UK hard cases

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 2:15 pm

I either need to find a case the Marauder will fit in, or make do with the the wood/black covered generic rectangular case I've been storing the '73 Strat in and get a new one for the Strat. The Strat seldom gigs but is valuable - the Marauder is cheap but likely to travel more and the rectangular case doen't quite fit in the boot, unlike the Fender SKB-66 rectangular ABS? case the 2008 Strat came in.

Are TSA latches worthwhile? I'm unlikely to take my guitars to the USA (Matt might) but they have a satisfyingly chunky feel. Does anyone have any experience of the Gator cases?

Anyway, a quick survey:

Gator GPE-Elec-TSA £75 at Thomann

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Gator GC-Electric-A £59 at Sounds Live

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SKB 1SKB-66 £82.95 at DV247; most like what Fender supplied with my 2008 Strat

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Armourdillo EC500 £59.99 in Dawson's sale

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Spider EC500 £44.99 from Flightcase Warehouse (via Amazon)

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Wooden guitar case in tweed, £35 at Gear4Music

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Ronnie and Reggie

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 3:26 pm

I've got two of those tweed cases, they do the job. I'd get a hiscox though, they're made in Cannock (near me) and are really really good.

http://www.dv247.com/cases/hiscox-std-e ... ase--25566

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 8:50 pm

That's in the price range actually, though it's shaped and I was looking at rectangular. I think that's what Matt has for one of his. Ideally I'd like something that, if I'm lucky, would take the Marauder and fit in the boot. and a Strat-shaped one won't. I may go in to Dawsons tomorrow and see whether the Marauder fits in the Armourdillo rectangular case.

George · Post by **George** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 9:26 pm

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 11:28 pm

Armourdillo rectangular ABS case at Dawson's, £59 - The Marauder fits in it, good neck support, ABS shell feels a bit flimsy, plush covered firm foam inside. Would fit in the Mazda 3 boot. Fittings (Handle, latches/locks) look and feel rather tinny.
Westfield rectangular ABS case at Guitar Store, Southampton, £54. First instance was cracked, not encouraging. The Marauder fits in it, but there is no pocket to take accessories (e.g. the tremolo arm). Same fittings as the Armourdillo. Fits in the Mazda 3 boot. Neck support is not as good, meaning that the headstock drops into the corner (the lower bout of the marauder is not supported by any of these cases).
Stagg rectangular ABS case at Guitar Store, £59. Marauder fits in it. Same fittings as Armourdillo and Westfield. Interior similar to Armourdillo, but the exterior moulding has extra reinforcing lumps which make it longer overall, so it doesn't fit in the boot of the Mazda 3.
Hiscox STD EF Strat shaped ABS case at Dawson's - the Marauder doesn't fit.

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 11:45 pm

I had that Stagg case a few years ago, it was fairly solid. The locks never worked though and the latches gave up after a few months.

I've had a Westfield tweed case for a few years now, it's completely falling apart but it does the job if I need it. The padding inside went hard after a few months and all the latches gave up, but because it's wooden I just fitted a couple of big ones I bought at Homebase that do the job.

I had a Gator case for an Epiphone SG I used to own, it was ok but weighed quite a lot. Probably the most solid out of those cases.

Hiscox cases are in a different league entirely, they're brilliant, but you've just got to make sure you get the right size case. My Alhambra is a bit too small for the case I bought for it - but after velcroing a pair of socks in it fits perfectly. They make a really wide range so it is a good idea to check the sizing.

I personally prefer gigbags and hybrid soft/hard cases.

Have a look at the Protec Contego, it's a universal size case that is super tough - much nicer than any hard case I've ever owned. I also have a Mono case which is a life saver, pricy though.

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:21 pm

I took a look at a Gator case last night at the jam and the basic case uses the same handles and latches as the Stagg, Armourdillo, Westfield, etc., etc.
Gator also do an SKB-style TSA locks case, £75 at Thomann:

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The Hiscox cases come in different grades depending on how thick you want the shell.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:40 pm

I'm a big fan of Hiscox cases, have got a Fender and a Gibson sized one and they are both superb. Farly light but utterly solid.

I grew up in Stafford and was very good friends with Brynn Hiscox's step son at school. I would often go round to their house to play. There were always lots of guitars around and it was only in the last couple of years before heading off to Uni did I start playing guitar - at which point I used to plug into his massive rack set up in his study. I had no idea what I was doing. I remember my friend Ben telling him that I had started playg guitar and then fairly terribly playing a few chords for him - he smiled and was enthusiastic even though it was clearly completely rubbish! He used to make round back acoustic guitars before making cases.

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Mon Jan 28, 2013 5:12 pm

If I went Hiscox, I'd have to buy the Jag one and pack it out with Velcroed socks

the Strat one doesn't fit (I checked).

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 10:22 pm

Tried the Gator GC-Electric-A at Anderton's today - you can force a Marauder into it but basically it's too short and too thin to give good protection.

othomas2 · Post by **othomas2** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 11:34 pm

Hiscox is the best... give them a call with the dimensions of your guitar and they'll recommend the closest possible fit.

Alternatively try the Kinsman TWDE5... that should fit really nicely. I know the GC-Elec well, the tweed case is about and inch or so wider and bit more up top I think.

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 7:41 pm

I ordered the Gear4Music one.

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It arrived looking fine on the outside but the insides were loose so they're collecting it.

izodiak · Post by **izodiak** » Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:00 pm

I always pay attention to the weight, because I bought a thomann case (for my epiphone casino) and its really heavy and I hate draging it around : ( Thats the reason I play my strat all the time especially at gigs..Im one lazy bastard

NickS · Post by **NickS** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 3:05 pm

OK, lowdown on the Gear4Music (G4M) tweed case.

A Fender Modern Player Marauder will squeeze into this case snugly.

: g4m_tweed_fit_MP_Marauder.jpg (212.69 KiB) Viewed 60 times

A Strat has a little rattle space and end float.

: g4m_tweed_fit_Strat.jpg (262.82 KiB) Viewed 60 times

Details:

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Case 1 problems:

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Very speedily replaced, great customer service.
Case 2 problems:

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Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 3:10 pm

That gear4music case looks identical to the Harley Benton case I got thrown in with my G&L. It's a decent case, if not a little heavy. Glad you found something that works.