Custom cases: Hiscox vs Cedar Creek vs Ameritage

**Jim Soloway** · 12-17-2014, 03:18 PM

I'm thinking of getting a better case for the new Heritage and with the unusual case thickness, a custom build may be the best option. So far I've looked at Hiscox, Cedar Creek and Ameritage. Any opinions, experience, and or alternatives?

TIA.

**coolvinny** · 12-17-2014, 03:41 PM

I had a Holst 16 x 2.25 archtop and a Gator 335 case fit like a glove and was very lightweight. Cost all of $100. A breeze to carry around. It should be easy to find one at a local shop to try out. I am referring to the brown exterior/pink interior model in particular.

A standard hardshell case is all one needs for around town, in my experience. The beefcake cases are just needlessly heavy for anything other than checking luggage on a bus or plane, IMO. Even Cedar Creek cases can be very heavy, especially if 5-ply but the 3-ply are heavy too.

**Jim Soloway** · 12-17-2014, 03:50 PM

Thanks. I never even considered a 335 case. I'll have to see if I can find one to try.

**bmw2002** · 12-17-2014, 03:55 PM

Jim, my Schaefer 16 archtop came in a Cedar Creek case (I don't have any experience with the others). I'd agree that it is pretty heavy, but feels like it could withstand almost anything. Rarely leaves the house, so the weight has not been an issue for me. Appears extremely well made.

**DanielleOM** · 12-17-2014, 04:13 PM

Jim, Do you still have an Eastman AR403CE / AR503CE? I certainly would like to find a different case for that one. (I could keep the Eastman case for a dreadnought I have that needs a better case.)

Danielle

**Woody Sound** · 12-17-2014, 04:14 PM

I have an Ameritage for my 10-string classical and it weighs a ton.

**Spook410** · 12-17-2014, 04:25 PM

I have a flat top Hiscox case. It isn't bad. Certainly better than the Gibson archtop case I bought used.

In some applications I like a higher end gig bag better than a mediocre hard case. Less crush resistance but that doesn't seem to come up much. On the other hand, knock overs, rain, and spills seem more frequent and a water resistant gig bag with solid headstock support works pretty well. My only direct experience has been Fusion and flat tops but I'm thinking about getting one for archtops as I play out more.

Oddly.. my best traditional archtop case came with an 80's vintage Washburn J6. Old school wood construction and very well made.

The only massive case I have is a Calton for flat tops. Thing is, when you need an indestructible case, that's what you need. Wish flight cases weren't so expensive.

**mikeSF** · 12-17-2014, 04:59 PM

I really like Cedar Creek and have a couple of the double arched 5-ply alligator ones. Yes, very heavy but strong.
Not sure what Hiscox you are looking at but I had one for a 7-string 17" archtop and i thought it was terrible.

**artb** · 12-17-2014, 05:38 PM

The best cases I have came with Eastman guitars black or white molded fiberglass lightweight but strong, well padded, waterproof, floating not expensive. artb

**iim7V7IM7** · 12-17-2014, 05:54 PM

Jim,

I have cases by Ameritage, Hiscox and Hoffee. All are excellent protective cases. If weight is an issue, I 'd recommend reaching out to Jeff Hoffee. I suspect that you will find a solution from him for far less than his website would lead you to believe.

Hoffee Cases, inc. - Acoustic Guitar Cases, Musical Instrument Cases, Custom Guitar Cases

Best,

Bob

**marcwhy** · 12-17-2014, 09:35 PM

Hi Jim,
Like any other purchase, what's your budget?! The price range for these cases is wide, depending on models, options, etc.
FWIW, I have a custom Ameritage, their "mid-range" model without humidifier; it's a great case and it was a decent price.

Marc

**fumblefingers** · 12-17-2014, 10:01 PM

Ameritage for my Buscarino - first rate.

Cedar Creek for my Gibson's:
1. Dye-in-binding issues (not sure if it is the plush case dye or fresh lacquer - or an unfortunate intersecting of both.
2. Very awkward latches.

I have a great case for my Guild/Benedetto - it may also be a Cedar Creek but I'm not sure.

Hoffee - I hear good things.

**Klatu** · 12-18-2014, 10:34 AM

Artb,

When was your guitar built and distributed? I have had a few Eastmans that came with the old fiberglass case that I was less than enthusiastic about. They were rather flimsy, didn't have a whole lot of cushioning, and crushed far easier than their comparable wooden alternatives. As far as I know, most guitars coming out the factory as of late are shipping with very stout wooden cases that I actually prefer over their North American equivalent TKL cases.

However, I was at an Eastman dealer's shop last year and was shown a new deluxe version of the fiberglass case with thicker fiberglass material and a great deal of added cushioning throughout the enclosure. It seemed to be enough of an improvement that I would choose it over their wooden offering.

**Klatu** · 12-18-2014, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

I'm thinking of getting a better case for the new Heritage and with the unusual case thickness, a custom build may be the best option. So far I've looked at Hiscox, Cedar Creek and Ameritage. Any opinions, experience, and or alternatives?

TIA.

Years ago I bought a Martin/American Archtop CF2, a 17" Benedetto style guitar designed by Dale Unger and built by Martin Guitars. The instrument came with the top of the line boat anchor TKL case that was so heavy that when my repair guy swung by to pick it up, he felt the weight and said, "Load it into my car yourself."

That aside, the guitar is thinner than the average 17" Benedetto style guitar at around 2 1/2", so the case needed to be adjusted to avoid rattling and movement while in transit. The solution was to include a guitar body shaped cushion that took up the space left behind. The solution worked just fine.

**disco~juice** · 12-18-2014, 11:00 AM

My take on this thing is:

Normal case with a cotton sheet (I don't want the guitar to touch the interior of the case since I leave my guitar inside most of the time) for the house and premium gigbag for outside.

Do you want a hard case exclusively?

**jorgemg1984** · 12-18-2014, 11:33 AM

Jim I have a 60s Guild that is very precisous to me and for a while I tried the hard case route. I had a very good and very cheap case sold by Thomann that fitted the guitar perfectly but... it was too heavy too carry around. Something like Reunion Blues or Mono (or Gator) will offer a lot of protection and it will be easy to carry outside the house. I believe between those three you'll find a model that will fir your guitar. Anyway, my two cents.

**Jabberwocky** · 12-18-2014, 11:54 AM

Glenn Cronkhite leather gigbag is premium for schlepping 'round town. glenn cronkhite custom cases .

**artb** · 12-18-2014, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Klatu

Artb,

When was your guitar built and distributed? I have had a few Eastmans that came with the old fiberglass case that I was less than enthusiastic about. They were rather flimsy, didn't have a whole lot of cushioning, and crushed far easier than their comparable wooden alternatives. As far as I know, most guitars coming out the factory as of late are shipping with very stout wooden cases that I actually prefer over their North American equivalent TKL cases.

However, I was at an Eastman dealer's shop last year and was shown a new deluxe version of the fiberglass case with thicker fiberglass material and a great deal of added cushioning throughout the enclosure. It seemed to be enough of an improvement that I would choose it over their wooden offering.

THANKS for your observation. I have only one black and one white of these. The better later ones may be expensive fiber glass and not the cheaper plastic ones. artb

**Jim Soloway** · 12-18-2014, 12:27 PM

Originally Posted by marcwhy

Hi Jim,
Like any other purchase, what's your budget?! The price range for these cases is wide, depending on models, options, etc.
FWIW, I have a custom Ameritage, their "mid-range" model without humidifier; it's a great case and it was a decent price.

Marc

Hi Marc. The budget depends on the direction. Unless I can find a simple existing product like the 335 case Vinny suggested, I figure the range is probably something like $250 for a decent bag up to $1150 for a Calton with multiple options in between. If this guitar continues to impress me as much as it has so far, then I'm not sure I'll care about the price as long as it stays in that range. Practical reality tells me that I should be focused on my around town needs more than my travel needs since one is a current reality and the other is just an ambition that I'm not really wiring hard enough to turn into a reality.

**coolvinny** · 12-18-2014, 01:12 PM

If the Gator plywood 335 case doesn't fit (though it should), and if you're willing to spend a few hundred bucks, then I'd suggest exploring the fiberglass case market. Not Calton - I have one for my 15" archtop so I know what they're about, and strolling around town ain't it - but the ones made by Eastman or unbranded Chinese manufacturers. They are the best for schlepping around town. In Vancouver, you might want to take your axe up to Prussin Music on Broadway - they carry Eastman and they will probably let you check out the cases, and can order one for you. I almost went that route before I stumbled on my no-name el-cheapo fiberglass case for $100.

Another thought is to check out Rufus' Guitar Shop which is just a couple blocks from Prussin. Rufus' has a constantly changing supply of used cases and you may be able to find a nice step-up case that you could keep around as a backup, plus they may give you some trade-in value on the case you want to discard.

**skykomishone** · 12-18-2014, 01:16 PM

The Cedar Creek is built like a brick sh*thouse, and weighs about as much. It, and the TKLs, are great. I've not owned the others you mentioned, but when I read their website info I really like the Hiscox. If you can get the level of protection afforded by a Cedar Creek in a package that weighs a fraction of one, I sure like that, personally. My thoughts.

**GuyBoden** · 12-18-2014, 03:04 PM

Are all the Hiscox cases made in Cannock, Staffordshire, UK?

**nosoyninja** · 12-18-2014, 04:56 PM

I have a hiscox liteflite pro II. Came standard with my thorell guitar. It's about as close to a flight case as you can get while still being a regular case. Very high quality.

If I were flying with my guitar and had to send it in thr baggage compartment, I would be nervous but trust that the case would hold up well.

I've jumped on it repeatedly with the guitar in the case and it doesn't even flinch! Not that heavy, either. I have a wimpy back and I was totally OK lugging ir around an airport terminal.

K

**KirkP** · 02-24-2015, 03:46 PM

You might look at the TKL cases to see if any fit. I have a 9120-series case (with arched back and front) for my 17" archtops, and it seems to be built pretty tough. You might need to call them to get dimensions.
http://www.tkl.com/?siteid=search

**Jabberwocky** · 02-24-2015, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by nosoyninja

I have a hiscox liteflite pro II...

I've jumped on it repeatedly with the guitar in the case and it doesn't even flinch! Not that heavy, either. I have a wimpy back and I was totally OK lugging ir around an airport terminal.

K

What if you jumped repeatedly on it with the Thorell guitar inside and it DID flinch?

If I hit my head repeatedly with a hammer does it break? Should I do the nosoyninja test?