1960's Guild cases for 16" and 16 3/8" lower bout

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Did Guild make different width cases for 16" and 16 3/8" lower bout guitars? Or did they put both sizes into the same width case? And even if they did make different size cases, can you put a 16 3/8" Guild into a case made for a 16" guitar?

 

[matsickma]

Hi Darryl,

I checked a few cases I have for size and fit. The CE100 I have are 16 3/8 lower bout. The vintage case I have that was designed for it looks to be a little bigger. A few months ago I picked up a Guild archtop case. It was new with a flaw and I thought it would fit a Bluesbird. It was much bigger. I initially tried a CE 100 and it seemed to tight. The more I sized it up I came to the conclusion the padding was pretty thick and that I could probably squeeze it into the case. It worked and after a few days it began to conform to the guitar. It actually holds the guitar more securely than an origional. I don't know what guitar it was made for and I know it was not designed for a X150 'cause I picked one of them off of Musicians Friend's clearance last year. I suspect it was for one of the newer model Guild acoustics.

M

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Mat,

I didn't know Musicians Friend had such deals. I'll have to check them out.

Is it possible that a tight fit on a new guitar might damage the finish?

dh

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

At Musicians Friend, I just found a Goldtone hardshell mando case for $39, regularly $69. Goldtone is as good as any (except the Calton class) and they make unusual cases that are in low demand, for example my two Goldtone cases for longneck banjos with reso.

For cases, I prefer new scratch and dent ones not just because of the price, but also because any new case is going to get scratched and dented pretty soon. Especially with Coastie using it for a workbench.