Guitar Case?

rowdyy · Post by **rowdyy** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:31 am

Hey guys, anyone built a guitar case? I was thinkin it would be cool to get some ooo's and ahhh's when I walk in with my Les Paul in a really cool lookin and hand made wood guitar case.

The basic case shouldn't be too hard but I'm curious about how to properly pad the box to protect the instrument properly and provide some storage for my tuner, cable and such.

Lodgepole · Post by **Lodgepole** » Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:59 am

My wife plays guitar. I am looking forward to the responses you get. A fancy case for my wife would make a great Christmas gift!

derekdarling · Post by **derekdarling** » Sun Apr 04, 2010 9:58 pm

OK, as a guitar player, I would say that protecting the thing inside is the most important thing that a case does, no matter how cool it looks. That said, if you think about laminating some carbon-fibre into the case with the fancy wood outside, and something cuddly soft on the inside with some fairly stiff foam, you are on the right track. Maybe a further lamination of glass fibre to show the wood, but still protect it.

Also, if it is an acoustic guitar, someting poking through the case will do wwaaayyyy more damage to an acoustic than to a solid-body electric. Don't ask how I know this!

My 2 cents.

Derek

rowdyy · Post by **rowdyy** » Mon Apr 05, 2010 7:55 am

Thanks for the suggestions Derek. I am worried about providing adequate protection for the instrument since making the thing reasonable to carry probably means thinner material than I would like. I can get carbon fiber laminate? That would be cool. I was actually thinking of coating the inside with fiberglass to create the hard shell. I've done a little auto body repair in the past so I'm familiar with working it and it has reasonable strength qualities.

derekdarling · Post by **derekdarling** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:48 am

Bryan, if you are anywhere an airframe builder, you might find CF sheets. I don't believe you need kryptonite shears, however:) The real key is to have whatever is inside absorb as much shock as possible so that your baby thinks it is jest getting burped! That is why the filler material is important. Start with a firmer foam on the outside (expanding foam is good, and it expands to fill a certain space that you can pre-define, like with your guitar). Then something a little softer for the last inch or so, just to be soft. Then some really silky stuff to hug its curves...is it getting hot in here, or just me...Oh, OK, it's just me.

Then If you are going to glass-lam the inside, why not plan on glassing the outside to protect whatever stunning piece of panel you are going to cover it with?

PS, I carry my Martin around in a canvas bag, go figure; But I never let it out of my site.

Cheers,

Derek

rowdyy · Post by **rowdyy** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 7:17 am

LOL! I have a good friend who has a rare Martin, he's like a dog guarding his food bowl with that baby!

It so happens that I go to church with several people who do airframe work at L3 in greenville, tx perhaps I can see what I can come up with.

easterngray · Post by **easterngray** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 2:40 pm

I think it's a great idea. Reinforcing the interior, behind the padding, will work fine! Here's a few pictures I foundf on the 'net...

The coffin one cracks me up!!

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 2:48 pm

Is that 3rd pic case from the The Grateful Dead?