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Anyone ever build their own acoustic case? Any know where to get parts/hardware for a case build?

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
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http://ensorguitars.com

It's been pondered. If you search you'll find some threads eg
viewtopic.php?f=10112&t=37267&hilit=case
As far as hardware LV or Stewmac ( http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Accessories/Case_parts.html) or
viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=21614&hilit=case
viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=29754&hilit=case

Saw a Greg Smallman doc years ago... looked like he made his own... very nice. Bendy-ply avail these days can make it easier.

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Dave
Milton, ON

seems like the only "hardware" would be hinges and latches. I don't see any reason why the ones at the hardware store wouldn't work. I've never made a case though. Seems like a rectangle box would Be simple To make. But the guitar shaped carbon fiber ones seem like a little more effort. What style are you going for?

I have built cases for ukuleles. I have found that fiber-board with wood veneer surface is used for furniture building (mine is free). eighth inch bends easily if it is wet and hot (spritz water, foil wrap, bend on mold). Hardware from Lee-Valley. The case is a tad heavy but works.
I am thinking glass cloth, epoxy resin and aluminum foil might be worth a try. Guitars would need extra structural design because of their length.

Bob

I am wanting to build a "standard" type of guitar case. Think TKL/Cedar Creek. And by me, I mean I want to convince my wife to do all the upholstry and non wood working type stuff. I don't think they would be hard to pull off.

Bob,
Do you have any "build" pics of how you make cases? I would love to see the process.

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ELEVATE || Next Level Lutherie
http://elevatelutherie.com
&
http://ensorguitars.com

I have built a few coffin cases for guitars from plywood. It's pretty simple and the product looks good. But, the effort far exceeds the cost of a TKL case, even at retail. The cost of the materials is non-trivial. I do a Cedar Creek order once a year (they sell the TKL Prestige Elite cases). They cut a deal for builders. They are good people and the cases are well worth the cost.

I have built a few "coffin" cases using 1/2 inch pine sides and 1/8th inch plywood skins on the top and bottom. Glued and nailed and painted black, much the same as the originals, the box can be knocked together in a few hours. For linings and blockings I used corrugated cardboard panels wrapped in velvet remnants. Using 1/2 pine and 1/8th inch plywood helps keep the weight down, a common fault of homemade cases.
If you are good at scrounging and don't count your time you can build a box pretty cheaply. The coffin cases are not as sturdy as a commercially made hard case but for general transport in a passenger vehicle they are much better than the typical soft case.
Unless you need a special shape, you will be hard pressed to build a commercial type case for less than you can buy one (even counting your time for next to nothing).

I don't see the need to build a case unless the guitar is so oddly shaped that no pre-made case will fit it...

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Cat-gut strings are made from kitten guts, stretched out to near breaking point and then hardened with grue saliva. As a result these give a feeling of Pain and anguish whenever played, and often end up playing themselves backwards as part of satanic rituals.

Typhoon Guitars
http://www.typhoon-guitars.com

I'm not sure it would be worth the effort if you are looking to achieve the quality (without weighing a ton) you would expect from a pre-made case. That said, if you do it, I can't wait to see the results.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

FWIW here's a pic of a Smallman case ... nice
http://www.schrammguitars.com/ebay_small_case.jpg
http://www.romantic-guitars.com/wp-cont ... n-case.jpg
I agree it would be more a "labour of love" than commercially viable, but it would sure send a message re the quality guitar inside (& would be a cool project).

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Dave
Milton, ON

I thought about veneering a case in Brazilian rosewood, but then I would need a case for the case. My English horn has a soft case to protect the hard case. Maybe I should carry it in a brown paper bag to protect the soft case.

Some people prefer to use cheap beatup cases to- NOT- advertise the quality of the guitar inside.

Chris, you may want to check out Scott Walker's website www.scottwalkerguitars.com and definitely his Facebook page. He builds primarily electrics, but does offer a few small batches of acoustics and hollowbodies every year. All of his guitars now include a custom built case by him with every order, and he has some very cool ideas. I'm sure he'd be able to point you in the right direction with design and vendors with all the necessary parts to put one together. Tell him I suggested you contact him, and i'm sure he'd be more than willing to help you out in anyway he can.

Brad

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Brad