I paid more than that for my Calton case for my Starfire. I also bought the Starfire for $375. What the bass cost is somewhat unrelated as the value is calculated on a much different basis. It's hard to put a price on instruments that are fairly unique (ie. other than a standard off the shelf bass) and part of the calculation is how much you travel. I want to make sure that my instruments arrive in the same condition they left and given that I travel and gig a fair amount, it would only be a matter of time before the bass is subjected to some really objectionable behavior. Being tossed face down is gentle compared to some insults the instruments receive. Here's an example from the Calton testimonials:
Got to Newark airport last Monday. I checked the new guitar and the flat top in their Calton cases. Waiting to pick up my bags at the odd-size baggage pick-up place... first guitar comes flying thru this opening about 4 feet off the ground, lands on this metal thing, flips over a few times, spins around ? CRASH! Must have been thrown about 25 feet by some guy practicing for some Olympic javelin throwing contest. Then the next one ? same thing. I was freaking out, couldn't see back behind this barrier who was doing it and if I went back there I probably would have been arrested by security and everything, so I just tried to talk to the guy in charge out there. He said, there is no problem, because if it is broken you tell them you make report and maybe they give you $500. Oh that's perfect! Since there were about $10,000 worth of guitars in there, that put my mind to rest! There was nothing to do, so I just went to the hotel, opened the cases and they're both in perfect condition. Man, those things worked this time. Bill Frisell
