A Case for the Lion

When Chris Maroudas ordered a cello for his son, George Maroudas, principal cellist of the South Florida Youth Symphony, he knew they were commissioning something special. Built by German maker Emanuel Wilfer, the instrument featured a rare detail: a lionhead scroll—a beautiful carving known for its character and, unfortunately, its unusual dimensions.

What the family never anticipated was how difficult it would be to find a case that could properly protect such a distinctive head. After months of searching, the journey eventually led them to us at A-Case — and to one of the most fascinating technical challenges we faced this year.

The Challenge: An Extraordinary Scroll in Need of an Extraordinary Case

Lionhead scrolls are wider, taller, and irregular compared to standard scrolls, which means many modern cases simply cannot accommodate them safely. Chris shared that one of their first attempts involved modifying an old, heavy fiberglass case with bolts and reinforcements — functional, but far from ideal for a young cellist performing at George’s level.

Additionally, with today’s concerns around online scams, especially with overseas purchases, committing to a fully custom build from another continent wasn’t an easy decision for the family.

At A-Case, we understood their hesitation.

To build trust, we started with transparency: no upfront payment, clear communication, and an open process.

Once we received the measurements, the real work began.

Case Surgery: The Only Way to Make the Fit Possible

This cello needed what we call "case surgery", a precise, technical process where the existing mold is cut and expanded to fit an instrument with non-standard dimensions.

Case surgery always leaves a visible black stripe where the cut and reconstruction happen. The easiest way to mask that stripe is to apply a full RAL solid color to the entire case.

But the customer wanted to avoid:

• A full solid RAL color
• The visible black stripe
• And stay within budget

Three limitations that don’t usually fit together.

This is where our founder and R&D director, Robert Schenk, stepped in.

A Creative Color Solution for a Complex Instrument

To keep the case visually clean without using a full solid color, Robert proposed a unique solution:

• The case head: where the surgery and the lionhead scroll meet was painted in a solid green tone.
• This solid green faded down into the original 3D Green pattern of the body, creating a seamless transition that hid the black stripe completely.
• Once the color was perfected, we applied a golden lion emblem under the final protective coat, a subtle reference to the scroll itself.

The result: The cello fit perfectly, the lionhead rested securely, and the final look remained true to our aesthetic and functional standards.

A Warm Collaboration Built on Trust

For us, this project was more than just a technical challenge, it was a meaningful collaboration. Supporting George Maroudas, a young soloist on an exciting musical path, and his father Chris, who guided the process with patience and dedication, was genuinely rewarding.

Every musician deserves a case that protects their voice.
Every unique instrument deserves a case built with intention and respect.

Projects like this remind us why A-Case exists: To craft solutions that help musicians, and the people who support them continue making music in the world.

If You Ever Face a Case Challenge…

Not every cello, viola da gamba, guitar, or violoncello da spalla fits standard measurements. And that’s exactly why we offer custom solutions.

If your instrument has a special scroll, unique outline, or non-standard dimensions, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help, guide you through the process, and find the safest, most elegant solution.

At A-Case, we’re honored every time a musician trusts us with their instrument. Supporting musicians means supporting the music they bring into the world, and that’s a privilege we will never take lightly.