The durability of an instrument is very vital I guess - I know I would cringe at the thought of someone spilling beer all over an instrument I created in some club, so the instrument you use on the road - that ovation - maybe is the best choice. I am primilarly talking about accoustic guitars. As to the durability, how a guitar will hold up,if a guitar is made out of solid wood(opposed to ply) it is going to have to be treated more carefully than a solid body guitar or a laminated accoustic instrument.Today I see cases that are close to $500.00-- those by Amaritage for instance. I think all of you musicians would supprise yourselves if you takd the time to locate individuals who build instruments. Many of the share some of your traits-- If I understand things from a folk musicians point of view:(1) you play what music you like rather than top 40's stuff(2)you peobably work cheaper because you won't play anything like some lounge organ player -- you do it because you love what you do-- I think that's the comparison I am trying to make-- Handmade instruments are in many cases, superior to factory made stuff, the tone balance, attention to detail,voicing, the finish. Handmade instruments are more tempremential, but I've never seen or met a musician who wasn't tempremental-- it comes with the territory