Arch-back "D" sized hard-shell cases

[Will Eberle]

Hello everyone:
I found this forum while doing a search for a hard-shell case for a vintage arch-back D 4-12 I just purchased. I ran across thread from the early 2012's but was wondering if anyone could shed any light on new offerings for my guitar. Thanks!

 

[jciampa]

Hi Will,

Welcome to the forum. A case like this would work well for you and matches the era of your guitar (90s).

Good luck,
John

 

[Will Eberle]

Hi Will,

Welcome to the forum. A case like this would work well for you and matches the era of your guitar (90s).

Good luck,
John

John:
Thanks but my guitar has an arched back, adding bout 7/16" additional depth to the instrument's static depth of 4-1/4" to 5-1/4". This case lists a only 4-1/2" depth. Ideally a case would need to be 5-1/4" + 7/16" for the arched back (@ 5-3/4" to 6" deep) with rather deep padding on the bottom to accommodate the arched back of this guitar. The additional depth of the closed case top (perhaps 1" before the normal block of padding just above the string pins and bridge) would allow for the @ 1/2" additional height of the bridge and pins.

Back in the 1960s when I bought 2 Martins and my first Guild (F-212) 12-string from Karl at the Buck's County Folk Music shop, he supplied both my Martins with Guild cases which had quite deep bottom padding and were lined with dark-red flannel. I was in the Navy at the time and I guess he wanted me to have as robust a case as possible. I spoke with his daughter Kim recently but the shop no longer has any of those cases in stock. Both of the Martins were D-sized so the cases would have been too. The 212 was obviously not D-sized.

The hunt continues.

Will Eberle

 

[Br1ck]

See if you can find a Hiscox case dealer. Hiscox cases suspend your guitar from the sides, top and bottom, creating an air barrier around the guitar. There might be enough space for the arch back. They aren't cheap but I'll never buy anything else. Hiscox will send you pads to fit any guitar.

 

[adorshki]

John:
Thanks but my guitar has an arched back, adding bout 7/16" additional depth to the instrument's static depth of 4-1/4" to 5-1/4". This case lists a only 4-1/2" depth. Ideally a case would need to be 5-1/4" + 7/16" for the arched back (@ 5-3/4" to 6" deep) with rather deep padding on the bottom to accommodate the arched back of this guitar. The additional depth of the closed case top (perhaps 1" before the normal block of padding just above the string pins and bridge) would allow for the @ 1/2" additional height of the bridge and pins.

Back in the 1960s when I bought 2 Martins and my first Guild (F-212) 12-string from Karl at the Buck's County Folk Music shop, he supplied both my Martins with Guild cases which had quite deep bottom padding and were lined with dark-red flannel. I was in the Navy at the time and I guess he wanted me to have as robust a case as possible. I spoke with his daughter Kim recently but the shop no longer has any of those cases in stock. Both of the Martins were D-sized so the cases would have been too. The 212 was obviously not D-sized.

The hunt continues.

Will Eberle

Hi Will, welcome aboard!

Be aware Guild themselves offered the same case(s) for both flatback and archback guitars, there was no special "deep" case to accommodate the arched back.

That being said, I suspect the cases and padding themselves were deep enough and had thick enough padding to handle either type snugly. My D25's OHSC is the "standard" (flat topped) type case and it was pretty snug until the padding started to conform to the shape, but there's a clear imprint of the bridge, strings, and fretboard in the top padding now.

TKL was their primary case supplier during '90's, they may have something to offer I think Guild's case p/n's incorporated TKL's model numbers, but not sure.

This price list shows the Guild cases offered in '96, and note there's aso no special case for dreadnought 12's, so headstock clearance was also "built-in":

The "standard" (4500) cases were flat-topped and din't have quite as plush a lining as the "deluxe", more important, the "deluxe" (4520) cases had arched tops, primarily for strength, but maybe offering that extra bit of clearance you'd like for the bridge/pins.

Used cases do pop up on the usual sites.

 

[Will Eberle]

Hi Will, welcome aboard!

Be aware Guild themselves offered the same case(s) for both flatback and archback guitars, there was no special "deep" case to accommodate the arched back.

That being said, I suspect the cases and padding themselves were deep enough and had thick enough padding to handle either type snugly. My D25's OHSC is the "standard" (flat topped) type case and it was pretty snug until the padding started to conform to the shape, but there's a clear imprint of the bridge, strings, and fretboard in the top padding now.

TKL was their primary case supplier during '90's, they may have something to offer I think Guild's case p/n's incorporated TKL's model numbers, but not sure.

This price list shows the Guild cases offered in '96, and note there's aso no special case for dreadnought 12's, so headstock clearance was also "built-in":

The "standard" (4500) cases were flat-topped and din't have quite as plush a lining as the "deluxe", more important, the "deluxe" (4520) cases had arched tops, primarily for strength, but maybe offering that extra bit of clearance you'd like for the bridge/pins.

Used cases do pop up on the usual sites.

 

[Will Eberle]

Thanks:

That is very helpful info, esp. the catalog page.

I have been speaking with TKL and their "best" current match is an arched-top case; not a very good fit.

Before retirement, I restored Period houses as a master finish carpenter and traditional cabinetmaker. Looks like I'll have to either modify an older case or build one from scratch with some steam-bent, glued-up laminate sides and Baltic birch top and bottom with the correct padding. think I can get the hardware online.

Anyone else need a special-sized case while I'm at it?

 

[plaidseason]

I've owned two different DCE1s and both have fit fine in TKL cases. Both the basic flat lid cases, and the nicer TKL arched lid cases.

My current DCE1 also fits in a Godin TRIC dreadnought case, which is great for traveling.

 

[Will Eberle]

Greetings:

I thought I'd put a period to the end of the sentence on this thread. After carefully measuring my D4-12 and several conversations with Stephanie at TKL cases we've come up with the correct case number for my guitar, two models actually. The 8815, a slightly less expensive case which features a flat 'lid' and the 8815 LTD, a bit flashier case which is the model I've chosen. Both cases accommodate a total thickness of 5 3/4 ", the total dimension of the guitar including its arched back. The arched top of the case I've chosen will have plenty of room for the additional half-inch needed for the bridge and pins.

Since tomorrow is my birthday I've decided to treat the guitar to the new case and will be ordering it today.

I was originally infused by the descriptive verbiage in their catalog. The arched top on the premier model refers to the construction of the case which is designed to add some additional rigidity to the case's top rather than describing its ability to house an arch top guitar.

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I think I've found the correct string set for the guitar and I'm having a lot of fun reworking some of my repertoire to showcase this vintage instrument's unique tone.

 

[wileypickett]

You may be over-thinking it -- not that there's anything wrong with that!

I have a bunch of archback Guilds, both dreadnaughts and jumbos. Most of them came in their original cases, which are the same cases Guild used for the flatback versions of the same guitars.

The interior padding is sufficient to support either an archback or flatback.