Alternative Cases for the MM Lightning.

[tonyholmes]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone suggest a make/model of hardcase suitable for the MM Lightning. The case that comes with it is fine for many people, and I'm not complaining (the case was free with the guitar after all) but I like to move guitars around with confidence.

I'm not looking for mental "drive a landrover across it" kind of sturdiness in a case, but something like the ABS plastic cases that Fender ship some of their mid-range guitars in would be cool.

All suggestions welcome

Cheers

Tony

[Michael Messer]

Hi Tony,

Hiscox cases are good. The Classical size should fit an MM Lightning.

Which case do you have with your MM guitar, the Pod or the hard-shell case?

Shine On
Michael.

[tonyholmes]

Hi Michael,

I'm not certain exactly which case I have but it feels like a piece of shaped polystyrene sandwiched between a couple of bit of hardboard, not complaining, like I said, most people would rather spend their hard earned squids on the axe rather than the case.

I use Hiscox cases for my Sax's didn't realise they did guitar cases too, I'll check into it, but would love to hear of anyone that has bought a Hiscox case for their lightning.

Cheers

T.

[Deleted]

I carry my Fylde Goodfellows around in Hiscox GCL-M cases, ie a medium size classical case. My Busker Delta and Deco do not fit. The longer body causes the guitar heel to foul the centre divide of the case.

Their GCL-L (large) case may fit. The Hiscox website has full dimensions so it should be easy enough to check..

The great advantage of the Busker cases is the straps for carrying on ones back. On buses and tubes around London that is very useful!

[gouranga]

I have taken My Busker Deco all over the place, on planes, trains, buses, in an out of cars daily. It's been in several counties and been on the streets of Edinburgh day in day out for many months busking. It's still going strong and had a lot of heavy/harsh knocking about. But it's still going strong to this day and guitar is OK!!!!
I like the case, when getting on planes it looks like a soft case to the staff, so they let you take it onboard with no problem.
The only downside, is that one of the carry handles has broken away, but can still carry it on my back. I can assure you that this case has been through the ringer, the mill or whatever you want to call it, and is still going strong and nice and light into the bargain. I'd like one for my electrics also but have not gotten round to getting one.
The good thing about a case like this is, that because it is not made of solid hard material, when it does take a hard hit, the bodywork of the case takes the shock and transfers very little indeed through the case to the guitar. Where as a very solid outerskin hard case, transfers the shock of a hard hit through the case into the instrument. The interior of the hard case has to be very well padded with a shock resistant material like that of the MM/Busker case, to properly absorb the blow.
Take care. I rest my case... with my guitar still in it.

All the best

Gouranga

[ianz]

Lucy has today taken delivery of her custom-made Calton Case for Talulah, lovely burgundy outer witha black velveteen liner. The lady lightning sits snug in the case - what a piece of work! Thanks Keith at Calton and to MM for the recommendation ;D

[Michael Messer]

My comment about cases may not have been clear;

Hiscox cases are a good case for cars, buses, trains and rickshaws, but I would never check an acoustic guitar at an airport in one. I have seen them crushed and the catches knocked off.

The only safe (but expensive) cases for flying are Calton Cases.

Gouranga, your experience travelling with a foam case is interesting. And I agree that with that case you will in most airports be allowed to take it on the plane with you. But....what if you can't? Well, most times it will be fine. Baggage handlers are not out to break our guitars, but careless accidents do happen. If a foam case took a hard shock on the front or back from a hard suitcase for example, it would crush the front of the case and damage the guitar.

I use foam hard cases all the time unless I am flying. Occasionally in very cold and wet weather I use the Caltons in the car for extra protection.

Shine On
Michael.

[Deleted]

We've been here before about cases. The Hiscox website makes it very clear that their cases are very good For The Price. The cases for Busker guitars seem pretty good at side protection but seem not to have much on top and bottom. When sitting down on a tube I tend to hold the case with the front and back between my knees, and let people walk around it. I'm 59 you know!