Instrument Case Repair

[Peanut]

These days a new hardshell guitar case starts at $140. For a quality case it’ll cost over $200 and can go up to $500. My old case is still structurally sound but it’s been to 4 continents, needs some TLC. And they don’t make them like this any more!

I got some crushed velvet (dark green) at a fabric store to use as a liner. Not my choice for a good color but it was better than the other colors they had. I also got contact cement and foam.

The black vinyl material that covers the case is Tolex. I tried using gorilla tape to repair it but it’s not sticking. I should do it right so… I found tolex by the roll in various colors and patterns, can’t go wrong with basic black.

I haven’t ordered the tolex yet because I need thread also. The stitching around the edge of the case lid is worn and missing in spots.

Anyone know what kind of thread is used on instrument cases? Or a thread that would work? It’s heavy duty thread, about the size I’ve seen on leather goods. I have some large upholstery needles but they are cheap and easy to order if I don’t have the right one for the job.

Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

Also the process...

1) rip out the liner and old foam.
2) rip out thread around the case lid
3) repair stitching
4) glue in new foam which I'll have to cut and shape
5) glue in new liner

Stitching...

 

[BBLife]

Only suggestion I know to make that could help. Don't glue in the foam parts. Do the liner without the foam. Cover the foam as is by itself and put velcro on the foam. I think it would come out nicer that way and that is how some of the higher $ ones are done.

 

[backlash]

You can find any and all answers at YouTube.

 

[Patchouli]

Okay, @Peanut did it work out on recovering your instrument case? I have a violin case that I sometimes have wished to replace ($$) but maybe I could do what you have done. The outside of it seems okay. It is black. Liner is red felt. Doesn't really seem to have any padding. My dad bought it before I was born, as far as I know.

 

[Peanut]

Okay, @Peanut did it work out on recovering your instrument case? I have a violin case that I sometimes have wished to replace ($$) but maybe I could do what you have done. The outside of it seems okay. It is black. Liner is red felt. Doesn't really seem to have any padding. My dad bought it before I was born, as far as I know.

My repair ground to a halt when it came to the stitching. How the plastic trim fits to the open edges or finding the thread that's used. After weeks of searching the net, swapped a few emails... I couldn't find how it was done.

I stopped at that point. I didn't want to take the old case apart until every step of reassembly was planned with new materials on hand. Else i'd have a pile of useless case components. At least it's still usable as it is. So it's now a spare case.

I bought a new case from SKB, water proof with tsa approved locks. They make excellent cases. I starting using them 30yrs ago for transporting high end electronic test equipment at work. I also own a few, one I use as a medical kit, its water and air proof. Great cases, never wear out.

The new skb case i bought has 3x the storage of a regular guitar case. It's heavy though, almost 30lbs when loaded but it has casters, i can roll it around. It's the same case they sell for AR type weapons and approved for air travel. Just has different foam inside for guitars.

Best part... when skb made the molds for creating the foam panels for this model case they used a D-35 martin guitar. I own a d-35 martin... a perfect fit.

 

[Patchouli]

That is a nice one!!
I’ll see what I can find because I don’t think extra padding would work out. I don’t take it anywhere anyway but protection for it is necessary.
Thanks for responding.

 

[Peanut]

@Patchouli They make many types for musical instruments including violin cases. Check under band instruments, string group. Reasonable prices too.

They also make a line of weapon cases...

https://www.skbcases.com/

 

[Patchouli]

Not a bad price, will pull it up on my laptop in a bit. Thanks @Peanut

 

[Peanut]

I screen saved this with the model and $$ of the guitar case i bought. The weapon and specialty cases can be more expensive but i have no complaints about the quality. I have one almost 35yrs old, still air tight, even has a pressure relief valve.

 

[Tommyice]

Could the thread be multiple plies of buttonhole twist that's been waxed?

 

[Peanut]

Could the thread be multiple plies of buttonhole twist that's been waxed?

I don't know, never found anyone who could tell me what the thread was.

 

[MoBookworm1957]

I would use waxed thread they use rugged jeans, Car hart jeans comes to mind.
You might have to double it up to make a sturdier thread.
Of course sturdier thread means sturdier needle and those can be rough on hands.
Wear gloves , have good pair of needle nose pliers handy to help pull needle and thread through.

 

[12icemaker]

What brand is the old case you have?

It will probably be bleached waxed sisal twine.

Clip a loose bit and get a friend inside to take it to UAH for a check.