A case for a Warmoth VIP

Rick

Epic Member
Messages
6,558
I looked for a case that would fit my VIP, and wound up modifying one which worked out pretty good. 
Here's the saga.
The first thing to note is the size and weight of the guitar.
Weight: 7 Lbs 15.5 Oz. (Hollow Body)
Lower Bout: 13" (all measurements could be off by 1/4 inch, and are as close as I can tell, but they are more or less accurate)
Waist: 8 5/8"
Upper Bout: 11"
Body Length: 18.5"
Body depth, including a Gotoh Wrap around bridge: 2 7/8"
Body has a contoured heal
Total Guitar Length: 38"
Neck Pocket Angle: ~2 degrees
Tilt Back Headstock (Vortex) Angle: ~13 degrees

All of this geometry adds up up to it being like a mix of a strat, an ES-335 and a PRS, mostly PRS. 

So I tried a PRS case by Gator, but the headstock bumped into the back of the case.  I tried a strat case, and a tele case but the lower bout was too big.  The 335 was too deep; I tried a jazz master case and it had the same issue as the PRS case.  I then tried a gig bag, but the body including the bridge was too thick ... what to do ... (I'll say one thing, it's definitely not a PRS, it's its own thing)  I think the gator prs might have worked if I had a fender headstock.

Short of making my own ... modify something close.

I perused the Gator, SKB, TKL and Sweetwater websites.  Wanted something that was not too deep, so that would be between 3.5 and 4 inches deep (remember need to accommodate the angle so that the fretboard is flat when it meets the case lid), then needs to be at least 15 inches wide in the lower bout so that the padding is at least an inch wide , long enough to hold the entire guitar, and a body size of at least 20 inches to accommodate some padding at the top of the body cavity.  Also, less than 46 inches overall externally so it would fit in my closet.

So ordered the Ibanez EP100C from sweetwater which is designed for the Steve VAi EP Euphoria Series Acoustic.
Internal Dimensions
Body L: 23
Body Depth: 3.75 
Lower Bout: 16
Upper Bout: 12.25
Overall Length: 43
Cost: 130 (140 minus 10 in something called bonus bucks.  Bought a Music Nomad Cradle)

Then I needed to pick the padding and saw (thanks to google) that the army ships guns in polyethylene foam containers.  I looked at a 1.7 pcf crush weight.  Sort of midrange on the softer side, but not the softest, so I got a 3 x 15 x 22 sheet on ebay for $20.  Polyethylene is good because you can recycle it and it's inert.

Next I needed glue, so I used my wife's craft glue, 3M 90 spray contact cement, about $10 worth.  A big can is $20.  It's a glue that doesn't melt polyethylene.

Then I saw that Joann's fabric had faux fur.  So headed over there.  The only way I can describe it, is that my local Joann's is staffed by the coolest, sweetest best rocker chicks you could meet.  I described what I wanted to do, and they said let me take care of you, and they showed me premium black velvet, made from Rayon in Korea.  I said I was thinking about fur, or felt, and they said the felt could be rough and fur hard to handle and the low-end velvet not sturdy enough.  The premium velvet is good because the rayon is also inert, responds well to glue, is durable and relatively easy to drape.  I bought a yard, and it was on sale for ... yes $20.

So went home and started  cutting and drapping and sculpting the polyethylene, and here are the results.  I'll dig them out of my phone and post them after I post this.
I'm really happy with the results.  I used the knife to sculpt the foam into shape, and on two of the neck ramps, and the lid pad,. I used a hammer to pound the high parts of the foam (after wrapping with velvet) to make the neck wind up being perfectly flat when it was resting in the guitar. Of course, pound before you glue into the case. Install one pad at a time starting with the bottom.



 
 
 

Attachments

  • VIP Case Case.png
    VIP Case Case.png
    659.4 KB · Views: 53
  • vip case pad on lid2.png
    vip case pad on lid2.png
    619.3 KB · Views: 45
  • vip case pad on lid to hold in place.png
    vip case pad on lid to hold in place.png
    701.6 KB · Views: 54
  • VIP Front case.png
    VIP Front case.png
    680 KB · Views: 51
  • VIP Case used wire as template.png
    VIP Case used wire as template.png
    756.5 KB · Views: 48
  • VIP Case w kinife.png
    VIP Case w kinife.png
    798.1 KB · Views: 50
  • vip case Foam1.png
    vip case Foam1.png
    713 KB · Views: 48
  • VIP Case foam at top.png
    VIP Case foam at top.png
    727.5 KB · Views: 60
  • vip case cutting foam for top.png
    vip case cutting foam for top.png
    661.1 KB · Views: 55
  • vip case close up of neck joint area.png
    vip case close up of neck joint area.png
    663.4 KB · Views: 58
More files ...
 

Attachments

  • VIP Case Foam Cut 1.png
    VIP Case Foam Cut 1.png
    2.6 MB · Views: 60
  • VIP Case w bottom installed and now making pads for ramp to level the neck.png
    VIP Case w bottom installed and now making pads for ramp to level the neck.png
    716 KB · Views: 54
  • vip case level yes.png
    vip case level yes.png
    542.5 KB · Views: 52
  • Vip case Second Ramp Pad.png
    Vip case Second Ramp Pad.png
    704.5 KB · Views: 48
  • vip case ramps installed one more to go.png
    vip case ramps installed one more to go.png
    637.1 KB · Views: 52
  • vip case pads installed.png
    vip case pads installed.png
    528.7 KB · Views: 50
  • VIP case neck holder.png
    VIP case neck holder.png
    503.7 KB · Views: 57
  • vip case in its new home.png
    vip case in its new home.png
    401.9 KB · Views: 59
  • vip case neck right horn.png
    vip case neck right horn.png
    416.5 KB · Views: 52
  • vip case neck.png
    vip case neck.png
    186.3 KB · Views: 98
Beautiful job! I'm impressed! About how much time do you suppose you put into it? Would you do it again?
 
Total time once I got thru the cases that flunked ... about 10 hours total spread over two weeks.  And I learned something and made  something.    Would I do it again?  I dunno I suppose yes.  if I didn’t find a case, but my next build will be a strat so no case issues there.  It’s actually easy.  It’s good enough for an amateur.  We’ll see how it holds up after 6 months of lugging around.  Anyway it was a good wholesome distraction ...
 
After more than a year and admittedly few gigs, the case is still going strong. Customization method approved
 
Last edited:
Thanks for sharing this info. With the recent arrival of my custom VIP body and Warmoth neck that I ordered back in July, I want to have a case before I continue with the build to keep it from getting damaged. Compared to my other Warmoth's (strats and a tele), the VIP is substantial.
 
Last edited:
I might try one of these cases:
case.jpg

SKB 3i-4214-5B-L iSeries 4214-5 Waterproof Case with Layered Foam​

  • Interior Length:42.5"
  • Interior Width:14.5"
  • Interior Depth:5.5"
 
That looks good, probably indestructible, and water proof. For me the logic was I have finite storage place, and wanted to get something that would fit in my guitar storage area so, sturdy enough to be thrown in a car, something that was less than 44" tall externally, and less than 5 inches thick externally. I think it's like 4 inches thick, I'm pretty sure they don't make the case I modified anymore, but there's got to be something similar. Though, if you're looking for robust protection, the 4214 will have you covered. I think SKB makes a PRS that might work, not sure though.

Also, I think Ibanez makes hollow body electric cases that might work with modification.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top