Guitar Case "Stuck"

jonpowl

The very nice Gypsy Jazz case that I use for my Cigano guitar has a stuck locking latch. It had been working perfectly until yesterday. The locking cylinder turns freely and there are no dents. I tried four different keys and they all turn but none open. Best suggestion so far: take to a locksmith. Any ideas?

Thanks,

John Powell

Lango-Django

Hey John have you tried a shot of WD40 followed by some gentle tapping with a tiny “hammer”?

Good luck!

will

jonpowl

Will,

No WD40, yet. I did try some soft wax which is a lubricant, of course. The case is my favorite one, so I don't want to damage it. I've no idea what started the problem as it hardly ever goes outdoors.

John

flaco

I don’t think I’ve ever locked a case latch!

Buco

I'd mirror what Will said. Lubricate well and use a rubber mallet. Tap as you're turning the key and try sliding the latch open (does it have a sliding latch). I'd probably take a pry bar to it before I'd spend money on the locksmith. Or for a less brutal version, drill out the lock, that wouldn't do much more damage other than losing the ability to lock.

B25Gib

Since the wax lube hasn't worked, try slowly adding some boiling water to the latch to remove wax, then drying it out(hair dryer) then using cheap automotive graphite powder lube.

Useful for sticky ignition switches and door locks.

jonpowl

I finally got my guitar out of the case. The locking latch is still permanently locked, however. I loosened the top two screws in the locking latch. Luckily, it's my cheapest guitar but my favorite case. I've seen case parts that can probably get my case back to normal. Flaco, please let me know when your Holo (case unlocked) is left around my house. I doubt I could resist!