guitar case covers

**Phil in London** · 11-16-2014, 04:48 PM

hi folks, I am considering to travel by air with an L-5, the case of which is presumably too big to take into the cabin. So I will need to check her in. I am using a Hiscox flight case (HISCOX Liteflite Artist Jumbo Acoustic Case - GUITAR HARD CASE - Reidys Music) , which is supposed to withstand a car driving over it (or so they say).

Since I am a born sceptic, it would make me feel more comfortable if the outside of the case is further protected and I am thinking of getting me a guitar case cover. I found this selection on the web: Small Dog Case Covers provide great protection at a great price.

Does anybody have experience with case covers? Are they worth the effort?

**feral guitar** · 11-16-2014, 05:09 PM

yeah those are good

**Broyale** · 11-16-2014, 05:37 PM

if the whole point of a flight case is to protect your guitar while it is in flight, then what exactly is the point of a case for a case, especially one that doesn't even look much like a case but a sleeve?

**coolvinny** · 11-16-2014, 06:25 PM

There is "checking" which is where all the regular baggage goes (whether with "fragile" stickers or not), there is carry-on baggage (in the cabin) but at least in Canada there is also "gate checking".

You're not going to get carry-on with a case that size but there is a good chance you'll get "gate checking" (at least here in Canada).

Dress nice, be nice (but not a pushover), and research the airline policies before you book.

If you do gate-check, then I would view the main role of the case cover as insulating from too-quick temperature changes.

But really if you're travelling with any kind of regularity it might be worth picking up a used laminate archtop or a used Eastman. The older Eastmans came with very rugged fiberglass cases - pretty much flight cases.

**Phil in London** · 11-16-2014, 07:53 PM

Indeed, it's about temp-changes. Also, I have seen the buckles of flight-cases being knocked off, which I assume happens less if the case is in a bag. I trust the workers on airports as I trust the tax office...

Checking the case in at the gate is a good point... I guess it depends on the airport, need to find out.

Thanks all!

**Hammertone** · 11-16-2014, 09:14 PM

Phil:
I like the Hiscox cases and have a few of them myself.
North Americans are not that familiar with them - they have limited distribution, are expensive, and there are some cheap-o cases here that sort-of look similar, which confuses things.
They are flight-worthy in my experience but they are not flight cases.
I've used a separate "fragile baggage" check-in process that worked well.

IMO. the Hiscox weak point is their latches, which are not recessed but should be, are not ATA compliant, and which beg to be smashed. A case cover will not only add insulation and keep the case looking shiny, it will also protect those latches. Also, do not lock the case - airport security has the right to know what their favourite cowboy chords sound like on your guitar, and they will break any locks to get to that essential information.

**Jabberwocky** · 11-16-2014, 11:34 PM

Those case covers are pretty expensive and cost almost as much as the case they are meant to protect. I would just get a double-walled guitar shipping box, pack the Hiscox in it with bubble-wrap for insulation around it and check that in. It will be scanned anyway and the ogres are less inclined to open a cardboard box when it is sealed. You can reuse it on your return journey.

The expensive case cover will arrive at the other end of your journey all torn and knackered. They are not meant to be checked in. They are meant to be carried around town. (Here is what we photographer types do to deter theft: We spatter our equipment case covers with paint to make them look grody.)

I won't check in a Hiscox case, not without a shipping box. If I need to check in an L5 often, I will get an Anvil case or a Thermodyne sized to fit. Or ship the L5 by FedEx ahead of you to your destination.

**cosmic gumbo** · 11-17-2014, 02:00 AM

"excuse me sir, about your guitar and the luggage conveyor"...

This is what a real flight case looks like.

Just buy a ticket for your axe and put it in the seat next to you.

**Hammertone** · 11-17-2014, 04:01 AM

Actually, that Martin case is crap, definitely not airplane-worthy, unlike a Hiscox.
Useful info here:
Liteflite Construction

**Jabberwocky** · 11-17-2014, 04:34 AM

Golfers don't seem to have any trouble checking their bags of clubs in. And surfer dudes with their surf-boards.

**Phil in London** · 11-17-2014, 07:16 AM

seems like they have a more stable version as well... http://www.coloradocase.com/stockins...asecovers.aspx

**Phil in London** · 11-17-2014, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

I won't check in a Hiscox case, not without a shipping box.

using a box is a good point... I guess I will get one of those Colorado bags and see what it's like... if no good - then box. :-)

**D.G.** · 11-17-2014, 03:02 PM

I have a Hiscox case that came with my gypsy guitar when it was shipped to Portland from England. I agree that the latches are the weak point. I second the packing box idea, but they'll probably open it up to look inside anyway. Still, better than nothing.

I remember in college making fun of the guitar majors who put a sleeve on their cases. I always asked 'em when they were gonna get a case to protect the sleeve that protected the case that protected the guitar

My opinion hasn't really changed any in the following 24 yrs.

**ruger9** · 11-17-2014, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Broyale

if the whole point of a flight case is to protect your guitar while it is in flight, then what exactly is the point of a case for a case, especially one that doesn't even look much like a case but a sleeve?

Actually, I'm wondering.... a different application..... keeping SMOKE SMELL out of the guitar. My mom is a lifelong smoker, and anything that enters her house becomes polluted. I have long wanted to leave a guitar there (an acoustic), so I don't have to drag it with me every time I visit (500 miles one way).... I have a nice hard case for said acoustic, but I wonder if one of these case covers would be an extra barrier of protection for when I leave it there, in the closet, for months at a time....?

**Klatu** · 11-17-2014, 03:20 PM

The case cover would serve the purpose of a smoking jacket in that situation. If that was all you really needed it for, you might consider throwing the guitar and case into a large fabric laundry bag. I think that would be enough to shield your instrument from the stink while keeping the cost to an absolute minimum.

**Archtop Guy** · 11-17-2014, 03:25 PM

I have a Small Dod cover for my Tweed TKL case because I want the case to remain in nice shape along with the guitar. It gives some temperature protection and some moisture protection but,I can't believe it will aid in damage by blunt force handling. These covers are more like putting your case into nylon shell with fake lambskin on the inside.

**Klatu** · 11-17-2014, 03:33 PM

Do you have the Tween TKL with the arched top and back? If so, I've got one that came with my Martin/American Archtop CF2 that weighs a ton. The first time I had some work done on the guitar, the luthier made the comment that he'd never felt a heavier case. My guess is that its weight offers pretty good protection, and should allow it to destroy just about anything that gets in its way.

**Phil in London** · 11-18-2014, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by Archtop Guy

I have a Small Dod cover for my Tweed TKL case because I want the case to remain in nice shape along with the guitar. It gives some temperature protection and some moisture protection but,I can't believe it will aid in damage by blunt force handling. These covers are more like putting your case into nylon shell with fake lambskin on the inside.

sure, thats well understood. As said above - its about protecting the latches and the overall appearance of the case.

**Phil in London** · 11-20-2014, 10:20 AM

ok, so here is the real reason behind my query... I want to ship my cat...

**vhollund** · 11-21-2014, 12:06 AM

Loosen the strings

**Little Jay** · 11-21-2014, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by vhollund

Loosen the strings

So the cat can enter the guitar thru the soundhole.....

I don't know if loosening the strings is necesary or not (I do it just in case), but really important is to support the neck and the peghead! (With clothes or rolled up newspaper.) The peghead can break off if the case tips over (actually, that becomes even more of a reality if you loosen the strings!)

I have been playing with the idea of a case cover myself, just to protect my Gibson-case from scruffs, the tolex is rather vulnerable. I am thinking of having a coduroy or thick canvas (sailcloth) cover made by a sailmaker (we have have quite a few of them in my nautic country).

**vhollund** · 11-21-2014, 09:25 AM

It is necessary to loosen the strings
I've learned it the hard way on a 1962 Harmony Souvereign
The strings retracted and broke the head off
Got it repaired but i still regret it

Now i always ask if i can get it on board with me, and tell them its worth 10.000 €
Noone has yet hijacket a plane with a guitar to my knowledge

**campusfive** · 11-21-2014, 11:17 AM

Hey, don't discount the possibility of carrying-on a hiscox. I've carried on my ES-150 in it, and it did actually fit in the overheads, and if not, there was room in the cabin closets.