Great Day!

BradHK

Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
965
Reaction score
2,477
Today has been a great guitar/Guild associated day. I have a few vintage Aristocrat/freshman guitars. All have their OHSC except two and the cases they have don’t fit really well. I have been keeping my eyes open for a period correct Guild case and have thought about just buying a couple new Guild cases. I decided to check Craigslist yesterday and found somebody local selling two brand new in the plastic wrapper Guild custom shop Aristocrat cases that were used in the Nashville custom shop. These are the alligator textured cases with the green interior and the custom shop badge. My Starfire from the Nashville custom shop has this style case and I really like it. I contacted the seller and we met at lunch today and I purchased both cases for $250. I can’t wait to get home and put them both to good use!

Even though I was really happy to get those cases, the best part was meeting the seller. My first question was where he got these two cases. He worked for Fender in the Nashville custom shop during the entire time they owned Guild. He ordered three of those cases and never had a need for these two. We sat and he told stories about Fender and Guild for half an hour. He met and worked with Bob Benedetto during this period and he left Fender and now works for him. Really great stories! If I did not have to get back to work for a meeting I could have stayed and talked for hours

Here is one of the cases (photo from the Craigslist post):

1674849744169.jpeg

1674849774732.jpeg
 

jp

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 21, 2006
Messages
4,836
Reaction score
1,749
Location
Pacific Northwest US
Guild Total
4
Great story and case acquisitions! I love when CL encounters are like that. I've had a lot of those myself, and yours sounds especially interesting.
 

BradHK

Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
965
Reaction score
2,477
That's so cool! Can you share any of the stories with us?
I always feel a little uncomfortable sharing details online of any conversation I have with others as I am not sure how much the other person would be ok sharing. The very broad summary was issues around Fender approaching the manufacturing and finishing of acoustic guitars as you would an electric guitar, and the associated problems that created, and Bob’s hand in thinning the tops of arch tops for better vibration. A very interesting conversation!
 

Westerly Wood

Venerated Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
13,285
Reaction score
6,428
Guild Total
2
I always feel a little uncomfortable sharing details online of any conversation I have with others as I am not sure how much the other person would be ok sharing. The very broad summary was issues around Fender approaching the manufacturing and finishing of acoustic guitars as you would an electric guitar, and the associated problems that created, and Bob’s hand in thinning the tops of arch tops for better vibration. A very interesting conversation!
"The very broad summary was issues around Fender approaching the manufacturing and finishing of acoustic guitars as you would an electric guitar..."

Love that. It's kind of like Bill Belichick asking Matt Patricia to be the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots.
 

twocorgis

Venerated Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
13,873
Reaction score
6,473
Location
Lawn Guyland
Guild Total
18
Cool story! I got to know a few of the folks at the Nashville Custom Shop when they did the neck reset on my '73 D50 back in 2010. Great people.
 
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Messages
579
Reaction score
94
They look like Cedar Creek cases, Nice heavy duty cases for sure. I have one for my Gibson Johnny A and my 1950 Epiphone Zephyr. Be aware that these cases had a reputation for the green color bleeding in the nitro. finish on archtop guitars. especially noticeable on blond finishes and bindings. I have not had a problem with either of my cases but you can check on The Jazz Guitar forum as there are several threads on these cases.
Thanks John
 

SFIV1967

Venerated Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2010
Messages
18,403
Reaction score
8,882
Location
Bavaria / Germany
Guild Total
8
Be aware that these cases had a reputation for the green color bleeding in the nitro. finish on archtop guitars. especially noticeable on blond finishes and bindings.
I'd guess that after more than 10-15 years they might have outgased enough so that this would not happen anymore now?
Also I believe that was an issue many many years earlier and not on those Guild cases, or?

Ralf
 

AcornHouse

Venerated Member
Joined
May 22, 2011
Messages
10,202
Reaction score
7,162
Location
Bidwell, OH
Guild Total
21
Good call. I’ve found that, most times, vintage cases (I’m talking 50s and 60s) no longer fit that well as whatever padding was used has compressed and the fabric has worn.
 

BradHK

Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
965
Reaction score
2,477
Thanks for the heads up regarding the Cedar Creek cases. These custom shop cases were made for Guild by TKL
1675016174552.jpeg
 
Joined
Mar 9, 2011
Messages
579
Reaction score
94
I agree this may have been taken care of by now, I would hope so. The padding used to get hard also. I am sure they will work great for you. I have never had a problem with mine. Some people just use a piece of cotton sheet to line the case. As I understand, Cedar Creek is the boutique division of TKL.
Thanks John
 

SFIV1967

Venerated Member
Joined
Nov 20, 2010
Messages
18,403
Reaction score
8,882
Location
Bavaria / Germany
Guild Total
8
As I understand, Cedar Creek is the boutique division of TKL.
Made in Virginia. Cedar Creek was/is the US/Custom division of TKL in Canada.

Ralf
 

BradHK

Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Jul 1, 2014
Messages
965
Reaction score
2,477
I learn something everyday! It did not know that Cedar Creek was the US TKL brand. Thanks to you both and I will keep an eye out for any issues!
 

HeyMikey

Enlightened Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2018
Messages
5,365
Reaction score
4,655
Location
MA
Guild Total
9
Great Day indeed. Congrats on finding those two NOS cases. Now go play the Lottery while you’re on a roll !
 
Last edited:
Top