Tonefiend Forum

Recently I went out and did something I've been meaning to do for the past ten or twelve years: I purchased a new hard-shell guitar case for my ES-335. After eighteen years of continuous use, the case I took my most prized instrument home from the store in, is totally kaput. My good friend (and bandleader) Sandybone did his best to keep the old girl alive these past few years, but even his efforts could not prevent her retirement.
It was not a high quality case: the generic buckles and hinges started giving me trouble almost immediately. It was constructed of MDF, so consequently it was heavier than necessary.The rear-bout clasp broke eight months in. The strap that held the top open gave up round about year three. I had the handle replaced fourteen years ago. But I'm going to miss it.
There's an old saw that poses the question: how many blues musicians does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Answer: only one, but he'll like the old bulb better. Like most humour, there's a lot of truth in that joke. The fact is, this thing has been the central piece of luggage in my life and has travelled almost everywhere that I have. There's bits of a decal that date back to '95. There are stickers from clubs and radio stations all over North America. This thing is part of my history. And I don't really know what to do with it; it would be sacrilege to throw it in the trash, or rip it apart for parts. Hell, even if you wanted to, they rivet them together, making 'em near impossible to disassemble. You can't sell such a "distressed" piece of gear, and I wouldn't want to, anyway. Do I take it out in the back yard and bury it, like a well-loved pet? I have a feeling that it will inhabit space in a closet or my work area (usually pretty much the same place) for years and years, rarely receiving the sentimental visits it deserves.
Meanwhile, I have this brand new, shiny case that looks like it belongs to someone else, or at least to some other guitar that's not all battle scarred and sweat encrusted- some shiny new axe with tags hanging off of it and plastic film on the pickguard. The new case is made with plywood and thus shaves off about a pound or so, and has a stronger, arched top and a tighter fit (not hard to achieve in the old girl's state), but it still has those dodgy buckles, and is of the same manufacture as the one it's replacing.
Do you have any totemic pieces of gear that you just can't get rid of, no matter what? Like the nail-clippers in your gig-bag? Or your side-cutters that barely cut string anymore? Share please!

Quote from Double D The fact is, this thing has been the central piece of luggage in my life and has travelled almost everywhere that I have. There's bits of a decal that date back to '95. There are stickers from clubs and radio stations all over North America. This thing is part of my history. And I don't really know what to do with it; it would be sacrilege to throw it in the trash, or rip it apart for parts.

If you are feeling particularly adventurous, I say you should find a way to do something special with such a special piece of gear. My first thought was to make it a coffee table.

Coffee tables are a gathering place and this would make an amazing conversation piece. If you wanted to make sure it was protected, you could either put a clear lacquer coating on it or frame it and put a glass top over it. I know, it's a good bit of work, but I think such a long-term companion deserves some remembrance!

I can only imagine! I can't figure out how to get an image pasted in here, but you can see all the photos here: https://inspireformation.blogspot.ca/2012/08/requiem-for-guitar-case-in-fm.html

How about your string-changing kit? My side-cutters are nearly twenty years old, string winder about the same. Almost as important are the little Keno pencils that I pick up at gigs all the time; excellent for quick nut-graphite applications. On the rare occasions that I bust a string on the gig, I'm usually able to rejoin the band before a tune goes by, thanks to lots of practice and a ready and convenient tool kit.

Quote from Double D on September 9, 2012, 01:33
How about your string-changing kit? My side-cutters are nearly twenty years old, string winder about the same. Almost as important are the little Keno pencils that I pick up at gigs all the time; excellent for quick nut-graphite applications. On the rare occasions that I bust a string on the gig, I'm usually able to rejoin the band before a tune goes by, thanks to lots of practice and a ready and convenient tool kit.

I can't remember the guitarist but once saw a guitar tech replace a broken string while the the guitarist continued playing a song. All tuned up and done in a minute or so without missing a note. It was very impressive to say the least. That being said it has been a really long time since I broke a string playing since I fingerpick.