Official Luthiers Forum!

I don't know anything about guitar cases. I can see that the cheap cases are cheaply made, and may not offer much protection. I don't have the eye (or the funds) to look for the features of the high-end cases.

So that leaves the middle. Who's cases are you using, or maybe a better question what brand(s) would you look at for the low-end of the monetary spectrum, with high enough quality to be a worthwhile case for a handbuilt guitar?

Thanks!

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

My best cases are Ameritage...
Best value for the money for me are Access 5 cases. Andyazimmer138846.6062037037

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Does Access have a website? I couldn't find anything on the web.

Al

Andy,
Do you have a contact at Ameritag you can post?
Thanks,
Jim

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Jim Watts
http://jameswattsguitars.com

If the Access cases are OK, then where do you buy them? I had found an SKB-20 case for $119, and had hoped I could find something about that quality for a lower price. Access sounds like a good price point, if they are made OK. So, where do you buy them?

Thanks.

Dennis

{edit: that SKB-20 price is from an on-line retailer, not a wholesaler.}DennisLeahy38846.6085185185

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

[QUOTE=Jim_W] Andy,
Do you have a contact at Ameritag you can post?
Thanks,
Jim[/QUOTE]

If you are looking at buying a case (as oppossed to other business with Ameritage) you can contact Nancy Worsfold [nancyw AT gwwcases DOT com]

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Brock Poling
Columbus, Ohio
http://www.polingguitars.com

Dennis check with Keith Rampey at keith@accessbagsandcases.com Their web side is accessbagsandcases.com

TKL also makes a good case. I use the model 8800 for my classicals. I used to be able to buy them for about $75 apiece, but it looks like their prices have gone up.

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

Thanks, guys!

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Guys,

About an hour ago, I sent an email to Access asking for more info (like prices, discounts, terms, plus dimension measurements of their Level 3 and 5 cases).

Just a few minutes ago, I received a reply from Kevin Leigh. His email address is kevin@accessbagsandcases.com. He included a confidential dealers price list that includes terms, plus the dimensional info I needed.

Pretty good service. And the wholesale prices of his cases are very attractive. Minimum order amount is $100, so I'll have to order a few (of the Level 3's) to find out what the quality is like.

Anybody here have an Access Level 3 case? If so, what do you think of the build quality? Honestly, for the price, I'd be most interested in the Level 5, but trying to modify the neck support to handle a 10-string classical's neck would probably be more trouble than it's worth. Not a problem you guys are likely to run into, though

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

I use only the Stage 5 case. The Stage 3 is a 3 ply construction and plush lining. The Stage 5 is a 5 ply construction with velour lining and other upgraded features. If the Stage 3 is as good quality as the stage 5 it will be well worth the money. I just don’t know the Stage 3 case, but I highly recommend the Stage 5

I too have a handfull of the Access 5 cases, they're darn nice for approx.

GregLanceK38846.5680671296

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Gwaltney Guitars

We have many non-luthier guest lurkers that view the site and many retailers of these cases. the cost to a reseller is confidential and it is unfair to those of use that sell these case for the general public to know what we pay wholesale so please don't post the wholesale cost of the case remember it was given as to you with the requirement that you keep it confidential. I have made the same mistake, but please edit your post.MichaelP38846.5462152778

I use TKLs too - I used to buy them direct from the factory but they now have a UK importer who will give me wholesale prices. The only thing to beware of is those little brass feet on the bottom of the archtop cases. I had a guitar damaged in transit to a customer because, despite all the packing, something pushed the feet through the bottom of the case and cracked the guitar back on both sides.

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Pete
http://www.petewoodmanguitars.com

[QUOTE=MichaelP] Dennis check with Keith Rampey at keith@accessbagsandcases.com Their web side is accessbagsandcases.com[/QUOTE]
I thought I should report back that the level of service I received from Keith was superb. They are just coming out with a new case that may meet my needs for a specific guitar (I have a custom body shape that will not fit the small acoustic or dred case, but may fit their new small jumbo case.) Specs for that new case are not available yet, but Keith bent over backwards trying to get them anyway. If the cases are half as good as the customer service, they are well worth considering!

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Yepeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Yepeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. I asked kieth to give the OLF SJ some consideration about 3 months ago and he told me he would bring it up as a need design.

Thanks Keith WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!    
(Serge I have been practicing)

Denis you will truly like thes cases IMO the best dollar value out there. I think they are much better in most respect to TKL Pro's darn sure a better deal for the money

That is superb news... I ordered a box of the access 3's because the 5's were too narrow for my guitar shape... An SJ case would be great!!!

And Keith is top drawer in my book as well. I'm looking forward to receiving my access 3 cases anytime soon. I'll report back with pics and a detailed, scientific analysis...

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Michael, i'm happy for the good news you just received and i see that you've been doing your homework! i'm really proud of you!

According to Keith, the SJ cases should be available for shipment by late June. I don't know if he'll be tickled by a deluge of requests, or ticked off at me for blabbing before the has them in his hands.

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

It is not an SJ case it is a JUMBO as in Gibson Jumbo I spoke to Keith this morning he said there seems to be confusion on this issueMichaelP38848.6600462963

Hesh it is pretty easey

Stage 1: chip board construction with plush lining and 1/4" padding

Stage 3: 3 ply hardwood ply construction, plush lining 3/8" padding and plastic handle grip.

Stage 5: 5 ply hardwood ply construction velour lining, 3/4" padding, velour back pad adjustable peghead support, removable neck heel support, heavy texture simulated aligator lether outer covering and hand stitched leather handle grip.

Dreadnaught, Small Body Steel String (dead nuts on for an OM), and Classical Oh and the new Jumbo as in gibson J series jumbosMichaelP38848.707037037

Hesh you say the Access case is hands down better than the TKL case? Which TKL case. I know TKL makes some cheap cases as well as there good ones. I have read through the descriptions of the Access cases and they haven't sounded as good as the Arch Tp, Arch Back 5 ply TKL cases. Mind you the TKL cases are more expensive but for us Canadians we can buy the TKL cases before TKL gets them and make a nice saving. TKL Has them made here in Canada and then shipped to the US where they put there name on them. The ones I sell are TKL cases but where the TKL name is attached they have the screws with no name on yet. If the Access cases are better than the TKL Elite series I may look at them as they are in the Same price Range (TKL Lists them for $350 but I sell them for $135 with my savings)Mind you, most of my guitars go with a Calton case which is another leap in price and quality.