How to Build a Guitar Case

First off I decided to build this because i was tired of carrying my precious Les Paul around in a stupid gigbag afraid that I would run it into a wall or something and crack the headstock. So I built a heavy duty plywood guitar case that would hopefully protect my guitar in the case of me slamming it against something.

P.S. This is my first instructable!!!

Step 1 Gather tools and materials

ok so gather all the tools and supplies you need for your build. This will make your build much faster and hopefully keep you from losing your mind.

Required tools.

Drill
circular saw
staple gun
screwdriver
hot glue gun
hammer
jigsaw

Optional tools.

pliers
fabric scissors
paint brush


Supplies.

Plywood
screws
nails
glue
mod podge (a type of glue mostly used for collages) i found some at walmart
hot glue
staples
styrofoam (either contractor boards or great stuff)
fabric
newspaper
hinges
latches
metal corners
handle
cardboard

I was able to find most of these supplies at a new home build up the street. Contractors throw away EVERYTHING.

Comments

[stsohonis]

1/2" ply is too heavy- overkill, actually. 1/4" should suffice, as long as some kind of solidwood runners are used to lock down the joints-- I just finished a sweet pedalboard this way using rabbet joinery between 3/4" alder sticks and 1/4" ply. It worked out really nice and I think, though the joints wouldn't be quite as elegant, it could be done just as sturdily with butt-joint construction and 1/4" runner sticks if you clamp it up right.

All the same, muchas gracias for the tutorial as the interior elements have intimidated me and you really lay it out well here. nice collage finish too!

[Wasagi]

This is great! I love the look of the case. I've been needing a solid case for my basses, and I've been avoiding dishing out $120 for a lower-end case, but this is irresistible, great job!

[guitarfan]

is it possible to make one with a 5/8 board because its not that thin and is cheapper than 1/2 inch board

[Wasagi]

It would probably be a bit sturdier.

[guitarfan]

are guibson les paul the same size as epiphone les paul??

[abadfart]

yes actual the epiphone one is just a replica of the gibson becaus its there economy line like fender and squier

[WilhelmFink]

That looks great!
I'm not going to steal this idea & use for any case I buy in the future, promise :D

[Glockenator]

Did you make sure you put a little pad under the neck joint?

[Tux_Fan]

Yes. I did. Its made of blue high density insulation foam.

[stormlander]

Great project! What is the fabric you used for the lining? Greetings, Max!

[Tux_Fan]

I used the fabric from a microfiber couch cover. This was an ultra low budget case. I think I spent less than 20 to make it.

[remzparadise]

great thing but try using MDF its a kind of paper wood its pretty resistent and also cheap and is not heavy but water screw it.so you must use a waterproof skin on it but even so its cheaper.

[Tux_Fan]

I thought about it but I already had the plywood so it was the cheapest option.

[xSphinx]

perhaps you could turn this into some kind of guitar case / mini amp beast type thing (since you have an electric and I plan on making one for my acoustic).
I dunno, it could be cool if done right.

[aritoner]

 this was a nice one i liked it

[Tux_Fan]

I am thinking about building another one if I get time this summer. This one is a bit heavy for all of the places i take my guitar. Although it is so strong that I have stood on it with my guitar in it. The other things i would implement would be better foam support, a pick holder and a place to put stuff. I get alot of people that ask me about this case.

[zourza]

 what year is your les paul?

[Tux_Fan]

Its a 97 studio. Very nice if I do say so myself.

[zourza]

 very nice! i love les pauls. i managed to get my hands on a '54 gold top. definitely one of the nicest guitars i've ever played.

[fancypenguin845]

is cool theyr like 100 bucks this saves me alot of money

[capt. caveman]

I should of found this years ago I broke the headstock to my acoustic while it was in a gig bag. it fell down when I set on the flat side of a wall. I glued back and sounds damn near perfect

[Tux_Fan]

Thanks you cant tell from the pictures but there is a neck support attached to the piece that holds the body in place. Also i wanted a nice big open space at the top to put books in for music lessons and such. So far it has held up great and a guy i know wants to give some brush on polyurethane just to make the finish a little harder even though it is quite durable as is.

[snowpenguin]

If you want somebody to see your comments, press reply a the bottom of their's.

[Tux_Fan]

My guitar case has faired well from twice weekly trips to band practice and lessons. There are some things i would change if i were to build another one. the outer coating of newspaper has faired VERY well however mod podge becomes like glue again if it gets wet and I was thinking I should put some coating over the mod podge so it not get tacky again. Any ideas.

[Tux_Fan]

Just an update. USE thin plywood. I used 1/2 inch and it is really really heavy. The case it self weighs around the same weight of the guitar which is a les paul one of the heaviest guitars in the world.

[Brock Samson]

Wow dude, thanks! I have been looking for an Instructable on how to make one of these for a while. Nice to see that you have taken the time to share one with us. Cheers!

[abadfart]

nice i have the same problem i also found a pedalbox

[Tux_Fan]

Please remember to vote and rate. Thanks

[Tux_Fan]

yea i used 1/2 inch ply wood but even 3/8 or 1/4 would have been fine if i reinforced the corners

[Vintiquities]

I like it. I think being a little heavy is a good trade off for the protection it provides such a cool guitar. I made a combo music/guitar stand as my first Instructable maybe you could get some use out of that idea, don't know. I love guitar related Instructables. Keep rockin! And Instructing.

[spike shadows (secret agent man)]

Very very good ible. The only thing I could think to add is some type of support for the neck. Constructed in the same manner as the foam supporting the body. Maybe a pocket for strings and such?