This is an excellent tutorial for something that is rarely covered by others. Very nice job. It might be the definitive tutorial for folks going forward.
@@HighlineGuitarsThere were a couple of other videos but they didn't make the inside to the shape of the guitar. I think that if you're making a custom case, why not make it fit the guitar? This video was really good just like your other videos.
Excellent video. The finished product looks like a professionally made, high dollar case. I've worked with XPS foam for years and it's amazing. It's like to mention to anyone building with XPS foam, if you're not using gorilla glue, test it on a scrap piece foam first. Lots of sprays (paint, adhesive, etc) will melt foam. It's not actually the content but the propellant. I found out the hard way.
Holy smokes! Awesome idea! So many “how-to” videos on building guitars, but this is literally the first I have personally seen on building a custom case. Great work!
When you opened the case to reveal the guitar inside the case, while drilling the pilot holes for the latches, I realized you were now just showing off. Jokes aside, absolute banger of a video. So glad I found your content.
55 years ago I made a similar case for an aquatic insect collection (120 small bottles). I was so proud of it (and the collection) that I kept it until 6 months ago. End of story, I finally took it to the dump. My case was no where as good as your work.
Ugh! God Bless you brother! Why aren't more folks asking these types of relevant questions? So frustrated that to even get a case w/ a guitar the se days is almost unheard of. Wow, thanks for this great vid!☺
Just last week I began to think of a way to make a guitar case 60% of what you did is what i thought of.. get out of my head! and thank you for being on time with the other 40%
Wow!! Talk about attention to detail. Even strategic placement of the handle for balance. Very well done without making it complicated. Thank you for sharing!
I had no idea it was that straight forward. I was literally looking at websites for either bass or XL guitar cases for my current baritone project. They were either way to big or JUST too short. This is such a good answer to the problem!!!
I made a similar case the same way about 40 years ago. I called it Ben's Folley. I used #4 countersunk screws insteas of brads because brads do not support tension loads at all. It worked fine. It weighed a ton. Brutally heavy. I carried my Ibanez solid body in it 2.5 miles almost every day to conservatory. What a fool. Finally, I packed up a guitar that I sold in it.
"...and in 10 inches of snow, both ways, all year long." ha ha... just kidding. My first cases were monsters, too, but still in use today. I might support my next house-building with the two older ones. Or perhaps create car-jack runways. ha ha... I am looking for a titanium tree - strong. light but also easier to cut without lasers.
This was an awesome build - the materials look very accessible and budget-friendly, the tools were pretty standard for a woodworker (except for the cnc but that isn't necessary), it was fairly simple yet demonstrated so many tips and tricks that made for a simple yet thorough build that looks and functions professionally.
Nice! Great job. Guitarists usually slide their guitars in and out of vehicles. The raised screws can catch and rip off the case. Glue on the threads will help prevent this, as would flat head screws. I gave up using rubber feet on the back edge for the same reason---they ripped right off even with glue on the screws. A piano hinge makes a nice touch, too.
Ya look at a freedom case skb those things are just flat the only foot like things are on the hinge edge. Only thing to get caught is the handle never had that happen. 90* hinges might be cool but the might fail. The strap is annoying, it detached on my case the lid opens flat. But I think if the strap fails the hinges fail too and if they break the case might not a case anymore. Either way the way he built it is very nice and i can tell it's high quality for sure. Thank you for the video man excellent
Did you have nice screws or regular screws? I feel like nicer screws are finished and hence less likely to catch on stuff. Even the finish matters. The rubber feet are there more so you don't end up scratching the floor at a venue or like... Well a floor or table really, because usually the floor will have some tiny grit and sliding a heavy case around scratches a bunch. I think. What else did the feet do? If u knock over your beer it doesn't wick all over the case and then pick it up 3 days later and it stinks and has a stain on it to clean. Lol never done that but I can see it in my minds eye now. The equipment needs to be musician safe and not susceptible to spilled beer. Also the feet might help if it rocks
Hello! I love your videos, but I have to be the Resident Safety Sally here! You demonstrated good technique in standing sideways and not being in-line with the path of the workpiece, but when performing a box lid opening operation on the table saw, you have to be very careful when applying lateral side pressure against the blade, such as you were at the 4:30 mark with the square. You are effectively running a very high risk of pinching the blade between the wood, which is 100% a recipe for kickback. Underpowered saws will cause burning and/or stall out, but anything with a bit of oomph will send that piece of lumber back in a direction you would rather it not be. While you certainly can cut the lid of the box in a single pass, I would suggest a safer method: Do not make a full depth pass. Instead, make a partial cut to establish your lid/kerf line. Leave a thin strip of support material that keeps the entire box intact. Then you can take any handsaw of your choice (flush cut, or Japanese pull saws are my preferred type) and finish the cut. Then finish the remaining cleanup with your preferred method of choice; block plane, sandpaper, trim router, etc. While it is a little more cleanup work, you get your sharp line established by your table saw, but without the potential of your large unwieldy box suddenly turning into an unexpected projectile. You can also have a bit of shim stock the same width as your saw kerf if you decide to go the full cut method, but I think that simply keeping the box more-or-less intact for the initial pass is a little more intuitive. Other than that, I love the content on a subject that is not really shown on RUclips!
Excellent tutorial. Thanks! I carry my Tele in a gradually crumbling 1968 Baldwin [UK] case that's held up longer than it ought and I could (almost) do this.
Yes! This is exactly what I needed to see. Been hunting down a coffin case for my custom B.C. Rich style guitar I'm working on. This tho, THIS just says "Ah screw it make your own.
When I first started out in bands in the late 1970's, my friend bought a Burns Nu-Sonic bass (which I have now), and became the bass player. It didn't have a case, so as a surprise for him, his dad made one. It was very well made, but when he put the bass in and picked it up he found it weighed a ton, and what's more his dad hadn't allowed for the difference in weight between a body and a neck, and had put the handle slap bang in the centre, so the end where the body was dive bombed toward the floor! He bought a purpose-made case in the end, but his dad's creation didn't go to waste - our keyboard player was a bit of an electronics wiz, and had bought a Maplin electric piano kit, so the bass case became the body of his electric piano.
Made a road case 40 years ago. No paint. Textured laminex and aluminum angle. Survived being thrown off stage, flying out the back of the van on the freeway and having someone fall on it. Money well spent for my '68 gold top. Nice instructional video.
As a woodworker, I'd like to offer a couple tips. First, consider a rabbet joint at the ends instead of a butt joint. They're not that hard to cut with a table saw and gives you extra gluing surface, which equals extra strength. Second, if you're gonna round over the edges anyway, cut your top and bottom an 1/8" oversize, that way if your cuts aren't square (or worse, are short) you won't pull your box out of square trying to line up the edges. I always cut large and trim back, I learned way back it's always easier to cut more off than back on. That said, I'm gonna put one of these together (with rabbets, lol). I got a nice guitar from a friend that has no case and this looks like a fun weekend project. 🤘
This case doesn't need rabbet or dovetail or any other fancy joint because the top and bottom add all the strength it needs and besides, they'll be covered anyway.
Nice work! Simple and efficient! I intend to build a case to my hawaian guitar (lap steel) and I will follow your experiences! Great video! Thanks,,!!!
I'm making a case as of right now! I was inspired by this video. Although, rather than using fur and that type of foam, I'm using a foam made for firearm cases which I've found to work just great. I'm also going to leave the wood exposed to show off it's grain. Awesome video though, keep up the great work!
Hello! Thank you for creating this video. I really enjoyed it. This was the first video I have seen from you! I have liked, and subscribed! Keep up the great work! Cheers from Canada! (Cutting open the box was my favorite "Tip!") Well done!
I’ve been self taught since age 11 but I actually needed this video because my daughter is a figure skater. Her very expensive skates need to safely travel to competitions so I could think of nothing better than a crushed velvet lined case. For the shell I’m using a Pelican style wheeled case and expanding foam for the inserts. All covered in crushed velvet like all my guitar cases. Very helpful video and beautiful craftsmanship!
Ya are you going to use a plastic film to cover the skates? Like they have these kits for winterizing windows it's basically just a box of shrink wrap plastic. You could wrap the skates and then you use the foam?
You could probably just wrap them in a blanket too they are ice skates. Guitars need cases for climate control and going on the road, and they will snap in half possibly. Seems like skates could really only be scratched. But I have never seen fancy skates so idk. I making cases seems kinda cool tho
Great build, Chris. It's a great design and not too difficult for most DIYers to make. I like the idea of the roll-on finish instead of covering with vinyl or Tolex. I believe that is the same or similar product that Peavey used (or still uses) on their cabinets. Back in the day I had some SP-3s that had a rubberized coating like that.
Great video, thanks for sharing. I have wanted to do this for years. I had some ideas but feel much better about my prospects now that I have someone to copy :) That "Tolex in a can" is something else. I have a couple old cases that need either completely recoated in that or at least patched.
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
The PVC rod to find the balance point = GENIUS. Thank you!
13.30..balancing the case with the guitar inside in order to get a balanced handle..nothing is overlooked in this shop! Great work!
and a beautiful addition to a fine looking guitar
This is an excellent tutorial for something that is rarely covered by others. Very nice job. It might be the definitive tutorial for folks going forward.
Wow, thanks!
@@HighlineGuitarsThere were a couple of other videos but they didn't make the inside to the shape of the guitar. I think that if you're making a custom case, why not make it fit the guitar? This video was really good just like your other videos.
I need to make cases for AutoHarps. This will do the job ‼️
Excellent video. The finished product looks like a professionally made, high dollar case. I've worked with XPS foam for years and it's amazing. It's like to mention to anyone building with XPS foam, if you're not using gorilla glue, test it on a scrap piece foam first. Lots of sprays (paint, adhesive, etc) will melt foam. It's not actually the content but the propellant. I found out the hard way.
Holy smokes! Awesome idea! So many “how-to” videos on building guitars, but this is literally the first I have personally seen on building a custom case. Great work!
that handle placement technique is so smart
When you opened the case to reveal the guitar inside the case, while drilling the pilot holes for the latches, I realized you were now just showing off. Jokes aside, absolute banger of a video. So glad I found your content.
Two words. THANK YOU!
That goes double for me as well…THANKS x2
55 years ago I made a similar case for an aquatic insect collection (120 small bottles). I was so proud of it (and the collection) that I kept it until 6 months ago. End of story, I finally took it to the dump. My case was no where as good as your work.
I’ve never seen a video like this, and glad I did.
Ugh! God Bless you brother!
Why aren't more folks asking these types of relevant questions? So frustrated that to even get a case w/ a guitar the se days is almost unheard of.
Wow, thanks for this great vid!☺
What an amazing job, you took something I thought was complicated and distilled it down to a beautiful project. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks, I appreciate that.
So nice to see someone use a screwdriver to install the finish screws, instead of a drill driver and rounding off all the heads....
Great video!
I often used my drill to install screws, but if there's a risk of damaging the wood (like thin plywood), I'll use a screwdriver.
Fine job my friend while I also think that if one has found a guitar that they love, it too deserves the hugs of a loving custom case. 🙏
Great job…. The case balance tip is brilliant.
Just last week I began to think of a way to make a guitar case
60% of what you did is what i thought of..
get out of my head!
and thank you for being on time with the other 40%
one of the first guitar case building videos ive ever seen nice job dude
Geez.. if ive ever seen a snazzy thing, this was it. Very cool
Wow!! Talk about attention to detail. Even strategic placement of the handle for balance. Very well done without making it complicated. Thank you for sharing!
Immaculate woodwork indeed. I particularly like the routing of the edges; never thought about that tbh.
Almost a pity to cover it in paint!
I love this video so much. This is what perfection looks like
The roll on coating is a revelation. Careful with the nailer, you got your fingers in some places I wouldn't want mine.
I don't think I've ever seen a case constructed. That was actually very cool and informative.
Nice job. Its great, 100% perfect. A Lot of great details. I do worry about the hinges' screws pulling out of the pine. Pine is fairly soft.
I had no idea it was that straight forward. I was literally looking at websites for either bass or XL guitar cases for my current baritone project. They were either way to big or JUST too short. This is such a good answer to the problem!!!
very cool case, makes me want to refurbish my old beaters😊
Wow you made that look so easy...and built an awesome guitar CASE. Thanks for the tutorial and my next woodworkng project!
Hey so you can also use 2 part polyurethane expanding foam if u want it to be moulded to the body
I made a similar case the same way about 40 years ago. I called it Ben's Folley. I used #4 countersunk screws insteas of brads because brads do not support tension loads at all. It worked fine. It weighed a ton. Brutally heavy. I carried my Ibanez solid body in it 2.5 miles almost every day to conservatory. What a fool. Finally, I packed up a guitar that I sold in it.
"...and in 10 inches of snow, both ways, all year long." ha ha... just kidding. My first cases were monsters, too, but still in use today. I might support my next house-building with the two older ones. Or perhaps create car-jack runways. ha ha... I am looking for a titanium tree - strong. light but also easier to cut without lasers.
This was an awesome build - the materials look very accessible and budget-friendly, the tools were pretty standard for a woodworker (except for the cnc but that isn't necessary), it was fairly simple yet demonstrated so many tips and tricks that made for a simple yet thorough build that looks and functions professionally.
Excellent video sir. This is the most useful thing I’ve seen on RUclips in months. Thank you!
Wow, thanks!
That is a good video, and now I can build a case for my Left-Handed ESP LTD EX-100.
Nice! Great job. Guitarists usually slide their guitars in and out of vehicles. The raised screws can catch and rip off the case. Glue on the threads will help prevent this, as would flat head screws. I gave up using rubber feet on the back edge for the same reason---they ripped right off even with glue on the screws. A piano hinge makes a nice touch, too.
Ya look at a freedom case skb those things are just flat the only foot like things are on the hinge edge. Only thing to get caught is the handle never had that happen.
90* hinges might be cool but the might fail. The strap is annoying, it detached on my case the lid opens flat. But I think if the strap fails the hinges fail too and if they break the case might not a case anymore. Either way the way he built it is very nice and i can tell it's high quality for sure.
Thank you for the video man excellent
Did you have nice screws or regular screws? I feel like nicer screws are finished and hence less likely to catch on stuff. Even the finish matters. The rubber feet are there more so you don't end up scratching the floor at a venue or like... Well a floor or table really, because usually the floor will have some tiny grit and sliding a heavy case around scratches a bunch. I think. What else did the feet do? If u knock over your beer it doesn't wick all over the case and then pick it up 3 days later and it stinks and has a stain on it to clean. Lol never done that but I can see it in my minds eye now. The equipment needs to be musician safe and not susceptible to spilled beer. Also the feet might help if it rocks
Great job and thank you for making it simple. I'm such a cheapskate that 2 outta 3 basses l have don't have a case. For now. Great video
Hello! I love your videos, but I have to be the Resident Safety Sally here!
You demonstrated good technique in standing sideways and not being in-line with the path of the workpiece, but when performing a box lid opening operation on the table saw, you have to be very careful when applying lateral side pressure against the blade, such as you were at the 4:30 mark with the square. You are effectively running a very high risk of pinching the blade between the wood, which is 100% a recipe for kickback. Underpowered saws will cause burning and/or stall out, but anything with a bit of oomph will send that piece of lumber back in a direction you would rather it not be.
While you certainly can cut the lid of the box in a single pass, I would suggest a safer method: Do not make a full depth pass. Instead, make a partial cut to establish your lid/kerf line. Leave a thin strip of support material that keeps the entire box intact. Then you can take any handsaw of your choice (flush cut, or Japanese pull saws are my preferred type) and finish the cut. Then finish the remaining cleanup with your preferred method of choice; block plane, sandpaper, trim router, etc. While it is a little more cleanup work, you get your sharp line established by your table saw, but without the potential of your large unwieldy box suddenly turning into an unexpected projectile.
You can also have a bit of shim stock the same width as your saw kerf if you decide to go the full cut method, but I think that simply keeping the box more-or-less intact for the initial pass is a little more intuitive. Other than that, I love the content on a subject that is not really shown on RUclips!
Excellent tutorial. Thanks! I carry my Tele in a gradually crumbling 1968 Baldwin [UK] case that's held up longer than it ought and I could (almost) do this.
Yes! This is exactly what I needed to see. Been hunting down a coffin case for my custom B.C. Rich style guitar I'm working on. This tho, THIS just says "Ah screw it make your own.
Only add would be the rubber/metal feet and a leather lid strap to stop the lid flopping. Great and well made case.
Your case is beautiful.
I’d like to do the same thing.
When i built a guitar i do guitar strap, guitar picks but no the case.
Now i can. Thank you.
Thanks for that. I have been thinking king how to build a case for my 335. This has given me ideas and inspiration. Liked and subscribed.
Glad I could help
Very informative. Need to make a custom case for my custom guitar. This was perfect.
The Duratex is a great choice for quick finish that looks good too.
Man, you make it look easy. Me and my old man once thought it was a good idea to build a case, without many tools, and it soon became a nightmare.
Always wanted to see somebody do this. Great Job.
That looks awesome. Excellent video. Actually the first vid ive seen of someone building a case. Great work.
Beautiful case for a beautiful guitar. Well done. Wish I had the tools and talent to do this for my guitar.
Nice work! I never thought of using a coating instead of a fabric covering.
LOVE the video, and absolutely LOVE the Leateherface shirt
Excellent!!! Best custom case build ive ever seen!!!
When I first started out in bands in the late 1970's, my friend bought a Burns Nu-Sonic bass (which I have now), and became the bass player. It didn't have a case, so as a surprise for him, his dad made one. It was very well made, but when he put the bass in and picked it up he found it weighed a ton, and what's more his dad hadn't allowed for the difference in weight between a body and a neck, and had put the handle slap bang in the centre, so the end where the body was dive bombed toward the floor!
He bought a purpose-made case in the end, but his dad's creation didn't go to waste - our keyboard player was a bit of an electronics wiz, and had bought a Maplin electric piano kit, so the bass case became the body of his electric piano.
GREAT VIDEO.
TONS OF FUN TO WAYXH, AND AN EXCELLENT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
This is one of the best DIY custom guitar case videos I've watched on YT. This is so cool... 👌👍🙌
Thoroughly amazed at your ingenuity and workmanship
Best video I’ve seen on case building. Well done. Looks Brilliant
Where did you get the hardware for the outside.end corner handle and latch’s and hinges ect.
This is an awesome vid! I build a custom Tele and i wanted to build a case for her! This video is perfect!
Glad I could help!
Dude, seriously fantastic. Add logos next please! Inside and out? Maybe a metal medallion or tag?
I’m very thankful for this 🙏🤘👍
That's the plan!
Amazing work man!! Cheers from Spain!!
Made a road case 40 years ago. No paint. Textured laminex and aluminum angle. Survived being thrown off stage, flying out the back of the van on the freeway and having someone fall on it. Money well spent for my '68 gold top. Nice instructional video.
Sweeeeeet. Very professional.
That is a good looking roadie case, it should protect your guitar quite well.
Love it.. I think I'm going to make my case shells this weekend.
Just wanted to say THANKS! Great job and video.
Thanks for watching!
I completed the case yesterday.
A bit different (tweed exterior), but this was an excellent guide.
Thank you.
Excellent video,The bed liner coating is way better than tolex I think. And the guitar is awesome. thank you for posting.
Thanks for watching!
just in case I wanna make a case, this video is a good case study on case making.
I rest my case!
So many smart little moves 😎
Wonderful craftsmanship!
As a woodworker, I'd like to offer a couple tips. First, consider a rabbet joint at the ends instead of a butt joint. They're not that hard to cut with a table saw and gives you extra gluing surface, which equals extra strength. Second, if you're gonna round over the edges anyway, cut your top and bottom an 1/8" oversize, that way if your cuts aren't square (or worse, are short) you won't pull your box out of square trying to line up the edges. I always cut large and trim back, I learned way back it's always easier to cut more off than back on. That said, I'm gonna put one of these together (with rabbets, lol). I got a nice guitar from a friend that has no case and this looks like a fun weekend project. 🤘
This case doesn't need rabbet or dovetail or any other fancy joint because the top and bottom add all the strength it needs and besides, they'll be covered anyway.
@@HighlineGuitars rabbets are the simplest joint besides a butt joint, but it's your case so go for it.
Nice work! Simple and efficient! I intend to build a case to my hawaian guitar (lap steel) and I will follow your experiences! Great video! Thanks,,!!!
That is outstanding. I have never seen one of those built. Simply beautiful. Phenomenal work.
Thank you very much!
Good idea the first time I’ve seen this idea covered.
Glad you liked it!
You’re videos are always well timed for my needs. Thanks in advance!
Thank you for the video! I'm thinking about making a case for my keyboard, so this helps a lot! Very beautiful and professional looking case!
that is a nice case, smart design. 👍
Your video is the best one I ever seen on cases 👌👌👌
Very nice job. Hello de France !
Love it. Restoring one right now
I'm making a case as of right now! I was inspired by this video. Although, rather than using fur and that type of foam, I'm using a foam made for firearm cases which I've found to work just great. I'm also going to leave the wood exposed to show off it's grain. Awesome video though, keep up the great work!
Nicely done.
If I had a shop like that, I could build something too.
you don't need a shop like that to build things. sure it helps to absolutely perfect things but you can get to the 99% with way less tools.
Hello! Thank you for creating this video. I really enjoyed it. This was the first video I have seen from you! I have liked, and subscribed! Keep up the great work! Cheers from Canada! (Cutting open the box was my favorite "Tip!") Well done!
Thank you so much and welcome aboard!
Yet another rectangular electric guitar box, I was hoping to watch a clip on a sexy, curvy acoustic or classical guitar case.
That is amazing! You thought of everything.
Great video. I have seen professional (expensive) cases where the guitar is angled to make room for a pedal cavity. Otherwise truly awesome.
Thinking of building one myself thanks for the tips.
Loved this video. Very easy to follow your step by step instructions.
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome! Great work brother 🤘
I’ve been self taught since age 11 but I actually needed this video because my daughter is a figure skater. Her very expensive skates need to safely travel to competitions so I could think of nothing better than a crushed velvet lined case. For the shell I’m using a Pelican style wheeled case and expanding foam for the inserts. All covered in crushed velvet like all my guitar cases. Very helpful video and beautiful craftsmanship!
Ya are you going to use a plastic film to cover the skates? Like they have these kits for winterizing windows it's basically just a box of shrink wrap plastic. You could wrap the skates and then you use the foam?
You could probably just wrap them in a blanket too they are ice skates. Guitars need cases for climate control and going on the road, and they will snap in half possibly. Seems like skates could really only be scratched. But I have never seen fancy skates so idk. I making cases seems kinda cool tho
Same thing I thought a few days ago.
Thanks for this video!
Been looking for a good guitar case building video. Keep putting out great content like this my friend 👍
So much fun to watch such a beautiful art
Nice watching you work.
This is such a good video tutorial !!!
Than you !
the is an excellent example of how to build a case! ty.
Thanks for sharing this content. I plan on build a custom pedal board. I think this will be perfect for that.
Great build, Chris. It's a great design and not too difficult for most DIYers to make. I like the idea of the roll-on finish instead of covering with vinyl or Tolex. I believe that is the same or similar product that Peavey used (or still uses) on their cabinets. Back in the day I had some SP-3s that had a rubberized coating like that.
Great video, thanks for sharing.
I have wanted to do this for years.
I had some ideas but feel much better about my prospects now that I have someone to copy :)
That "Tolex in a can" is something else.
I have a couple old cases that need either completely recoated in that or at least patched.
Great video and now i have another project on the to do list.
This was a joy to watch.....Thank you for posting!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you so much for all your videos
You are so welcome!