice cases although a little heavy. Here is a tenor case that is very close to the size you are looking for.
tkl.com/products/21299-tkl-pre...ator-case
I really like Gator cases. Not sure if they have the size you need, but it is worth a try to look.
Robert
I have a Cedar Mountain “A” scale with a 3” deep pot, and a pot height, including the bridge, of 3.5.” It’s right at 33” long, and with the brackets included in the 11” pot’s measurement, it’s pot is a total of 12” in diameter. It fits nearly perfectly in one of Bob Smakula’s TKL, model 8938 cases for 11” tenor and short neck five string banjos. And there are a couple of inches to spare, overall length wise. It could be that your banjo’s slightly higher overall pot height would cause you problems. But if there’s any chance you could test/try your banjo in that particular case, I think it might be worth checking out.
I am really pleased with this case: banjo.ie/product/clareen-abs-t...njo-case/. Yes ... Clareen is in Ireland ... but they ship worldwide .... Tom and Fintan are great folks to do business with ... it was quick getting the case here to Vermont ... and it's a helluva case.
A couple of cases of Heineken would be nice.
Thank you everyone. Lots of good leads here.
I use a tenor superior gig bag for my 5str open back
I also own a beautiful reunion blues tenor gig bag (very good and quite expencive) that I usually use with my gibson tenor, but the five str open back fits well....
