Hiscox Cases

Jon

These Lite Flight Pro II cases have been my go-tos for years, and - touch wood - in all those years flying with many different guitars, I've never had a break, a disturbance, a spillage, or a crack. Lately though, I've noticed something really annoying about these otherwise wonderful cases. I've noticed that the aluminium (?) seams open up, and stay open - i.e. the case can't be properly tightly shut anymore. This has happened around the headstock area, and then recently, after a flight, I noticed it had happened around the upper bout of the case carrying my Favino. I've taken a case back to the shop where I bought it after one such incident (with a case only a few months old), and was told that because the case had obviously been on a plane (prominent fragile sticker) it's warranty was voided and they would not be replacing it. Note here that it's a flight case - and a "pro" case - the warranty of which is voided by flying.

I understand that things in transit can be subjected to less than ideal forces; that that is the point; and that the fact that my case is broken, and not my guitar, is probably a good thing, as one costs a lot less, and is more readily replaceable than the other. However, as one of the stated benefits of these cases is to help protect the guitar from changes to humidity and temperature through a tight seal against the outside world, then they become essentially a very expensive single use item, at least to the full extent of their intended purpose. This has happened with a few of my cases, and to the cases of friends of mine.

Anyone with similar experiences/frustrations/similarly priced and functioning alternatives?

I don't want to rag on the cases, as I really do think they do an empirically excellent job of protecting the guitar against blunt force trauma, crushing and piercing, but I'd like something that offers the protection from the elements (remember, your guitar could also be stuck on a rainy/snowy/sunny runway for a while, and having leaks in the case is going to mean a ruined guitar) that Hiscox advertises for more than just one short, uneventful flight.

Jon

Bob Holo

Somewhere between Portland and Oahu, a hole the size of a thumb got poked in my new Calton. When I think of how hard you would have to hit that case with a sharp metal or stone object to poke a hole in it... Grrrr.... I mean, that case weighs 16lbs without a guitar in it. It's a beast. Hitting it with a hammer wouldn't put a hole in it... unless it was a big hammer and you were swinging as if your life depended on it. I can't (or more accurately, I don't want to) imagine the kind of blatant unmitigated irresponsible abuse that caused the hole... but I'm glad the guitar was in a good case.

Jazzaferri

Glad to hear your guitar survived @Bob Holo. Hopefully they will compensate you for the case.

It never ceases to amaze me what they can do to luggage.

wim

Hey Jon, you probably already noticed but the white Hiscock that sammy got for his Mateos was also opening up at the seams. I guess it's a common problem?!

Did you mention at the shop that it is literally called a flight case? What did they say to that?

Anyway, you already know my opinion on this stuff, don't check guitars at all. Take a soft bag and bring it in the cabin. I've flown all over the world this way without issue

Bob Holo

Jazzaferri wrote: »

Hopefully they will compensate you for the case.

Nah.. I didn't even inquire about compensation. I just exclaimed "Those F*ers!" to which my wife said: "Shh.. we're in public". Airlines seem to have improved a bit in the past few years, but my view of them is still fundamentally that they are the opposition in a chess match of guitar destruction. ;-)

As for the original question... sorry about the case, Jon. For airline travel, I'd use a true flight case or go Wim's route.

My definition of a true flight case is something that is made of thick rigid epoxy impregnated fiberglass or carbon cloth to protect against piercing, with multiple layers of thick multi-density foam in excess of 1.5 to 2" to absorb shock, and neck & headstock support to immobilize stress points. Tour cases (Anvil etal.) are fantastic obviously, but impractical for anything other than a full concert tour supported by a logistics contractor. Calton, Hoffee, BAM are my preference for flight cases, in that order. I think Michael identified a good sub-thousand dollar flight case manufacturer. I don't know if he's been able to establish a distribution deal with them. My fingers are crossed though, as I need a few more, and getting a handful of Caltons would cost "used car money"

Jazzaferri

Trying to remember the name of the carbon fibre manufacturer that guarantee the instrument. They are over a grand though.

spud

its a "flight" case not a "flights" case ....
have you tried contacting hiscox directly? it seems absurd that flying voids the warranty

Jazzaferri

My memory seems to have returned. I believe at least a few Years ago Karua guaranteed the instrument and case from the airlines case wrecking crews.

Most cases are not built to withstand the ultimate travails of airline travel.

Al Watsky

When the aluminum valance on the Hiscox is bent by impact you have to attempt to bend it back, which is quite a trick. Hiscox cases are great. I toured constantly with one for 5 years. Still have it . I would repair it after each tour. Epoxy the shell back together, and other wise bashed it back into shape. I also take the precaution of layering duct tape on the bottom the full length of the case , as much as the case will hold . That way when the latches are broken or holes punched I have tape handy to hold it together to get me to the next gig. Taping the latches shut helps cut down on bent and broken latches as well. Hiscox is the bang for the buck winner. Calton is my love hate case . Love the case hate the wait for delivery. The Hoffee is great. Jeff's a blast and the product is solid , protective and attractive , if a bit bulky.