Proper case for LP Studio?

[Joe Garfield]

I just got my first LP (modern studio)and would like a hard case for it. I tried the Gibson branded LP Modern case and found the thinner Studio body doesn’t get supported properly.

I don’t want to put a towel or whatever in there, but if there’s a case that allows access to add foam underneath the lining I’d be open to that.

TKL has the 8824 LTD which looks promising. I’d like to stay below the $300 point.

Thank you.

 

[musicmaniac]

https://reverb.com/marketplace?quer...e&make=gibson&product_type=accessories&page=1

 

[Restonmachaan]

My 2021 Studio fits perfectly in the new modern Gibson black case with no movement and contact support directly under the neck joint.. Maybe the case you tried was off spec a bit which I have encountered before. Sometimes they don't make the neck support ramp at the correct angle.

 

[judson]

i have never had a problem with multiple LPs fitting in any LP designed case...some may have limited movement but acceptable for throwing in the car for a short trip out or storing...use a small towel if you like but for shipping that needs to be secured a bit more maybe...honestly...keep it out of the case...
and play the hell out out of it!!..lol..congrats on your first!

 

[Leee]

Gibson branded LP Modern case

Not a fan of the Modern cases.
Does yours have a separate back that is sewn onto the rim?
What a cheap-ass way to build a case.

Different case, but the same problem:
Gibson hasn’t made a lot of cases specifically for a thinner Junior or Special.

When they introduced this Modern series of cases, they started making one.
So I bought it.

What a disappointment.
Not worth the money.

Like I said, the body of the case is not one piece. There’s a separate back that is sewn onto the rim.
Thin, not much padding.

Not that it’s a BAD case. It will probably work just fine for years to come.

But for the price point, and to have a Gibson logo on it, it’s a disappointment.

 

[Leee]

For the same money, you can get an Original series case. They work well.

Within the last couple years, I sold a couple of Lifton-style cases and bought far superior replacements for my Les Paul Customs.

The latest version of the chainsaw case, the Gibson Protector.

And a Hiscox.

I enthusiastically recommend them both.

Hiscox is small and light, but provides excellent protection for the guitar.
Since they come out of the UK, prices can be all over the place.
Seems like I paid $285 for mine.

 

[Leee]

my first LP (modern studio)

Dumb question:

Does the Modern Studio have a thinner body than other production Les Pauls?
I’m not familiar with that specific model.

 

[Auto Johnny]

Dumb question:

Does the Modern Studio have a thinner body than other production Les Pauls?
I’m not familiar with that specific model.

AFAIK the difference between it and some previous Studio models is the ultra modern weight relief and the carved out neck heel. From the couple I've played in shops they seem to be the same thickness as past Studios, which are about 1/8" thinner than a "full-bodied" LP.

I will add, the two I played were very heavy, considering the weight relief and thinner body. Much heavier than my chambered Studios, probably heavier than my 9 hole Trad.

 

[Leee]

Maybe it’s the smaller neck heel.
If the body is dimensionally smaller than a regular production Les Paul.

I’m just trying to figure out why it would be loose inside a regular production case.

Is it the guitar, or the case?

 

[Auto Johnny]

Maybe it’s the smaller neck heel.
If the body is dimensionally smaller than a regular production Les Paul.

I’m just trying to figure out why it would be loose inside a regular production case.

Is it the guitar, or the case?

Can't answer for OP, but I'm wondering if what they mean is a gap under the neck heel area between the case padding. Years ago I noticed this when I transported a Junior in a regular LP case. It caused the guitar to sit up at an angle due to there being less wood resting on the bottom of the case. The area of the case that cradles the neck might be cut higher for an LP with a deeper body. Just guessing though, as I've never been bothered to check.

 

[Leee]

I transported a Junior in a regular LP case.

Oh, yeah, a recipe for disaster.

I bought a Junior a couple years ago, in a soft bag, and tried it in one of my normal Les Paul cases.
Terrible.

They work great for the usual carved-top Les Paul, but not a Junior.
The thing that bothered me is the flat neck angle - instead of the 4° on a carved top, a Junior or Special is flat like a Strat.

There’s the weight and leverage of the body on one end, and the end of the neck at the nut on the other.
If the body sits down in the case, the neck will be forced up into the lid.

I didn’t like it a damned bit, which is why I was happy to see that Gibson was making a dedicated Junior/Special case.

It’s definitely better than nothing, but the Modern cases really piss me off.

 

[Joe Garfield]

Thanks for the replies.

It’s not loose in the case as in there’s no movement. There’s just a gap between the back of the guitar and the case, directly under the body where the lid puts pressure when I close it. I read that these guitars are 5mm thinner than Standards. I can fit my hand back there, and I put a towel back there and could pull it out with no resistance. I don’t have much frame of reference but it’s noticeably thinner than a 2017 LP Tribute I tried.

Sweetwater says the case is a guaranteed fit and I could see many people not noticing this. Fortunately or unfortunately I’m an engineer that notices and gets bothered by these kinds of things.

Yeah the case quality is disappointing, especially since the TKL soft case is astoundingly nice. The Gibson lining seems thin and cheap. I was expecting a little more for $200 so I do t feel bad about returning it.

I live in Hawaii and humidity in the house averages around 62%, so I feel like case life is a good idea. Good quality hardware does OK but any cheap screws or washers get rusty quick. But hardware can be replaced I guess. I do have a Zither stand and ordered the fuzzy sock from String Swing so maybe the LP will spend more time on the stand.

 

[Leee]

I’m an engineer that notices and gets bothered by these kinds of things.

Oh, hell!!!
I’ve been told all of my life that I shoulda been an engineer.

 

[Mr Hockey]

Try a Gator made Les Paul case. I have the brown one with the pink shroud. Still use it for my 2018 Gibson Les Paul Classic.

 

[Joe Garfield]

Thank you. I wanted to be thorough and try extra padding in the Gibson case. It helps, but either way the hinges and latches don’t align very well. So it’s going back today. I’ll look at the Gator case.

TKL sent me a pic of a Studio in their case and it looked too so I might just do that. I’m ok adding a layer of fur or whatever if the case is nice and the rest of the fit is good.

 

[Leee]

PRO TIP:
After your guitar sits in the case with the lid latched, open it back up and see what kind of imprint you get on the fur inside the lid.

That will give you an idea of the contact points, and how tightly the guitar fits inside.

 

[Pop1655]

Flame away, but my favorite is an Epi LP case.
Tight enough fit I think it would work.
Has for me

https://a.co/d/iPzsO5F

 

[Joe Garfield]

Thanks. Yeah I looked at the imprints, they are mostly over the fretboard, the whole length.
If I push down on the butt of the guitar, near the strap button, the body actually moves down and the whole guitar pivots on the neck support. So with the case laying flat, the body is hanging in the air supported only by friction from the fur along the sides.

But a towel fixes it, with a towel it still sits on both neck supports but the body can’t be pushed down any further.

 

[Leee]

I just got my first LP (modern studio)

You got any pics of this thing?

 

[Joe Garfield]

I sure do!