Case Construction

I hope I post this in the right location. Can anyone lend some insight into case construction. How many people here go through the trouble to build a case? What materials and so forth? I would like to build some vintage correct cases, ie. poodle cases. Thanks

http://home.provide.net/~cfh/telecase.jpg

Sounds like a worthwhile project; I'll be curious about the responses.

I made a rectasngular case once out of maple, with dovetails and such, but I think the kind you're asking about are bent masonite. I'm not sure how to bend masonite, but you can bet someone here is.

Some time ago their was a thread at mylespaul.com by Frank Pine (pinefd) about making a Lifton-style case for his half-size Les Paul instruments. If you can find the thread it would be a really good place to start.
Scatter Lee is also building a case as part of his Challenge build.
If anyone can do a thread on case making I am sure it would be very welcome.

I have been working with 1/8" ply building bass horns and Stand Up Paddle Boards and the idea of using those construction techniques for a case has been tickling the back of my brain. It won't happen soon, but perhaps

Probably more trouble than it's worth considering you can get this for $60.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt246/tap4154/CaseOpenFull72.jpg

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/308372-thermometer-case-%2459-99-a.html

Probably more trouble than it's worth considering you can get this for $60.

http://i616.photobucket.com/albums/tt246/tap4154/CaseOpenFull72.jpg

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/308372-thermometer-case-%2459-99-a.html

True DAT! The only way it would be worth building one, is if you have an odd sized guitar that won't fit anything--(I got two of them)!!!!!

Sometimes you just want to build it to see if it can be done. 99 percent of what I do with woodworking is just to see if I can do it.

It's almost as much work building a case as it is building a guitar.

Sometimes you just want to build it to see if it can be done. 99 percent of what I do with woodworking is just to see if I can do it.

Exactly. More often than not you can buy a guitar cheaper than you can build one, but I've heard rumours that there are entire forums where the new and experienced alike share their love of building guitars. :grin:

Most of what I make is for the experience, not the cost.

Check out scatterlee's 2012 build challenge thread; he's making a case right now that'll knock yer socks off!

I'm curious, too. I've been buying universal cases, which is fine for a tele, but what about a Moderne? Is there a customizable case where you can shape the padding to a specific guitar?

I buy G&G cases..

Good enough for G&L and Fender. Good enough for me.

Not sure if this will help, but if you go ahead....Penn-elcom (http://www.penn-elcom.com/home/) for hardware bits....

I have seen people use the pink insulation foam for forming around the body of the guitar. Has anyone used this? How does it hold up over time? Does it smell like an old shoe?

I've also been contemplating designing and building tele-specific cases but with a view to making something classier and more rugged than the plywood kinds that go for 60 bucks. The advice I've got so far I'd to look into using composites (eg. carbon fibre) for their strength, compact size and low weight. But I'll need to do a lot of research because I have never worked with composites. Does anyone here have an opinion on composite cases and how suitable it would be?

Every homemade case I have ever seen is either underconstructed and worthless or way to damn heavy.

I built one from walnut some time ago. I used high quality foam originally intended for padding gun cases and I cut out the shape myself. The handle, piano hinge, and lid support were fairly standard items. It is heavier than most commercial cases, but it is also much more solid. I really should refinish it one of these days, as storage in the attic during college was not kind to it. All in all it turned out nicely, but I wouldn't do it again.

Every homemade case I have ever seen is either underconstructed and worthless or way to damn heavy.

This is my experience, too; the case I made is FAR too bulky and heavy for daily use, though it's built like the proverbial Sherman tank.

I hate the thought of building a quality guitar and storing it in a china made $60 case from musicans friend. I would gladly carry a heavier, quality case (lets not forget how heavy flight cases are), than show up at a gig with a flimsy fake tweed case.

Sometimes you just want to build it to see if it can be done. 99 percent of what I do with woodworking is just to see if I can do it.

+1 ...and that makes 100%. End of discussion. :lol: