Hard cases that fit G&Ls snugly?

sunbeast · #1 05-07-2007, 11:19 AM

As I'm sure many owners of US G&Ls have found, their cases stink! Plastic outside with no wooden frame and that cheap nylon cord that holds the top open + no room to actually put any accesories+ blech! Essentially the same case you get with a Fender Squire bass....

I have found that the original case for my 1989 Carvin LB-70 fits all my G&Ls perfectly (the body space is a rectangle which fits the body dimensions like a glove- won't fit a 70s Fender Jazz though), plus it is a sturdy wooden case with plenty of room for cords and even a couple pedals. Every other case I own has been too large for the G&Ls, so that the bass shakes around without any extra padding added....

What non-original hardshell cases are you all using for your G&Ls? Anyone know what kind of cases Carvin uses? (or used in the late80s/ early 90s?)

Thanks,
Karl

spideyjg · #2 05-07-2007, 11:47 AM

Is that the plastic or tweed Carvin case Karl? Do you have a newer L2K? The body is slightly smaller on the most recent ones.

I may have to swing by Carvin and see.

Jim

**Chef** · #3 05-07-2007, 01:28 PM

I don't know, personally...and I don't have one anymore to try...but I've heard that the Fender Deluxe molded plastic case that "shaped like the bass, and not like the rectangle" works out pretty well.
Mine sit in cases at home, and go in bags to work. So much easier to transport...

sunbeast · #4 05-07-2007, 04:03 PM

My Carvin case is Tolex style covering- they may not offer them anymore, but the ones they have now may fit the same...
My L2500 and SB-2 are both newish, the L2000 I just got is from 1982...They all fit perfectly in the Carvin case- its the rectangular shaped compartment style case, so what matters are the bulk dimensions of the body. Fender basses seem to have larger bass bodies in general than G&Ls (I'm not sure about that- I haven't owned a Fender in years, but my Ibanez Lawsuit Jazz is way larger from top to bottom than any of the G&Ls...). I guess the most important thing is the dimension from the strap button to the other strap button, which usually seems too long on most cases and doesn't hold the bass in place.
I've tried the gig bag thing many times, but I've learned I just can't trust my bandmates to load/unload carefully so my bass doesn't get hit/dropped/squashed.

Thanks,
Karl

RwG · #5 05-07-2007, 06:06 PM

have your g&l dealer order you a G&G hardshell case. it's the same wood/tolex case that some fenders come with ( i recently bought a 75 jazz RI and this is the same case that comes with that). i bought them for both of my L2K's - i think they were around $110 from my local G&L dealer. perfect fit and it has the covered area in the case for storage.

Laredo · #6 05-07-2007, 07:44 PM

SKB makes the G&L hardshell cases.........If you get the ones that say G&L on them, list price is around $175.00. You can get the SKB 44 bass cases for much less. The SKB 44 also has ribbing on the outside edges that strengthens the case. I just bought 2 for a G&L JB-2 and SB-2. The cases fit like a glove and are by far the best quality for the money. Fender and Gator do not even come close!

fourstringbliss · #7 05-07-2007, 08:00 PM

I recently bought an L2500 Tribute from a fellow TB'er and it's coming in a Lite hardshell case. You know - the kind that is molded foam with plush lining, and a nylong covering? Essentially a bike helmet for a bass. It's form fitting to the body of the bass and I'm pretty sure there's a zippered pocket on the outside for accessories. It has the G&L logo embroidered on the outside. You might consider contacting your local G&L dealer and asking about this kind of case.

As far as accessory space - I've been using one of these:

for about a year now, and it's great! I put my bass in a nice padded gig bag and everything else goes in the main pocket of this bag - strap, cables, Bass Pod & adapter, etc. It makes for pretty easy transport and it's only $40. I just took a sharpie and colored over the obnoxious "Musician's Friend" logo and it's hardly noticeable.

spideyjg · #8 05-07-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laredo

SKB makes the G&L hardshell cases.........If you get the ones that say G&L on them, list price is around $175.00. You can get the SKB 44 bass cases for much less. The SKB 44 also has ribbing on the outside edges that strengthens the case. I just bought 2 for a G&L JB-2 and SB-2. The cases fit like a glove and are by far the best quality for the money. Fender and Gator do not even come close!

Here is my SB-2 laying in an SKB 44. It is floppy in there.

Here it is in the original '93 style "fits like a glove" case...

RwG · #9 05-07-2007, 08:59 PM

if you order a G&G case from your G&L dealer it will even have the G&L tag on it by the handle! If anyone really wants to see it i'll post a pic of mine tomorrow. this is pretty much them though - but these don't have the g&l tag on them.

http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/GALLERY/CASE/CASE16.php3

Laredo · #10 05-07-2007, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spideyjg

Here is my SB-2 laying in an SKB 44. It is floppy in there.

Here it is in the original '93 style "fits like a glove" case....

Other brand cases (non G&L) can be much more "sloppy".........The SKB 44 fits most Jazz / P Style bodies (L series G&Ls). There is excess room around some of the body curves (depending on the model), but the bass does not move around due to the horn cavity and body pocket. Other cases just have a large square opening for the body to accomodate many styles of basses. These cases are usually more "sloppy". They can put the strain of the basses weight on the neck if the body is too small to touch the sides..........I am satisfied with the SKBs that I have and they are heavier duty than some of my other cases (IMHO)........

sunbeast · #11 05-08-2007, 05:53 PM

I'll have to check on those G&G cases- those sound like they'd be ideal. The Carvin case I have that works is one of the rectangular style, but the case is just long enough for the G&Ls (they are all pretty much the same length) so that the bass stays perfectly still in transport (the end of the headstock touches the end of the case as does the strap button on the other end).

Thanks for the ideas everyone!

Karl