The Calder Guitar Case Story Ch 7 Other Noteworthy Cases
Sadly I have become a total guitar case geek. Hours surfing the darkest corners of the web, more hours trawling vast trade shows constantly seeking possible competition and maybe some inspiration...am I taking this all a little too seriously perhaps? Life a little out of balance?...surely not.
Nothing is really new - nothing comes out of thin air - and I want to give respect where it's due. So here are the case makers that have in some way inspired, challenged or just irritated me.
BAM CASES
The very French and very elegant BAM HiTech violin case This is sleek, very light and very strong - the suspension system is elegant and the whole thing just put together so well. BAM are really into good materials - read the site for details. And some of their latest designs have the most completely cool matt black soft touch rubber overmoulding. [maybe I have a case of case fetish coming on] Expensive - yes - I paid over $450 for the violin case (and then pulled it apart to see how it was made). And they're tough I've seen one of their cello cases that was run over by a baggage tractor - and the cello survived.
BAM's design approach is different to mine - the top range cases are deeply elegant - but like classical music they seems highbrow and intellectual - apart from that black rubber they don't really grab me.
INCASE TOUR BAG
It seems like Incase also took a right hand brain approach to their super gig bag design. They worked with musicians to make a case that had every bell and whistle going. Removable laptop case, yellow rain cover, ultra high quality ruc sac strap system - the specs are impressive. They've beefed up the protection as well with a mix of foam and hard sheet material. After a lot of checking out I'm a little underwhelmed by the protection - better than most but could be better. Expensive too - $199 - but they've got rave reviews and they are a benchmark - the Calder gig bag will be better of course.
The design philosophy seems to have been pretty well focussed on function - yes it well made with good materials but does it move me? Do I want to touch it ? Would I feel good about owning one - well not really.
CALTON GUITAR CASES
The big grandaddy case - the one you for your vintage Strat that you can check in and feel sure its safe. Not only that but it will still be in tune when you take it out. Hand made, custom fitted to individual guitar shapes, solid fibre glass, made is loads of colours. Expensive $700+. From user feedback the only downside is weight and bulk.
PEGASUS GUITAR CASES
Made in my old home town of Pitlochry, Scotland - something about the Highland air makes people turn to microniche products? I haven't seen one in the flesh but reports are these are as strong as Calton but lighter and less bulky. The also come in some pretty yummy finishes. Also hand made in fibre glass. A tartan lining is available as an option - irritating as I had thought of that as well.
Calton and Pegasus come from much the same design philosophy - make it strong as hell, make it last for ever, give great personal service.
I'm going for all of that - the Calder Original guitar case will be as strong but without the weight and with less bulk. Calton and Pegasus are in the same mould as traditional guitar makers - making high quality products using a lot of hand work. I have total respect for that way of working - done well it is up with the best.
We're taking a different route - investing in design, high performance materials and tooling to take guitar case design a big step on - better performance, exciting new shapes, lower environmental impact, competitive price,
The challenge for Calder Originals is to give cases made with industrial processes that sense of integrity that hand made products have. My ambition is to create a case that gives guitarists peace of mind that their instrument is safe and also the pleasure of owning something distinctive and pleasing to the eye.
categories: early development
Calder blog homepage
Calder website homepage
Nothing is really new - nothing comes out of thin air - and I want to give respect where it's due. So here are the case makers that have in some way inspired, challenged or just irritated me.
BAM CASES
The very French and very elegant BAM HiTech violin case This is sleek, very light and very strong - the suspension system is elegant and the whole thing just put together so well. BAM are really into good materials - read the site for details. And some of their latest designs have the most completely cool matt black soft touch rubber overmoulding. [maybe I have a case of case fetish coming on] Expensive - yes - I paid over $450 for the violin case (and then pulled it apart to see how it was made). And they're tough I've seen one of their cello cases that was run over by a baggage tractor - and the cello survived.
BAM's design approach is different to mine - the top range cases are deeply elegant - but like classical music they seems highbrow and intellectual - apart from that black rubber they don't really grab me.
INCASE TOUR BAG
It seems like Incase also took a right hand brain approach to their super gig bag design. They worked with musicians to make a case that had every bell and whistle going. Removable laptop case, yellow rain cover, ultra high quality ruc sac strap system - the specs are impressive. They've beefed up the protection as well with a mix of foam and hard sheet material. After a lot of checking out I'm a little underwhelmed by the protection - better than most but could be better. Expensive too - $199 - but they've got rave reviews and they are a benchmark - the Calder gig bag will be better of course.
The design philosophy seems to have been pretty well focussed on function - yes it well made with good materials but does it move me? Do I want to touch it ? Would I feel good about owning one - well not really.
CALTON GUITAR CASES
The big grandaddy case - the one you for your vintage Strat that you can check in and feel sure its safe. Not only that but it will still be in tune when you take it out. Hand made, custom fitted to individual guitar shapes, solid fibre glass, made is loads of colours. Expensive $700+. From user feedback the only downside is weight and bulk.
PEGASUS GUITAR CASES
Made in my old home town of Pitlochry, Scotland - something about the Highland air makes people turn to microniche products? I haven't seen one in the flesh but reports are these are as strong as Calton but lighter and less bulky. The also come in some pretty yummy finishes. Also hand made in fibre glass. A tartan lining is available as an option - irritating as I had thought of that as well.
Calton and Pegasus come from much the same design philosophy - make it strong as hell, make it last for ever, give great personal service.
I'm going for all of that - the Calder Original guitar case will be as strong but without the weight and with less bulk. Calton and Pegasus are in the same mould as traditional guitar makers - making high quality products using a lot of hand work. I have total respect for that way of working - done well it is up with the best.
We're taking a different route - investing in design, high performance materials and tooling to take guitar case design a big step on - better performance, exciting new shapes, lower environmental impact, competitive price,
The challenge for Calder Originals is to give cases made with industrial processes that sense of integrity that hand made products have. My ambition is to create a case that gives guitarists peace of mind that their instrument is safe and also the pleasure of owning something distinctive and pleasing to the eye.
categories: early development
Calder blog homepage
Calder website homepage
posted by Nick CC at
8:23 PM
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