The COMPLETE Gibson Chainsaw Case Expo...W/ Fit Examples (Pic Heavy)

[scottyk]

Here is my complete collection of the Gibson Chainsaw Protector Cases.
GENERATIONS 1, 2, AND 3.
(If there's another version out there, I'd sure like to know.)

Some of the "models" being used for fit demo:
1954 Gibson Les Paul Junior
1959 Gibson Les Paul Junior
1960 Gibson Les Paul TV Yellow Special
1972 Gibson Les Paul Custom
1980 Gibson Les Paul Custom

Up first... GENERATION 1 (Two Latch Red Interior)

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Nice fit for the Junior body but will need a towel or something under it to "seat" the neck and the head.

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The '60 TV Yellow Special rests pretty nicely without any "shims" added...

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For old "Oscar," the Les Paul Custom, it's about perfect all around...

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Secondly, the GENERATION 2 (3 Latch Red Interior)

No need for fit demo pix, every fit example is the SAME as Gen 1

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Finally, the GENERATION 3 types: (3 Metal Latch - Brown, Blue, Black Lined)
The Brown and Blue versions are the same for fit demo pix provided.

View media item 101813View media item 101815View media item 101817
The old Juniors and the '60 TV Special fit and seat okay, but the overall fit is just a "bit on the sloppy side." I personally wouldn't use.

'72 "Oscar" & '80 "Closet Queen" fit exactly the same like a glove in the Gen3 Brown and Blue Cases...

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Last up is the Gen 3 BLACK lined version.
This one is really made for a thin body like the SG.

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The '54 Junior and the '60 Special fit and "seat" okay but it's pretty tight when it comes to closing and latching up the case. Way too tight for my preferences.

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Fat old ugly "Oscar" the 72 LP Custom sorta fits but NO WAY will you be able to close the case.
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Hope this was some help for all.
ScottyK

 

[Kris Ford]

Good stuff!

 

[Midnight Blues]

I have a Gen 1 for my '76 Deluxe and a Gen 2 for my '72/'54 LE. Best cases around IMHO.

 

[HardCore Troubadour]

couple things....

I have never seen the "protector"badge on one....cool.

there was also a lid strap, that most are missing today....

some of the gen 1 and 2's had SILVER Gibson logo on the compartment lid....no idea why the difference.

 

[1981 LPC]

Cool, thanks for posting. Which consecutive years were these produced/shipped?

Oscar is so very cool. But why won't it fit in the 3d gen case?

 

[scottyk]

couple things....

I have never seen the "protector"badge on one....cool.

there was also a lid strap, that most are missing today....

some of the gen 1 and 2's had SILVER Gibson logo on the compartment lid....no idea why the difference.

Thought you'd spot that badge HC, Good eye!
And yes, the only thing keeping this from a pure 100% collector item is the missing strap, which it should really have.

 

[scottyk]

Cool, thanks for posting. Which consecutive years were these produced/shipped?

Oscar is so very cool. But why won't it fit in the 3d gen case?

I can't attest to the precise years of mfg. for each Gen case.
Oscar fits in all of the cases except for the BLACK lined Gen3 which was obviously created for a thin body like the SG.

 

[scottyk]

I have a Gen 1 for my '76 Deluxe and a Gen 2 for my '72/'54 LE. Best cases around IMHO.

"I'm pickin' up what you're layin' down!"
Virtually indestructible.

 

[kakerlak]

Yay, chainsaw cases! I've had/have a blue and a black-lined 3rd gen case. I notice the hinges are different on the brown and blue-lined cases. I'm also interested in years/overlaps. I can tell you my blue-lined case is presumably original to the SG in it, from day 222 of 1982.




Do you know of any source for replacement metal latches? The one at the top/neck has been broken off the blue case as long as I've had it, but it still seems to close pretty securely. Still, it'd be nice to fix. I've thought about maybe screwing on some sort of generic luggage latch onto the existing plastic, but that's sort of janky.

 

[scottyk]

I sorta remember someone else in another thread asking about replacement metal hinges. Can't recall if there was anything available.
Plastic ones for Gen 1&2 yes.

 

[kakerlak]

I sorta remember someone else in another thread asking about replacement metal hinges. Can't recall if there was anything available.
Plastic ones for Gen 1&2 yes.

LOL, it was probably me. I sorta remember asking it before Honestly, I'm not sure the busted-off metal hinge is all that common an issue, unlike the plastic ones that tended to fatigue and tear through over time.

 

[1981 LPC]

I can't attest to the precise years of mfg. for each Gen case.
Oscar fits in all of the cases except for the BLACK lined Gen3 which was obviously created for a thin body like the SG.

I don't think that's the case (sic). My '81 fits perfectly in its blue lined 3d gen case.

 

[HardCore Troubadour]

I have never found good replacement HINGES for any of them.....

There are replacement LATCHES for the 1-2's but no replacements for the metal 3's that I know of.


I know a guy that sells replacement lid ribbons, although I do not trust him much.....

You can look at his "selling" page and see how and what he is doing, it is not rocket science.

 

[kakerlak]

I don't think that's the case (sic). My '81 fits perfectly in its blue lined 3d gen case.

Those black ones are different moldings (check my pic and scotty's above). Rather than just straight sides, the sides of the interior are curved in an SG outline, there's no fuzzy lining on the sides of the headstock "box" and no door for the accessory pocket (I used a cut-to-fit piece of thick cardboard there). The fuzzy liner is a little thinner/cheaper all-around and it's also more cut-to-fit around notches for latches, etc. than the fully-lined blue/brown versions. They are different cases, though identical from the outside.

 

[1981 LPC]

Ah I see. Apologies - missed that OP was referring to black lined 3d gen cases. Had a long day....

 

[HardCore Troubadour]

I have never seen one of these until a few days ago......

the paperwork that came with chainsaw cases.....

 

[scottyk]

I'd like to find some of that candy.
Here's a good shot of the Protector Badge.
Personally, I've never seen this before.

View media item 101810

 

[DarrellV]

Love chainsaw cases!

It was the chainsaw case that led me to my LP.

When I first set out to search for it I didn't know what year or model. Just the color and a date range. Then one night a fella shows up to a gig I'm at with one of these cases and a lovely 83 Silverburst!

That's when it clicked.

I remembered that the one i was seeking came in one of these plastic 'chainsaw cases'.

So it was by reverse logic that I found my beloved Standard.

I searched for chainsaw cases, and of course, some came with a guitar inside!

One of them happened to be mine!

Too cool!!!

Still a great idea and I don't know why they don't still offer them today?

 

[DarrellV]

OBTW Oscar is the BOMB!!!!

 

[HardCore Troubadour]

scotty, I have never seen a badge either and I have owned a few of these...that is a new one on me.

The hang-tag was too....I would not pay what he is wanting, and I am not affiliated, but I have also never seen one before a few weeks ago when this popped up.

The paper-work does come up from time to time, I will keep my eyes out for you....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/391637572358?ul_noapp=true

red Standard is too cool darrell....