Electra "Outlaws" Bass - help finding a case that fits?

[DuoSonicII]

I'm the proud owner of an Electra X620 "Outlaws model" bass. It was an eBay find and came to me without a case and missing some parts, and I had my luthier friend bring it back to life. Plays great, but for the life of me, I cannot find a case to fit the thing due to its odd shape. If you're not familiar, here's what I'm talking about:



http://www.rivercityamps.com/electra/x620.php

I had originally hoped to find an original case on eBay or elsewhere, but my search has yielded absolutely nothing after almost a year. Short of buying another one of these, I've pretty much given up hope on finding a "real" case for it. The real problem is that I'm having a hard time even trying to locate a universal case that will fit it - the lower bout is 14.5" wide, and the biggest universal case I've seen is only 14" wide.

I've found two cases that may or may not be suitable. The first is a regular Epiphone Thunderbird case, as seen here:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ase?sku=518393

I think the Thunderbird case is plenty wide, but I'm concerned that the case will be too large overall and that the bass could move around inside it, potentially damaging it. For reference, the body is 18" long, and the bass is 45" long overall.

The second case I've been considering is the Kaces Boutique Polyfoam bass case, shown here:

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ase?sku=549433

I don't want a gig bag; might take the risk with a Fender-style bass, but not with this all-mahogany angled-headstock beast. Figured this might provide ample protection as a decent price, though. After digging, I found out that this case is supposed to be 15.5" wide on the outside, but I couldn't find any inside dimensions - how dumb is that?

Anyway, if anyone has suggestions, or if you could just verify the inside dimensions of either of these cases, it would be a big help.

[Dave Bassincus]

Can't help, but WHOA, cool bass.

[DuoSonicII]

Originally Posted by Dave Bassincus

Can't help, but WHOA, cool bass.

Thanks!

Does anyone have ideas?

[ishouldbeking]

Originally Posted by DuoSonicII

Thanks!

Does anyone have ideas?

In cases like this where you really need something specific... you might have to bite the bullet and get something custom made. It seems like overkill, but an Anvil case or something similar would certainly work if they had it built to fit your specs. Probably set you back a few hundred bucks, but if you really feel the need, I can't see any better way other than trial and error.

[danomite64]

Maybe you could find an off-brand Flying V bass case, or a doubleneck case. Or hope Chris Squire gives his to the Hardrock Cafe....they usually sell off the cases.

[DuoSonicII]

Originally Posted by ishouldbeking

In cases like this where you really need something specific... you might have to bite the bullet and get something custom made. It seems like overkill, but an Anvil case or something similar would certainly work if they had it built to fit your specs. Probably set you back a few hundred bucks, but if you really feel the need, I can't see any better way other than trial and error.

Yeah, I considered the anvil case route, but that seems like ridiculous overkill for a bass that I have less than $500 in at this point. If I was ever fortunate enough to be in the position to no longer haul my own gear, I'd go the anvil case route, but until then, probably not.

My idea on the Epi Thunderbird case is to probably add some dense-ish foam to the body cavity in order to make it fit more snugly - sort of like a pseudo-anvil case on the cheap.

Specific thoughts on the Epi T-bird or Kaces Boutique Polyfoam cases, anyone?

[Pilgrim]

How about sending the dimensions to some of the aftermarket case makers like TKL and asking what they can do for you?

[Brad Johnson]

I've never tried putting mine in a hard case. It stays in a gigbag. Seems like any non-fitted long scale bass case should work.

[DuoSonicII]

Originally Posted by Brad Johnson

I've never tried putting mine in a hard case. It stays in a gigbag. Seems like any non-fitted long scale bass case should work.

From my first post:

The real problem is that I'm having a hard time even trying to locate a universal case that will fit it - the lower bout is 14.5" wide, and the biggest universal case I've seen is only 14" wide.

That is the crux of the problem at hand.

Pilgrim, I had no idea that TKL made aftermarket stuff; might have to check into that.

[DuoSonicII]

Originally Posted by danomite64

Maybe you could find an off-brand Flying V bass case, or a doubleneck case.

Yeah, I've been looking for Flying V and Explorer bass cases too - they're not really easy to come by from what I've seen, which is why I keep going back to the Epi Thunderbird case. Still can't find dimensions on the T-bird case, by the way.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by DuoSonicII

From my first post:


That is the crux of the problem at hand.

Pilgrim, I had no idea that TKL made aftermarket stuff; might have to check into that.

So I went and actually checked to see what the bass will fit in. While it won't fit in a standard (Fender) width case as you said, it will fit in the TKL hardcase I got with my Greg Yancey bass. It's about an inch wider than the standard cases and the bass fit fine. You could contact Greg or TKL.

It also fit perfectly in my Protec ultra light style soft case. Here's the case. After finding this info, I went back and tried the bass in this case again, since it says it's 14" wide and you said the bass is wider. Excellent fit and it's a nice case too.

hth

[DuoSonicII]

Thanks for the followup. I just ordered the Kaces polyfoam case last night, so we'll see how that works, and return it to MF if necessary.