The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello dear steel players and steel lovers,

Kevin Hatton is building a case for my fender dual pro and his question to me is:
'Do you prefer to have your guitar sitting upside down in the case so
that the leg sockets are easily accessable, or would you like to have the
guitar right side up in the case. The upside down down feature nakes the
case about 2" thicker because I raise the guitar off the bottom of the case
for protection. Your choice.'

eeh... what is the best option?
I have a lot of gig's comming up in all kind of obscure places and I want to be able to pack and unpack my gear quick. So the upside sounds the best option to me. But this is my first dualneck/legs steelgitar and I do not know the best option.

Hope somebody can give me some advice.

Thanks,
Marco (the netherlands)

I have a Fender Dual six and a Stringmaster D8. The D6 has a right side up case and the D8 has a upside down case. Both are original Fender cases. I much prefer the upside down configuation for exactly the reasons Kevin states. There is much less chance of the guitar falling over or accidentally dropping it with the upside down configuration as well.

Kevin has done some work for me in the past and is a great guy to work with.

Rich

Marco,Welcome to the forum,from Alabama. YOU BETCHA,DYK?BC.

If you get the case where the steel is upside down, make sure there is absolutely NO CONTACT and NO TOUCHING of the case on the tuning keys. If the guitar rests on the tuning keys, or they get bumped around too much, THEY WILL CRACK OFF THE TUNING PAN/KEYHEAD! Then you have to unstring it, resolder them with a torch, and restring.

Been there, done that. Lots of fun.

Kevin,

As you say done right, it's a good set up. Better I think that a stock Fender up side right case where there is no padding on top of the guitar. If it is dropped on the heyhead end or top of the case, same deal as a poorly made up side down case.

Kevin Hatton knows his stuff and that guitar won't move in that case and will be well supported. He is a pro.

Thank you all.
I'll think it will be upside down. it is also easier to connect the legs in that way.

(but I still like to see my baby's face when she's in het bed .

Thanks again,

marco

Rich, You're right about those old fender cases. They don't have squat for padding on top. I gotta put a rolled up t-shirt top of my strings so the keys don't get beat up. I'm probably gonna have Mr. Hatton build me a case as well in the near future.

I do the folded up hand towel thing. I use them in blaceface era Fender Strat/Tele cases too! Hotels must love me

The Champ and Deluxe 6 & 8 cases are even worse.

Marco Deijmann wrote: (but I still like to see my baby's face when she's in het bed .

It depends what kind of mood I'm. Sometimes I like to see her.........well, you know!

Most lap steel cases were not a very good fit. Even my New Yorker flops around in the case if there is no padding added. Rickenbacher cases, same thing. It's almost like the case manufacturers never laid eyes on a guitar.