The Steel Guitar Forum

I am very fortunate to live in NC near Hugh. I needed to reduce the weight of my gear and weighed (no pun intended) my options carefully.

I decided to go with a split case using a Tactical Shotgun soft case and have Hugh build me a case for the guitar only.

Hugh asked me to take a few simple measurements of the guitar and built me a case that fits my Carter like a glove. And it only weighs 12 lbs shaving 5 lbs off the weight of the original case.

Hugh's attention to detail and craftsmanship are superb. If you need a new case you can't go wrong with one of his cases.

Ollin, that's a beautiful case! Smartly reinforced on those long edges.

Do you setup and breakdown the steel with the case on your seat? Looks like a great solution.

I'm a fan of the tac. shotty case for pedal bar, legs and rods. That's all you need, and it weighs next to nothing.

Looks very well made. Are the latches and corners riveted ?

Beautiful!

Bob

All the hardware is riveted with the exception of the handle. The handle is fastened with stainless steel screws and nuts in case it ever needs to be replaced.

There is less than an 1/8" of play anywhere inside the case. There is a small pad on both ends of the hinge side of the case. That gives a little extra cushion when you set the case on it's side like a suitcase.

It's truly a custom fitted case.

That is fantastic ! The ones that use those little wood screws don’t hold up.

Hugh uses rivets in his construction. This is really important to case robustness. His cases are super. He made a set of split cases for my Sho-Bud and it fits perfectly. My back is much happier.

Hugh made a set for my Wilcox with the herring bone finish. They are beautiful inside and out and very well constructed.
Dick

I've built several cases over the years. First one was late 70's for my 71 PP Emmons. I got the case hardware from Bruce Zumsteg (I was living in KC at the time) and Bruce saw my build and wanted me to make cases for him, but I didn't want to get in the case business. Last one, about 5 years ago, was a 2 piece set for my Franklin. I used split rivets on all the corners and angle braces. I used T-Nuts and screws for the handles. I did screw in the hinges and catches and I'm glad I did as the luggage style catches I originally used didn't work out and I had to replace them with standard catches.

I used 3/8" Baltic Birch for the wood.

Beautiful craftsmanship Hugh

Beautiful craftsmanship

Thank you for those kind words guys. Thank you Ollin for the order. I could not have built it without your help. Can't wait to go see your band and hear that Carter U12.
Thank you all for your business.

Hugh

Hugh builds a high quality case for sure and is one of the best to work with! Great person!!

Thanks Johnny. Right back at you. Still can figure out how you play that steel barefooted.

Hugh

Hugh makes great cases, use them all the time.

Hugh built mine for my Emmons and I love them!

Absolute best in the business. I have two, and plan on getting at least two more. Tommy......

Thank you guys for all the comments. I appreciate the business and the friendships along the way. Without you guys I could not enjoy my work. Keep on pickin'...

I had Hugh make me a split case for my Emmons five years ago and it still is doing it's job of protecting my guitar AND saving my back!

I had Hugh make me a split case for my Emmons five years ago and it still is doing it's job of protecting my guitar AND saving my back!

I am not taking any orders for cases at this time. I no longer can get the hardware I need to continue to build them. Thanks to all my customers who have ordered from me over the years. Hopefully the supply and demand chain will catch up soon. At that point I will re-evaluate the situation. Thank you and keep on pickin'

Hugh Briley