| Author | Message | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 630 Registered: 12-2004 |
Well, my dream of having a Halliburton Zero case got shot down (not big enough). So I'm thinking of alternate possibilities. What would the outer dimensions need to be for a hard shell case? Could I just add 3" around the outer dimensions of the bass? To preempt the logical, "Just contact company X," I'm really fixated on either carbon fiber or powder coated aluminum. If I do the aluminum case, I'm thinking about riveting sheet brass to one side of the case, and having something etched on it. Very steampunk, but I don't know that I'll use a steampunk design. Basically I know I can do this (I've done the research for both avenues), but I can't seem to get a good feel for just how big the case should be. I'd like to have something about as durable as a flight case (i.e. piano hinges, recessed hardware, butterfly latches), but I really hate the looks of the typical ATA case. I don't intend to fly with it. Any advice welcomed. Bradley | ||
| chuck
Intermediate Member Username: chuck Post Number: 120 Registered: 3-2005 |
Bradley. Try Americase website.I trust my $ 20,000.00 pair of Perazzi Trapguns in their cases.They will custom make if needed and have 4 grades with the top line being solid aluminum,welded seams,plush linings and recessed high quality latches. Chuck | ||
| wayne
Intermediate Member Username: wayne Post Number: 143 Registered: 5-2002 |
FWIW - I attempted to have a case built by Americase. Even took the bass to them in addition to a detailed drawing on cardboard (their shop is within 45 minutes of my house). The case was great. The interior was not. At least 1" gaps all the way around the bass - the bass moved freely in the case. The case was built with wheels, but the cutout for the bass put the headstock at the bottom. Here's the kicker --- he wouldn't change it! The "lock" wouldn't. The second lock wouldn't. The shop foreman told me they didn't have a lock that would work on a case that size. They do amazing jobs on gun cases. They do amazing jobs on reusable shipping containers. From my experience, they do not do instrument cases well. If you want a generic "box" that will withstand virtually anything but a punch through by a forklift, I can highly recommend them. But I would not trust them to make the interior. There are apparently custom road case makers allover the place. I just heard of another one here in Dallas. As long as they do 3/8"-3/4" high grade plywood or a high grade composite with full length aluminum edges and washer backed riveting, the case will do the exterior protection well. The trick is getting the interior to hold the bass securely in place away from the sides. Good luck!! C-Ya.........wayne | ||
| chuck
Intermediate Member Username: chuck Post Number: 123 Registered: 3-2005 |
Wayne. Sorry to hear of your experience with Americase.As one of their stocking dealers it saddens me to hear this.I do not carry any instrument cases only gun cases and have not had a problem in 15 years of stocking them. Chuck | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2128 Registered: 9-2003 |
Try Calzone cases. Their stuff is top shelf. http://www.calzonecase.com/ | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Intermediate Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 140 Registered: 10-2006 |
In my experience, Calzone, Star, and Anvil all make decent cases - R&R Cases in Evanston, IL makes EXCELLENT cases (and speaker cabs) - they are here. Peter | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2352 Registered: 7-2004 |
These guys are supposed to be the best, though not powder coated aluminum (sound like a donut!) or carbon fiber, as Bradley desires: Calton Bill, tgo | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 633 Registered: 12-2004 |
So, Just to ask more directly (especially since some of you have had custom cases made): What would the outer dimensions need to be for a hard shell case? Could I just add 3" around the outer dimensions of the bass? Bradley | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 637 Registered: 12-2004 |
I'm thinking about adding three inches around the edges of my bass, but that seems like it will be an awfully large case- 55x21 inches. Can anyone with an ata case confirm that these dimensions are in the ballpark? What are the dimensions for a standard case? How much space do they leave around the instrument (headstock, tail, and bouts)? | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2363 Registered: 7-2004 |
Bradley: I just bought a Rockcase by Warwick ATA lighter weight flight case that was delivered today. The interior sides are lined with 13/16" thick foam. The top is lined with eggcrate foam. The bottom appears to also be lined with about 1" of foam. I have an old heavy duty ATA case in the carport. It was originally for a Les Paul shape. I'll pull it out over the weekend, if you'd like, and check the measurements. I'd be careful about getting too big a case. The hardshell case for my Series 1 12 string has at least 3" of foam surrounding the entire guitar except the point. The case is WAY too big - a pain in the butt. I'm using a BodyGlove bass gigbag instead. Bill, tgo | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2364 Registered: 7-2004 |
I checked out this Rockcase closely last night after posting the above. I'm going to have to add a bit of foam to keep the guitar secure and prevent any movement within the case. When I'm done there will be at least 2" of foam between the guitar and the wall of the case. Anyone know a good source for foam - especially a source where I can maybe send them a template and have some cut to fit the guitar exactly? Bill, tgo | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 638 Registered: 12-2004 |
going to 2" cuts things down to 53x19 inches, which I suspect is a lot more manageable than the 2" would imply. Bill, You might try http://www.penn-elcom.com/ - They seem to have all the geegaws for case building. Bradley | ||
| pierreyves
Member Username: pierreyves Post Number: 93 Registered: 11-2006 |
rack from Thomann, deutschland, good prices, good quality.... http://www.thomann.de/fr/search_dir.html?sw=thon&x=0&y=0 | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 639 Registered: 12-2004 |
Thanks for the link. Bill, I'll covet any and all measurements you're willing to share. Bradley | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2368 Registered: 7-2004 |
Bradley: Sorry, I forgot about mother's day, so I didn't have time to drag out the old anvil case and measure. I might be able to get to it this week sometime. In the meanwhile I found a company called Rock Hard Cases that will make me a custom foam insert. I'm sending them a tracing of the guitar along with the interior measurements of my case. They are charging $100 for the bare insert, or $150 for the insert covered in velvet. I'm going for the velvet - you only live once. It should arrive by June 5th (I'm flying on the 7th). Bill, tgo | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 1486 Registered: 4-2004 |
i will post the monster the classico had built for it shortly | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 644 Registered: 12-2004 |
Oh man. ATA? Hardshell? I think I have CAS (Case Acquisition Syndrome). Let me do my Paul, the bad one, imitation: pics, pics, pics! Bradley | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2420 Registered: 7-2004 |
The custom foam insert for my Rockcase was delivered yesterday. It fits perfectly and gives me a lot of confidence in my guitar's safety. I'll be flying with it next week. Case ........................... $80 Custom Foam ................$175 (with shipping) Confidence my guitar can arrive in one piece.................... Priceless Here are some pics: Bill, tgo       (Message edited by lbpesq on June 02, 2007) (Message edited by davehouck on June 09, 2007) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 856 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Bill just a question if I may. Your case has a locking ring on the butterfly clasp. Do you actually lock your cases when they are in transit? I've had mixed opinions on the pro's and cons. From personal experience I sent a locked flight case through with the luggage when returning from a tour of the states in the early 90's The case came back through baggage in a huge clear plastic bag with everything strewn about untethered inside. They had broken the hinges off the case to get inside due to it being locked and did not secure the guitar in the case before bagging the thing up. So everything was loose in the bag, the case held together by my lock on one side and the other end open with the guitar also outside the case but in the bag. Needless to say the guitar was damaged, had a huge gash in the body and a few scratches from movement. It could have been worse. I got no recompense from the airline at all. Once occasion a couple of years ago I put a locking hasp on the case and that was broken off. This time round I haven't locked the cases. Sometimes they have been opened but thankfully closed securely afterwards and a note inside from customs to inform that it has been opened. I have bought some locks that apparently customs have a universal masterkey for so that should be ok but not been abroad yet to try them out. I just wondered what your experience was on this matter. Jazzyvee | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2421 Registered: 7-2004 |
Jazzyvee: This case actually can't lock. The butterflys have the cutout for the hasp, loop, or whatever it's called - the part the lock would actually attach to - to poke through, but there is no hasp to poke through it. Even if there were, I wouldn't lock it as TSA would surely bust it open. If I were to consider locking it, I would get one of those TSA approved locks that the airport security can open with a master key or code or something. Sounds alot like what you describe. I figure painting my band's name on it, and putting all those stickers on makes the case stand out a bit. If someone grabbed it, it would stick out like a sore thumb as they walked through the airport. As for airport security opening the case and stealing the instrument? You pays your money and you takes your chances. Bill, tgo | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 448 Registered: 11-2004 |
Jazzy- When I returned to NZ from my last trip to the states I brought back a Peavey T-40. It traveled in it's regular hard shell case, but I put a TSA approved lock on there. No Problems- they opened the lock, inspected it, left me a little note and sticker saying it had been inspected and re-locked the lock. So long as the lock is clearly labeled TSA approved, I can't see how they'd bust it open. Just one man's opinion..... | ||
| edwin
Advanced Member Username: edwin Post Number: 233 Registered: 5-2002 |
I just ordered a Calton case for my '67 Starfire. It's not cheap, but apparently is considered the best out there by acoustic musicians. If it can get an acoustic guitar around the world, I am sure it will do fine with a semi hollow body. Plus, it comes in purple! Only bummer is the wait time is almost on par with getting a custom Alembic. Edwin | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2424 Registered: 7-2004 |
Calton also makes electric cases. I'm considering one for my soon-to-be-finished-I-really-really-hope Further. There are some dealers that stock them. (You can get a list of of the Calton web site). If you can find one, it saves a lot of time. Of course, if you order the deluxe (a couple of pounds heavier and 40% stronger) you can pick out your own interior and exterior colors. Bill, tgo | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 672 Registered: 12-2004 |
Edwin, You're not saying that a case from Calton takes 2 1/2 years?  How many inches of padding does the Calton case have? Bradley | ||
| edwin
Advanced Member Username: edwin Post Number: 234 Registered: 5-2002 |
Not quite that long, but they stated a wait of 24 weeks. I am not sure about the number of inches of padding, but I think that the way the fibreglas is constructed and how carefully the instrument is supported gives it the protection it needs. Get back to me in 6 months and I'll tell you all about it! Edwin | ||
| squirefan01
Junior Username: squirefan01 Post Number: 12 Registered: 6-2007 |
Regarding the Rockcase with custom foam insert, how did you get them the info to create the insert? I am looking for some sort of hardshell case for my Essence. It came shipped in an Ibanez hard case, but it's not a perfect fit. Also, can you give me a web link for these cases? Thanks | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2493 Registered: 7-2004 |
Greg: The case itself is the Rockcase by Warwick. I think I got it from samash.com, (it could have been on one of the other mail order houses. I'll check tonight when I get home), but they only had two left. I'm not sure they make them anymore. They do show up on ebay for about $150-175, though I got mine new for $80. The company that did the foam is Rock Hard Road Cases in Oregon. I dealt with Mark who I believe is the owner. He's really nice and easy to work with. Per his instructions, I measured the interior dimensions of the case. I then laid my guitar out on a big piece of paper, traced the outline, and mailed the dimensions and tracing to Rock Hard. He charged $150 with velvet covering (less if just plain foam) plus $25 shipping. He threw in a can of adhesive spray, no charge. It took about 2 or 3 weeks. I told him I needed it to fly by a certain date and it arrived several days before that. Fits perfectly. I just ordered a Calton for my Further. If you want one of these, I suggest going through a dealer rather than the factory direct. I went through Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto. They place orders in advance and then tell Calton what size, shape, color, etc. as their customers order. I'm getting mine in about 3 months. The factory wait is late December! Bill, tgo | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 2495 Registered: 7-2004 |
I got the case from Elderly Instruments. They might have one left if you call them. Bill, tgo |
