Case Covers?
What's WRONG with Case Covers?
Nothing.
Except that not enough people have 'em.
People who travel with their instruments would do well to consider case covers. They extend the life of a case many times over, and also serve as a positive reminder to latch the case before you pick it up. Lots of us have inadvertently picked up a case without latching it. The lucky ones actually catch the instrument before it hits the deck!
Here's a cover I had made for my mandolin case:
The exterior of the case was rather worn and scuffed when I bought it in 1971:
Now, all these years later, the case is still in the same condition. It surely would have worn out by now if I hadn't covered it.
This is an original 1931 Gibson F-5 mandolin in its original case with its original case cover:
The cover is virtually worn away and is falling apart.
But it did its job:
The case inside is absolutely mint condition, without a single scratch, scuff or trace of tarnish on the latches!
Just for fun, here's a photo of the mandolin, also in perfect condition:
Chipboard Cases
Hardshell Cases
Styrofoam Cases
Molded Cases
Flight Cases
Gig Bags