Are you in the market for a new classical guitar case? In this video Simon reviews the “Visesnut Classical Guitar Case,” which is a very popular heavy-duty flight case for classical guitars at the moment. But is it right for you? Stick around to the end and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
I bought my first Visesnut case two years ago from Richard Bruné to protect my 1980 Bruné Concert Model; it is spectacular. I travel every week with my guitar and it has visited 23 countries over the past several years. I carry the case through security, but then gate check it into the regular luggage to be picked up at the destination. I use the Visesnut “case-case” as Simon calls it, and the result is that the case itself (blue) is in perfect condition. The “case-case” has suffered some wear, so when I bought a second Visesnut case for another Bruné, Richard gave me a new “case-case” for my first Visesnut as well as one for the new case. I bought the second case because my second Bruné stays at home for some long periods and I want it well protected and humidified. The only problem with the design is that the very good latches cause some confusion with the TSA folks; this is why I carry it through security myself. I also have put a label above the center latch that says: “To open, pull up, twist to the left, and flop down.”
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Visesnut cases, Tom! (I hope you’re enjoying those wonderful Bruné guitars, by the way!) That’s a great tip about TSA — having a little label above the center latch with instructions! Thanks again.
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
I use a case from Gator Cases that I bought 4 years ago. It’s sturdy (hard shell), heavy (10.6 lbs), and does a good job of isolating the guitar from ambient humidity fluctuations. I bought my guitar at the same time, tried to play it a couple times, put it back in the case, and didn’t open again until 3 1/2 years later. Guitar is still in good condition without any holes or cracks in it. I have never traveled with my guitar so I don’t know how well it would hold up to TSA and the airlines. The current model number is GTSA-GTRCLASS and the price is about $150.
Thanks for sharing, Bob! I know of many who swear by Gator Cases, including one CGC Academy member who is also an airlines pilot and travels by plane with his all the time!
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
At about minute 8, Simon encourages sharing of experiences on cases. So, here goes…open the case and smell it. If buying online, ask the seller what the interior smells like. If the interior smells like glue, smells bitter, or toxic, don’t buy it.
I bought a guitar that came with a hard shell Crossrock. The interior of the case smelled like it was releasing neurotoxins every time I opened it. Red flag gross. I avoided breathing when taking the guitar out. There was not the sweet smell of the cedar. I left the case outside, open for months. The smell never went away. It still hasn’t after a couple of years.
A few days of off gassing from a new case would be ok.
Why do I still have this thing? Ugh. Personal growth item of the day: I’m going to get rid of the toxic case today. I was hanging on to it and using it still so I don’t have a loss guitar around the apartment. I’ll let the guitar vent and hope the toxins haven’t gotten into the wood and permanently altered the tone for the worse.
Thank you Simon. I was fretting over a case for airline travel and wondered why I would buy a case that costs a good percentage of what my guitar costs. But, yeah, no matter the cost of the guitar it is the guitar that I love so I want to do right by it!