is my guitar case the wrong size for my guitar?

[Susan]

Hi. I'm a complete newbie to guitar. I managed to acquire a guitar
recently, and since it came without a case, I bought one separately. I
think it might be too "tight" for the guitar. Perhaps someone here can
tell me how to know if the case fits the guitar properly?

My guitar is one of the new breedlove atlas series (AD20SM), so it's a
dreadnaught, but I don't think it's the one of the really big
dreadnaughts made. The only information about size I've seen is:

Depth: 4-9/16 in. at Tail Block, 3-3/4 in. at Heel

Lower Bout Width: 16 in.

The case I got was a guitar research case AGC200 that says it fits "an
acoustic guitar" but doesn't specifiy what body shape. The slightly
more expensive case made by guitar research (GSFR8) specifies
"dreadnaught". Should I have bought that?

The fitting problem: It seems tight because when you place the guitar
in, you do have to slightly push down on the body to get it to fit
down in the case. The squishy material that lines the inside does
touch the guitar. Then when you put the top on, you have to kind of
push that down on it.

I am worried it might warp or harm the guitar. Any comments are
appreciated. I don't have any local musician friends to take a look at
it for me.

[Jerry Dallal]

Post by Susan
The fitting problem: It seems tight because when you place the guitar
in, you do have to slightly push down on the body to get it to fit
down in the case. The squishy material that lines the inside does
touch the guitar. Then when you put the top on, you have to kind of
push that down on it.
I am worried it might warp or harm the guitar. Any comments are
appreciated. I don't have any local musician friends to take a look at
it for me.

You really do need someone to look at it for you. What about the sellers
of the guitar and/or case? If you're lucky, Breedlove may know the case
model and can tell you if they're compatible. Call or send them an email.

A snug fit is a good thing. The part about pushing to close the case
could be a problem, though. That's *could be*, not *is*.

BTW, if you have to push to get the guitar into the case, DO NOT PUSH ON
THE BRIDGE OR THE CENTER OF THE TOP! Instead, push down at the bottom
edge by the bridgepin. Even then, don't be pushing on the top. You
should be pressing on the edge of the side, that is, your fingers or the
flat of your hand should be on the binding.

[Sheldon]

I just checked my Martin -- that came with a case. The case has a lot of
padding in it, and the guitar moves around just a bit (I don't have to push
it into the case). When I look at the top of the inside of the case I can
see an image of the strings, but I do not have to push down on the case to
close it.

I'd have to agree with Jerry, in that a snug fit around the sides isn't bad,
but you don't want the top of the case pressing down too hard on the bridge
and the top.

When you just let the top close by itself, how much farther do you have to
push it to close it all the way?

Sheldon

Post by Jerry Dallal

Post by Susan
The fitting problem: It seems tight because when you place the guitar
in, you do have to slightly push down on the body to get it to fit
down in the case. The squishy material that lines the inside does
touch the guitar. Then when you put the top on, you have to kind of
push that down on it.
I am worried it might warp or harm the guitar. Any comments are
appreciated. I don't have any local musician friends to take a look at
it for me.

You really do need someone to look at it for you. What about the sellers
of the guitar and/or case? If you're lucky, Breedlove may know the case
model and can tell you if they're compatible. Call or send them an email.
A snug fit is a good thing. The part about pushing to close the case
could be a problem, though. That's *could be*, not *is*.
BTW, if you have to push to get the guitar into the case, DO NOT PUSH ON
THE BRIDGE OR THE CENTER OF THE TOP! Instead, push down at the bottom
edge by the bridgepin. Even then, don't be pushing on the top. You
should be pressing on the edge of the side, that is, your fingers or the
flat of your hand should be on the binding.

[Mike brown]

Post by Sheldon
I just checked my Martin -- that came with a case. The case has a lot of
padding in it, and the guitar moves around just a bit (I don't have to push
it into the case). When I look at the top of the inside of the case I can
see an image of the strings, but I do not have to push down on the case to
close it.
I'd have to agree with Jerry, in that a snug fit around the sides isn't bad,
but you don't want the top of the case pressing down too hard on the bridge
and the top.
When you just let the top close by itself, how much farther do you have to
push it to close it all the way?
Sheldon

My HD-28V is in the original Martin case. It has to be pushed down into
the case. a very snug fit. Don't push anywhere but the edge just above the
tailblock and the fingerboard just above the heel.
Michael James Richard B

[Susan]

Post by Jerry Dallal
BTW, if you have to push to get the guitar into the case, DO NOT PUSH ON
THE BRIDGE OR THE CENTER OF THE TOP! Instead, push down at the bottom
edge by the bridgepin. Even then, don't be pushing on the top. You
should be pressing on the edge of the side, that is, your fingers or the
flat of your hand should be on the binding.

I am so thankful that there are people out there who know this kind of
stuff. THANKS a million. This guitar appears to be built solidly but
it's good to know how to properly handle it nonetheless.

[Ken Cashion]

On 10 Jan 2004 19:47:25 -0800, ***@yahoo.com (Susan) wrote:

Susan, I have a bunch of used and new guitars and many came
without case...not even a plastic sleeve. I have case for all them
now and your guitar/case fit sounds about right.
The case should hold the guitar snuggly if it is a rigid case;
less so if it is a "flexible" cardboard cases.
I have a very good hard case built for my new arch top and it
is really hard to push the guitar in. The guitar has to be laid on
the top of the opening parallel to the case bottom and then pushed on
the edges and neck a little to get it to start compressing the thick
plush padding. Then I have to go around the edges pushing to the
bottom.
There is a lot of plush stuff that has to compress and a lot
of surface area. The insides of the top and back are plush material
and this to be compressed when I snap the case lid closed.
This fit will loosen a little over time as the padding becomes
compressed in all the right places. To this end, I am leaving the
guitar in the case. I occasionally change its position so the guitar
weight (which is considerable) will compress the other case surfaces.
If you are concerned still, let a shop look at the fit.

Cheers -- Ken

Post by Susan
Hi. I'm a complete newbie to guitar. I managed to acquire a guitar
recently, and since it came without a case, I bought one separately. I
think it might be too "tight" for the guitar. Perhaps someone here can
tell me how to know if the case fits the guitar properly?
My guitar is one of the new breedlove atlas series (AD20SM), so it's a
dreadnaught, but I don't think it's the one of the really big
Depth: 4-9/16 in. at Tail Block, 3-3/4 in. at Heel
Lower Bout Width: 16 in.
The case I got was a guitar research case AGC200 that says it fits "an
acoustic guitar" but doesn't specifiy what body shape. The slightly
more expensive case made by guitar research (GSFR8) specifies
"dreadnaught". Should I have bought that?
The fitting problem: It seems tight because when you place the guitar
in, you do have to slightly push down on the body to get it to fit
down in the case. The squishy material that lines the inside does
touch the guitar. Then when you put the top on, you have to kind of
push that down on it.
I am worried it might warp or harm the guitar. Any comments are
appreciated. I don't have any local musician friends to take a look at
it for me.

[Steve]

My Taylor fits very snugly in its case, too, but the push downward is to put
the guitar into the case, NOT to close the case. The case closes with only a
litlle resistence.


SEFSTRAT
solo webpage: http://members.aol.com/sefstrat/index.html/sefpage.html
band webpage: www.timebanditsrock.com

[Ken Cashion]

Post by Steve
My Taylor fits very snugly in its case, too, but the push downward is to put
the guitar into the case, NOT to close the case. The case closes with only a
litlle resistence.

I have to push a little because the guitar is an arch top and
the bridge is a little on the high side compared to a flat top.
I looked at the indentation of the bridge in the inside top
padding and it is obvious but not excessive...there is still some
"give" to the padding.
As the guitar lives in the case, this padding gets a little
more depressed with time.

Cheers -- Ken

[madgamer]

you are most likely all right but do As Jerry says and contact Breedlove
to to check. I had a friend years ago who bought a case for his Dred
and when he needed to get the bridge fixed the company said it was due
to pushing down on it to get it in the case and would not fix it under
warranty
Larry

Post by Susan
Hi. I'm a complete newbie to guitar. I managed to acquire a guitar
recently, and since it came without a case, I bought one separately. I
think it might be too "tight" for the guitar. Perhaps someone here can
tell me how to know if the case fits the guitar properly?
My guitar is one of the new breedlove atlas series (AD20SM), so it's a
dreadnaught, but I don't think it's the one of the really big
Depth: 4-9/16 in. at Tail Block, 3-3/4 in. at Heel
Lower Bout Width: 16 in.
The case I got was a guitar research case AGC200 that says it fits "an
acoustic guitar" but doesn't specifiy what body shape. The slightly
more expensive case made by guitar research (GSFR8) specifies
"dreadnaught". Should I have bought that?
The fitting problem: It seems tight because when you place the guitar
in, you do have to slightly push down on the body to get it to fit
down in the case. The squishy material that lines the inside does
touch the guitar. Then when you put the top on, you have to kind of
push that down on it.
I am worried it might warp or harm the guitar. Any comments are
appreciated. I don't have any local musician friends to take a look at
it for me.

[David Ingram]

Post by Susan
My guitar is one of the new breedlove atlas series (AD20SM), so it's a
dreadnaught, but I don't think it's the one of the really big
dreadnaughts made.

Initial shipments of the Atlas series went out without an official case, but
it is my understanding that a case designed specifically for the Atlas is to
be introduced early this year. I think it's going to be a
softshell/hardshell hybrid case of some kind. Give Breedlove a call, but you
might want to wait a week since almost everyone will be at NAMM.

Disclaimer: I am a Breedlove dealer, although I don't currently represent
the Atlas line. The above is my interpretation of future events, and I am
solely responsible for its content.

As far as the fit, I'll simply echo the prevailing wisdom here, that a tight
fit on the sides is not bad, as long as there is still adequate "give" in
the cushioning - if it's so tight that the foam is compressed to the point
of losing all cushioning capacity, that's no good. On the top, I like it
tight enough that the case top mutes the strings when you close it. I hate
it when I can hear strings vibrating while the case is closed. But you don't
want compression on the top of your guitar caused by a case that is not deep
enough.

David Ingram

[Susan]

Thanks to all you guys for taking the time to explain this to me. I
actually think I solved the mystery of my cheapie case. The metal edge
around the lip of the case's lid doesn't quite match up with the lip
of the case's bottom. So you have to kind of push and then it pops in
place. Not good. I plan to exchange for a better case soon.

A friend of mine who lives across the country just wrote and told me
an interesting way to test the case to see if it's too small. Like
you, he said it's ok (even good) if the plush lining comes in contact
and hugs the sides of the guitar. But the case's lid should never
press on the bridge. So he said to place a piece of notebook paper on
the bridge and shut the case up for a minute or so. In doing so, there
were absolutely no impressions or even marks on the paper at all. I
love objective proof type things like that.

But I think I'll bring my guitar in to the shop when I exchange the
case, just to be really sure. Good point about the warranty. May as
well write to breedlove.

Would a 12-string acoustic guitar fit in a standard acoustic case?
This friend of mine who is amazingly cool is sending me his old
12-string. Perhaps I can buy that case made for the Atlas when it
comes out? And the 12-string gets a new home in my old/new case?

1 week with a guitar and I'm obsessed.

Thanks again!!!!

[don hindenach]

snip <
Would a 12-string acoustic guitar fit in a standard acoustic case?
This friend of mine who is amazingly cool is sending me his old
12-string. Perhaps I can buy that case made for the Atlas when it
comes out? And the 12-string gets a new home in my old/new case?

The 12-strings headstock will be longer, to accommodate all those
tuners, so that may be an issue.

So you'll just have to see when the new toy^H^H^Htool shows up. :-)

[misifus]

Post by Susan
Thanks to all you guys for taking the time to explain this to me. I
actually think I solved the mystery of my cheapie case. The metal edge
around the lip of the case's lid doesn't quite match up with the lip
of the case's bottom. So you have to kind of push and then it pops in
place. Not good. I plan to exchange for a better case soon.
A friend of mine who lives across the country just wrote and told me
an interesting way to test the case to see if it's too small. Like
you, he said it's ok (even good) if the plush lining comes in contact
and hugs the sides of the guitar. But the case's lid should never
press on the bridge. So he said to place a piece of notebook paper on
the bridge and shut the case up for a minute or so. In doing so, there
were absolutely no impressions or even marks on the paper at all. I
love objective proof type things like that.

I think that if the case was not made for a dreadnought style
guitar, it wouldn't fit in the case at all. The dreadnought
shape is much boxier and squared than the other common guitar
shapes (000, OM, SJ, J, etc.) especially in the area of the
waist. That said, the dimensions you quoted are typical of
dreadnoughts, and so you should be pretty close.

So far as the twelve string goes, it depends. If the 12 is built
on a dreadnought shaped body, it might fit, but it would have a
longer headstock. You could try it and see. However, many
twelves are built on jumbo style bodies and wouldn't fit in that
case at all. So, wait and see.

-Raf

[Dave H]

Post by Susan
Hi. I'm a complete newbie to guitar. I managed to acquire a guitar
recently, and since it came without a case, I bought one separately. I
think it might be too "tight" for the guitar. Perhaps someone here can
tell me how to know if the case fits the guitar properly?
My guitar is one of the new breedlove atlas series (AD20SM), so it's a
dreadnaught, but I don't think it's the one of the really big
Depth: 4-9/16 in. at Tail Block, 3-3/4 in. at Heel
Lower Bout Width: 16 in.
The case I got was a guitar research case AGC200 that says it fits "an
acoustic guitar" but doesn't specifiy what body shape. The slightly
more expensive case made by guitar research (GSFR8) specifies
"dreadnaught". Should I have bought that?
The fitting problem: It seems tight because when you place the guitar
in, you do have to slightly push down on the body to get it to fit
down in the case. The squishy material that lines the inside does
touch the guitar. Then when you put the top on, you have to kind of
push that down on it.
I am worried it might warp or harm the guitar. Any comments are
appreciated. I don't have any local musician friends to take a look at
it for me.

I have a Breedlove Ed Gerhard model that came with a case. The fit is snug,
but closing the lid doesn't require pushing down with any force. I'd have
the fit checked at a local music store. Maybe at the same store you bought
the case at. If they are nice they should trade it out for one that fits.

dave h




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