Vintage cases

Rashomon · Post by **Rashomon** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:10 am

How much is a good vintage hard case worth (for a Jaguar in this case)? There is one up on my craigslist and I am thinking about it, since I had the 62 Jag without a case and I know having an OHSC is not only cool, but will appreciate the value of the guitar as well. Also, is there a good way to tell the year of a vintage hard shell case?

flush-it · Post by **flush-it** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:27 am

fuck cases, haha just kidding man, go for it

Rashomon · Post by **Rashomon** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:43 am

Thank you for your insightful and thoughtful advice

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:47 am

Aye he's a bit of a "one line adding nothing to the topic" specialist. Although so am I.

Anyway, how much is it going for?

Rashomon · Post by **Rashomon** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:51 am

They're asking $275. I don't know if that's high, low, or what.

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:55 am

Eeep.

Is there any practical reason for buying vintage or just mojo?
If the latter, save your money is my advice.

Rashomon · Post by **Rashomon** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:04 am

Nah. It's not too serious of a thought anyway, I just thought I'd ask about it. What do the cases usually go for?

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 8:39 pm

Vintage instrument needs vintage case for "added value". 60s Jag cases seem to go around $300-400 in good shape, so $275 is a good deal if it's in good shape. Current versions sell around the $150 mark.

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:44 am

Is a Jag case any diff from other 24s? You may find a cheaper one from a Musicmaster (like $100). Some people swear by cases to protect the guitar when they are not playing. Mine are all beaters, except for the one that came with my 65 Duo that is MINT. $275 is more than my thin blood can handle.

MaMo · Post by **MaMo** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:18 am

If you've got the money to burn and it's something you want then I'd go for it. Personally I'm of the belief that all a case should do is protect your guitar.

I have something similar to this for my mustang: mustang/jag case

It fits the guitar well, holds some strings and the whammy bar I never use, is solid as a rock and (most importantly) didn't cost me anything because came with the guitar. I'd get something like that (used) and burn 300 bones elsewhere.

James · Post by **James** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:36 am

Meh. $275 buys a lot of other stuff that you'll appreciate more. The modern tweed cases look great. Just get one of those, and spend the extra on something great. Buy an ebow or whatever.

New case in guarenteed sturdy condition + toys > old cases in worn condition

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:09 am

DGNR8 wrote:Is a Jag case any diff from other 24s? You may find a cheaper one from a Musicmaster (like $100).

Funnily enough the Jag is larger in every dimension than even a Strat. Basically although the scale is short, the long tailpiece and trem, combined with the big "ass", make for a long and wide guitar. Strats are about 12" across at the bridge end of the body but a Jag or Jazz is about 14" across. I think they are a similar length to a Strat or slightly longer, say 41 inches or so. Not only that but the body itself is longer, so some cases have a divider which leaves enough room for a Strat body but not a Jag.
I recently went to five music stores in our city and not one of them had a case wide enough for my Jag, apart from bass cases (none of them stock Jags or Jazzes so not a surprise). In the end I bought a used off-brand case from eBay which measures correctly, but I haven't seen it in the flesh yet to find out if it does indeed fit.
By the way I personally wouldn't buy a vintage case because the last thing you want is to be worrying about the thing which is supposed to protect your guitar! Depending on whether it's to stop the cat knocking it over, or if you plan on doing a national tour, there are plenty of cheaper options, many of which are equal in quality to the Fender case. Or even the modern Fender version - it's not going to be any different to the vintage except you won't mind if it gets a scuff here and there.
Mind you I bought a MIJ - I guess a vintage instrument is going to require a bit more commitment and care. If anything a modern case will give it more protection though - and you can keep an eye out for a bargain vintage one if you still want it someday, at which time you can sell your modern one.
There are plastic-shell cases for Jags on eBay for $50ish regularly, viz: case auction

Post by **Hurb** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:45 am

MatthewK wrote:Vintage instrument needs vintage case for "added value". 60s Jag cases seem to go around $300-400 in good shape, so $275 is a good deal if it's in good shape. Current versions sell around the $150 mark.

I would disagree to a point about that, I don't think having the OG case effects the value of the guitar much at all. not your average vintage instrument. a collector piece of course it would. but for offsets , I see offsets going for mad monies without cases all the time.
Lets also say that if he gets a replacement case it wont be the OG case It will just be a tatty old one. so price is not justified particularly if your not selling it anyway. If it's a keeper just get any decent case. if you wanna sell and make max monies then get the case but be prepared to make a loss.

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:12 am

Hurb wrote:I would disagree to a point about that, I don't think having the OG case effects the value of the guitar much at all. not your average vintage instrument. a collector piece of course it would. but for offsets , I see offsets going for mad monies without cases all the time.
Lets also say that if he gets a replacement case it wont be the OG case It will just be a tatty old one. so price is not justified particularly if your not selling it anyway. If it's a keeper just get any decent case. if you wanna sell and make max monies then get the case but be prepared to make a loss.

Good points, agreed all. If it's not "all original, one owner, driven to church on Sunday with all original candy and buyer's receipt" then people just care about the guitar rather than the whole package. Might as well get something new in good shape instead of one you're afraid to breathe on.

Rashomon · Post by **Rashomon** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:25 am

Cool, thanks for the insight, guys. I don't think I will get a vintage case, I already have a nice tweed soft case that I use with it and like, so, no need. And I'm definitely not gonna sell it any time soon.