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I've been thinking of switching case vendore to Ameritage. Is the extra expense worth it? What do you get for the exta cost?

thanks, Don

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

Don, I switched from TKL last year and am very happy. So far, quality control and customer service is great. I haven't been using them long enough to speak about longevity but they certainly are sturdy and appear to be well designed to last with good handles, buckles and wear resistant edges. Look nice too. Only complaint is that they are very heavy. I asked a smallish woman about the weight recently and she said it was no problem at all. She gets her boyfriend to carry it...

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Yes in particularly if you have been paying anything near retail price for your cases. i cant by agreement tell you the luthier price for Ameritage Gold series cases but I will say that it is based on either 1-2, 3-5 or 6 or more cases per order and that even the 1-2 case order price will surprise your. MUCH less than the retail price of $400+ depending on case size Then when you figure that at no extra charge they will custom fit, and a small add-on for programing fee they will embroidery you logo on the case in multi colors if desired and to your specifications. %Then add on to that there are many case colors and interior options available like many different colors of crushed velvets, plushes or luster fabrics and hardware at very low upgrade charges. They are well worth the money and then some. Go to ameritage.com then the custom case tab to see the options. Then email Nancy Worsfold at nancyw@gwwcases.com for pricing details. They do not post luthier pricing on the website. You have to get a quote from Nancy.

Thanks for the insight. I've already been in touch with Nancy, got the pricing, etc. I'm just trying to decide whether it's worth it or not to make the switch. I'm by no means paying retail for my cases but Ameritage luthier price is still twice what I pay for custom cases.

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

Yes it is.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

???????, OK. So, what makes them so great?

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

[QUOTE=sharp_custom] Thanks for the insight. I've already been in touch with Nancy, got the pricing, etc. I'm just trying to decide whether it's worth it or not to make the switch. I'm by no means paying retail for my cases but Ameritage luthier price is still twice what I pay for custom cases.[/QUOTE]

From Whom? the reason I ask is I have bought custom cases at luthier pricing from TKL, Cedar Creek and production cases from Access at luthier pricing. Only the Access cases would be half the price of my customized Ameritage cases with custom exterior, logo, crushed velvet interior and gold hardware at the 1-2 case price. And the Access case while nice for the money is not a quarter the case the Ameritage is. That said Cedar Creek's were about 75% the price of the Ameritage and TKL's even less but not 1/2 the price and only the Cedar Creek could close to holding a candle to the Ameritage.

The way they are built the type and quantity of padding the quality of construction, the wear-ability of the exterior, the quality of materials used, The protection the case provides. Every thing that makes up a case is better IMO

I think the real savings comes from buying a large quantity. I usually order 12 cases at a time.

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

The Ameritage case is a tank!
Its quite heavy, and just looks and feels quality inside and out.
I have used Cedar Creek, TKL and Ameritage, so that is my basis on comparison.
PLUS Nancy is a gem to work with !
Tim is cool too.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I'm not whining about prices here. The only reason I ask about ameritage is because I've never seen one in person. It's hard to compare when you've never had one in front of you.

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

[QUOTE=sharp_custom] I think the real savings comes from buying a large quantity. I usually order 12 cases at a time. [/QUOTE]

Then you get the lowest possible luthier rate the 6 or more per order rate. If you by that many at a time I know for a fact that the price is great. I wished I could tell you the 6 or more discount price but as you know I can't. You will not be disappointed in the case. I personally think it is the top protection case on the market baring only maybe the Calton flight case.

Yep these things are monsters. The ultimate heavyweight champ of cases.

I think, from what I've read, that Ameritage is a good deal. They look sweet and get great reviews. I'm unhappy with my current cases because the exteriors don't hold up well. I especially like the embroidery option available with ameritage.

I'll have to ask Nancy about the quantity discount. I've only got pricing for single cases.

Thanks again for all the input. I'm beginning to see the light.

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

Absolutely. Not sure how many guys on this forum that Paul Woolson and I turned on to Ameritage, but the number is growing. The cases are fantastic, and well worth the money.

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

hey Don. You still have that Internet story about the RV that caught fire and the condition of the guitar that was in the Ameritage case in that RV? That was the thing that convinced me to give Ameritage a try.

A heads up on the discount. You have to order 6 cases that are identical in every way. Same model, color, bindings etc.
Don't ask me how I know this

This batch did not qualify

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

My current cases are blue crushed Velvet on navy blue exterior with burgandy piping, but I orderd a Hausser Sr classical case for a client with burgandy exterior, Burgandy piping and green crushed velvert interior. Wow!!!! what a looker. My cases for next year will be that combo.

Thanks!

Michael: I did read that story some time ago. Thanks for reminding me!!

Lance: Thanks for the photo and the heads up. those cases are beautiful. Even the hardware looks nice.

Alright, I'm sold. I'd better start filling out the measurements form.

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

What's their typical turn around time on custom cases?

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Don Sharp
Got Brazilian?
http://www.sharpguitars.com

Check with Nancy on that. But I think six weeks. But dont quote me.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

6-8 weeks, 6 tends to be typical for me

I just got my first shipment of Ameritage cases and I am impressed too. They come with a humidity control system built in and that even includes a digital himidity meter. I got mine custom colored in blue exterior and blue interrior too. The first thing you will notice is how much larger they are than a normal hardshell case. They have twice the padding and the fit of the guitar is like a glove. Working with Nancy to get these was a dream.

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Reguards,

Ken H

How do they compare to Calton cases? I see the fabric exterior, and I can't help thinking they must get pretty beat up looking if you travel by air plane etc. a lot. And how does the rest of the case handle that kind of rough treatment?

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

Different critters!! Calton cases are fiberglass shells. intended for air travel. The Ameritage is Crdoba fabric. The Ameritage case is suitable for air travel and will afford the internals pretty much just as much protection as a Calton, but the exterior would be more susceptible to luggage handler abuse than the fiberglass of a Calton.