Does anyone restore old guitar cases?

Subject: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 10:37 AM

My old (1962) Martin D-28 case needs some restoration. The fabric over the hinges (inside)is going, or gone, and the plush lining is worn thin in parts. Some staples are beginning to show, which won't be good for the guitar.
    I can buy a new case, but the old one is full of stickers and decals that trace my life, from the decal of the college I graduated from to the sticker from the college my daughter just graduated from.
    Does anyone restore old guitar case? Thanks.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: HiHo_Silver
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 01:45 PM

For What It's worth: Carefully remove the interior lining; get a similar material and cut pieces using the old lining for patterns; get a suitable adhesive (such as 3M spray adhesive - which I have good success with) and reline the case yourself. It is really not that difficult if you are a bit handy with such things.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Big Mick
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 01:51 PM

How about finding vintage hardware, like hinges? I have a mid 60's Guild 12 string and the case has broken hinges.

Mick

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 04:17 PM

Or, get a new case and hang the old one on the wall.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 05:23 PM

Sorch, I thought about doing that but the old case is quite the little conversation-starter wherever I go.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 06:41 PM

Cool Beans,
I have a 1962 D-21 with a valuable (to me) sticker collection too. I've thought of getting it fiberglassed. Is it possible to do that and still have the stickers readable?

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 06:56 PM

Hey Beans,

Look in the Yellow Pages under luggage repair. There are a few, or used to be in recent memory, in the Syracuse, NY area. I imagine any larger metropoli will have one or two, too.

Don

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: GUEST,thurg
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 12:46 AM

I recommend duct tape. I find my old guitar case is quite a conversation-starter too. Of course, the conversations usually start with something like, "Excuse me, but are you with the bride's party or the groom's?" or "May I see your invitation?" or "I'm sorry sir, but you'll have to use the service entrance" or "You do realize we can't be reponsible for any damages if that falls apart, I mean if your guitar falls out and hits something and breaks it" ...

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 03:21 AM

The realistic answers are largely covered. You can do it yourself if you're handy, and there probably are luggage repair shops that can handle what needs to be done. A local shop that specializes in band instruments may also be set up to refurbish cases.

For a treasure like yours, however, perhaps you might:

1. Construct an appropriate "shrine" in which to protect, preserve, and display your artifact.

2. Get yourself a new case that will properly protect your instrument.

3. Take a good clear photo of your old case, showing as much detail as possible. Alternatively, take individual shots of the various labels.

4. Take your photo(s) to a local print shop and get them enlarged to "full size" and/or to fit the central area of the new case, trim to fit, and decoupage the photo(s) onto the exterior of the new case.

5. When people ask "what idiot did that to your guitar case?" you've still got your conversation starter, and your guitar is safely protected in a new and modern case.

Note a. on step 4. While it might be convenient to ink-jet print your own photos, most home printer inks fade more or less rapidly when exposed to sunlight. A capable print shop could probably make the prints on durable vinyl with fade-resistant inks, although you may have to shop a bit for this quality.

Note b. on step 4. A "paper" called "Adventure Paper" sold by Amazon.com can be printed in most inkjet printers and is quite waterproof once the ink is dry, although it doesn't prevent fading of susceptible inks. There is a UK equivalent, but I don't recall the name under which it's sold.

John

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: GUEST,Big Rick
Date: 12 Jun 10 - 03:17 PM

Just like this guy said.... But you can have a printshop like kinkos make those photos into stickers.
Say no to deco

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 12 Jun 10 - 04:06 PM

Just buy a new one - you don't play the case, you play the guitar!!

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Mooh
Date: 12 Jun 10 - 04:42 PM

Usually I don't do much to continue their use as instrument cases after they've crapped out, but if the hinges and handles can be rehabilitated, I put them into service as gear cases. Pedals, cords, mics, music, stands, tools, strings, etc, can all fit into one with ease. However, until that time arrives, I do look after them.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: GUEST,Betsy
Date: 12 Jun 10 - 08:22 PM

It was a great question though .I have a couple of tatty cases an would love to have them refurbished rather than throw them in the bin - I'm in the UK .

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Mooh
Date: 12 Jun 10 - 08:37 PM

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/pagelist.html

Scroll down to case repair. Frank Ford is the best.

Peace, Mooh.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: GUEST,Guest from Sanity
Date: 12 Jun 10 - 11:34 PM

Guest Jim, Hey, how do you like your 1962 D-21????

I've got a '63, D-21.

Love to hear from you!

GfS

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 13 Jun 10 - 11:08 AM

I thought this post looked familiar.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 27 Nov 10 - 10:15 PM

If you are not locked into original, consider rivetting hardware store hinges to the case. Most really good hardware stores have copper rivets or nails.

Get copper or brass washers that fit snugly over them. After inserting the nails, cut them off about 1/8" past the washers, one at a time. Use the horn on your vise at home as a base. Strike the cut end lightly and repeatedly until you have made a tight burr over the washer. Repeat the job until you have properly fastened the hinges in place.

Then reinstall the lining. Now, that's a real conversation piece.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Aug 12 - 08:37 AM

[e-mail]

I recntly purchased a new case for my 1966 D-35 from Gary Price (Price cases). It is awesome!! I made several attempts to have my original case re-covered but could not find a shop willing to take it on. I insisted on material close to original which wasn't a problem but it was the binding around where the lid meets the bottom that was the stickler (it is sewn on).

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 11 Aug 12 - 12:16 PM

I had an ancient tatty falling apart acoustic case that was held together with gaffa tape.
Gave up on it when it started to show signs of fluffy white mould.
So late one night after bleaching the mould off,
I stuck an unwanted Tatra nylon strung guitar inside
then abandoned it outside the door of a local charity shop.

Let fate decide what happened to it next.......


Now I've acquired a deceased relative's sturdy plywood electric guitar case
which would have cost approx £40 brand new back in the 1990's.
It don't look too bad
but the overly plush furry lining reeks badly of stale cat piss.

Googled cleaning remedies look very labour & time intensive
requiring all kinds of caustic toxic chemical treatments.....???

This one might end up outside the charity shop as well.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 11 Aug 12 - 03:16 PM

Yes - I'd like to know about guitar case repair in the South of England - I have one for a very oddly shaped guitar that is irreplaceable. And it's the original case for the guitar so is worth getting done right.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 12 Aug 12 - 02:36 PM

When I lived in St Annes, Lancashire, I used to call in occasionally at Norman Heaps' Music Shop. On one visit someone came in to promote their vinyl repair service, claiming that their repairs/mends were indistinguishable from new. This was thirty-odd years ago so I have no great hopes of contacting them.

However, this firm (operating a mobile service in SW England and East Anglia) seems to offer pretty much the same thing, and the illustrated guitar case does look pretty good after treatment.

http://www.leathercareandrepair.co.uk/leather_case_repair_examples.php

I presume fabric-covered ("tweed") cases would need different treatment - invisible mending perhaps?

Several DIY kits for vinyl/leather repair offered here - http://www.repairproducts.co.uk/page3.htm - might try one of these myself.

Ross

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 12 Aug 12 - 09:34 PM

I thought this post looked familiar.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 02:50 AM

I needed rather more woodwork than leatherwork. With the aid of borrowed sash cramps some woodwork is done but I still need one new hinge. I also need to do one large-ish flat wood panel and I am just going to add extra thin wood inside. Then comes re-poncing the lining probably with this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/140792761068?var=440069038896&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1298wt_952


I also need to do something about adding padding (perhaps before the fabric) and there are three avenues - blocks of foam rubber (with poncy lining round them) or cutting up a wrecked hard-foam case for bits - or trying to do my own injection-moulding with expanding foam.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 03:29 AM

Spotted this while looking for a (new) guitar case -

eBay - Guitar case foam

A more general supplier might have other materials you could use -

Pentonville Rubber - the foam and rubber supplier

I checked out similar stuff for a project a couple of years ago but was put off by the prices.

Ross

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 06:17 AM

I didn't see that when looking for foam rubber on ebay. THanks.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 11:29 AM

If I were you I'd avoid that deep plush furry lining material.

It's a dust and grit trap;

and as mentioned above,
it's exactly the same material in the 1990's electric guitar case I've just inherited
that has gone off rank with the stench of musty cat piss.

Subject: RE: Does anyone restore old guitar cases?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 13 Aug 12 - 11:41 AM

Too be more objective...

That's what it smells like to my sensitive nose..

Though it may not have actually been caused by a malevolent cat.
Seems from google research,
guitar cases closed up for too long can incubate moulds
that end up stinking as bad as foulest feline fluids.

Luckily the good quality Korean Les Paul copy I rescued from the case
aint in such bad shape
and wiped down quite nicely with Tesco 'all surfaces' anti bacterial kitchen cleaner.