Is A Double Support for the Neck Necessary In A Guitar Case?

[AlnicoV]

I am looking at cases for a Les Paul. Most of them on the market only have a single neck support rather than double neck support. Now I am talking about two supports for one neck, not a double neck guitar. I would like to know if double neck supports are necessary. For example many have single support for the neck but if you pay more for an authentic Gibson case you will have two supports for the neck. Epiphone cases have one support.

I do see that Rondo Music has a bunch of cases and all have single neck support except for one that has a double neck support. The double support case is only a little more so it's affordable but I am still curious if single neck support is suffice. Logically I would think double supports would be better but if most cases are single support, maybe the design of single support will do.

Thanks in advance for your input on this.



James Alnico

 

[dave74]

Re: Is A Double Support for the Neck Necessary In A Guitar Case?

Not needed IMO. How often are our cases laying flat anyways, other than when we lay them down to take the guitar out.
Most people store them on their side with the guitar basically in playing position, or vertically to save even more space in our cramped gear-laden music rooms.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Is A Double Support for the Neck Necessary In A Guitar Case?

IME, yes it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you purchase a case with a double neck support.

The factory case for my '59 Historic LP came with a single neck support and it allowed the guitar to move around. All my other LPs had the dual support. I went and got the newer version of the Custom Shop case and it is much better.

If you are moving your guitar around a lot, I might take a look at one of the SKB i-cases. They are spendy and they are big, but they offer a lot of protection.

Bill

 

[AlnicoV]

Re: Is A Double Support for the Neck Necessary In A Guitar Case?

dave, what you say makes sense because it's on the side when not in use. So maybe double neck support isn't necessary. Boogie Bill also has a good argument for double supports under the neck. I don't travel around with the guitar tho so it's not as imperative for a double support since it won't be moving around a lot. But I do like the idea of extra support.

I'm on a budget although a cheap case will defeat the purpose of a case. Your SKB case is a good recommendation Boogie Bill. I have an SKB case for a Strat and it's very cool and sturdy.

Now what about this? Rondo Music, $70 plus shipping. Looks sturdy and from the pic has a double support for the neck AS WELL AS a shroud to say the least. Shrouds aren't necessary but it's a nice touch.

http://www.rondomusic.com/product8209.html

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Is A Double Support for the Neck Necessary In A Guitar Case?

Not entirely relevant, but my SG case, I throw lots ( but not too much) of bubble wrap under the headstock. As an aside, I have seen people bust headstocks with too much padding under the headstock and when the case gets closed- SNAP!

 

[dave74]

Re: Is A Double Support for the Neck Necessary In A Guitar Case?

Yeah my post had no regard for actual road-usage. I've been a novice so long I don't even think in terms of actually playing out lol.
I'm sure Boogie Bill is right-on for real roading.

And as MetalManiac attest you can use about anything (cloth or wrap, foam) to act as a gap-filler if it's got too much wiggle-room.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Is A Double Support for the Neck Necessary In A Guitar Case?

IMO, it doesn't make much a difference. If either guitar case encounters something serious enough to actually break the neck, you're gonna be screwed either way. Get the dual one if you can afford it. But over all, worry less about neck supports and more about getting a well made case by a reputable brand like G&G, TKL, or SKB, as opposed to something carried by budget retailers like Rondo music, GFS, etc. With guitar cases, you really do get what you pay for.

I would just go for a TKL arched-top Les Paul case. They made the Gibson cases for many years (maybe they still do). Choose Premier (7825 – about $140) for a single support, or Prestige (8825 – about $175) for dual supports. If your Lester is a flat top (Junior, Special, etc.), you'll have to track down a 7824 (Premier) or 8824 (Prestige), which unfortunately have proven more and more difficult to find in recent years.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Is A Double Support for the Neck Necessary In A Guitar Case?

My new Epi case has storage under the neck and supports the neck
Up to the 5th fret or maybe the 3rd

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Is A Double Support for the Neck Necessary In A Guitar Case?

IME, yes it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you purchase a case with a double neck support.

The factory case for my '59 Historic LP came with a single neck support and it allowed the guitar to move around. All my other LPs had the dual support. I went and got the newer version of the Custom Shop case and it is much better.

If you are moving your guitar around a lot, I might take a look at one of the SKB i-cases. They are spendy and they are big, but they offer a lot of protection.

Bill

BS.

If the guitar is moving around a lot in the case it's because the body doesn't fit snugly to the case. You don't want (at least I don't want) the guitar body to be supported by the neck within the case. The neck support (whether just 1 or 2) just keeps the neck from moving up and down to keep the head and tuners from hitting on the side of the case.

The reason some cases have 2 neck supports is NOT to provide better protection, but to provide a very neat storage area between them.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Is A Double Support for the Neck Necessary In A Guitar Case?

I just go for snug cases. Usually the neck support spans several frets, so I never really thought about it. I only have the cases flat when I take the guitar out of the case anyway.