The Steel Guitar Forum

I just acquired a Gibson Century 6, the black one with silver fingerboard. Great guitar, sounds great, but no case.
Getting an original one seems like a long shot, so I'm asking what I can get to transport this one. I was looking at the new Gretsch lap steel gig bags online, but from the dimensions it looks like a pretty close fit.
Granted I could just use an old regular guitar gig bag, but I'd like something that it won't slide around in.
Any suggestions?

These make great steel cases. I have one for my old Epiphone 8 string: http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Mikes-Tacti ... B00FDWJUCO

This might do the trick:

http://www.music123.com/accessories/roa ... s&index=17

Thanks for the great ideas.
I would have never thought of an AR rifle case, brilliant!

Has anyone bought one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Morrell-TKL-B4151 ... rrell+case

Based on the dimensions it looks like it would fit.

The common G2165 Gretsch-branded (imported from Viet Nam) lap steel gig bag will fit all black and blue postwar 6-string Gibson Centuries like a glove.

I'll give the Gretsch G2165 Bag a try. Found one at Sweetwater for $29.99 w/free shipping.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/LapSteelBag

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I'll still keep my eye out on eBay and Reverb for a used Gibson case, but the Gretsch gig bag should keep it protected in the meantime.

BTW I've added a photo of my guitar that is in need of the case. All original except for the tuner buttons (they did an excellent job too). Original tuners are still working great, as are the electronics. Has the non-adjustable pole pieces on the pickup so I'm thinking around 1948?

Amazed at the sounds that comes out of these. From across the room the thing screams "come play me!". Love it.

This should keep me out of trouble for the winter months here in Michigan.

Yes, it's late 1940's. I have the same guitar, an early Century 6, black, 3 knobs, pre-P90 pickup with non-adjustable poles. I think Gibson also called this model BR-2. One of my students has the same guitar but with only 2 knobs. I think the 2-knob ones were earlier than the 3-knob ones, probably right after WWII.

Thanks Doug for the info.

Here's one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1951-Gibson-Lif ... Sw5VFWKcwd

Yes I saw that one. Looks like it was stored in a basement that flooded. Too much work to restore. Thanks for the link though.

The same seller is parting out the Gibson Lap Steel that was in this case. I guess these are worth more as parts now than as a whole. Too bad, but that's another thread.

Andrew Leonard wrote:I'll give the Gretsch G2165 Bag a try. Found one at Sweetwater...

BTW I've added a photo of my guitar that is in need of the case. All original except for the tuner buttons (they did an excellent job too). Original tuners are still working great, as are the electronics. Has the non-adjustable pole pieces on the pickup so I'm thinking around 1948?

Amazed at the sounds that comes out of these. From across the room the thing screams "come play me!". Love it.

I have three of those Gretsch gig bags for a black Century, a blue Century, and a Century Deluxe that were all purchased caseless, and Sweetwater had the best price.

Those white plastic buttons on the Kluson tuners from the late '40s and early '50s were molded from an unstable plastic and most are found disintegrated today. I've refurbished and rebuttoned several sets and those old Klusons all operate just fine.

Black Gibson Century lap steels were manufactured from late 1947 until early 1951, when the body contour was altered slightly and the color changed to dark blue. The blue model also featured the new P-90 pickup with adjustable pole pieces. As Doug stated above, the earliest black models had only a single tone control, and also a pad on the back. They were originally named the BR-2 (for Barnes & Reinecke, the Chicago industrial design and engineering firm who helped design several instruments and amplifiers for Gibson in the early postwar period).

The first black Centuries came in the same trapezoidal case as the white Ultratones. The later models used the rectangular Lifton case similar to the water-damaged unit for sale on eBay by the guitar cannibal in Utah.

I agree that the early postwar Gibson Ultratones and Centuries are among the best-sounding lap steels ever made by anyone, anywhere, at any time.

The case I ordered on Monday from Sweetwater Music was delivered this morning.



You were correct Jack, the Gretsch gig bag (G2165) fits like it was made for this guitar! Even the headstock contour is the same shape! Thank you for suggesting them.

Nice! I prefer these soft cases to the hard cases. The original case for my Century 6 has been sitting in my closet for years! I use a small tweed gig bag that came with a Rogue Jersey Lightning. I gave the Rogue to one of my students a few years ago, but I made sure to keep the case!

I have a steel that is 36" long and 11 1/2 wide can you tell me if it will fit in this gig bag
Thanks

Don't know if this Gretsch bag will "stretch" to your dimensions, but if not, I'm sure there's a ready made rifle bag that would.
I got a strong one from eBay to fit my home-made 8 string, which is about 33" long and 9" wide.
I easily shortened the bag to suit my guitar. Turn it inside out, measure and strongly sew the small end up and cut the excess off, then turn it right side out. Simple!
I payed about $18:00 for it here in UK and there are lots available "on the bay".
I might add, I'm a 75 year old retired engineer and have plenty of time to work things out and do what I need.
Regards,
Keith.

Don't know if this Gretsch bag will "stretch" to your dimensions, but if not, I'm sure there's a ready made rifle bag that would.
I got a strong one from eBay to fit my home-made 8 string, which is about 33" long and 9" wide.
I easily shortened the bag to suit my guitar. Turn it inside out, measure and strongly sew the small end up and cut the excess off, then turn it right side out. Simple!
I payed about $18:00 for it here in UK and there are lots available "on the bay".
I might add, I'm a 75 year old retired engineer and have plenty of time to work things out and do what I need.
Regards,
Keith.

My Century 6 is approximately 32-1/4" long x 8-1/2" wide, and it fits in the case with about 1/2" to 1" to spare in regards to length and width.

So I'd say yours being 36" x 11-1/2" would be to large for this case.

I have one of these lap steels (Gibson Century 6, black finish with silver fingerboard, gold control speed knobs). I would like to replace the control knobs as 2 of them are broken. I would like to use originals if possible (if available).
Does anyone have suggestions for where I might find these types of knobs for sale?
Thanks!

Walter-
Try here: http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Par ... wAodCY4INg

One other option for a lap steel gig bag is a case for an Appalachian dulcimer. I use one for my Nioma Magnatone.

I have one very similar to this, and I can even carry a little Danelectro battery amp in the case pocket.





That Gretsch case seems like a good deal too, as long as it fits your instrument.

John Rosett wrote:Walter-
Try here: http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Par ... wAodCY4INg

Thanks John!
WS

I have a case in decent shape, from the 40's I believe.
It's a hard-shell type.
9 inches wide, 32 1/4" long & 2 3/4" deep, inside dimensions. It has a compartment on each side of the area for the neck etc...
I'll sell if for a hundred bucks.

I don't have a way to post a pic, but can Email one from my camera...

One more question I have about the Gibson Century 6 is if anyone knows a good stand it can be mounted on. I don't like the height of a steel on my lap and prefer a stand, like I have with a 1959 Supro that has three legs.
Does anyone use a stand for a Century 6 they can recommend?
Thanks!
WS

Walter Seaman wrote:Does anyone use a stand for a Century 6 they can recommend?

Without question, one of these:

http://www.deluxe34.com/index.html

Thanks Jack those are nice!