Case for a Mooncaster...

[BigSteve22]

Look what I just came across on Guitar Fetish:

Body cavity measures 19.75" x 16.625", (just look at that Strat swimming in there), plenty of room for a Mooncaster, AND they're on closeout for $59! Only question is the depth, which is 2.25", but the egg crate foam in the top should allow a nice snug fit.

I just order one, thought I'd let the forum know before they are sold out. I'll post further when it arrives.

Edit: Almost forgot the link!
https://www.guitarfetish.com/OVERSIZED--XGP-Professional-Flight-Case_p_29226.html

 

[rgand]

That's a good price. I passed the link on to a friend of mine. If his guitar will fit in it, he'll definitely get one. Thanks for posting the link.

 

[BigSteve22]

Guitarfetish case came today!

As you can see, even a Mooncaster body is dwarfed by the main cavity of this thing.

It will require some modifications. The foam in the bottom of the case is MAYBE 3/16" thick. It's a resilient foam, but not sufficient to satisfy my liking. Fortunately, the depth of the top of this case is the same as the bottom, so there is ample room for embellishment. My plan is to add about 3/8" of closed cell fom to the bottom, and top that with a thicker piece cut out to match the Mooncaster's contour. This should provide protection and keep the body from moving around when carried. I will also probably need reduce the thickness of the neck support, as it seems a little high. (But this may not be necessary once the thickness of the body cavity foam is increased.)

It's not a perfect case, but seeing as how there IS no perfect case for a Mooncaster, it's pretty damned good. Especially at $59US. ($75 delivered to my door.) As Jack at GF replied regarding these cases: " We made a few thousand of these for a custom builder who made an oversized guitar- and they failed to pay for the last few hundred so we're selling them below cost." Oh, and did I mention this thing is HEAVY! Shipping weight was listed as 38Lbs. You may not want to carry it around too much, but it will protect your guitar.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that the web page for these things says they are not for guitars with tilt back head stocks. To test this, I put my Epiphone SST in the case, oversized body, tilt back headstock. Not a problem, there's about 1" between the end of the headstock and the floor of the case, and this will increase when the foam is added to the body cavity.

 

[rgand]

Looks good, Steve. The closed cell foam idea is a good one. I bought a GE electric knife just for cutting the stuff. You can also use 3M spray-on contact adhesive to hold all the pieces together. How are the latches? Airport luggage monkey proof?

 

[BigSteve22]

How are the latches? Airport luggage monkey proof?

They won't "accidentally" pop open. They are recessed, 180 degree turn, steel drawer latches, with eyes for pad locks.

 

[rgand]

How are the latches? Airport luggage monkey proof?

They won't "accidentally" pop open. They are recessed, 180 degree turn, steel drawer latches, with eyes for pad locks.

That certainly sounds like it would be secure. Thanks, I wondered about those latches.

 

[Godzooky75]

Thanks for the info!  Just ordered one for my Mooncaster. I was using a Roadrunner case that kinda fit, but didn’t inspire confidence. Also, thanks for clarifying about the tilt-back headstock (which mine has). Was confusing since their site seemed to show a guitar with a tilt-back in the case.

The only problem now is that I’ll have an empty guitar case. Hmmm.... :turtle:

 

[Cagey]

You have to build another guitar, otherwise you'll be penalized. Kinda like when you sell a house - as long as you buy another one within a reasonable length of time, you won't get nailed for capital gains. Plus, there's the whole "nature abhors a vacuum" thing.

 

[BigSteve22]

A few more pix to show the scale of this case.

Compared to an SKB Jazzmaster case:

Actually holding a Jazzmaster:

Holding an Epiphone SST Custom, (another "very difficult to find a case for" instrument):