The Les Paul case thread - which do you prefer, and why?

[Leee]

I decided to start a comprehensive Les Paul case thread to pin down the differences between them all, and the details of each.
Tell us which case you prefer, and why.

 

[Leee]

This is a version of Lifton case, and I believe these were built in the 2000s.

I’m not terribly impressed with their ability to protect a guitar, but at least this particular one has 5 double-acting latches.

 

[Leee]

I just got this Hiscox case, and I’ll say I’m impressed so far.
It’s lightweight, but the foam is well formed so the plastic shell doesn’t disfigure.

Plenty of room around the headstock, but the neck is firmly held in place.
Good secure double-acting latches.

Nice bonus for the security-minded, it doesn’t look anything like a Les Paul case.
Or even a guitar, for that matter.

Gibson Les Paul Style Guitar, Hard Case - Pro II

Wrap the unmistakable lines of your Gibson Les Paul type guitar with state-of-the-art protection. Our guitar cases have incredible crush strength, outstanding shock absorbance and exceptional temperature control to keep your pride and joy pristine – all wrapped up in a sleek, lightweight case...

hiscoxcases.com

 

[Peter M]

Never had any issues with regular Gibson hardshell cases for car/truck/van travel.

Flight cases for flights.

 

[kelsodeez]

Yeah my 2019 tkl made gibson case is good for 99.9% of the time. I have a skb iseries for flying but it's heavy and everyone thinks it's a rifle. My lifton looks pretty but that's about all it does. I don't trust gig bags with my les pauls.

 

[Leee]

Who built the USA cases from the 90s?
Brown, pink fur with the blanket.

Were these from TKL?


I had one tumble about six feet and land hard on the hinge on the big end.
Busted the wood inside, so the hinge is a bit wobbly now, but the interior stayed together and the guitar was undamaged.

My only complaint is that the Tolex exterior cuts and tears if they are shipped around much.

 

[Leee]

Anyone here have a chainsaw case?
I haven’t seen one in 25 years.

 

[efstop]

I prefer the $99 Yorkville (TKL) cases from Long & McQuade if a guitar only has a bag when I get it. My cheaper guitars are in bags, and the bag with my stick bass really looks like a rifle case

 

[MikeyTheCat]

Regarding Les Paul cases, I went with a PRS in a PRS gig bag.

Seriously, I use an SKB Softcase for my Les Paul when I take it out. I do like the 2015 Spock's coffin cases but those are just too damn big.

If I was gigging again I'd get a new road case.

 

[efstop]

A molded SKB Jazzmaster case is $300 in Canada. My Squire VM Jazz didn't even have a bag.
When I saw a used Jazz SKB online for $100 at L&M, I snagged it immediately.

 

[gibsonguitar1988]

It's weird I know but my favorite case is the Cali Girl case that came with my 2001 Les Paul Classic. I just really think it's over the top and I like over the top. It's the one that has the sheet of pink fabric that lays over the guitar after you put it in the case and the material on the inside is this pink velvet like material. It's wild. The Cali Girl case remains my favorite.

 

[CB91710]

I like my 2022 R4 Custom Shop case.
Just a bit lighter and smaller than my '19 Standard.
But I'm not taking it out to bars... it is just protection at home. I'd probably want more padding if it ever left my sight.

 

[meatball]

This is a version of Lifton case, and I believe these were built in the 2000s.

I’m not terribly impressed with their ability to protect a guitar, but at least this particular one has 5 double-acting latches.


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I have had this same case that came with my 2003 R7 . It’s been a road worthy case . I have thought over and over about a soft padded case , but I just can’t seem to pull the hammer on it ..

 

[EasyAce]

SKBs for my Les Pauls . . .

. . . and my ES-335s . . .

 

[Leee]

I just got a new version of the Gibson Protector case, and it has the same latches as my recent Fender Strat cases.
Are these both made by SKB?

 

[Leee]

… my favorite case is the Cali Girl case that came with my 2001 Les Paul Classic. … … has the sheet of pink fabric that lays over the guitar … … the material on the inside is this pink velvet like material. … The Cali Girl case remains my favorite.

Right on!
One of the reasons I started this thread was to sort out, once and for all, which case is which.

The Cali Girl case, I believe this is the same one I mentioned above.
I believe it is made by TKL in Canada?
Brown Tolex exterior, made of wood.

Can you post pics?

 

[PeteK]

I've got the purple lined one. It always smells weird. I tried de-funkifying it. It never goes away though.

 

[Leee]

Best way I have found to get the smell out, is to leave it open in the sun, or inside a hot garage.
For several days, if necessary.
Cook it out the best you can and then vacuum it aggressively.

 

[Olds442]

SKBs for my Les Pauls . . .

that's the same one i have for the LP that showed up from japan broken, in a gig bag.

got the store demo SKB from sweetwater at the super discount.

 

[pondcaster]

TKL LP case circa 2019.

All I ever need in a hardcase.

Not sure my Unburst has been in it more than 30 minutes since getting her but it's there l when I need it.

Still has "that new Gibson smell"...mmmmmm.