Official Luthiers Forum!

Just closed the box on my first build (which is a 14 fret OM). I'm thinking of going ahead and getting a case to store the body since I have two children 10 yrs old or less.

What is a decent case for the money? What do you like about a particular case as opposed to another one? Any features I shoul dlook for? How do you compare the protection of the plywood constuction cases vs the fiberglass cases like some of the Martin cases I've seen?

I'm looking in the $150 - $250 max price range. I prefer to not spend $250 but I will if it's worth the extra money. I can buy TKL, Guardian Vintage, and Martin cases (300, 600, & 500 Series) here locally at Janet Davis Music and there is also Guitar Center and another music store locally........but I would buy off the internet if it's worth it.

Thanks for your input!

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

What about the Canadian cases available from Elderly Music? It appears that Canadian makes cases sold under the brand names TKL, Superior, Everest, Grand Prix, etx. This case looks similare to the Martin, Geib style cases sold with their signature series guitars (like the OOOEC) and sells for $109.

http://elderly.com/accessories/items/GCEV-000.htm

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

It looks like the fiberglass Martin cases I referred to in my first post are actually called Thermoplastic. What are the pros and cons of these cases vs wooden cases? These sell for $145 at Elderly......here are a couple of pictures:

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

I have been buying those 'Canadian' cases from Elderly for my 000 and 0M guitars. They are darn nice for the bucks. Not quite as nice as the Geib style cases from Martin. You can buy the Martin cases from Elderly too, I think they are a little over 200 bucks.

Chris.

The Elite guitar case looks good at $150. It has an arched top and back with multi-ply which they claim greatly increases the strength and protection of the outer shell.

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Chris, did you buy the 000/OM (at $109) or the flattop version ($85)?

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

I use the Canadian cases that Elderly calls Elite cases, obtained here in Canada from Heinl Violin company, they are for the price very good, the double arch gives better protection to the top and back of the guitar. I purchased a case for my 000 12 fret from Elderly as my supplier doesn't make a 12 fret case, it is called "Guardian vintage" and is similar the the Elite and it seems ok. They are on sale for $109.00 right now.

Fred

_________________
Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Check out the Tamarkin Company. http://www.tamarkincompany.net/ They offer what is basically the TKL/Canadian professional model at a good price. Their website is fairly primitive so you have to call them.
TJK

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Tamarkin, or Access for cheap(er) cases. Ameritage also has very good luthier prices on their Silver series.

_________________
Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

I have two of the arch top 000/0M model, and one of the tweed version of the same case. All very nice.

Thanks for the replies everyone!

I called Elderly to discuss all their case options (the Canadian models, Elite, Guardian Vintage, Martin, etc.). Of these they said only the Martin vintage case and the Martin thermoplastic moulded case were approved for airline checking. They recommended the best case for protection and longevity was the the Martin thermoplastic moulded case. They said it was slightly larger on the exterior and had more padding the other cases (though the Vintage Martin case was close/similar). They thought it protected the guitar better, wouldn't have to worry about knocking the black covering loose like on plywood cases, and it was lighter than the other cases.

I'm leaning toward this case. Anyone have a different experience?........or have a reason not to try the moulded Martin case (Model 630 GCMA-000)?

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

Short of a Calton or a real flight-case, no case I know of will safely make it on the airlines.

_________________
Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

I neither know this guy, or intend to promote his product, but it is an interesting endeavor. His point is that he was tired of seeing imported cases costing $800 and more coming into the US when we have the technology to build CF cases. His price points are pretty good right now. Don't know how long it will last. Generally under $500.

http://www.carbonfibercases.com/

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Surprised that no one has mentioned the Cedar Creek cases yet???

Great cases and with the "luthier" pricing you are very near the lower end of your prefered cost. That's for the 300 series.

Give Dennis a call....

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

I like the Cedar Creek Cases. I have a couple on order now. They are certainly easy to deal with, and the product is excellent for the price point. I posted the above re the carbon fiber flight case information.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

What Waddy said - I like Cedar Creek too and here are some of my cases.

The brown ones are genuine imitation swamp alligator....



You are looking at three different sizes too - an OM, a L-OO, and a dread. I think that the OM and dread where CC's standard sizes and the L-OO was custom sized for me and others who wanted them.





Have you ever tried to shine up a new pickg*ard that you installed on a guitar and no matter how much polishing or buffing that you did it just won't get all that shiny? Then 6 months later when you are playing the same stinkin guitar you notice a little corner of clear plastic coming up on the corner of the pickg*ard.... So you pull on the corner and a protective sheet of clear plastic comes off the pickg*ard and underneath the pickg*ard is as shiny as can be and just the way that you originally wanted it......

Well CC uses the same plastic to protect the metal plates seen in the pic below only this time I recognized this in advance. You can't pull the sheep over my face... Anyway that's why the plates don't look shiny in my pic below - there is a protective plastic over them that will be removed when these cases belong to someone.



My experiences with Cedar Creek were all excellent, they were very fast, prices for Luthiers are excellent, they want your business, and the cases weigh about 15 lbs and are well made IMHO. The 3 cases that you see pictured cost me around $628 with my choice of coverings, interiors, hardware, personalized plate. I deal with Dennis Reamy, super nice guy - 800-370-2991.

I usually use the TKL "Professional series". They, too, are very heavy, arch top cases and a LOT of protection for the money. Around $150.

Ron

_________________
OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

TKL and Cedar Creek are the same company. Cedar Creek is the "custom build" arm of TKL, and builds the case to the specs of your guitar. If your guitar is a standard size, TKL is a great option. If you need custom sizing, Cedar Creek is their option. And, I might add, for not a whole lot more than a standard sized case, and you get to pick the exterior and interior, and the hardware, and handle, etc. You can also get, if you wish, hygrometers, humidifiers, personalized cases, etc, for small up-charges.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! Very helpful. I will check more on the Cedar Creek & Ameritage cases as I'm not familiar with them.

Thanks again!

_________________
Formerly known as Adaboy.......

I need to put in another plug for Cedar Creek Cases. As someone working in New Zealand, the decision to order custom cases from North America comes with a certain amount of anxiety. What if something doesn't fit? What if they don't give a hoot about a small instrument producer on the other side of the planet?

Well, I needn't have worried. I recently ordered 4 custom cases for Cedar Creek (700 series). My worst fears seemed to be coming true when 2 of the cases were a bad fit. I sent a couple of photos to Dennis Reamy, who immediately assured me that they would put things right. And they did!

Any custom manufacturer can get things wrong from time to time (I sure do!!), but there's no better sign of a first-class supplier than one who wants to fix things and fix things right.

I'll certainly be ordering again from Cedar Creek.

Tim