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April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | Hi, newbie to this board, but not to Ovation playing ;-)
My original Ovation hardcase has finally given up after 25 years and I'm looking to replace it.
I see the current Ovation slimline hardshell case is the 8117-0 model, but is it really rugged enough to last me another 25 years?
There seems to be very little Ovation kit in the UK at the moment, since Fender put their distributors in charge. One dealer had an 8117 case, but it was broken. Another dealer had had one, but that too had been cracked. Apparently the cases are now all made in the far east and the quality has dropped in recent years.
So how do you guys who own newish Ovation hard cases rate them? And what about SKB and Hiscox cases, which are highly thought of in the industry but would be a best-fit rather than perfect-fit option?
Opinions please. |
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April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | Welcome, yay another UK Ovation player :)
I find the 8158 case to be pretty sturdy. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | They sure don't make them like they used to.
Interesting that an Ovation can and does outlive it's case. That's a good example of how road worthy they are.
I'm not a case expert but I think there are two grades available. One that comes with the USA models and one that comes with the imports.
Or... Perhaps an OFC member on your side of the pond has one he wants to sell.
And... I would not count on a case designed for a wood box guitar no matter how well it's made.
You need something that's fitted to the bowl. |
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Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | Welcome!
The older Brown cases seem to hold up a lot better than the new Black ones (8158, 9158).
I have had to employ the Rubber Mallet to a few in the last year or so.
Mr. Big should have some definitive answers for you. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by MWoody:
Mr. Big should have some definitive answers for you. Lost Art Vintage
856-933-0374
Authorized Adamas, Ovation Hamer etc dealer.
Custom order Specialist
... and Welcome from the Colonies! |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | I have a few original Brown deepbowl cases in good shape that I'd be prepared to let go.
The Hiscox cases are good, but they need padding out to fit proberly, and forget them if you have anthing other than a mid or deepbowl guitar. Same with regular acoustic cases.
The best bet if you can't find an Ovation case is a custom-padded Calton, but they are not cheap. |
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March 2009
Posts: 60
Location: Long Island | What part of your case gave up on you? |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Worse case (no pun intended) If you can't find an original HSC I found out that Roadrunner makes Cases that specifically fit Ovations. I have my 1112-1 deep bowl in one and It's fits fine. |
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September 2008
Posts: 1281
Location: Ohio | I hav a Roadrunner for my Celebrity Deluxe SSB and it fits perfest.
100.00 at Guitar Cente
Steve
Matrix 12sting acoustic / electric
Celebrity Delux RBBY |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Buy a trashed-out Ovation or Celebrity with a case for $75 on evilBay...
Keep the case and part out the guitar and get your money back. :D |
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Joined:
May 2006
Posts: 4236
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Buy a trashed-out Ovation or Celebrity with a case for $75 on evilBay...
Keep the case and part out the guitar and get your money back. :D I've pulled that stunt myself once or twice.  |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ... "best hard case?"..... Cliff. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Store the hard plastic case and buy an Ovation nylon-covered hard-sided padded case. Fits the guitar perfectly, is lighter than the hard plactic cases, and won't damage door jams, walls, etc. during transport to a gig. If you need the best case on the market, try and find a custom-made carbon fiber case. A dozen of us received one of these when we bought the OFC slothead guitar a few years back. Contact Al for more information. |
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Joined:
April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | Thanks for those great responses!
Roadrunner cases n/a in Britain. I'll try for the genuine Ovation (US) super-shallow moulded plastic model and maybe post here with how it compares with the older straight-sided case.
Originally posted by footprints:
What part of your case gave up on you? Interior: still excellent
Hinges, handle etc: still excellent
Plastic casing: cracking everywhere - beyond the Duck tape stage. Starting to come off like eggshell.
If I could work out how to attach a picture to this posting, I'd show you. |
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April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | OK, worked out the photo thing. Sorry they're just taken with a phone:
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | That really looks like a candidate for a duct tape repair, then use stickers to hide the duct tape. The finish product might look a little like this (coincidently, also a vintage SSB case) . . .
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April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | Prof, you're a pro! I couldn't see the join. Honest. |
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Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Yep. Totally hides the duct tape. Plus the mojo can't be beat. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | You could easily fix that with some fiberglass for less than 10 bucks. |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | You can sort of see to the left how the fiberglass turns out. I wouldn't bother with a new case.
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I mean look to the right side of the picture. |
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April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | Hmm. My little pics were only representative - there are lots of hairline cracks in the plastic around the hinges and feet as well. Sure I could do some home made repairs but my OP was not about saving money, it was about how to get a good new case.
Besides, the wife has told me to get a neat-looking new case. :-S |
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Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Well, I fiberglassed my case, and it was covered with hair line cracks, even around the hinges, and the fiberglass looks cool. I don't understand why your wife doesn't want you to look cool, but whatever...
BUT, if your wife told you to get a new case, then buy one of the Calton cases. Google Calton and give them a call to see if they can help you. It'll cost you though.
Or just go to your local instrument store with your git and try out a bunch. Good luck. |
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October 2005
Posts: 4081
Location: Utah | Originally posted by sypolog:
Besides, the wife has told me to get a neat-looking new case. :-S "But honey, I didn't buy a new guitar, the new case you told me to get came with a free guitar on the inside". |
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March 2008
Posts: 41
| Have you contacted Hiscox directly about them having or custom building a case for you shallow bowl?
Ebay has several listings for new and used Ovation cases. All models - plastic, plywood/archtop, Zero Gravity etc. Also look under round back case. |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ...give Al a call: Lost Art Vintage |
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April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | Originally posted by FlySig:
"But honey, I didn't buy a new guitar, the new case you told me to get came with a free guitar on the inside". :D |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | I've replaced a few of my cases with TKL GIEB type and an quite happy with them. Of course they never leave the house. |
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Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 848
Location: Munich, Germany | Best overall case:
Geib Style all black from Martin's Johhny Cash Commemorative guitar.
Best Ovation case:
Al's custom order carbon cases:
Picture stolen from Charlie Ramon/Jerome - Ovationtribute.com
Best regards,
Kurt |
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Joined:
April 2008
Posts: 2336
Location: Brighty in Blighty | I've noticed the older black cases are much sturdier than the newer ones.
For example the FD-14 came in a newer case and the main flat bit of the case (the bit that protects the top of the guitar) is flexible whereas the older back cases are RIGID! |
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Joined:
April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | Originally posted by dweezil:
I've noticed the older black cases are much sturdier than the newer ones. ...which was exactly why I originally posted my query.
Nostalgia ain't what it used to be :-( |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | SOOOO ... what'd you get? |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Duct tape and it will be fine, |
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Joined:
April 2009
Posts: 130
Location: London, UK | Figured I don't need a new case until she's next flying.
Sentimental attachment and duck tape can go a long way... |
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Best hard case?