School Me on Gibson Cases

[jw3571]

I've been looking at and have purchased a few of the new 2020 line of custom historics.  I've noticed that sometimes they come with the Red Line case with the purple interior and sometimes they just come with a normal hard case that comes with the non custom shop models.  Does anyone know if there is a rhyme or reason for this or is it random.  I had one dealer tell me that the non red line case is the historically correct case for the 1957 SJ200.  However, on another site the same model comes with the red line case?

[j45nick]

The redline case basically replicates the looks and style of a case that was built from the 1930's up to sometime after WW2, I believe. That is the case that came with my L-OO Legend, and it is also a case that was with a 1948 L-7 that I negotiated for at one point.

Gibson has used a variety of different cases over the decades. Until modern times, lower-end guitars were priced with no case. Cases were an option that started out with a $10 chip board case, and went up from there.

There is not necessarily a single "historically correct" case for a lot of models. 

The dealer is probably right about the case for a 1957 SJ 200, since the redline case was probably not made at that point in time.

The great thing is that no matter what case a guitar comes with,  you can have a case built that is more historically accurate if you aren't happy with what comes with the guitar.  These guys will build whatever you want, and the price is not ridiculous.

Cedar Creek cases

[zombywoof]

The  case which was originally supplied for a 1957 J200 would have been the brown Lifton case.  There were two versions to pick from l - one with a plush lining and one with a flannel lining.   As a  rule these were not provided with the guitar but had to be purchased separately.  In 1961 Gibson went with the black yellow lined Victoria Luggage cases.   These are my favorite Gibson cases.      But   If there is going to be a weak spot in more modern cases it is most likely going to be the  hardware.   The old stuff was just a much better quality.

Edited May 5, 2020 by zombywoof

[62burst]

1 hour ago, zombywoof said:

the brown Lifton case.

Ah yes, that's the one. A great case- the handles seemed to hold up better than most, too. 

Anybody's guess as to which case comes with the '57 reissue you're looking at. . . might be too soon to say. Best to have clarification, and a person's name before the sale. Some dealers might be pressed to put up some sort of photo of the case for the listing.

Does this black Red Line shown in the Sweetwater ad for the 1957 SJ-200 even look like a super jumbo case?  The curve on the upper bout of  '200 cases (shown lower left) almost makes a "corner" (so much so, that it does not touch the floor when on it's side), the waist has an almost exaggerated valley, and the lower bout has a more rounded shape, compared to the                J-45/Hummingbird case (shown on the right) :

 

Edited May 5, 2020 by 62burst

[j45nick]

That brown case with the round lower bout and exaggerated waist looks right for the SJ-200. It is also the case that is used with Gibson's 17" archtops, such as the L-5 and L-7.

The 17" SJ and 17" archtops have the same body plan, but the sides are a bit deeper on the SJ, I believe. However, the total body depth is very similar because guitars like the L-5 and L-7 have carved tops and backs with a pronounced arch, to that the total body volume is similar. All of these are long-scale.

A case for an SJ-200 and a 17" Gibson archtop will be the same, and a traditional case used for these would have a round lower bout and a pinched waist. The case I bought for my 1947 L-7 was a black one by TKL, with a burgundy velour lining. It looked like the pinch-waist brown case in your photo, except for the color, of course.

[zombywoof]

Gibson cases were not custom built to fit each model.  They were   generic archtop cases. so would be used to accommodate any guitar with a  17" lower bout.  The originals, however, had more of a mottled brown tolex so the one in the photos is not a spot on repro when it comes to looks.  Here is a flannel lined case for a 1960 J200.  The tag on the cubby hole reads "Built Like a Fortress."   If you look at the side you can see the mottled effect.  Guardian also makes a case that will work with a J200.

Edited May 5, 2020 by zombywoof

[j45nick]

3 minutes ago, zombywoof said:

Gibson cases were not custom built to fit each model.  They were   generic archtop cases. so would be used to accommodate any guitar with a  17" lower bout.  The originals, however, had more of a mottled brown tolex so the one in the picture is not a spot on repro when it comes to looks.  Here is a flannel lined case for a 1960 J200.  If you look at the side you can see the mottled effect.

They apparently still make that same pattern of case covering material.  My custom Cali Girl  J-45 case made by G&G for Norman's Rare Guitars in LA used that same material on the outside.

Cedar Creek has an exterior material they call "Epi Brown" which is very similar but may not have the exactly the right pattern.  They also will do the interior in "Vintage Pink Sky Velvet", which is a dead ringer for the original Cali Girl lining.

ZW is right about the primary shortcoming of modern cases being the hardware. The Providence Forge hardware used by Cedar Creek (and used on the Redline case that came with my L-OO Legend) is pretty good compared to most of it. 

You get what you pay for.

[BluesKing777]

 

I am back to where I started!

My 2002 Gibson J50 (recent of pawn shop!) came in a......bag.

My first Gibson acoustic came in a ....bag.....the famous yellow Blues King bag!

The only Gibson I have with a Gibson case is the 2005 Gibson Dove. And that is pretty standard fare. But it has the Gibson logo on it and sort of fits. Fine for around home but if the guitar is going anywhere, into one of a 'floating' set of Hiscoxii it will go. J50 went to luthier's in a Hiscox dread. I bought some L-00 size Hiscoxii for my Waterloos and ha ha ha ha! The Blues King now has a nice case - the Waterloo case, same for my old L-0! But if I was taking them out, pick a Hiscox.

It is a hopeless task getting a 'proper' case here in Australia - for some reason (size) it costs as much to import a guitar with it! So I was rather pleased when I bought my new Taylor Grand Pacific slope shoulder (717e Builder's Edition) that came with a case created just for the Grand Pacifics!

 

And while we are off the Gibson case track, some of you may like this video of the late great Bill Collings and his new 'Traditional Case" - after owning a hodgepodge of cases, I love his attitude!

 

 

 

BluesKing777.

 

 

Edited May 6, 2020 by BluesKing777

[zombywoof]

Most of my original cases are the chipboard variety - the Gibson alligator  or Geib black case with purple lining.    In the 1960 Gibson catalog a J45 would run you $135.  The plush lined case would set you back  $47 with the flannel lined version being $5 less.  A chipboard Faultless case was  only $13.25.  Basically for what you would have paid for a J45 with either of the hard shell cases you could have walked out of the store with an SJ with the chipboard case for less cash.  And while a store might have thrown in the chipboard case to seal a deal it is doubtful any would have tossed in a case which equaled about 1/3 the cost of the guitar.. 

[zombywoof]

How many of you recall dropping guitar cases off at luggage stores for repairs?  That will date you.

[j45nick]

5 minutes ago, zombywoof said:

Most of my original cases are the chipboard variety - the Gibson alligator  or Geib black case with purple lining.    In the 1960 Gibson catalog a J45 would run you $135.  The plush lined case would set you back  $47 with the flannel lined version being $5 less.  A chipboard Faultless case was  only $13.25.  Basically for what you would have paid for a J45 with either of the hard shell cases you could have walked out of the store with an SJ with the chipboard case for less cash.  And while a store might have thrown in the chipboard case to seal a deal it is doubtful any would have tossed in a case which equaled about 1/3 the cost of the guitar.. 

I recall paying either $10 or $15 for a Gibson-braded chipboard case (black) for my J-45 in 1966. Five years later, I got a non-branded generic dreadnought hard-shell case for about $35.

When I bought my one-owner 1950 J-45 last year, it came with a smooth brown chipboard case with brown felt lining. The case was in perfect condition, so I wanted it, but did not want to take a chance on shipping the guitar in it. I shipped the owner a spare modern Gibson hard case to ship the guitar in, and had the chipboard case packed and shipped separately. It seems a little silly, but what the heck?

I have more money tied up in that chipboard case than I had in my first 1950 J-45 plus a new chipboard case back in 1966.

[Lars68]

I did some research into cases for old Gibsons when I wanted to find a good vintage reproduction case for my 1942 J-45, which came in a crappy thermoplastic case when I got it.

The Redline case would be correct for a 1930s guitar, maybe up until the war. I remember asking Willi Henkes at Antique Acoustics about this, and from the war, there was no such thing as a certain type of case ”belonging” to a certain guitar model. In fact, very few guitars sold with hard cases from the dealers at the time. Of the J-45s with hard cases, most came in 16' archtop cases that didn't fit very well.

So when I wanted a vintage correct modern case for my 1942 guitar, I had two choices. I could get a 1930s repro Redline, or a poor fitting archtop case. My guitar would most likely not have been sold with a Redline, but many wartime guitar still ended up with these cases, when the owners later went case hunting. So, I went with the Redline repro case from Cedar Creek. It's a lovely case, and the price was fair, at least back in 2012. It was also custom fitted, not that it would make a big difference for a J-45. After the war and in the 50's, cases became more standardized with the guitars, and the brown tolex type was most common.

So, for the latest Gibson reissue guitars, I think the 1930-1940's vintage reissues will have a Redline, while other 50's models should have a brown tolex case.

Hope this helps.

Lars

 

[jw3571]

Thanks for the help guys

[zombywoof]

The red line cases associated with 1930s to early-1940s  Gibson were made by Geib.   Geib also made the orange/racing stripe cases associated with upper end Gibson archtops..  Martin tended to use Harptone cases,

As I said, the old cases were generic and intended  to fit a number of different guitars with similar lower bout widths.  So nothing "fit like a glove."  

[lafnian1990]

Good post. The case must be reliable

Edited October 27, 2020 by lafnian1990

[DenielSetuplet]

On 5/6/2020 at 2:43 AM, BluesKing777 said:

 

I am back to where I started!

My 2002 Gibson J50 (recent of pawn shop!) came in a......bag.

My first Gibson acoustic came in a ....bag.....the famous yellow Blues King bag!

The only Gibson I have with a Gibson case is the 2005 Gibson Dove. And that is pretty standard fare. But it has the Gibson logo on it and sort of fits. Fine for around home but if the guitar is going anywhere, into one of a 'floating' set of Hiscoxii it will go. J50 went to luthier's in a Hiscox dread. I bought some L-00 size Hiscoxii for my Waterloos and ha ha ha ha! The Blues King now has a nice case - the Waterloo case, same for my old L-0! But if I was taking them out, pick a Hiscox.

It is a hopeless task getting a 'proper' case here in Australia - for some reason (size) it costs as much to import a guitar with it! So I was rather pleased when I bought my new Taylor Grand Pacific slope shoulder (717e Builder's Edition) that came with a case created just for the Grand Pacifics!

 

And while we are off the Gibson case track, some of you may like this video of the late great Bill Collings and his new 'Traditional Case" - after owning a hodgepodge of cases, I love his attitude!

 

 

 

BluesKing777.

 

 

What a beautiful case!

[Brucebubs]

Here's the case that came with my new  2020 Historic 1957 SJ-200 - nice goodies too.

[Sgt. Pepper]

TKL® Products Corp. is the leading supplier of hard and soft cases to the world’s music makers, retailers, distributors and manufacturers.

Founded in 1984, TKL is a second generation, family-owned company with headquarters, R&D and manufacturing in the Richmond, Virginia area and numerous partnerships throughout North America and around the world.

 TKL is the preferred OEM case supplier to the music industry. Its patented, innovative features, impeccable quality and continuously evolving designs meet the stringent demands of legendary instrument makers, including CF Martin®, Collings, D’Angelico®, Fender®, Fodera, Gibson®, Gretsch®, Guild®, Heritage ™, Ibanez® and Ovation®.

I thought they were made in Canada and would have sworn some of the Gibson cases I used to own were made there. I live an hour or so outside Richmond, VA.

Did you want info or just pictures of cases?

Edited February 15, 2021 by Sgt. Pepper

[Dave F]

Harptone make a series of 1930's redline cases. http://www.harptone.com/currentmodels/8dfbd5capx93khn6o2m83cgezch383 . I've read that TKL is the parent company of Harptone .I have the TKL Gibson versions with my L00 and Southern Jumbo.

 

[E-minor7]

Here's a 65 CW purp interior case with the 66 re-necked/topped CW waiting to see action this weekend.  

If we take a closer look at the handle something special occurs. The old one broke down and I went to the local shoemaker. "Is there anything you can do ?"                                                                                                    Then waited and waited and didn't wanna strezz the good man. Finally I had to take the phone. "It's almost ready," he replied, "come soon."

This is what he made me. And I'm so pleased with what his leather skills could conjure. 

[RBSinTo]

On 2/15/2021 at 5:42 PM, Sgt. Pepper said:

TKL® Products Corp. is the leading supplier of hard and soft cases to the world’s music makers, retailers, distributors and manufacturers.

Founded in 1984, TKL is a second generation, family-owned company with headquarters, R&D and manufacturing in the Richmond, Virginia area and numerous partnerships throughout North America and around the world.

 TKL is the preferred OEM case supplier to the music industry. Its patented, innovative features, impeccable quality and continuously evolving designs meet the stringent demands of legendary instrument makers, including CF Martin®, Collings, D’Angelico®, Fender®, Fodera, Gibson®, Gretsch®, Guild®, Heritage ™, Ibanez® and Ovation®.

I thought they were made in Canada and would have sworn some of the Gibson cases I used to own were made there. I live an hour or so outside Richmond, VA.

Did you want info or just pictures of cases?

My 2001 j-45 Standard came with a black TKL case with dark blue plush interior and the Gibson logo screened on the outside.

The leather tab for lifting the accessory compartment door is branded "TKL made in Canada".

A cursory search revealed that these cases are produced for TKL in Montreal by a company called Boblen that does not deal with the public, but produces them for guitar dealers and music stores.

I live in Toronto but am at least the third owner of this guitar, so I don't know if the case is original, or a replacement.

RBSinTo

 

[Sgt. Pepper]

I have 5 TKL cases and just looked at all of them. 3 of them are thermoplastic and 2 Geib. All the thermoplastic ones are made in the USA, and the 2 Geib ones are made it the country where Crown Royal and hockey originated from.

[Twang Gang]

On 5/5/2020 at 7:43 PM, BluesKing777 said:

 

It is a hopeless task getting a 'proper' case here in Australia - for some reason (size) it costs as much to import a guitar with it! So I was rather pleased when I bought my new Taylor Grand Pacific slope shoulder (717e Builder's Edition) that came with a case created just for the Grand Pacifics!

I had a Taylor 816 built in 2006 that had a case very similar to this and everywhere I took the guitar I got compliments on the "cool" case.  I have bought a few Taylors since and the cases while adequate do not have the fancy tooling on the outside.

And while we are off the Gibson case track, some of you may like this video of the late great Bill Collings and his new 'Traditional Case" - after owning a hodgepodge of cases, I love his attitude!

No doubt these Collings cases are well made.  I bought a Collings last year and the dealer gave me a TKL case to put it in.  It fits well, and the case is very substantial.  The case has a lifetime warranty and was made Oilville, VA - no extra charge.  However if I wanted a Colling built case for my D style guitar the price is $995.

I bought a Hummingbird last year, it came in a burgundy colored case with grey plush lining.  On the little compartment inside there is a leather tag that has Gibson embossed on it and the outside of the case also says Gibson.  Inside the little interior compartment is a very tiny tag that says "made in Costa Rica" so I have no idea who made it but it would appear it is a generic factory that Gibson has contracted to make cases for Bozeman.

 

 

[Erin_Jacob]

On 5/5/2020 at 6:01 AM, jw3571 said:

I've been looking at and have purchased a few of the new 2020 line of custom historics.  I've noticed that sometimes they come with the Red Line case with the purple interior and sometimes they just come with a normal hard case that comes with the non custom shop models.  Does anyone know if there is a rhyme or reason for this or is it random.  I had one dealer tell me that the non red line case is the historically correct case for the 1957 SJ200.  However, on another site the same model comes with the red line case?

 

 

let's talk about education and, well, guitars. Education is a journey, just like learning to play a musical instrument. It's got its highs and lows, and sometimes the hardest part is staying motivated and focused. Speaking of challenges, I've had my share of them in my studies. Balancing coursework, assignments, and, of course, the temptation of distractions can be quite a task. But here's a trick I've got up my sleeve to help me improve my grades: GradesFixer check it out here: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/sinners-in-the-hands-of-an-angry-god/, they've got tons of essay examples and resources that have really boosted my academic writing skills. Now, back to the Gibson cases – learning about them is a bit like studying. It takes time, patience, and the right resources, just like GradesFixer has been for me in my studies. So, if you're curious about Gibson cases or need some essay inspiration, give it a shot!

The choice of case that comes with a specific guitar model, whether it's a Red Line case or a standard hard case, can vary based on the manufacturer or the seller's packaging decisions. While some higher-end or custom models may include special cases, it's not unusual to find variations in the type of case that comes with a particular instrument. If you have specific preferences for the case that accompanies your guitar purchase, I recommend discussing this with the seller or manufacturer before making your purchase. They should be able to clarify the case options available for the particular model you're interested in and guide you on your choice. Additionally, the choice of case often doesn't affect the guitar's playability or quality, so it's a matter of personal preference.

Edited October 30, 2023 by Erin_Jacob