Size of a Custom Shop (TKL) Les Paul case?

[C.C]

Can anyone tell me if the Custom Shop case made by TKL with the red padded interior is supposed to be a snug fit for a Les Paul? Or is it made a bit larger with a bit of room in it?

 

I ask this because I bought a Custom Shop case off someone online - pretty sure it's a legit TKL with the gold "Gibson Custom" words on the exterior - it's meant to replace the current case for my 1974 Les Paul Custom, which is not the original. But after I'd put my '74 in it I found that it's not a snug fit, there's about a 1/4 inch gap all-around the body if I lay the guitar down right in the middle of the case.

 

Is it meant to be like that, or is this case not meant for a Les Paul?

[kidblast]

Interesting results, unless the padding is quite worn down, it's usually a close fit.

[C.C]

Interesting results, unless the padding is quite worn down, it's usually a close fit.

Yeap well, it's not. At least, not for my '74.

 

I don't have any other Les Pauls to do a comparison.

 

I'm pretty sure this is an original Custom Shop case made by TKL, and it looks pretty new. So the only things I can think of are:

 

1. It's meant to be like that?

2. Les Paul bodies are bigger today than in the 70s? or

3. This Custom Shop case was meant for some other Gibson larger than a Les Paul?

[Guest EastEnder]

My son has bought a couple of new cases from ebay -- genuine TKL by all indications. The 335 case had the guitar flopping around, as did the Les Paul.

 

My thoughts are that these are seconds or factory rejects finding their way into the market. Who would forge a guitar case?

 

Then again, why not?

 

EE

[L5Larry]

Over the last few years I have replaced three OHSC's for Gibson instruments (LP, L-5, TB-1) with new ones from TKL. They were all a proper and perfect fit.

[kidblast]

My son has bought a couple of new cases from ebay -- genuine TKL by all indications. The 335 case had the guitar flopping around, as did the Les Paul.

 

My thoughts are that these are seconds or factory rejects finding their way into the market. Who would forge a guitar case?

 

Then again, why not?

 

EE

 

could be on to something there EastEnder..

 

CC, I don't know man I have 5 gibsons, 2 lps, 2 Sgs and an ES135 all or OHSC and all Cases are all snug fits

[C.C]

CC, I don't know man I have 5 gibsons, 2 lps, 2 Sgs and an ES135 all or OHSC and all Cases are all snug fits

Urgh, I don't know what I can do about this ... since there's a 1/4 inch gap all around when I lay the guitar down right in the middle, if I stand the case up on its side that'd mean a 1/2 inch gap on top. Not too crazy about giving the guitar room to move in there.

 

Only reason why I went with a Custom Shop case was because my '74 came in a non-original case that had the "fur" interior and some of it around the neck support area got stuck on the neck of the guitar. I figured that wouldn't happen with a Custom Shop padded interior.

[Guest EastEnder]

Urgh, I don't know what I can do about this...

 

Send it back? Might be easier said than done, though.

 

I've had email exchanges directly with TKL over the years and they're very helpful. I'd at least ask them about it to perhaps ascertain its place of birth. I've heard that there are a number of fake Gibson-stamped cases out there being passed off as the real thing -- especially the old brown "Lifton" styles. They don't fit, either.

 

EE

[C.C]

Send it back? Might be easier said than done, though.

 

I've had email exchanges directly with TKL over the years and they're very helpful. I'd at least ask them about it to perhaps ascertain its place of birth. I've heard that there are a number of fake Gibson-stamped cases out there being passed off as the real thing -- especially the old brown "Lifton" styles. They don't fit, either.

Yeap, easier said than done.

 

Anyways, I'd emailed TKL about it (and let them know about this here thread too). Laurie @ TKL is telling me they can make a filler pad for my case but they need pictures and dimensions. I'm thinking whether to ask for one that is of even thickness all-around, or whether to ask for one that is thicker at the cutaway side of the guitar, because I'd probably stand the case up on that side most of the time.