Need case or bag for extra-long dulcimer

[sandina]

I recently purchased a teardrop Fred Martin dulcimer on eBay (unsuccessful in finding an Edsel Martin). It has an inordinately long body and scale length (longer than even my baritones and bass dulcimer). No case or bag I own will fit it: I tried using an old guitar gig bag and the body area is too short and neck area too slim. The person who used to make custom cases to fit the Edsels has retired (or passed on, as have Fred and Edsel). I have a large and heavy Blue Lion oblong hardshell case, but it's fitted inside for a heart-shaped standard-scale Blue Lion; moreover, the Martin Bros.' pegheads tend to rise taller than most scrolls, so I doubt that the lid would even close.

If you make custom gig-bags or cases for dulcimers (or have a pattern I could use to "recycle" an old cheap quilt), give me a shout. (I saw a used Mark Leaf guitar case on Elderly's site but it was still twice what I paid for the dulcimer and fitted inside for a dreadnought guitar.

[5kwkdw3]

First off, what an historically interesting instrument you own. Reading a bit about the Martins on the site http://www.allusmartins.com/ was informative and intertaining. Could you tell us/me the instruments overall dementions: length, width at widest point and height (probably the scroll head if laid flat on a table). I don't know if I have the answer, but I sure enjoy looking for you and with these measurements I can weed through a lot of the definately wont work cases. Thanks......................Kevin.

[foggers]

Hi - I have similar problem with a large baritone MD made by my OH.

I have finally had to ask a friend who is an expert dress maker to do a custom designed soft gig bag for me.

In the meantime, I have improvised a protective cover by rolling the dulcimer up in a plastic backed picnic blanket (with plastic to the outside to provide shower protection) and I close the ends of the roll with some small bungee cords retrieved from our camping kit. It will do until my friend can produce the goods!

[cocaseco]

www.coloradocase.com

Colorado Case Company make extremely high quality, custom sized, dulcimer soft cases designed to protect your instrument from all types of weather and abuse.