building steel guitar hard cases

For people who build steel guitars

Moderator: J D Sauser

User avatar
Jon Ward
Posts: 24
Joined: 28 Aug 2021 7:10 pm
Location: Michigan, USA

building steel guitar hard cases

Post by Jon Ward »

I am working on a first prototype hard case for the 8 strings I make. There is a lot that goes into a designing a good case!
Lots of options for hardware, handles, finishing, and balancing. This one is almost balanced, so I'm going to change the handle, and I'm thinking about making a pocket for a tone bar and picks.

Anyone else making hard cases?

Image

Image
Top
Greg Forsyth
Posts: 440
Joined: 3 Apr 2020 1:05 pm
Location: Colorado, USA

Post by Greg Forsyth »

Joe,
What a great looking case. Cool application of wire pulls on both the case and guitar. A pocket for the tone bar and picks is a good idea. CNC'D?
Top
User avatar
Ross Shafer
Posts: 1403
Joined: 20 May 2006 12:01 am
Location: Petaluma, California

Post by Ross Shafer »

very nice
Top
User avatar
Jon Ward
Posts: 24
Joined: 28 Aug 2021 7:10 pm
Location: Michigan, USA

Post by Jon Ward »

Thanks! I recently finished this. I used a CNC router and a lot of sandpaper. I will add a cargo pocket and larger handle on the next one and maybe another case for the legs and stands I make.

Image

Image
Top
Bobby D. Jones
Posts: 3124
Joined: 17 May 2010 9:27 am
Location: West Virginia, USA

Post by Bobby D. Jones »

Nice looking case. A speaker handle would be nice, If it had to be carried very long at a time or in cold weather.

That front left corner in the case looks like it has possibilities. A divider along the key head top and bottom would be a start, For a place for picks and bar.
Top
User avatar
Jacobus De Bruyn
Posts: 46
Joined: 4 Oct 2022 10:18 am
Location: NSW, Australia

Case

Post by Jacobus De Bruyn »

Nice looking case and guitar.
Did you build the guitar as well? Is the guitar body aluminium or stainless?

Australia Greetings
JDB
Top
User avatar
Tim Toberer
Posts: 1184
Joined: 23 Oct 2021 11:58 am
Location: Nebraska, USA

Post by Tim Toberer »

Very clean work! I had that same idea for flute cases. Simple and very functional.
Top
User avatar
Jon Ward
Posts: 24
Joined: 28 Aug 2021 7:10 pm
Location: Michigan, USA

Post by Jon Ward »

Thanks! I make the guitars, and they are stainless steel. The guitar weight is 7 lbs, and the case is 10, so I'm looking at other materials for the case. Maybe I'll try vacuum forming plastic.
Top
User avatar
David Ball
Posts: 1318
Joined: 18 Feb 2010 1:37 pm
Location: North Carolina High Country

Post by David Ball »

Jon Ward wrote:Thanks! I make the guitars, and they are stainless steel. The guitar weight is 7 lbs, and the case is 10, so I'm looking at other materials for the case. Maybe I'll try vacuum forming plastic.
CNCing foam board just like the wooden one might work. Some kind of epoxy coat on the outside maybe, or maybe that black truck bed liner spray. It would need to have support plates of some kind for the hardware to screw into but it would definitely be lighter, and you could use your existing G code to prototype one.

Dave
Top

Return to “Builders' Corner”