Is that the case?

cupric

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Did Guild use TKL hard cases prior to the 2000s? I may have found a case for my GX, it is a Guild labeled TKL with blue lining. Age unknown.
Thank you.
 
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Yes, they used them starting in the mid 90’s for the reissue electrics, and sometime in the late 80’s/early 90’s for acoustics.
 

Guildedagain

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This is a case (ohhh the pun) of a Guild case that makes the whole upstairs of the house smell like a cheap whorehouse if you're even allowed to mention such a thing here, on a hot day, it's vomitous. I tried different things, I washed it on the picnic table, scrubbed, wshed it off with hose, copious amount of water, blown off, air dried, weeks outside, nope, it's going to stink for life.

So I looked it up, what's wrong with my Guild case, why does it stink like this, and I found out TKL used "Vanilla scented" glue.

I guess ask all questions before you buy, like does the case smell like someone immersed in your least favorite cologne?
 
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This is a case (ohhh the pun) of a Guild case that makes the whole upstairs of the house smell like a cheap whorehouse if you're even allowed to mention such a thing here, on a hot day, it's vomitous. I tried different things, I washed it on the picnic table, scrubbed, wshed it off with hose, copious amount of water, blown off, air dried, weeks outside, nope, it's going to stink for life.

So I looked it up, what's wrong with my Guild case, why does it stink like this, and I found out TKL used "Vanilla scented" glue.

I guess ask all questions before you buy, like does the case smell like someone immersed in your least favorite cologne?
Apparently a lot of people have had this vanilla experience! Some people like it, and they still use it on high end Collings and Martin cases to give it a "woody" smell (unbelieveable), but others have mentioned that sometimes it smells like old onions etc, maybe due to how the case was kept - in a damp basement, or open in a house with heavy perfumes or spoiled food. It sounds like you have tried a lot of things, but obviously washing it on the outside won't do anything since the glue is on the interior and the fabric and padding soak up scent. I recently picked up a Guild Blues 90 from a guy who must have smoked constantly and never opened his windows for 20 years. DISGUSTING, and i didn't even realize it until i had it in the car and was driving home after the sale. I honestly considered reselling at a loss to somebody who would care less, but the guitar is absolutely beautiful and mint so I figured out a combination of things that worked!! Well, like 95%, at least it doesn't stink up my house or the guitar itself. Maybe im too sensitive, dunno.

Anyways -
1 - apply baking soda generously all over the interior of the case. It vacuumed up with no issues, so don't worry about it looking like a baking massacre.
2 - dust with coffee grounds. It neutralizes the smell and won't stain the interior. There is a reason why Sephora has coffee beans in white tins in their perfume and cologne display isles.
3 - charcoal odor reducer pack of 5 packets from Home Depot. Same concept as above, and you can leave them in the case after everything else to continue the odor reducing process with the guitar in the case without worry of damage etc.
4 - crumble up fresh inky newspaper into balls and stuff the case completely and close it. The paper soaks up smell, and the ink neutralizes it without leaving its own odor.

I did this for about a month, and changed everything out (minus the charcoal packs) once a week and let the case sit empty and open in the direct hot sunlight all day to bake off any residual dampness. Backyard, rooftop, anything outside because a living room or car would just end up smelling like the case. A hot attic may be fine too if that doesn't bother you, although it could possibly warp the exterior tolex, but i haven't tried it myself.

Picks for posterity - I added the cream speed knobs, tip, and tuning pegs.
 

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cupric

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So I bought a case. Blue interior. TKL, with Guild shield on outside. It is supposed to be from the 90s or early 2000s. The GX does fit, tightly. The headstock barely clears the rim. But it does close. The guitar does not lie perfectly flat and has a slight teeter to it. So, it is definitely better than a small dread case.
The chances of finding a period correct case is likely small. I will continue to look. I think the new case is most likely for a Aristocrat or Bluesbird. There is enough difference to not be perfect for the GX. I paid a bit over $150. Including shipping, and the case does appear to be of reasonable quality.
 
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So I bought a case. Blue interior. TKL, with Guild shield on outside. It is supposed to be from the 90s or early 2000s. The GX does fit, tightly. The headstock barely clears the rim. But it does close. The guitar does not lie perfectly flat and has a slight teeter to it. So, it is definitely better than a small dread case.
The chances of finding a period correct case is likely small. I will continue to look. I think the new case is most likely for a Aristocrat or Bluesbird. There is enough difference to not be perfect for the GX. I paid a bit over $150. Including shipping, and the case does appear to be of reasonable quality.
The GX has a 6-in-line headstock and they are generally longer then a Bluesbird as a result, which is why you are having it touch the top interior. The neck is a bolt on and parallel to the top of the body, whereas Bluesbirds from that era have a neck angle similar to a Les Paul, roughly between 3-5 degrees, so the interior for the case compensates for this by having extra padding closer to the neck heel which balances out the guitar. This is why you are experiencing the teetering thing. If the case is shaped like a Bluesbird, it’s for a Bluesbird since there were no aristocrats around at that time. If it is rectangular, then it may be for a S100, but in my experience, they would teeter as well because they have a flat neck radius. My bet is on Bluesbird. Oddly, I’ve never seen a case from the late 90’s with blue interior, only from the 70’s. The 90’s cases had burgundy red interior, and the custom shop had crushed green velvet. Fancy.
 

cupric

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The GX has a 6-in-line headstock and they are generally longer then a Bluesbird as a result, which is why you are having it touch the top interior. The neck is a bolt on and parallel to the top of the body, whereas Bluesbirds from that era have a neck angle similar to a Les Paul, roughly between 3-5 degrees, so the interior for the case compensates for this by having extra padding closer to the neck heel which balances out the guitar. This is why you are experiencing the teetering thing. If the case is shaped like a Bluesbird, it’s for a Bluesbird since there were no aristocrats around at that time. If it is rectangular, then it may be for a S100, but in my experience, they would teeter as well because they have a flat neck radius. My bet is on Bluesbird. Oddly, I’ve never seen a case from the late 90’s with blue interior, only from the 70’s. The 90’s cases had burgundy red interior, and the custom shop had crushed green velvet. Fancy.
I have no clue which guitar this is for unless it's a later case than I was told. The GX originally came in the same case as the Songbird. (At least that is what the original ads claimed). So I am stumped. I have not heard from anyone in the forum that has an original GX and case. If anyone does please respond. A picture of the guitar in the case would be awesome!
I'm still looking for a case. Knowing what to look for would help😊. I am also watching for a guitar and case. Very elusive!
 

SFIV1967

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Can you post outside and inside pictures of the case you got?

The GX cases were black inside and the neck was resting in a big block of foam covered with fur on top of the lid inside.

The case number was "42P", exact same case number like for the Songbird and the Nightbird in the 1990 catalog as mentioned also in another thread about the topic.

The later '90s and '00 cases were called C42P and had FMIC part number 350-1075-200.
They were for the S4CE, S-100 and the Bluesbird and had a normal lid inside.

So those are the 80ies and early 90ies 42P cases:

1616965940681.png


1616965459790.png


1616966655441.png


That was Bonneville88's GX, you can see that block of foam covered with fur on top of the internal lid on all of those 42P cases.

1616966747882.jpeg


That is a 1999 C42P Bluesbird case, you see the different neck support inside. Also from outside you see the screws which hold the internal compartement are different, there are two on top of each other vs. only one on each side on the 42P cases:

1616967430249.png
1616967452997.png


1616967243318.png


1616968503748.png



Now a case with blue felt inside was used like on a 1973 M-75 Bluesbird! Yet different screw positions and different latches.
And that case was also called "42-P":

1616967664404.png


And Corona starting 2002 had yet again another case. This one (picture by GAD) shows a case were you see no outside screws and still no latch at the upper bout position:

1616968343934.png


Now the final case is the Newark St. Bluesbird case:

1616968895485.png


Ralf
 
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cupric

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Can you post outside and inside pictures of the case you got?

The GX cases were black inside and the neck was resting in a big block of foam covered with fur on top of the lid inside.

The case number was "42P", exact same case number like for the Songbird and the Nightbird in the 1990 catalog as mentioned also in another thread about the topic.

The later '90s and '00 cases were called C42P and had FMIC part number 350-1075-200.
They were for the S4CE, S-100 and the Bluesbird and had a normal lid inside.

So those are the 80ies and early 90ies 42P cases:

1616965940681.png


1616965459790.png


1616966655441.png


That was Bonneville88's GX, you can see that block of foam covered with fur on top of the internal lid on all of those 42P cases.

1616966747882.jpeg


That is a 1999 C42P Bluesbird case, you see the different neck support inside. Also from outside you see the screws which hold the internal compartement are different, there are two on top of each other vs. only one on each side on the 42P cases:

1616967430249.png
1616967452997.png


1616967243318.png


1616968503748.png



Now a case with blue felt inside was used like on a 1973 M-75 Bluesbird! Yet different screw positions and different latches.
And that case was also called "42-P":

1616967664404.png


And Corona starting 2002 had yet again another case. This one (picture by GAD) shows a case were you see no outside screws and still no latch at the upper bout position:

1616968343934.png


Now the final case is the Newark St. Bluesbird case:

1616968895485.png


Ralf
Ralf! You are incredible! Just simply amazing. I'll post a picture of my new case asap.
Thank you! Again!
 

Rambozo96

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Apparently a lot of people have had this vanilla experience! Some people like it, and they still use it on high end Collings and Martin cases to give it a "woody" smell (unbelieveable), but others have mentioned that sometimes it smells like old onions etc, maybe due to how the case was kept - in a damp basement, or open in a house with heavy perfumes or spoiled food. It sounds like you have tried a lot of things, but obviously washing it on the outside won't do anything since the glue is on the interior and the fabric and padding soak up scent. I recently picked up a Guild Blues 90 from a guy who must have smoked constantly and never opened his windows for 20 years. DISGUSTING, and i didn't even realize it until i had it in the car and was driving home after the sale. I honestly considered reselling at a loss to somebody who would care less, but the guitar is absolutely beautiful and mint so I figured out a combination of things that worked!! Well, like 95%, at least it doesn't stink up my house or the guitar itself. Maybe im too sensitive, dunno.

Anyways -
1 - apply baking soda generously all over the interior of the case. It vacuumed up with no issues, so don't worry about it looking like a baking massacre.
2 - dust with coffee grounds. It neutralizes the smell and won't stain the interior. There is a reason why Sephora has coffee beans in white tins in their perfume and cologne display isles.
3 - charcoal odor reducer pack of 5 packets from Home Depot. Same concept as above, and you can leave them in the case after everything else to continue the odor reducing process with the guitar in the case without worry of damage etc.
4 - crumble up fresh inky newspaper into balls and stuff the case completely and close it. The paper soaks up smell, and the ink neutralizes it without leaving its own odor.

I did this for about a month, and changed everything out (minus the charcoal packs) once a week and let the case sit empty and open in the direct hot sunlight all day to bake off any residual dampness. Backyard, rooftop, anything outside because a living room or car would just end up smelling like the case. A hot attic may be fine too if that doesn't bother you, although it could possibly warp the exterior tolex, but i haven't tried it myself.

Picks for posterity - I added the cream speed knobs, tip, and tuning pegs.
Perhaps it’s worth mentioning that a TKL case I had bought for my D-35 also smells of vanilla. I guess it’s either wood glue or perhaps they put in some scent so it smells pleasant.....or like a brothel in some others experience. YMMV
 

Rambozo96

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Post found on the Acoustic Guitar Forum that explains this phenomenon. I have a 90’s Guild case I guess I could investigate to see if it too smells of vanilla. Given the age of the case I have my doubts, also for some reason the inside of my D-25 smells of cigars which isn’t too unpleasant really.

“I was told by a woman at Cedar Creek Cases, the premium division of TKL that makes the cases for Collings, that they add a vanilla scent to the glue they use in the cases to give a pleasant, slightly sweet, woody aroma.

I always wondered why Collings smelled so good.

A few years back, I sold a Collings to a friend. I ended up buying it back about 8 months later and it had a stank and smelled totally different. Like cooked onions. I am convinced he had left the case open for an extended time and it took on kitchen cooked food odors.

Where and how the guy stored your guitar has great influence on the smell.

I always close my case when removing my instrument. These cases absorb odors easily.

Sal has good suggestions above. Also, sunlight is Mother Nature’s natural deodorizer.”
 

cupric

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Sooooo.....It appears I have a C42P. It IS red inside. The seller had two cases, and he sent the case that was in the best condition. The other case was apparently blue inside, which would make it a Newark? Case. These pictures were sent by the seller.
image9.jpeg
image7.jpeg
 

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GAD

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Yeah I call that a Westerly ‘99s case. Nice score! They’re way better than the NS cases.
 

cupric

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He had to ship the case to me. That was probably half of the price I paid. It came nicely packed in a guitar box. So, yes I do agree it was a fair deal. I paid pretty much exactly the retail price of the NS case. The case is in nice shape, no odors, and little wear.
So maybe if I buy a 1990 era Songbird with original case I could switch! I'm looking for one for a future purchase.
 

SFIV1967

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Sooooo.....It appears I have a C42P. It is red inside. The seller had two cases, and he sent the case that was in the best condition. The other case was apparently blue inside, which would make it a Newark?
No, that second case is definitely no Newark St. case, it seems to be the same late '90s vintage as the red case. Both have the two screws on top of each other for fixing the inside compartement and both have the same latches, logo and the same position of the latch with the lock. Unfortunatelly there is no picture of the blue one from inside, it would be interesting to see how blue it is and which guitar at that time used a blue fur inside.
Your red one looks to be in excellent condition!

1617105486056.jpeg
1617105514413.png


Ralf
 

cupric

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No, that second case is definitely no Newark St. case, it seems to be the same late '90s vintage as the red case. Both have the two screws on top of each other for fixing the inside compartement and both have the same latches, logo and the same position of the latch with the lock. Unfortunatelly there is no picture of the blue one from inside, it would be interesting to see how blue it is and which guitar at that time used a blue fur inside.
Your red one looks to be in excellent condition!

1617105486056.jpeg
1617105514413.png


Ralf
It is in great condition!
Thanks again Ralf!
 
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