Hardshell Case for Small Gibson

Subject: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 06:05 PM

Our own Moonchild has been looking for travel protection for her small-bodied Gibson B-25. I suggested she call Stan Jay at Mandolin Bros. and he said that a case would have to be made in order to have a snug fit. She's getting a gig bag (which everyone should have anyway) but I'm not convinced that a good hardshell is not currently available for a B-25. I gather that the problem is the almost equal size of upper and lower bout in that model (unlike small Martins or Guilds)
Anyone got any ideas, cause a picker needs a hard case if they've got an antique Gibson.

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 08:56 PM

I think if it were me, I'd be checking where Gibson is still a biggy...like Nashville. Has anyone called Gruhn? Also, Elderly has a couple of case companies that may have the odd one still around.

What are the specs....Upper bout, lower bout, depth, overall length.......I got a couple other ideas. Thought about comparing the size to a Dobro branded dobro? Seem pretty close, especially on the upper/lower bout sameness. Get the specs on the B-25.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: bbelle
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 09:39 PM

Here are the dimensions. Hope they make sense:

Neck Length: 20-1/4 inches

Body Length: 18-3/4 inches

Width @ Lower Body: 14 inches

Width @ Upper Body: 11-1/4 inches

Width @ Curve: 9-5/8 inches

Depth @ Lower End of Body: 4-1/2 inches Depth @ Upper End of Body: 3-1/2 inches

moonchild

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 09:53 PM

Thanks Moon....Great job and I'll work on it.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 10:06 PM

BTW, that's REAL close to the Larrivee Small (LS) body size.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 10:10 PM

I know this is kind of off topic but..........
Would it be possible to find a gig bag for my Vega Long Neck Banjo?

BB

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 10:20 PM

PLUCK YOUR MAGIC TWANGER FROGGY

Reunion Blues is great...they have a toll free and you can check to be sure the LN will fit, but I'm pretty sure it will.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 10:23 PM

Why thanks Catspaw, that is great!
Did you notice Long Neck & Little Neo have something in common?

Bonnie

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: catspaw49
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 10:28 PM

No, but I'll ask Cletus.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 10:48 PM

Of course if Moonchild is rolling in dough, Mark Leaf or one of those travel boxes companies will make one to order for you. Of course, we all know that Moonchild contributing to the environment by not collecting any green stuff.

Big RiB

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 11:02 PM

Hi Moonchild. It's great that you were able to come up with the dimensions. For what it's worth, when I bought "Woody", there were NO cases available. That is no cases that perfectly fit an 0-18. I had to do some checking and research. Ended up with a 10 year old (never been used) Harptone case (they're good, and cheap) that Stan found in Mandolin Bros. basement. The last one they had. Cost me about 100 bucks which is absolute peanuts for protecting a 50 year old guitar.
Rick

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From:
Date: 21 Dec 99 - 11:05 PM

I guess you thought of this already Moonchild; but I have a small Maton with something like those dimensions--a bit more depth-- and I just use a classical case. I take one of those soft furniture polishing rags (untreated) and wash it a few times. Then I tuck it in at the bottom (tailpiece end) of the case to make it a little more snug. The rag comes in handy for wiping down the strings (and the instrument itself when I recently had a hay-fever attack while playing; but that doesn't bear mentioning!)

Murray

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: DonMeixner
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 12:55 AM

Neo,

Do you want a Gigbag inplace of a case or because you can't find a case. I bought a good case from Elderly last spring. Longneck cases are very hard to find. But Elderly does have them.

Don

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: Little Neophyte
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 01:34 AM

Hi Don
I was very fortunate. My Longneck came with a case.
I would much prefer to use a Gigbag though. More my style. Like my napsack. I am a throw it over your shoulder kind of woman.
I just got the banjo last week. I never realized how far you have to stretch your fingers on those first 5 frets. That will take some time to train.
Rick found the banjo for me. It is about 30 years old and has not been played much. It has no fancy inlay work and I got it at a very good price.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas Don, with much happiness and good health in the New Year.
Oy, it is way past my bedtime.

Little Neo

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: Lady McMoo
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 03:26 AM

Rick and Moonchild,

I would recommend either a Calton (rather expensive but the best and virtually indestuctible) or a Hiscox case. I use both and can fully endorse them. Both are made in the UK and both manufacturers can customize to fit the B-25 exactly. I think I have seen websites for both and will check. I know both are available in the USA through various suppliers.

All the best,

mcmoo

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: Easy Rider
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 08:33 AM

Moonchild:

A gig bag does NOT offer enough protection from cold weather, which you have aplenty, or for traveling anywhere beyond your own local area. You need a hard shell case.

I think I saw somewhere that Calton cases are made in Canada, where you live, but a Calton case may be too expensive for you. They have a Web site. Try TKL, the makers of Martin cases. I know they have a Web site too. 12th Fret, in Toronto, may also have something that will fit.

If you get a case that is a little too big, you can do what I do. I have a Gibson J-50, in a Hummingbird case (too big), and I stuff old cotton underwear around the guitar to keep it from rattling around. Someday I'll rip out the lining and replace the padding with thicker padding, to more closely fit the guitar, or have my local shoe repairman do it. He has fixed the case before. Does anyone know where to get the plush yellow lining material and what type of padding to use?

The padding on all cases, even custom made ones, is really inadequate. On Gruhn's Web site there is an interesting page about packing an instrument for shipping to them. Check it out. If you have a case made or customize an existing case, you might want the padding made so that it will hold the guitar as pictured in Gruhn's diagram. Let us know, if you can find someone who can do that.

Thanx, EZR

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 09:20 AM

Plus EZ, you never know when some fresh u-trou might come in handy!

Lots of good ideas here Moon.......The custom cases are generally in the $500+ range. I'd be most tempted to buy a close fit and then modify it. It really isn't all that tough, even on a permanent level. Also, like EZ, I've used other things. My mandolin case isn't a tight fit, but its close. I use a soft, small towel laid in the bottom and then put the mando into it...wrapping the sides as it goes in with the extra over the top and its very snug then.

And Bonnie---How dare that Fielding cad fix you up with an OLD banjo??? I'll take it off your hands and you can get a NEW one. No sense having some old clunker now is there? Happy to be of service.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 12:32 PM

Thanks Eez. Actually Moonchild lives way down south, so the cold is not really a factor, but for travelling, a hard case is a must. Gig bags are great for local movin' about (I use them) but hard cases (that fit) should be a priority. The Classical case is a good idea Moon, might be a good fit. Calton's are of course excellent, but heavy and expensive. Bonnie. Pete Seeger gives great instructions for a long neck gig bacg in his banjo book.
Rick

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: bbelle
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 12:46 PM

Rick ... Thanks for taking up my "cause." 'spaw ... you, too!!! Love you both! I'll visit the local acoustic shop, which isn't particularly friendly, but may have some hard cases, and see what I can find ... moonchild

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: bbelle
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 12:54 PM

I just talked to the local store's owner, who was actually pretty nice, and he has a classic hardcase that nearly fits my dimensions for $110 ... moonchild

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From: Chet W.
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 12:49 AM

I bought a classical guitar case made in Germany, bought it in Prague, for about $120, that fit my 1933 Gibson L-OO after a little adjustment; it was not quite deep enough at the heel end of the body, so I carefully pulled away the lining material and cut out some of the styrofoam at that point. Works great and it got one guitar home from over there on the plane without a scratch, but I'm saving for a Mark Leaf case for it. Wouldn't put it on a plane otherwise. I have never had any accomodating flight attendants put an instrument in the coat closet or any of the stuff people say they've had done for them. The best I've gotten for guitars is that they lay it by hand on top of the pile in the luggage compartment. It still goes through the gorilla cage when they take it off the plane. If it's a fiddle or mandolin I just carry it on and stick it in the overhead.

Chet

Subject: RE: Hardshell Case for Small Gibson
From:
Date: 23 Dec 99 - 06:56 AM

Ah, Chet, when I hear the phrase "my L-00" I get green with envy! Well green is a Christmas color anyway.

Murray