Rec me a Case

[BiscoDrew]

So, I have an AR-371 and an old Epiphone Century and both are currently residing in Eastman AR-371/372 cases (Early 2010's... I heard they have recently upped the quality on their cases but I have the older, flimsier style). Looking to upgrade for, at least, the Epiphone- the approx 16.25 inch lower bout is tugging on the padding and its starting to peel off. Also, I live in the DC area and while winter is drawing to a close I'd still like to get the older guitar into more of an air tight case for the next winter and beyond.

Wondering which brands and styles you've had the most success with. Looking to spend no more then a few hundred.

What do you have for me? Thanks, as always, for the input.

[EastwoodMike]

I don’t have one/ but I heard a Hiscox case for dreads will do the trick?

[Jabberwocky]

Hiscox Cases have become unavailable in the US due to withdrawal of distribution. I bought mine last from Musician's Friend in 2018.

I recommend highly though the Reunion Blues Voyager Gigbag. I use RB gigbags as a daily schlep 'round town bag and find them more covenient than plywood hardshell cases. The Dreadnought size fits most archtops up to 17" lower bout. ACCESS Cases offer extra pads for filling out oversized cases or gigbags for your guitar.

[RJVB]

Do you want a hard or a soft case? I have a Ritter 8 case for (super) jumbo for my Loar; I think any 16-ish lower bout archtop will fit. No idea about distribution in the US, but if Thomann ship there you should be able to get one. It's a pretty decent (and huge) gigbag.

[John A.]

I have a Mono M80 and a Music Area Wind 30 (reinforced gig bags) dreadnought size. Both will fit an AR 371. The Music Area is slightly more rigid, but the Mono's pouches and straps are a little better thought out.

[marcwhy]

For HSCs I'd recommend Ameritage, Gator, or Access. Cases, like all gear, run from $ - $$$, so you'll need a budget in mind ...

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I have a Mono M80 and a Music Area Wind 30 (reinforced gig bags) dreadnought size. Both will fit an AR 371. The Music Area is slightly more rigid, but the Mono's pouches and straps are a little better thought out.

I just ordered a Mono Vertigo M80 acoustic bag for my 16" archtop. If MF ever straightens out the mess they made of the order yesterday (first it was mistaken entered as an electric size bag by "my" agent, then they forgot to use my credit toward the buy, and now their system won't accept the order. Agent #3 escalated the issue to the next level (whatever that is) about an hour ago, and they're allegedly working on solving it. I'll post NGBD if and when if ever arrives.

The OP asks about an air tight case, which I assume is desired to keep humidity in. I don't think any case short of the very costly ones with true seals is air tight. My hard cases are well enough sealed so that the D'A Humidipaks I keep in one F hole and under the headstock of each of my hollow guitars stay squoodgy for at least 2 to 3 weeks through the winter. If I leave my laminated archie in its gigbag for a week, the packs are close to dry.

I'm not so sure that an airtight container is good for storage unless you open it at least once a week. Well humidified circulating air seems like it should be better for long term stability than a totally sealed case, although Humidipaks do maintain RH in an optimal range and theoretically will work in an airtight environment. But circulating air will purge whatever evil vapors creep out of the instrument and/or case materials over time. Anyone who's opened a guitar case that's been closed for months or longer knows there's often at least a faint aroma that suggests some kind of volatiles in the air in there.

[John A.]

I just ordered a Mono Vertigo M80 acoustic bag for my 16" archtop. If MF ever straightens out the mess they made of the order yesterday (first it was mistaken entered as an electric size bag by "my" agent, then they forgot to use my credit toward the buy, and now their system won't accept the order. Agent #3 escalated the issue to the next level (whatever that is) about an hour ago, and they're allegedly working on solving it. I'll post NGBD if and when if ever arrives.

The OP asks about an air tight case, which I assume is desired to keep humidity in. I don't think any case short of the very costly ones with true seals is air tight. My hard cases are well enough sealed so that the D'A Humidipaks I keep in one F hole and under the headstock of each of my hollow guitars stay squoodgy for at least 2 to 3 weeks through the winter. If I leave my laminated archie in its gigbag for a week, the packs are close to dry.

I'm not so sure that an airtight container is good for storage unless you open it at least once a week. Well humidified circulating air seems like it should be better for long term stability than a totally sealed case, although Humidipaks do maintain RH in an optimal range and theoretically will work in an airtight environment. But circulating air will purge whatever evil vapors creep out of the instrument and/or case materials over time. Anyone who's opened a guitar case that's been closed for months or longer knows there's often at least a faint aroma that suggests some kind of volatiles in the air in there.

I've kept all my guitars in gig bags for many years, and use humidifers in some of them. It's not air tight, but it's close enough.

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

I've kept all my guitars in gig bags for many years, and use humidifers in some of them. It's not air tight, but it's close enough.

Me too - and "close enough" is probably better for the guitars than truly airtight. I keep those I don't play often in the OHSC, but the Ibby AF207 (my working archtop) is in its gig bag since I take it out almost every day and it lives on its own shelf in the gear closet. My solid bodies, tricone, and P-bass hang on the walls and we have humdifiers going through the heating season.

[Bill Eisele]

I like Crossrock cases. This model would be their closest fit which is for a Dread: Fiberglass Acoustic Guitar Case – Dreadnought Fit Martin D-28 | Crossrock Case Company. This one has a lower bout dimension of 16.1” though so not sure about your Broadway with the 16.25” lower bout. Best to order directly from Amazon with their easy return policy. And these cases have a rubber seal around the edges of the case body and lid so pretty well sealed.