Bespoke Hard Cases? Opinions?

[wchestnutt]

Hi.

Avalon guitars are obviously beautiful instruments, but i have never really understood what has made avalon and lowden use the hiscox lifelite cases opposed to the More hand made (leather topped?) cases that are supplied with SCGC, Collings, and even martins etc. Is it purely just due to pricing?

Is it just me or do those cases give the instrument a much more bespoke exclusive feel? I am interested to hear opinions on this as I cant help but feel that the lifelite case detracts ever so slightly form the exclusivity of these hand made Instruments.

Does Avalon offer alternatives to the standard case?
Anyway this is just mere midnight banter :p


Kind regards, Will

[mutley2209]

if you go to the hiscox website they have some vids explaining how there cases are made and explain what materiels are used. It's an interesting watch from which you really get why Hiscox cases are the best The biggest benifit is the amount of pressure their cases can take, there cheapest being able to take the weight of 5 people without damaging the guitar inside, and with their mid ranged cases taking a further 500pounds of preassure and higher range further 500pounds respectvly. The materiel used also alows it to absord the energy from nocks and bangs again protecting the guitar inside, aslo it's made in once piece with the outer layer being glued very very strongly as soon as the body has been molded, unlike other cases where they it is attached after casting. These more basic and cheaper methods of production tend to leave air pockets between the body and the outer layer, meaning if it knocks theres nothing there to stop the energy being passed onto the guitar, along with cheaper plastics or woods that do not absord energy well at all and lull the owner into a false sence of security about how 'protected' there guitar eally is. Also another good feature is the brace for the neck inside the case upon which the neck will sit, in alot of cases this is too close to the headstock and during a nasty knock will shunt into the neck damaging the Headstock or even shaving it clear off! others place it lower down which just damages it in another area.

check out the vids they explain it much better than me really quite interesting to watch, not something i would have thought about prior to watching it and not somehting i'll forget in a hurry especially when buying a new case

[mutley2209]

here's a link to the vid

http://www.hiscoxcases.com/products_hiscox.htm

[singlereed]

I think Hiscox cases are just fantastic. I had one with my Lowden for 22 years and it is still going strong (literally). At one point, the handle broke and I called up Hiscox who sent me a new handle and kit to fix it by return of post, free of charge. This must have been 15 years after I bought the guitar. I also use them on saxophones and a bass guitar I own. There may be others that have a more luxurious feel (although Hiscox does do a deluxe guitar case) but nothing that gives the protection of a Hiscox for the price. They can do custom colours and embossed logos - some of the other high-end guitar makers have this done which somehow adds to the presentation. I'd rate Hiscox as a good bunch of people, just like Avalon really! (No, I don't work for either, I'm just a musician who likes good gear for a fair price and appreciates good service).

[JB]

Couldn't have put it better myself Mutley regards Hiscox

The first priority regards cases has got to be protection, then weight and then looks ... price is important but that varies depending on the customer.

Hiscox have the protection to weight ratio sorted, the vast majority of customers don't want a case that adds 3 or 4 times the weight, I'm told this regularly by players.

We also prefer buying from and supporting a UK company, this makes sense for us on many levels.

As for looks, well that is a very subjective topic, for me the case serves a purpose, to protect the guitar.

Hiscox do also have their 'Artist' range of cases available which we can offer to customers but it will increase the price and sometimes the lead time.

[Ross A]

Like has already been said, all I want from a case is protection. Plus if you've got a really fancy case, it's more likely to get nicked.

[Fletch]

You could ask the guys at the factory to make you a bespoke "badge", an Avalon logo, that could be glued/stuck to your Hiscox case....

Fletch

[Loki]

I like the fact the protection offered by Hiscox cases extends to their appearance.

Seriously who wants a guitar case that screams" I am a special and highly expensive instrument. Steal ME !"

Nope, for me the 'vanilla' exterior only enhances the delight of the instrument nestling inside it.

I always get anxious when I have to fly with an instrument but the Hiscox has never let me down.

[Ross A]

I'll give the OP the benefit of the doubt and assume he was joking?!

A guitar case is there to protect your instrument and to make it easy to carry. Any guitar maker who needs to jazz up the case is covering up the crapness of the guitar. I don't think you would find a British or European maker who would provide 'pretty' cases.