Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

[Red_Label]

So I'm feeling like my new Les Paul Standard just might stick around a while (TIRED of playing musical chairs with guitars... want to have a "main squeeze" again and this thing has TONE!).

I've been drooling over the new Pelican-style SKB cases for over a year now -- eyeing them for one of my higher-end acoustics. But they're expensive, and more importantly... having handled Pelican gun cases before I have no doubt that they're bulky and heavy. It's got wheels and is virtually indestructible, so that's the REAL reason anyone buys these things.

On the other hand, I've really taken a shine to the Gator ATA LP-shaped case since I've been looking. Looks pretty tough, a LOT handier/lighter, and it's over $100 cheaper. Summer gigs are due to start shortly, so I want to upgrade from the slightly beat-up Gibson OHSC asap. Odds are, since I don't plan on any fly dates or whitewater rafting trips with my guitar... the Gator will be more than enough. And that's the way I'm leaning. But I just wanted to get more input here.

Pics of the SKB and Gator cases, and my LP in it's OHSC...

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

A flight case is a good investment even if your not going to be doing any fly dates. I think I was looking a SKB a while back and liked what they offer.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

The only case I ever had get damaged was a Gator - airlines can be rough. I've never had a problem with a Hiscox case. That said, I've never owned an SKB.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

The only case I ever had get damaged was a Gator - airlines can be rough. I've never had a problem with a Hiscox case. That said, I've never owned an SKB.

I've had a couple of Gator cases that were flimsier that could've been damaged if they were handled roughly. From what I'm seeing of the pics of this one though... it looks like it's pretty tough. It's got the ATA rating, so it's gotta be somewhat tough. Having said that, I'm still seriously considering the SKB because it's based on the Pelican cases that serious outdoorsmen use and those things are indestructible. The biggest turn-off for me on those (besides the price) is the weight. It's VERY thick, tough plastic. Bear-proof! Don't want no D@#M grizzly bear gettin into paw my Les Pawl dontchya know! :laughing:

 

[orpheo]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

The only case I ever had get damaged was a Gator - airlines can be rough. I've never had a problem with a Hiscox case. That said, I've never owned an SKB.

I completely agree with you. My Gator case has been rendered nearly useless after a month of touring in the US. My Hiscox looks almost new after 3 years of touring, gigging, clubbing and recording.

Hiscox for me.

 

[CTN]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

I have an SKB flightcase for my strat (the same kind that comes standard with USA strats), it's been on a couple voyages down to south america and back. The airline managed to put a small dent in a corner, but that's about it. Kept my strat in pristine condition.


If I was planning on doing heavy touring all over the place, I'd want to get one of the heavy duty flight cases with aluminum siding and those sturdy steel corners. They weigh a ton but they're nigh indestructible.

If I just needed a hardcase for weekendwarrior kinda gigging, the standard SKB/Gator offerings are fine.

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

You guys have convinced me... I'm gonna scratch my itch for the SKB. I did look-at several old school "flight cases", but this new Pelican-style looks to be every bit as tough as any of them (the plastic on it is THICK and not brittle), but a little more ergonomically friendly and they almost seem to beg you to treat 'em rough and they won't let you down. So the SKB it is!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

Good choice! Im a firm believer in SKB cases and I had heard alot of unsavory things about the gators and tried one once and was not impressed. hadnt seen that skb model, so pls do a review when you get it! Thats a flight case that you put your case into right?

The guitar is gorgeous! Dont recall seeing that one.

Never heard of Hiscox cases.. hmm

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

Good choice on the SKB I series. I have a few different hard cases - two Fenders about 20 years apart and a Music Man - and for my custom build I'm going to get the SKB I series. Yeah, it's definitely heavier than a regular case, but it also has a handle and wheels. It also has loops to let you use a padlock or two, unlike almost any case out there. I'm fine with the extra weight and size if it means my beautiful guitar never suffers from a mishap that a lesser case couldn't protect it from. And yeah, a waterproof case is probably overkill... until that one time that it isn't.

 

[Oinkus]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

I have the the SKB it is really nice !

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

Just made an offer to an ebay seller on a brand new iCase today for $175 and it was accepted. So it looks like I'll have an i3 for the LP shortly. WOOT!

 

[Wattage]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

Southwest cracked my old SKB flightcase really badly but it protected the guitar so I was thankful I had it. I have a Coffin flightcase that's worked pretty well for my LP these days, haven't flown with it in a few years though. It is kind of unwieldy too.

 

[cwebb]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

I have an skb lp case, its shaped like your standard lp case but its tough as heck! I've bumped it around alot and its been treated pretty roughly, it got scuffed up and stuff but it remains strong as ever! the only complaint I would have other than the weight like you said is the fact that its compartment is rather small, not too much room for stuff if thats a needed

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

The Gator ones are just plain not as well built as the SKBs. In fact, they are pretty pathetic IMHO. They are definitely cheaper for a reason. The SKBs are really great cases. That said, I think they are overkill for touring by van. If you aren't flying, I don't really think you will need either of the two options you listed. At a certain level of bulk and expense, you are past the point of diminishing returns, if all you are doing is traveling by auto. You might find that a standard SKB molded case is the best compromise of all factors. (Do try and get a rectangular one if you can, though, not the one that is shaped like the outline of the guitar. They offer more protection, and usually do the Tetris thing quite a bit more nicely.)

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

I got the iSeries case today and it rocks! My LP Standard fits in it very snugly (but not too snugly -- it just doesn't move around) and the neck is perfectly cradled. The case with the guitar in it is a beast, but that's why I like it. I feel like I could bowl with it and all would be fine. Couldn't be happier.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

I only have experience with Gator V SKB rack cases. SKB hands down in that category...by more than a few miles.

 

[TwofacePimp]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

You made a solid choice here! I have that Gator case from the first post, and it doesn't cradle the neck of my LP at all. I bought it to take on a tour (including plane rides) and luckily nothing happened, but I'm probably going to buy something else for the next one.

Btw hiscox cases are freakin awesome, I wish I could get a LP case from them in the US.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

that looks like a very secure fit! I assume the deep route is for storage? looks like that is plentiful and kept well away frm the axe?

 

[Red_Label]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

that looks like a very secure fit! I assume the deep route is for storage? looks like that is plentiful and kept well away frm the axe?

Yup... tons of storage space in the deep hole. And the neck is cradled perfectly. Guitar is easy to put in there, but it's snug enough so that nothing moves. Great case!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Hardshell ATA style LP cases... Gator or SKB?

Yup... tons of storage space in the deep hole. And the neck is cradled perfectly. Guitar is easy to put in there, but it's snug enough so that nothing moves. Great case!

sweet!! I will have to invest in one if I ever get to playing out anywhere