All, Some time back I brashly offered to build lute cases. Well, I was fairly deluged with enquiries, so many that I could spend some months building cases buy having no time for lutes. The empirical me says: "Either the offer was much too cheap or, there are many who need a case or a better case." I withdrew from the offer with regret since everyone needs a decent case. However, as I assemble a case for a customer's lute, I had an idea, not quite a brain storm, more of a drizzle. For $20 USD I will supply drawings instructions (email or traditional) and a detailed material list for making your own lute case. The drawings are cad renditions in PDF format. The case fits most lutes with a mensur of 62 - 76cm. I have worked long to simplify my cases (I hate building the bloody things) to keep my time at a reasonable minimum whilst still providing a good, attractive and - most importantly - sturdy case. My case is built of items available from any woodworking shop (if not Lowes or Home Depot) with a quick trip to the fabric shop and I would include part numbers for the hardware. Tools required are a mechanized saw of some sort - table saw, "saber saw" (handheld) or band saw - appropriate screwdrivers, rasp and file along with the usual household tools (hammer-pliers-etc.) and a place to do it. The kitchen table will do. Materials will cost under $100 US and with a bit of scrounging, quite a bit less. It will take you a weekend or two to put a case together and it will work for all everyday protection and storage. For an additional $15 I will include plan modifications for outsized lutes or long neck/pegbox variants. They're all equally easy to build just a bit more awkward. This case, and mine, are NOT intended to thwart the airline gorillas. If anyone wants a case like that, it is much heavier and more expensive. In fact, to check your instrument as luggage it needs to meet the requirements of other delicate instruments (musical or scientific) for a travel container. I suggest an outer case for your usual case, either a purpose built "sarcophagus" case or an aluminum/wood/composite sipping trunk large enough to hold your lute case and with appropriate padding within. If there is any interest, you may contact me at this email address. I prefer payments by PayPal at robdorsey.com but a check is ok. The mailing address is at http://robdorsey.com/Lute_contact.htm . Best, Rob Dorsey http://RobDorsey.com
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