Hoffee Guitar Cases

[Jim Wilson]

Does anyone have any experience with the Hoffee travel cases for guitars? I've got a Calton for my D35 which I like a lot, but am always interested in new travel cases. Pricey, aren't they?

[SmokeyGhost]

Yeas they can be viewed as a little pricey but then if you do travel and do highly value your guitar (which does not always mean it is an expensive, high end guitar) then the protection is worthwhile.

 

I have two guitars each of which are in a Hiscox case, and they cost about AUD$630, because they are valuable to me - although I do admit one is also rare as only six of the particular model were ever made and another reason for protection.

[Buc McMaster]

I've owned both Calton and Hoffee in the past and both are excellent instrument cases. However, Caltons are so very heavy, unreasonably so for much lugging around. Hoffee cases are very light and provide every bit of the protection Calton does. No contest. If you're going to buy a high end case get a Hoffee.

[Jim Wilson]

Thanks, Buc!

[L5Larry]

A few years ago, and after much research and a couple of recommendations, I had Jeff Hoffee build a case for my L-5.

 

The deciding factor was a hands-down recommendation from a custom guitar builder (Bill Moll) who builds his own (Calton style) fiberglass cases. As he said he only had time to make cases for the guitars he built, and told me to get contact Jeff Hoffee about a case for my L-5.

 

Jeff Hoffee was a complete professional, great communication and customer service, on-time and on-quote delivery, and the fit and finish of the case was absolutely perfect. I highly recommend Hoffee cases in any and all respects.

 

To reiterate what Buc said, carbon fiber cases are much lighter in weight than the fiberglass counterparts. My Hoffee weighs "just" 4 pounds more than my TKL Cali-Girl case. The Caltons seem to be much heavier. The price difference between Calton and Hoffee is "only" a couple hundred bucks.

 

For my 17" L-5 I HAD to have a custom case made, for I could find no off-the-shelf fiberglass style case the would fit it. There are a few "pre-made" fiber cases on the market, and are probably worth looking into (for cost considerations) for a "standard" size guitar, but.... be sure you know what your buying. I do know there is a Euro mfg that sells carbon fiber "style" cases, and who knows what they are really made of. Same goes for the Asian made products.

[Stringbreaker]

There's a lot of great choices for cases these days! Wilson1911, since you uttered the phrase "but am always interested in new travel cases", I'll add my favorite - Hiscox. Relatively inexpensive, extremely light, very very strong. My Gibson is in a Pro-II model which runs $320 or so.

[Boyd]

I took my 2008 J-50 to Europe in a Hiscox Pro II a couple years ago. It ended up in the checked baggage for 3 out of the 4 flights. No problems whatsoever, really happy with this case. It's also very light - noticeably lighter than the original Gibson case. I got mine at Elderly Instruments with one of the discount coupons that often pop up on their site, it was about $250. I noticed that Guitar Center is even selling Hiscox now.

[Jim Wilson]

Thank you! I'll look into those Hiscox cases.

[Dave F]

I bought a Jumbo Hiscox case.

 

Since I only use it when I'm worried about where I'm going or traveling, I only need it for one guitar at a time.

 

I made some padded inserts so the case can accommodate smaller guitars and still fit snugly in the case.

 

 

 

[kelly campbell]

On the Hiscox case which model fits best for a j-15 or J45??

[Boyd]

The Liteflite Pro II Dreadnought case should do it. Fits my 1965, 1974 and 2008 J-50 perfectly: http://www.elderly.com/hiscox-liteflite-pro-ii-guitar-case-117625.htm

 

They may have changed their model numbers. It is listed as the "PRO-II-GAD" on their site. http://www.hiscoxcases.com/proll-guitar-cases.htm#progad

 

Mine has a red interior and it appears that the new black case is silver.

[Jim Wilson]

I see ads for those ivory Hiscox cases. Sure looks pink to me. Don't think I'd want a pink case.

[VincentG]

Yes those Pro II GAD are a perfect match for a J-45, fits very snuggly! More than the case the guitar came in with. It is noticeably lighter too.

[Stringbreaker]

I see ads for those ivory Hiscox cases. Sure looks pink to me. Don't think I'd want a pink case.

Lol Not pink, actually ivory. Here's mine . . . .

 

 

 

[Boyd]

Here's mine with the 2008 J-50.

 

 

 

 

Here you can see the pads the press snugly against the guitar to keep it from shifting in the case. This protects it from impacts, the guitar is "floating" inside the case and not directly pushing against the sides.

 

[Dave F]

Here's the Jumbo Hiscox case that fit's my J200 perfect

 

 

 

 

 

I made a simple pad so the case could be used for the J45 or a Martin dread.

 

When I get around to it, I'm going to make four smaller pads that will stick in place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stringbreaker]

Here's the Jumbo Hiscox case that fit's my J200 perfect . . . images snipped

 

.......

 

I made a simple pad so the case could be used for the J45 or a Martin dread.

 

When I get around to it, I'm going to make four smaller pads that will stick in place.

 

I have the jumbo Hiscox case myself and my 16" (lower bout) Hummingbird Pro fits in it nice and snug with the case's existing pads. Plus, the 17" Epi EJ-200 fits in it also. It's a nice setup Hiscox has to make instruments of varying sizes fit in the same case.

[kelly campbell]

thanks those are some sweet looking guitars fellows

[Stringbreaker]

On the Hiscox case which model fits best for a j-15 or J45??

A J-45 will fit in both the Dreadnought and Jumbo sized Hiscox. The advantage of the Jumbo is an extra latch, and the advantage of the Dreadnought is a more snug fit (although the fit would be snug in the Jumbo because of the padding)

 

My Gibson Dread (16" Lower Bout) fits wonderfully in the Jumbo sized case.

[Willie King]

Interesting that they provide an option for a TSA lock.