Gibson hard cases - weight in recent years

[Turnaround]

Gibson's hard cases on new guitars in recent years can vary in weight, with some being very noticeably heavier than others of the same style. I've seen Trogly in his YouTube videos comment on getting a very heavy case on a new guitar, and explaining that cases made in certain countries use much heavier woods.

Does anyone have more detailed information about which cases from which country are the very heavy ones, in recent years, and which ones Gibson has been sourcing for which models or years?

 

[mjross]

My 2021 Les Paul Standard Gold Top came with a case that is amazing, but seriously heavy, have not been able to find another one like it for sale. It was only offered for a year or so, had the square latches and the hard handle. I’ve noticed that recent Standards are coming with a different case.

I’m also interested if anyone knows what the deal is with Gibsons “musical case” thing! It would be nice to know EXACTLY what case comes with your new Gibson instead of the crap shoot!

Also, try to buy a new Gibson case these days, good luck!

 

[gball]

Of all the ones I have, the TKL ones made in Costa Rica are both the sturdiest and by far the heaviest.
The TKLs made in Canada vary a bit - some are actually pretty flimsy and some are quite solid and their weight seems to vary by how stiff they are overall.
THe newer ones made in China, the ones with the square clasps, are really nice - not as heavy duty as the Costa Ricans, but I feel a bit better made than the Canadians except for the accessory compartment doors.

 

[mjross]

Of all the ones I have, the TKL ones made in Costa Rica are both the sturdiest and by far the heaviest.
The TKLs made in Canada vary a bit - some are actually pretty flimsy and some are quite solid and their weight seems to vary by how stiff they are overall.
THe newer ones made in China, the ones with the square clasps, are really nice - not as heavy duty as the Costa Ricans, but I feel a bit better made than the Canadians except for the accessory compartment doors.

The case that came with my Standard is seriously sturdy and very well made, wish I could find a few more. However, even without the guitar in the case one might think the guitar was present, the case is that heavy!

 

[InTheEvening]

Of all the ones I have, the TKL ones made in Costa Rica are both the sturdiest and by far the heaviest.
The TKLs made in Canada vary a bit - some are actually pretty flimsy and some are quite solid and their weight seems to vary by how stiff they are overall.
THe newer ones made in China, the ones with the square clasps, are really nice - not as heavy duty as the Costa Ricans, but I feel a bit better made than the Canadians except for the accessory compartment doors.

Had all three and this has been my experience as well.

My TKL Canadian made on with my SG Special is flimsy and thin. Had a costa rican one for my Les Paul Junior which was the heaviest. My made in china case on my standard 60s is somewhere in between. The Canadian TKL is prob my least favorite.

 

[efstop]

The case for my Explorer is robust and 17 lbs without a guitar in it.

 

[Skit]

My Gibson Explorer case weights about 3 times what the Korina Explorer in it weighs which is 6 lbs.

 

[mjross]

Little off topic! Yeah, Gibson cases tend to be heavy these day but I got this U.S.A. Dean P90 V last year and it is by far the heaviest case I’ve ever encountered in 55 years of gigging, it’s even heavier than my doubleneck cases. A friend picked it up recently and thought it was amazingly heavy, I had to point out to him that the case was empty and pointed to the guitar on the rack!

I have a few Dean guitars and the cases are heavy, but the case for this particular guitar is WAY heavier than any of my other cases. Makes my Gibson cases seem light by comparison! Not sure what’s going on but recently quality cases are getting heavier. Just don’t understand why this guitar requires a case that heavy, it‘s difficult to carry any distance with the guitar in it and it’s HUGE, real back breaker. Maybe Gibson cases aren’t that heavy after all!

 

[Village Idiot]

The case that came with my Standard is seriously sturdy and very well made, wish I could find a few more. However, even without the guitar in the case one might think the guitar was present, the case is that heavy!

Seems very similar to the case my 2004 Supreme came with as well.

 

[jaqueh]

the aluminum hp case is the heaviest thing ever

 

[Leee]

The black case that my M2M Les Paul Custom came in weighs 9 pounds.
Has the pathetic little flip latches on it.
I wouldn’t count on it to withstand much abuse.

 

[mjross]

the aluminum hp case is the heaviest thing ever

I have a few of those and believe it or not, the Dean case I mentioned in comment #8 is even heavier!

 

[mjross]

The black case that my M2M Les Paul Custom came in weighs 9 pounds.
Has the pathetic little flip latches on it.
I wouldn’t count on it to withstand much abuse.

Yeah, those cases look cool and vintage but I won’t take one out of the house! Great for studio storage but that’s about it, at least for me.

 

[jaqueh]

I have a few of those and believe it or not, the Dean case I mentioned in comment #8 is even heavier!

that's crazy. that case is like almost 20 lbs

 

[mjross]

that's crazy. that case is like almost 20 lbs

I have not weighed either but the Dean case seems heavier, maybe because it so damn big, has to be at least a good runner up. Either way, they are both too f***ing heavy…lol!

I‘ve been very satisfied with the new Gibson (football) Gig Bags. Excellent protection and looks pretty cool too!

 

[jaqueh]

I have not weighed either but the Dean case seems heavier, maybe because it so damn big, has to be at least a good runner up. Either way, they are both too f***ing heavy…lol!

I‘ve been very satisfied with the new Gibson (football) Gig Bags. Excellent protection and looks pretty cool too!

Yeah those are not bad at all! I personally love the PRS paisley cases the most: https://us.prsaccessories.com/products/prs-paisley-multi-fit-case

 

[LoudLP]

Yeah those are not bad at all! I personally love the PRS paisley cases the most: https://us.prsaccessories.com/products/prs-paisley-multi-fit-case

It’s basically very similar to G&G Strat case. Maybe a bit lighter.

Not a fan of gig bags either no matter how well engineered.

 

[LesPaul60sTribute]

With my last Les Paul 50s Standard purchased two weeks ago I was fortunate to receive a Costa Rica case. There is a tag inside the storage are on most cases that designate the build country. The China cases are very nice too but the Costa Rica cases I feel are the finest made. The TKL cases made in Canada are not very well made compared to the others.

Here is a post I made a while back:

“I have had all three cases in my possession.

The TKL case is shoddy. This Canadian supplier should be embarrassed. My 2019 came in this case and I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It is poorly constructed and very sloppy in its assembly on all fronts. Latches are dull and work hard to even work as they should. TKL went way to far cutting corners - very surprised Gibson would approve of this case.

The China case is much better than TKL. The inside of the case offers more padding & is much softer also. The handle and latch hardware are much much better than the TKL. The China case weighs slightly more than the TKL but not by much. The hardware is polished and well done.

The Costa Rica case is by miles the superior hard case. The hardware is very robust and closes with smooth authority. The case easily weighs twice the TKL. The handle is large, much better made, and feels outstanding. The case is also larger in length than the China case. This is the case to have.

Here is a comparison from China to Costra Rica case. Costa Rica case on bottom.

I received a China case with my 2020 Les Paul Standard. I am on the look out for the Costa Rica case.”

 

[nadzab]

The black case that my M2M Les Paul Custom came in weighs 9 pounds.
Has the pathetic little flip latches on it.
I wouldn’t count on it to withstand much abuse.

Yep, the black case that came with my ’22 Custom is flimsy and cheap-looking. I was expecting a top-notch case with that guitar, but the ones that came with both my ‘95 and ‘16 Standards are much nicer and more robust.

 

[mjross]

With my last Les Paul 50s Standard purchased two weeks ago I was fortunate to receive a Costa Rica case. There is a tag inside the storage are on most cases that designate the build country. The China cases are very nice too but the Costa Rica cases I feel are the finest made. The TKL cases made in Canada are not very well made compared to the others.

Here is a post I made a while back:

“I have had all three cases in my possession.

The TKL case is shoddy. This Canadian supplier should be embarrassed. My 2019 came in this case and I couldn't get rid of it fast enough. It is poorly constructed and very sloppy in its assembly on all fronts. Latches are dull and work hard to even work as they should. TKL went way to far cutting corners - very surprised Gibson would approve of this case.

The China case is much better than TKL. The inside of the case offers more padding & is much softer also. The handle and latch hardware are much much better than the TKL. The China case weighs slightly more than the TKL but not by much. The hardware is polished and well done.

The Costa Rica case is by miles the superior hard case. The hardware is very robust and closes with smooth authority. The case easily weighs twice the TKL. The handle is large, much better made, and feels outstanding. The case is also larger in length than the China case. This is the case to have.

Here is a comparison from China to Costra Rica case. Costa Rica case on bottom.

I received a China case with my 2020 Les Paul Standard. I am on the look out for the Costa Rica case.”

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That’s the problem I’m having with the Gibson cases these days, you’re not sure what case you’re going to get!