Making your own case?

Jeff Guevin · #1 03-12-2007, 01:03 PM

Hi all,

I have a Pimentel EUB (sorta like these: http://www.jpguitars.com/basses.htm) that I've been hauling around in a gig bag for a decade, and I'd finally like to get a solid case for the thing. I seem to be getting clumsier as I age.

The maker of the bass offers a case for $500, but since I only paid $900 for mine back in the day, I'd hate to have to shell out that much. So I wonder, is there a way to get a "generic" hard-shelled case in the right shape and dimensions, and take care of my own padding and lining? Googling just turned up people who want to sell me finished cases, but maybe I didn't use enough imagination in my search terms.

Thanks for any info or thoughts.

Jeff

Callused Finger · #2 03-12-2007, 04:24 PM

There are basically no generic cases made that are 50+ inches in length. Even .50 bmg rifle cases are too short since the gun is broken down when put in the case and black powder rifle cases are long enough but arent nearly thick enough for my CR4M much less a semi acoustic like yours.

I've searched for a plastic type case to fit my CR4M but I have yet to find anything long enough... Your instrument is wider and thicker so finding the right case might be even more of a challenge.

If I find any cases closely resembling what we need I'll be sure to post up.

Yvarg · #3 03-12-2007, 07:36 PM

Would a custom box-shaped flight case work? Try www.newyorkcasecompany.com perhaps.

bassbob · #4 03-12-2007, 09:49 PM

I have one EUB I am working on right now and when it gets finished I will build a case for it. I do have some carpentry experience so the case is the easy part. ( The EUB work is represented over at bluegrassforum.com in the bass section under new year's resolution and build a bass workshop, thats warts and all.

Anyway, I have a lot 1/8th inch plywood in the garage I picked up at a rummage sale about 10 years ago. I'm gonna use that with some 1" by bracing to make the case for my EUB. The rough dimensions will be close 6' long 9" wide and aabout 10 to 12" deep. I'll probably put some kind of carpet on the outside for durability etc.

mrpc · #5 03-13-2007, 12:26 AM

The builder lists the case for your bass as a flight case. $500 is a reasonable price for a pro case that fits your bass and that you can use for flight travel as well. (Assuming that the builder isn't having these cases built in large numbers ovreseas, it's really a custom case) Looking at your bass, it doesn't seem like it will fit into a SKB golf bag or SKB double rifle case. Those run less than 150 bucks or so. Azola and Messenger use those cases for some of their models.

Yup, good instrument cases are most often more expensive than we would like them to be! There are very good reasons for this.

**maxito** · #6 03-13-2007, 05:26 AM

If you are looking for a form-fitting case to replace the gig bag to transport your bass locally, this might not be what you are looking for,

... but - I had a custon ATA flight case built for my Yamaha SLB200 for ~300. You can see pics and get more infor about it here:

http://maxbass.com/SLB-200-Case-Photos.htm

Jeff Guevin · #7 03-13-2007, 06:51 AM

Ok, I can see you helpful people are trying to make judgements based on the Pimentels in the pics. But I said "sorta", and mine definitely is different. Ah, found a pic online (attached).

Mine is lighter in color and lacks the tennis ball accessory. I measured last night and it's about 56" long. Since it's narrower than what you guys were looking at, would some of those "close" solutions (rifle case, etc.) be more likely to work? Carrying a rifle case to gigs would be awesome.

I really don't know that I need a "pro" case--something with more resistance to knocking against door frames is my main goal. I'm not sure if I'll ever need to fly with this bass. If I really wanted the top-quality protection, mrpc, I'd agree--but I definitely intend to aim lower here. (I'd rather save that money for a flight case for my DB.)

Thanks for the advice and links (which I will check out more thoroughly shortly). Is anyone other than bassbob contemplating building a case, or perhaps has actually built one?

**maxito** · #8 03-13-2007, 08:43 AM

Check out this post by the jazz bass guy:

YAMAHA EUB Megathread

He modified an SKB golf case to fit his bass - perhaps this may be an option......

Callused Finger · #9 03-13-2007, 12:31 PM

Tallest hard case golf bag I can find is 48" internally. CR4's are 53". Not sure how long your Pimentel is.

BBMS · #10 03-17-2007, 06:27 PM

I bought a Plano Jumbo Airliner Rod Case (from Bass Pro Shops) to accomodate an Ergo, and it just fits (with stand), without expanding the case. The case closed is 67" long.

Callused Finger · #11 03-17-2007, 07:49 PM

Nice! thanks for sharing.

I found a place that sells military rocket launcher cases. Although cool looking they are too heavy at 50lbs.

Jeff Guevin · #12 03-20-2007, 06:39 AM

Thanks, everyone! Both the golf case and the rod case look like they might work for me--or at the least serve as an inspiration for something similar.

The rocket launcher has got you beat on GI-Joe-coolness, though.

Callused, my bass is 56", so that's just a little too long.

Now I need to find a hard case for the Ashbory bass I just bought. That should be a little less challenging, since it'll almost fit in a shoebox.

Maxito, how much would you say that custom case weighs?

ToneRanger · #13 03-20-2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BBMS

I bought a Plano Jumbo Airliner Rod Case (from Bass Pro Shops) to accomodate an Ergo, and it just fits (with stand), without expanding the case. The case closed is 67" long.

Looks like a great solution. I just hope my Paulin bass will fit. Can you tell me the internal width measurements? Is it cylindrical?
I contacted the manufacturer and asked for measurements but they just gave me a list of US retailers where I could measure one myself. Yes, I did tell them I was in Australia...

**maxito** · #14 03-20-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jguevin

Maxito, how much would you say that custom case weighs?

When I check in @ the ticket counter, the case with the bass weighs ~ 61 lbs, so empty I think it is around 45 lbs.

Sometimes the ticket agent looks the other way, and sometimes I have had to pay some overweight & oversize charges, but just as often, a twenty slipped to a skycap can bypass the ticket counter