Finding a good (modern) hard case?

[Steven Watson]

I'm trying to find a good, practical hard case to fit these old banjos. It seems to be hard to find a modern case that isn't far too big. I need something to protect the banjo while travelling on trains etc.

At the moment I'm trying a Gator case padded with a towel, which works but still doesn't feel as secure as I'd like. I don't mind spending a fair bit if need be.

Does anyone here have any suggestions? I'm in the UK if that makes a difference.

Many thanks!

[Jody Stecher]

Crossrock is making some good cases. Some come with extra removable padding. Some models are built with the string box in the wrong place but most are just right.

Golden Gate makes a repro "bump" case that I like.

When you say "too big" do you mean too long or too wide for the pot or both or something else?

[Steven Watson]

Thanks Jody. I mean too wide and tall for pot. It being too tall is the greater problem -- hard to make the banjo sit level. I wondered about Crossrock. Golden Gate I don't know. With both it looks like I'd have to import from US, which is a bit annoying, but it might be the best option.
Jody Stecher said:

Crossrock is making some good cases. Some come with extra removable padding. Some models are built with the string box in the wrong place but most are just right.

Golden Gate makes a repro "bump" case that I like.

When you say "too big" do you mean too long or too wide for the pot or both or something else?

[Jody Stecher]

I think both Crossrock and Golden Gate are made in China. I dunno if their cases sometimes go directly to UK. I haven't found cases that were too tall. Could it be you have been using a case or cases intended for a resonator banjo? As for too wide, Golden Gate specifies which cases are for 12 inch pots and which for 11 inch pots. Crossrock has a bit of chaos in their lower models. The cases are well made, especially a step or two up from the basic cases, but as far as I can tell from phone calls and emails with Crossrock employees no one who builds the cases has ever played a banjo, and possibly has never seen one either. I have had problems with the fifth peg colliding with the string box in one of their low models.  But they corrected the problem,

TKL cases are pretty nice. Last time I looked they were made in Canada.