Recommend a good-enough hardshell case for a dreadnought?

[RoscoeElegante]

Hi, all. Hope this finds you well.

So I got my oldest son an Ibanez AW54.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AW54OPN--ibanez-aw54-open-pore-natural
https://www.ibanez.com/usa/products/detail/aw54_1p_01.html
Pix and review to follow, once I get through a pile of paperwork. (First impressions very positive.)

He'll be taking it back to college with him, so he needs a case.

Recommend a brand? I've got a bunch for my other acoustics, but no time to compare them. They're all stashed in closets, etc., as all my guitars are out in racks or stands. So if you know of a good-for-the-buck brand that's likely to last until he moves up to a better acoustic, or wants to keep this newbie safe while it ages, please chime in.

Thanks & best.

 

[teletimetx]

One category from guitarfetish that has been consistently acceptable (IME) has been their hard shell cases, like this one, $90…

PREMIUM Black Hardshell Case fits Dreadnaught PLUSh- OUR BES

I’ve had some other inconsistencies with some of their other products, but the cases have all been ok.

You might also look on local CL, or Facebrick marketplace for used - I’ve scored a few good cases that way as well.

Nice looking mahogany dread, btw!

 

[Freeman Keller]

I'm not sure if you are from Canada or not but my guitars all get TKL cases (made in Canada). Buy him a hygrometer and some sort of hydration system while you are at it.

 

[RoscoeElegante]

I'm not sure if you are from Canada or not but my guitars all get TKL cases (made in Canada). Buy him a hygrometer and some sort of hydration system while you are at it.

I wish I were in Canada. Partly because that means vacation and exploring to me. I'm grading papers in Virginia, which I much love. Virginia, that is. But Ontario.....oh, mama!

Thanks. I have a few TKL's, and they indeed are quite good. I'll look into that.
Now, if only they'd bring back Vauxhalls, and the Mercury Montcalm, the Dodge Viscount, the Pontiac Laurentian, the Ford Frontenac....and Eddie Shack!

 

[telestratosonic]

I have two TRIC cases.Made in Canada.

The black case came with my Simon & Patrick Showcase dreadnought.

I bought the beige/brownish case, back in 2012 or so, to keep my Seagull S6 acoustic 'camp' guitar safe when flying in and out of northern Alberta oilsands camps.

It's lightweight and survived 10 round trips in winter in the unheated cargo holds of 737s without any special care.

 

[Dukex]

For a $300 guitar I think this will do.

On sale for $79.

Musician's Gear Deluxe Dreadnought Case

Shop for the Musician's Gear Deluxe Dreadnought Case and receive free shipping on your order and the guaranteed lowest price.

www.guitarcenter.com

 

[northernguitar]

I have two TRIC cases.Made in Canada.
View attachment 1058915 View attachment 1058916
The black case came with my Simon & Patrick Showcase dreadnought.

I bought the beige/brownish case, back in 2012 or so, to keep my Seagull S6 acoustic 'camp' guitar safe when flying in and out of northern Alberta oilsands camps.

It's lightweight and survived 10 round trips in winter in the unheated cargo holds of 737s without any special care.

I’m here to recommend the TRIC. It may be my favourite case ever. It has a very tight seal and seems very bulletproof.

 

[cyclopean]

For a $300 guitar I think this will do.

On sale for $79.

Musician's Gear Deluxe Dreadnought Case

Shop for the Musician's Gear Deluxe Dreadnought Case and receive free shipping on your order and the guaranteed lowest price.

www.guitarcenter.com

Have you owned one? What are their return policies like if it doesn’t fit?

 

[Dukex]

Have you owned one? What are their return policies like if it doesn’t fit?

I haven't owned one, but you can read the reviews (4.7 avg with 658 reviews). I'll wager that they're as good as a $300 Martin 300 series case (which I have owned).

GC has a 45 day return policy (which I have used more than once). I'd have the case shipped to a nearby store if possible. Take the guitar in and test it. Also, if you return to the store there is no return shipping charge.

 

[playforfun]

I’ve bought many nice hard cases at pawnshops for $20 bucks. They wind up with extras and you know how much space they take up.they want them outta the way. Almost always something cool in the case compartment. Straps tuners picks strings you name it.

 

[Milspec]

I have two TRIC cases.Made in Canada.
View attachment 1058915 View attachment 1058916
The black case came with my Simon & Patrick Showcase dreadnought.

I bought the beige/brownish case, back in 2012 or so, to keep my Seagull S6 acoustic 'camp' guitar safe when flying in and out of northern Alberta oilsands camps.

It's lightweight and survived 10 round trips in winter in the unheated cargo holds of 737s without any special care.

I was about to suggest the TRIC case as well. You can find them pretty cheap on fleabay and they are one of the best cases I have ever used. They are built out of material like in a bicycle helmet so they can take abuse, but the best feature is that they actually seal on the closed edges keeping them safe from sudden temperature changes like an igloo cooler.

Protection from impact and weather while being super light is a no brainer.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

My favorite: TKL. Made in Canada, sturdy as hell, double neck braces, a range of choices and materials.

Lots of luthiers recommend them. And it doesn't matter whether you're in Canada or the US. They sell them in both countries.

I've never seen a TRIC case, but they get good reviews, too, and they're also Canadian. I don't think the Godin companies (like Simon & Patrick, mentioned above) would use them if they were turkeys.

Re double neck braces: If the guitar will ever travel by air, it's a good idea. The braces are on both sides of the accessories compartment. They help keep the neck from snapping in two if the case takes a long fall.

 

[Happy Enchilada]

I have had good luck with Crossrock cases (@ Amazon). Relatively cheap and sturdy.
Go to Amazon and punch in "dreadnaught guitar case hardshell" and you'll have more options than you can shake a stick at.
There are a lot of heavily-padded soft cases now too, which the younger kids dig.
I echo the idea of a hygrometer and a way to humidify the case.
Here's what I use:

In conjunction with this:

Also available as a combo pack @ Amazon.