Awesome guitar cases

chazmo

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I’ve always been fascinated by guitar cases. If you have any in your collection that you’d like to share, please go ahead!

I’ve personally owned quite a few different cases, but man… The sky’s truly the limit. I saw a recent custom build acoustic that got a case from Jeff Hoffee… Holy smoke, the case costs more than the Oxnard D-40 I recently bought. I guess if you’re spending ungodly amounts of money for a custom guitar, it’d be worth it. But, honestly, I wonder if I were traveling, would I even consider putting such a work of art (the Hoffee case, that is) in airplane luggage? I guess maybe if I were a gigging musician with guitar(s) of unspeakable value… Anyway, check these out.


Personally, I’d think a properly fitted Hiscox or SKB (iSeries) case -- or a Pelican case fitted with foam for your guitar of choice, very similar to the SKB — would be the way to go on an airplane or other mode of travel. Particularly on the road with various people potentially handling the gear. :)

The wickedest case I ever owned was a mid-90s Guild custom shop case (green lining, alligator cover). That thing weighed about 20 pounds without the guitar in it. Good protection, but mon dieu... too heavy to schlep around.

My favorite case in my current stable is the Humicase that came with my D-40. Beautifully constructed, I like the textured exterior, and it’s a really good fit for the D-40. I like my older TKL cases, and the TKL case latches are far superior to the Humicase, but I’m a fan. We’ll see how the Humicase wears.
 
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GAD

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The bladerunner "Safe Case" is pretty impressive, and heavy to the point of probably being 10-20x the weight of the guitar inside it. I should weigh one because it wouldn't surprise me if it's 40+ pounds. It's built like a road case but the weakness is the foam padding on the top and the fact that the guitar still slides around inside it so all the protection of the very robust shell is not well taken advantage of IMO. They also made at least three different designs that I've seen which is impressive for guitars probably numbering less than 200.

Guild-X100-BladeRunner-Case2.jpg

When it comes to Acoustics I think the one you linked to looks great! Pricey, yes, but it looks fabulous and if it's CF then it's probably strong as possible in a form-fitting design. Pelican and similar cases are great but consume a lot of space and the one in the OP is nice because you can fit it into an available space in a way that you can't with a bigger rectangular case. It's like Iron Man armor for a guitar. :) I agree, though, that spending that much for the average person doesn't make much sense.
 

chazmo

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The bladerunner "Safe Case" is pretty impressive, and heavy to the point of probably being 10-20x the weight of the guitar inside it. I should weigh one because it wouldn't surprise me if it's 40+ pounds. It's built like a road case but the weakness is the foam padding on the top and the fact that the guitar still slides around inside it so all the protection of the very robust shell is not well taken advantage of IMO. They also made at least three different designs that I've seen which is impressive for guitars probably numbering less than 200.

Guild-X100-BladeRunner-Case2.jpg

When it comes to Acoustics I think the one you linked to looks great! Pricey, yes, but it looks fabulous and if it's CF then it's probably strong as possible in a form-fitting design. Pelican and similar cases are great but consume a lot of space and the one in the OP is nice because you can fit it into an available space in a way that you can't with a bigger rectangular case. It's like Iron Man armor for a guitar. :) I agree, though, that spending that much for the average person doesn't make much sense.
That’s very cool, GAD.

And, showing a Guild case of any sort is all good, 'leccie or not. :) (I changed the title)

Agreed on the comment about that magnificent CF case. Right on about not being able to fit a rectangular case into the same cubbies/spaces.
 

twocorgis

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A big +1 for Hiscox Artist II cases. In terms of strength to weight, I think they're the best guitar cases out there.

I can't agree with your opinion of Humicases. While they look nice, I think they're junk. The one that came with my M40 has already had the sponge housing detach itself from the lid.
 
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chazmo

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A big +1 for Hiscox Artist II cases. In terms of strength to weight, I think they're the best guitar cases out there.

I can't agree with your opinion of Humicases. While they look nice, I think they're junk. The one that came with my M40 has already the the sponge housing detach itself from the lid.
Yeah, I haven’t figured out the durability of them yet, Sandy. Your experience may be instructional. I haven’t used the humidity thing at all. Did you? Maybe that caused the housing adhesive to loosen? Anyway, so far I’ve been lucky with mine. ;)
 

jp

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One of my huge regrets is that I wanted to start a company making cases like this back in about 2006. I was going to partner with a friend who was a soft products designer and specialized in bags of all kind for Nike, Columbia, Adidas, and many other companies. She was pretty gung ho, but she and her husband moved away. We never launched it. Coulda, shoulda, woulda. . . <sigh>
 

Nuuska

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Slight veer

Back when Ovation was among the very few among Martin - who offered "plastic" hard shell cases w aluminum profiles to make a perfect match - they were also very very scratch-proof.

So - Ovation offered buck-skin leather pouches to protect that plastic . . . 😂

If my memory serves me right it was even more expensive than the hard-shell case . . . 😂

Once I even saw one.



The idea must have come from the canvas-type covers of pulp-based violin cases.
 

chazmo

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Slight veer

Back when Ovation was among the very few among Martin - who offered "plastic" hard shell cases w aluminum profiles to make a perfect match - they were also very very scratch-proof.

So - Ovation offered buck-skin leather pouches to protect that plastic . . . 😂

If my memory serves me right it was even more expensive than the hard-shell case . . . 😂

Once I even saw one.



The idea must have come from the canvas-type covers of pulp-based violin cases.
The problem with those aluminum-rimmed plastic cases is that they BITE HARD if you make a mistake with the lid. Don’t ask me how I know, but suffice it to say that I had a very forgiving friend at the time, and she was willing to let it go.

Timo, I’m not familiar with the leather pouch that Ovation offered. Do you mean a removable case cover, or was it glued to the plastic?
 

davismanLV

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One of my huge regrets is that I wanted to start a company making cases like this back in about 2006. I was going to partner with a friend who was a soft products designer and specialized in bags of all kind for Nike, Columbia, Adidas, and many other companies. She was pretty gung ho, but she and her husband moved away. We never launched it. Coulda, shoulda, woulda. . . <sigh>
Would've, should've, and could've.... the trifecta of regretful contractions. ;)
 
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twocorgis

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Yeah, I haven’t figured out the durability of them yet, Sandy. Your experience may be instructional. I haven’t used the humidity thing at all. Did you? Maybe that caused the housing adhesive to loosen? Anyway, so far I’ve been lucky with mine. ;)
The look fine, but they're no match for a better TKL (or the like) case. They're certainly adequate. Much like the Orpheum cases, I think they're not commensurate.
 

Nuuska

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The problem with those aluminum-rimmed plastic cases is that they BITE HARD if you make a mistake with the lid. Don’t ask me how I know, but suffice it to say that I had a very forgiving friend at the time, and she was willing to let it go.

Timo, I’m not familiar with the leather pouch that Ovation offered. Do you mean a removable case cover, or was it glued to the plastic?

Removable case cover - more expensive than the case - and more vulnerable 😂
 

midnightright

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I was really a big fan of the latest TKL case I purchased, which was the dread sized that accompanies 12 strings as well. Figured the extra room couldn't hurt, when it comes to Guilds! Actually lighter than I had anticipated. Beautiful blue lining. All 4 latches right on the front, and same side. Just super easy & user friendly. And aside from it appearing as though some of the glue may have failed, on the inside of the case, from where the lining attaches (perhaps due to weather?). I can't think of anything particularly, "wrong" with it. And I wouldn't change a thing. Which is rare - to say the least... Given what a 'pain,' I can sometimes, other wise be! Like my Dad always said: "You don't play the case!" ...;)
 

fronobulax

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In a recent thread about guitar stands someone said their instruments were works of art and as such should be on display. The contrasting view was that guitars were tools. Both positions are defensible.

So is a case a work of art or fine engineering or is it merely a tool to protect a guitar (whether the guitar is "art" or a tool)? What role does a case cover play?

I am reminded of a time when people would buy slip covers to cover upholstered furniture during summer months (to protect the fabric from sweaty people) and living rooms where everything was covered in plastic to protect it. Perhaps the approach to valuing and protecting valued objects has a psychological component?

I grew up around professional and semi-professional classical musicians. The role of a case was to protect the instrument which was a tool they used to make money. When the instrument was worth more than a car then upgrading a case to do a better job was worth it. Covers for cases were also in use. Sometimes it was the same impulse to protect something expensive. Sometimes there was some value added in terms of protecting the instrument. Often the cover isolated rain and snow so that when the cases was finally opened there was little chance of the instrument getting wet.

To address the topic I too appreciate the green lined cases New Hartford used on some, often higher end, instruments. But the most awesome case I have is the stock case from Guild for my B50. It fits the bass and protects it. Not many other cases can do that for a B50.
 

chazmo

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I was really a big fan of the latest TKL case I purchased, which was the dread sized that accompanies 12 strings as well. Figured the extra room couldn't hurt, when it comes to Guilds! Actually lighter than I had anticipated. Beautiful blue lining. All 4 latches right on the front, and same side. Just super easy & user friendly. And aside from it appearing as though some of the glue may have failed, on the inside of the case, from where the lining attaches (perhaps due to weather?). I can't think of anything particularly, "wrong" with it. And I wouldn't change a thing. Which is rare - to say the least... Given what a 'pain,' I can sometimes, other wise be! Like my Dad always said: "You don't play the case!" ...;)
I think TKL uses/used water-soluble glue in their cases, midnightright. I’ve had occasions in some of my cases (not sure if they were TKL or not) when the glue got onto the guitar and formed a haze. Simple sponge off was all it took to remove the glue, but I suspect what you ran into was a result of humidifying in the case.
 

chazmo

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Removable case cover - more expensive than the case - and more vulnerable 😂
(y)

Timo, I remember talking with Doyle Dykes at an appearance he made in my local guitar store years ago, and he said that he traveled with his guitar(s) in their cases with soft case covers. I don’t recall asking him what cases he was using… Damn. I’d really like to know if he was using the manufacturer’s cases or not. At the time I think he was hawking Taylors at their road show, and of course if something ever got damaged he could replace it, if not on the day of the show.

I think that with one of these beautiful Hoffee cases, for example, I would certainly buy a case cover for travel to minimize scuffing, etc.
 

Nuuska

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As you might well know - I'm a roadie / FOH-engineer / soundman etc

The idea of having racks and transport cases to protect equipment is perfect. Now if my gramma were alive - should I ask her to knit protective sleeves for my road-cases . . . 😂


I can see the canvas-pouch over violin case made of "cardboard" w only thin vinyl being good, because canvas is more scuff-resistant than thin vinyl. Same would apply for guitar-cases made of thin plywood and covered w thin vinyl. But a hard plastic case covered w soft buckskin . . .

Then there are special roadworthy cases like the IATA-approved ANVIL-case, that I have for my Stratocaster. Heavy and clumsy - but very protective.

EDIT

I never heard of Hoffee cases - googlegooglegooglegoogle... - holy cow - they cost more than a decent guitar 😳 - they certainly need their own cover 😁
 

midnightright

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I think TKL uses/used water-soluble glue in their cases, midnightright. I’ve had occasions in some of my cases (not sure if they were TKL or not) when the glue got onto the guitar and formed a haze. Simple sponge off was all it took to remove the glue, but I suspect what you ran into was a result of humidifying in the case.
Interesting! And it's not too bad, nothing like I've had on some of their older cases, where they roll & then you can't hardly get the guitar in & out of, without potentially damaging the sides, if not careful! I've got two to three now, that I am planning on working on (if I can get around to finding both the time & the initiative)? I think I purchased it around March, but I'd have to double-check, so that could make sense...

One nice thing about having a good, or decent hardshell around here anyways--is that it can be easier to humidify in the winter. If you don't live in a fairly "humidity-controlled," environment (which very few seem to). So that is one way to protect them, is to keep them in their cases, and humidified.
 

chazmo

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One nice thing about having a good, or decent hardshell around here anyways--is that it can be easier to humidify in the winter. If you don't live in a fairly "humidity-controlled," environment (which very few seem to). So that is one way to protect them, is to keep them in their cases, and humidified.
Absolutely, midnight. Not sure where you are located, but constant, excessive dryness will crack your guitars. Don’t ask me how I know. Also, don’t keep your guitars close to your radiators/baseboards, even if they’re in cases.
 

tonepoet

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I just wanted to mention these molded Peavey guitar and bass cases from the late 70s / early to mid 80s.

My main reason for mentioning them is that I had a fire in a rehearsal space about 9 years ago now and one guitar that received no smoke or water damage was a Peavey T-60 in this style of case. The top and bottom of the case have a "tongue and groove" style seal when it closed that kept out the water and smoke. Compare this to a Guild SF-lV that was in it's original case but full of water. (The guitar did survive, once it dried out).

They made these cases for their T-series guitars and basses, as well as the Patriot series guitars.
(Photo from the net)
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tonepoet
www.jackshiner.com
 
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