Looking for 18 inch archtop case

**fws6** · 01-18-2022, 06:49 AM

Looking for a nice (vintage) hardcase

guitar is a vintage 50s Euro made archtop with a 18-1/4 inch (46,5cm) lower bout

so Super 400/ Epi Emperor size

something for sale within Europe would be nice , seen the transport charges from USA. Although for the right case it might be worthwhile

thanks

**Hammertone** · 01-18-2022, 05:54 PM

What about depth?
I have a few excellent S-400 sized cases that fit some of my German archtops, but are too shallow for some others - a Wolfrum, a couple of Hoyer Specials (with these, it depends on the neck angle), a Glassl/Hopf Special and probably more.
I agree that the shipping charges and VAT into Europe make shipping from North America an unattractive proposition.

**deacon Mark** · 01-18-2022, 06:49 PM

I have a Gibson Super 400 case but cost to ship would not be worth it. But I guess if anyone else needs one not in Europe.

**fws6** · 01-18-2022, 07:46 PM

The rim is 3-3/4” inches. I looked it up and US postal shipping is just over a 100 so for a decent case not all that bad….

Looking for 18 inch archtop case-d3d257fd-d76b-4268-be8a-59faaa4de4e4-jpeg

Looking for 18 inch archtop case-d3d257fd-d76b-4268-be8a-59faaa4de4e4-jpeg

**fws6** · 01-18-2022, 08:21 PM

The rim looks very wide, but thats because the guitar top was carved with a big recurve. The body thickness is actually quite normal. It fits very nicely into the Lifton from my New Yorker, which has a 3-1/8” rim. I am sure an 18” lifton or Epi Emperor case would fit

**Hammertone** · 01-18-2022, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by Hammertone

Have you checked the fit with someone locally who has an S-400 case? My guess is that an S-400 case will not close properly on an archtop guitar with such deep rims, but one never knows.

Originally Posted by fws6

The rim looks very wide, but thats because the guitar top was carved with a big recurve. The body thickness is actually quite normal. It fits very nicely into the Lifton from my New Yorker, which has a 3-1/8” rim. I am sure an 18” lifton or Epi Emperor case would fit

Well, alrighty, then.

**xavierbarcelo** · 01-19-2022, 02:26 PM

We still want to know what guitar it is (better if accompanied with pictures!). I also have a Hoyer Special that needs a case, also In Europe. No need for vintage on my side.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**fws6** · 02-24-2022, 04:53 AM

Bump !

**sgosnell** · 02-24-2022, 12:17 PM

I don't know where to buy them, but 18" cases are made in China. The 18" Wu I got off ebay came with a decent, not great, case, and it fits very well. It's identical to the 17" case that came with the 17" Wu I ordered, other than the size. Both are good fits for the guitars in them. I haven't had the incentive to try to find out how to buy one of those cases.

**fws6** · 02-25-2022, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

I don't know where to buy them, but 18" cases are made in China. The 18" Wu I got off ebay came with a decent, not great, case, and it fits very well. It's identical to the 17" case that came with the 17" Wu I ordered, other than the size. Both are good fits for the guitars in them. I haven't had the incentive to try to find out how to buy one of those cases.

thanks I might look into that, see if someone can make me one, if I cannot find a used case….

**Jabberwocky** · 03-03-2022, 06:07 AM

AJL of Finland makes a 19" Stromberg-style archtop guitar with a hard shell case for it. Perhaps you could write to AJL to see if he would sell you one or direct you to the source of his 19" hard shell cases.

**fws6** · 03-03-2022, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

AJL of Finland makes a 19" Stromberg-style archtop guitar with a hard shell case for it. Perhaps you could write to AJL to see if he would sell you one or direct you to the source of his 19" hard shell cases.

thanks ! If I cannot find an old one, it is good to have a lead on a new made one !

**fws6** · 03-18-2022, 09:50 AM

Still looking for a fitting (preferably vintage) case…

Looking for 18 inch archtop case-4640d9cf-320e-484f-a640-165c0739a917-jpeg

**wintermoon** · 03-18-2022, 10:43 AM

There's a brown lifton on Reverb from Austin guitars that measures 20" lower bout (likely outer)
But might measure 18" inside, ask them

Lifton Vintage Hardshell Case Gibson 46"L-15"up-20"low 1950's | Reverb

**wintermoon** · 03-18-2022, 11:00 AM

I'm still looking for an 18" 5 latch brown/pink Lifton or 60s black/yellow
There's one in Japan but I'm not spending $3400.

**tomvwash** · 04-13-2022, 09:16 AM

I have been looking for a TKL 9121 case for an "18 Super 400 CES. I don't think they are making these any longer. Does anyone have an idea of a similar case that would fit?

**Hammertone** · 04-14-2022, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by tomvwash

I have been looking for a TKL 9121 case for an "18 Super 400 CES. I don't think they are making these any longer. Does anyone have an idea of a similar case that would fit?

I have several new TKL 9121/other 18" TKL archtop cases, as well as a couple of Cedar Creek Super 400 cases.