Square-neck Reso Case question...

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 22 Dec 2016 11:19 am

Merry Christmas fellow steel players!

I have a question about square-neck reso cases. Not sure if this is the right forum, but it is a steel without pedals, and I know a lot of folks here play them in addition to their lapsteels.

About 7 years ago or so, I bought one of these cases for my round neck Fender biscuit reso:

(http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessor ... uitar-case)

They're designed for a classical, but fit a reso. I have found that for the money, it's a GREAT case, and really holds up well. I also am a big believer in the six-latch cases for these guitars.

I also have a metal Republic tri-cone, but is a square-neck. The lightweight "foam" style case it came with is OK, but is really wearing out after a lot of gigs. Length and body-wise, it fits(!) in this Silver Creek case, BUT -- the neck support area is too high. I took out the screws where the supports and accessory box are, but they appear to be glued in, in addition to screws. $:\$

Has anyone ever converted one of these cases to make it fit a square-neck guitar? I'm thinking I could maybe use a chisel or similar to carefully wedge them off, reshape/recover them, and put 'em back in, but was wondering if anyone has already tried this?

Can't beat these cases for the price, IMO.

Thanks in advance.

TJW

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 22 Dec 2016 1:35 pm

I did it!

It was kind of messy, as things didn't want to come out too easily, but I was able to learn how to upholster very quickly.

Unfortunately, I was so geeked on getting it done, I forgot to document with video or pics! D'oh!

Now, I need to order another case for my 14-fret round-neck.

Michael Lee Allen · Post by **Michael Lee Allen** » 22 Dec 2016 1:40 pm

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Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 22 Dec 2016 2:35 pm

Michael - I think Frank at Republic in Texas does a good job of setting these up and getting them playable. I have since discovered a company called Hot Rod Resonator guitars (http://www.hotrodsteel.com/) that cost a bit more, but it sounds like they go a few extra steps to make them even more playable and with a few upgrades and improvements. I may check them out for my next reso, which will be a round neck tri-cone.

But for the money, I think the Republics are great, and Frank is really easy to deal with and will do you right.

TJW

Randy Chow · Post by **Randy Chow** » 23 Dec 2016 12:35 am

Todd Weger wrote:Michael - I think Frank at Republic in Texas does a good job of setting these up and getting them playable. I have since discovered a company called Hot Rod Resonator guitars (http://www.hotrodsteel.com/) that cost a bit more, but it sounds like they go a few extra steps to make them even more playable and with a few upgrades and improvements. I may check them out for my next reso, which will be a round neck tri-cone.

But for the money, I think the Republics are great, and Frank is really easy to deal with and will do you right.

TJW

Here are some links about Hot Rod Steel that you may want to check out:

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/foru ... ?p=4331260

http://www.keyt.com/news/santa-barbara- ... s/65194294

http://michaelmesser.proboards.com/thre ... el-guitars[/url]

Noah Miller · Post by **Noah Miller** » 23 Dec 2016 4:54 am

I went through this recently when trying to find a case that fit my 1920s square-neck tricone. Those are particularly difficult to fit because the neck is not much shallower than the body and because of the "shoulders" where the two sections meet. I started with this case, and at first it seemed like the neck holder was too high. In fact, the body section was too low, so I added some foam underneath it and the whole instrument now fits perfectly.

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 23 Dec 2016 6:11 am

Good info! Thanks!

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 23 Dec 2016 7:11 am

I have carried my 1929 Style-1 squareneck tri-cone in the case that came with my '70s OMI Model 60-D for over 30 years. Fits it like a glove.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 23 Dec 2016 7:31 am

When I got my baritone weissenborn-style guitar from Larry Pogreba the case it came with was a case for a 12 string guitar with the storage box removed. Works fine. I think Noah's solution of using some kind of foam makes sense - you'd be losing the possibility of a storage box though.

Michael Lee Allen · Post by **Michael Lee Allen** » 23 Dec 2016 8:12 am

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Former Member · Post by **Former Member** » 23 Dec 2016 8:43 am

My NRP squareneck tricone came in this really nice case by Ameritage.
It's like a tank! Might be too spendy for an import reso thou.

Randy!
I enjoyed the threads you put up about my ol' pal Lenny.
Lucky for me, I knew Don(RIP), and Jason from National reso, and after years of waiting, they got me the guitar, and I only had to pay another 2K more than quoted!!
I don't think there is a better squareneck tricone in the world then a Hollowneck from NRP. Expensive, but worth it, and holds it's value.
2nd, check out Fine Resophonics in France.

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 23 Dec 2016 8:46 am

Michael -- my pleasure! Good luck with whatever you do. I love my tri-cone and have gotten a lot of miles of use out of it over the years.

For those curious, here are pics from my project. I forgot to take a "before" pic, but this one is from Musician's Friend site. They sell these "vintage style" classical cases for $79.

So, it can be done, and really works great! As always though, YMMV...

TJW

Dave Sky · Post by **Dave Sky** » 3 Jan 2017 6:58 pm

Right now you can get the Musician's Gear Deluxe Classical Guitar Case Black for $40 on Sale. I have two, both modified for my Luna Weissenborns. Case may not be as good as what Todd used, but cost half as much.

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 4 Jan 2017 7:09 am

Thanks for the heads up, Dave!