Author Topic: Custom Case? (Read 464 times)

Bradley Young · « **on:** May 04, 2007, 06:18:07 PM »

Well, my dream of having a Halliburton Zero case got shot down (not big enough). So I'm thinking of alternate possibilities.

What would the outer dimensions need to be for a hard shell case? Could I just add 3 around the outer dimensions of the bass?

To preempt the logical, Just contact company X, I'm really fixated on either carbon fiber or powder coated aluminum.

If I do the aluminum case, I'm thinking about riveting sheet brass to one side of the case, and having something etched on it. Very steampunk, but I don't know that I'll use a steampunk design.

Basically I know I can do this (I've done the research for both avenues), but I can't seem to get a good feel for just how big the case should be. I'd like to have something about as durable as a flight case (i.e. piano hinges, recessed hardware, butterfly latches), but I really hate the looks of the typical ATA case.

I don't intend to fly with it.

Any advice welcomed.

Bradley

chuck · « **Reply #1 on:** May 04, 2007, 06:40:46 PM »

Bradley.
Try Americase website.I trust my $ 20,000.00 pair of Perazzi Trapguns in their cases.They will custom make if needed and have 4 grades with the top line being solid aluminum,welded seams,plush linings and recessed high quality latches.

Chuck

wayne · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2007, 08:08:15 PM »

FWIW - I attempted to have a case built by Americase. Even took the bass to them in addition to a detailed drawing on cardboard (their shop is within 45 minutes of my house).

The case was great. The interior was not. At least 1 gaps all the way around the bass - the bass moved freely in the case. The case was built with wheels, but the cutout for the bass put the headstock at the bottom. Here's the kicker --- he wouldn't change it!

The lock wouldn't. The second lock wouldn't. The shop foreman told me they didn't have a lock that would work on a case that size.

They do amazing jobs on gun cases. They do amazing jobs on reusable shipping containers. From my experience, they do not do instrument cases well.

If you want a generic box that will withstand virtually anything but a punch through by a forklift, I can highly recommend them. But I would not trust them to make the interior.

There are apparently custom road case makers allover the place. I just heard of another one here in Dallas. As long as they do 3/8-3/4 high grade plywood or a high grade composite with full length aluminum edges and washer backed riveting, the case will do the exterior protection well. The trick is getting the interior to hold the bass securely in place away from the sides.

Good luck!!

C-Ya.........wayne

chuck · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2007, 09:12:35 PM »

Wayne.
Sorry to hear of your experience with Americase.As one of their stocking dealers it saddens me to hear this.I do not carry any instrument cases only gun cases and have not had a problem in 15 years of stocking them.
Chuck

kmh364 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 07, 2007, 05:55:02 AM »

Try Calzone cases. Their stuff is top shelf.

http://www.calzonecase.com/

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #5 on:** May 07, 2007, 09:14:08 AM »

In my experience, Calzone, Star, and Anvil all make decent cases - R&R Cases in Evanston, IL makes EXCELLENT cases (and speaker cabs) - they are here.

Peter

lbpesq · « **Reply #6 on:** May 07, 2007, 09:42:30 AM »

These guys are supposed to be the best, though not powder coated aluminum (sound like a donut!) or carbon fiber, as Bradley desires: Calton

Bill, tgo

Bradley Young · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2007, 11:20:11 AM »

So,

Just to ask more directly (especially since some of you have had custom cases made):

What would the outer dimensions need to be for a hard shell case? Could I just add 3 around the outer dimensions of the bass?

Bradley

Bradley Young · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2007, 08:33:09 PM »

I'm thinking about adding three inches around the edges of my bass, but that seems like it will be an awfully large case- 55x21 inches.

Can anyone with an ata case confirm that these dimensions are in the ballpark?

What are the dimensions for a standard case? How much space do they leave around the instrument (headstock, tail, and bouts)?

lbpesq · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2007, 09:24:53 PM »

Bradley:

I just bought a Rockcase by Warwick ATA lighter weight flight case that was delivered today. The interior sides are lined with 13/16 thick foam. The top is lined with eggcrate foam. The bottom appears to also be lined with about 1 of foam. I have an old heavy duty ATA case in the carport. It was originally for a Les Paul shape. I'll pull it out over the weekend, if you'd like, and check the measurements. I'd be careful about getting too big a case. The hardshell case for my Series 1 12 string has at least 3 of foam surrounding the entire guitar except the point. The case is WAY too big - a pain in the butt. I'm using a BodyGlove bass gigbag instead.

Bill, tgo

lbpesq · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2007, 07:12:52 AM »

I checked out this Rockcase closely last night after posting the above. I'm going to have to add a bit of foam to keep the guitar secure and prevent any movement within the case. When I'm done there will be at least 2 of foam between the guitar and the wall of the case. Anyone know a good source for foam - especially a source where I can maybe send them a template and have some cut to fit the guitar exactly?

Bill, tgo

Bradley Young · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2007, 10:28:02 AM »

going to 2 cuts things down to 53x19 inches, which I suspect is a lot more manageable than the 2 would imply.

Bill,

You might try http://www.penn-elcom.com/ - They seem to have all the geegaws for case building.

Bradley

pierreyves · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2007, 04:23:47 PM »

rack from Thomann, deutschland, good prices, good quality....
http://www.thomann.de/fr/search_dir.html?sw=thon&x=0&y=0

Bradley Young · « **Reply #13 on:** May 11, 2007, 05:23:07 PM »

Thanks for the link.

Bill,

I'll covet any and all measurements you're willing to share.

Bradley

lbpesq · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2007, 02:07:02 PM »

Bradley:

Sorry, I forgot about mother's day, so I didn't have time to drag out the old anvil case and measure. I might be able to get to it this week sometime. In the meanwhile I found a company called Rock Hard Cases that will make me a custom foam insert. I'm sending them a tracing of the guitar along with the interior measurements of my case. They are charging $100 for the bare insert, or $150 for the insert covered in velvet. I'm going for the velvet - you only live once. It should arrive by June 5th (I'm flying on the 7th).

Bill, tgo