Diplay case build (lots of pics)

[jomo]

I've been planning on doing this for a while. I figured that once I've built enough for my guitars that maybe I'd be good enough to build them for sale. Anyway, I figured you guys would like to share the experience with me. This is the first time that I've worked with vynil, I will think twice about doing that again. I think the rest of them will be black stain with velvet backs. I may even venture to do one with a door. Anyway, I got this one built in a day but it took allllll day. I have spent over $200 on materials and things like staple gun, tacks, etc etc that I can use on other ones. Here are the pics from beginning to end.
Here's where I got the idea to take pictures, I had already started.




I broke out the Epi to keep my use as my guide.

I used a Hercules hook but will be changing to a shorter one I think.


Here's where I started on the velvet


Yep, the back looks good

[jomo]

The back


In the guitar room, test fit




Which guitar do I put in it?

[Drayke]

Thats really nice mate, love the Slash in it. It would be cool if you could add a Glass or perspex front with hinges and magnetic handle to open and close snuggly!

would keep the guitar nice and dust free, but for all to see!

[dwagar]

do you think hanging it on that wire is safe? It'd scare me. The weight is on 4 screws into MDF.

nice build though, looks great.

[jomo]

Thanks guys, not sure about the MDF strength but I have a 100 pound mirror hanging in my dining room with the same system. I think it will be ok. I would love to hear any constructive criticism or advice. As I said, I want to build more of these, has anyone else built many of these??

[shotgunlew]

looks sick jomo!

chris

[Younggun]

Im no expert but it certainly is a clean design that really allows the guitar to be the centre of focus.I like it.. I agree that some sort of glass or plexiglass door would be nice. I definitely dont like the looks of the hanger though. Overall i think you did a slick job here Bro.

[Ejecto]

Tidy work Jomo, nice one.

[bildozr]

Nice work I plan on building one it looks killer.
Especially with the slash, The epi looks sick too

[dwagar]

if it was me, especially if you plan on selling them, I think I'd use the cheap old cabinet hanger, wood blocks cut at a 45 degree angle. It's one thing if you built it and the hanger fails and your guitar drops to the floor, a whole different deal if you sell it to someone and his guitar hits the floor.

on the back inside of the cab, you'd run a 3/4" strip (eg a 1x2) cut like this:
__
|.|
|/
on the wall you mount one cut like this:
/|
|.|
it should mount into at least 2 studs. Then the wall cab slips into the strip and won't pull out.

the cab strip would replace the 1/2 round or 1/4 round or whatever you are using on the top edge. This would probably cost less than the hanger system too.

That's one idea, somebody else might have a better solution.

[ausmatt]

Looks great, gonna build three or four of these myself, with the perspex door etc, well done, sure the cable and screws will more than surfice for holding it up. Congrats.

[alk-3]

Originally Posted by dwagar

if it was me, especially if you plan on selling them, I think I'd use the cheap old cabinet hanger, wood blocks cut at a 45 degree angle. It's one thing if you built it and the hanger fails and your guitar drops to the floor, a whole different deal if you sell it to someone and his guitar hits the floor.

on the back inside of the cab, you'd run a 3/4" strip (eg a 1x2) cut like this:
__
|.|
|/
on the wall you mount one cut like this:
/|
|.|
it should mount into at least 2 studs. Then the wall cab slips into the strip and won't pull out.

the cab strip would replace the 1/2 round or 1/4 round or whatever you are using on the top edge. This would probably cost less than the hanger system too.

That's one idea, somebody else might have a better solution.

I agree 100%

MDF is garbage, not only is it very weak (those screws will pull out in short order) but it is HEAVY. Switch from MDF to veneer core plywood. Plywood weights less than half what MDF weighs, so if you ever plan to ship these you'll save on shipping costs too. You can (I would) use the veneer core plywood for the sides as well (instead of using that 1x pine). Call around to find your local plywood distributer and order the ply from them, they will have what you want and charge a lot less than the home depot.
You could also consider using rabbits and dado's instead of using butt joints, you can then use glue instead of nails. Do a bit of research on cabinet construction and you'll have a design that really works well.
Having said all that, I think what you've got looks really nice!

[Boleskinehouse]

Looks tough! I love the studs on the corners! I would definately buy one!

[jomo]

That's the kind of feedback I was looking for, thanks so much guys. I don't know much about MDF board, but I have a 100+ pound mirror hanging with that exact system. I need to do some research. That hanging system with the angeled wood looks like an awesome idea. I may do one more with the vynil since I have enough to do one more, but after that, I'll go to black stain and velvet. I will make sure what ever hanging system I use works perfect before I were to sell one. The good thing is that by the time I build enough for all my guitars, I should have it down to a science.

[dwagar]

the other thing you might look into is black lacquer. If you're going into production, you might consider spraying.

re MDF, I consider it one step up from cardboard for strength, but it is nice to work with for a lot of uses. It might support just fine, but if you are selling these, you have liability on the line.

[jkinnison90]

Looks nice Jomo.

[alk-3]

The mirror may work fine for you with that system, but the trouble that I see here is you will be bumping that display evey time you remove or replace the guitar. Eventually those screws will pull out. To me it's not so much about changing the way the unit hangs on the wall, but changing the material you use for the back of the unit.
I would think it might be a bit of pain to have to constantly straighten the case on the wall after touching it and knocking it out of level like a picture as well.

[jomo]

Originally Posted by alk-3

The mirror may work fine for you with that system, but the trouble that I see here is you will be bumping that display evey time you remove or replace the guitar. Eventually those screws will pull out. To me it's not so much about changing the way the unit hangs on the wall, but changing the material you use for the back of the unit.
I would think it might be a bit of pain to have to constantly straighten the case on the wall after touching it and knocking it out of level like a picture as well.

You have a good point about straightening it all the time. My boy and I went to Lowes tonight on our way home from the fireworks store to look at some different things. I found and aluminum angle hanger like the wood one described above. I have so many ideas now, I do think I'm going to build lots. They even have (this would not be my personal cup of tea, but for the right guitar/person) polished/chrome diamond plate in 2X4 sheets, so the back would be chrome diamond plate instead of velvet.
They also have precut 2X4 sheets of plexiglass for doors. Corner music here in Nashville called me today to tell me that they can get the Fender cases for $299-$699+$35 shipping I honestly think that I can produce just as nice of a case for less money. I now am looking for silver corner covers like an old Fender amp, so if anyone know where I can find those, please let me know. Another thing I'm on the lookout for is tan tweed like my Fender case and silver cloth like the front of a Fender amp.
EDIT: I just ordered some amp corner pieces and seam strips.

[alk-3]

Amp theme ones would be freaking sweet!! I would love one in tweed to match my bassman.

If I were you I would go with real glass for the door. It won't scratch the way plexi does, and its about 10 times less expensive to buy.

[jomo]

Originally Posted by alk-3

Amp theme ones would be freaking sweet!! I would love one in tweed to match my bassman.

If I were you I would go with real glass for the door. It won't scratch the way plexi does, and its about 10 times less expensive to buy.

I thought about that, the Fender display that I saw at Corner Music had a plexiglass door or something like that. I would have to find a good source, I don't think glass wouldn't be cheap. I would also have to figure out how to hinge it, and shipping them with glass?? I would almost guarantee that would be a mess.

[alligatorbling]

Awesome job man! I enjoyed seeing your progress... Enjoy showin off your axe's in style bro!

[pinefd]

Originally Posted by alk-3

Amp theme ones would be freaking sweet!! I would love one in tweed to match my bassman.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Find yourself some vinyl material (tolex) for the cabinet, and some material that resembles the speaker cover material (as the backdrop), and you can make Marshall versions, Fender versions, etc.

Very nice, BTW!

[thefishingline]

Nice job!!

[chuckymack]

I'd TOTALLY take a few of those! You may have just inspired me to build a few for myself!