posted 18 November 2005 04:47 PM
profile edit
A forumite asked for more details about my modified arrow case, partially described above. For archival purposes, I'll add the additional details here.My Supro is 29-15/16" long by 6-7/8" wide by 2-1/4" deep at the bridge
end to 2-1/8" deep at the headstock end.
My case, in finished form, has varying depths of foam installed by me
depending on what point is being supported. But there is never less that
1/2" of foam at any point between guitar and inside surface of case.
Inside dimensions of case are 34-1/2" long by 8-1/2" wide by 3.27". The
thickness is in decimal inches because that is the critical dimension. I
came to this thickness by measuring the inner foam inserts that butt
against each other in holding the arrows in place. The case is moulded
plastic with "corrugations" as part of the design, which gives a good
rigidity to weight ratio in my opinion. The outside dimension of case
thickness is about 4 inches.
The case material thickness is about 0.65". It is quite a flexible type
of plastic - the type that will not shatter on impact.
Instruments have varying thickness dimensions depending on whether you
are measuring across the body, above the strings, or above the strap
that often is above the strings at the pickup zone. I placed foam at
several contact areas of the body, and also above the strings, so that
there is good support at many point of the body as opposed to just at
the thickest points of the body.
I cut the existing thin strips of foam with a utility knife, and
installed 1/2" foam (carpet underlay, I think) using hot melt glue.
Sometimes I stacked the 1/2 foam on top of existing 1/2" foam with the
hot melt glue. I placed pieces at either end and at the instrument sides
to prevent the instrument from shifting forward etc. in the case.
It is definitely home-made on the inside, but on the outside - well,
check out the web site pictures at the address shown above.
I paid, as I recall, about $40.00 Canadian for this case in mid 2003. I
do only local shows, going by car with a reasonable large package of
gear - P.A., amplifiers, instruments. The steel, in its "arrow" case, is
always on the top of the pile. But this case makes me comfortable in
bumping strongly against other objects, or a mild drop of one foot or
so. It is MUCH better than my stock Gibson BR9 hard shell lap steel
case, or ANY chipboard case.
The Steel Guitar Forum
posted 25 February 2004 09:24 AM
