OM Case Recommendations

Devil#20

Can anybody recommend a decent case for my Eastman OM guitar. I've seen a couple of cases Gator (£85) and Crossrock (£115). Is the Crossrock worth the extra?

TheMadMick

If you can track down a suitable Hiscox case, that would be ideal. Even if it's second had. They wear very well.

Devil#20

TheMadMick said:

If you can track down a suitable Hiscox case, that would be ideal. Even if it's second had. They wear very well.

Yes that would have been my first port of call. However, didn't they stop trading a few months ago?

TheMadMick

Unclear but there may be old stock or second had stuff out there. Finding the right case may take some effort.

tomjax

They were bought out and had a rescue, so I'm pretty sure they're still trading and available. 

Devil#20

tomjax said:

They were bought out and had a rescue, so I'm pretty sure they're still trading and available. 

That's interesting. Where can I get one then? I did put a request for one when they were tidying up the remaining orders and said they would inform people wanting cases after that if there was stock available. I never heard from them again so assumed that was it as far as getting a case. 

thermionic

They were supposef to be starting production in Poland in September I think. I also recommend Hiscox - treated my custom OM to an Artist case.

I was considering a Martin case, but they are difficult to get hold of. Thomann had some but they were £260.

I also saw some Sigma branded OM cases in one of the usual online places, which looked to be a decent balance of quality and price.

Devil#20

thermionic said:

They were supposef to be starting production in Poland in September I think. I also recommend Hiscox - treated my custom OM to an Artist case.

I was considering a Martin case, but they are difficult to get hold of. Thomann had some but they were £260.

I also saw some Sigma branded OM cases in one of the usual online places, which looked to be a decent balance of quality and price.

Yes I found the site, and it is Poland. Unfortunately they don't seem to have any OM cases and I can't find any second hand ones on ebay either. Found the Sigma cases you mention. £135. I think the Crossrock one I found on Amazon for £115 looks OK but I've never heard of Crossrock and they might be rubbish. Anybody know if they're any good. 
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0DLL5LLSH/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A3LOYJUKFCMB5J&th=1

thermionic

I think I came across those Crossrock cases when I was looking but didn't investigate further. These 3rd party/OEM cases are very variable in terms of specs (number of latches, number of hinges, type/amount of padding/lining) but I think all would do a decent job unless you need professional touring levels of protection.  From experience of several branded cases, both acoustic and electric, a good indicator of overall quality is the handle - the basic cases have a moulded plastic handle whereas the better ones are padded leather (or artificial leather) with real stitching.

JCA2550

Good news Hiscox cases is trading again from later this month https://hiscoxcases.com/collections/martin-ooo-om-style

Devil#20

JCA2550 said:

Good news Hiscox cases is trading again from later this month https://hiscoxcases.com/collections/martin-ooo-om-style

£177 including taxes and shipping. Does that mean I won't get stung for any other duties payable if I order one or will import duty be paid on top of that. Presumably, although the company is Polish the cases are still manufactured here and to the same standards. 

drofluf

Devil#20 said:

JCA2550 said:

Good news Hiscox cases is trading again from later this month https://hiscoxcases.com/collections/martin-ooo-om-style

£177 including taxes and shipping. Does that mean I won't get stung for any other duties payable if I order one or will import duty be paid on top of that. Presumably, although the company is Polish the cases are still manufactured here and to the same standards. 

Think they’re made in Poland now. They apparently shipped the factory over there and have just started manufacturing again in the last week or so. 

Devil#20

drofluf said:

Devil#20 said:

JCA2550 said:

Good news Hiscox cases is trading again from later this month https://hiscoxcases.com/collections/martin-ooo-om-style

£177 including taxes and shipping. Does that mean I won't get stung for any other duties payable if I order one or will import duty be paid on top of that. Presumably, although the company is Polish the cases are still manufactured here and to the same standards. 

Think they’re made in Poland now. They apparently shipped the factory over there and have just started manufacturing again in the last week or so. 

That kind of puts me off getting one now. The first batch out the door might be a bit hit and miss. Does anybody else think they may have QC issues early on?

earwighoney

Devil#20 said:

JCA2550 said:

Good news Hiscox cases is trading again from later this month https://hiscoxcases.com/collections/martin-ooo-om-style

£177 including taxes and shipping. Does that mean I won't get stung for any other duties payable if I order one or will import duty be paid on top of that. Presumably, although the company is Polish the cases are still manufactured here and to the same standards. 

They will be shipped from Poland to the old shipping centre in the UK.  So you won't have to pay for postage and shipping.  I would wait a little, they often having 10% offers.

When it comes to cases, I've had a few over the years, including Gator and a few different brands I can't remember.  If you want to protect from a few knocks and bumps, a lot of hard cases will do the job, ditto some hard foam cases that go under the radar but they do a great job too.  If you've got a guitar that is a bit erratic with humidity, then I'd say pay the extra bump up for a Hiscox. 

The hard plastic Gator cases aren't as well made as Hiscox ones, and they definitely cut a few corners here and there inside, nothing major though, but they do the job though. 

What Eastman OM do you have btw?  I've been tempted by one for a while now, played a lot over the years and I like them a lot but like ever I've run out of space for guitars! 

Teyeplayer

I’ve a crossrock case for my brook mandolin -seems solid enough. Happy to send over some photos if it helps you get an idea of quality. Had an OM case from artist guitars that was cheap and cheerful, but no better (or worse) than the Martin case my 000-15 was in. Gator cases have always been excellent quality and when they are the right price bracket I generally go for them -lots of decent padding for the guitar. 

Really depends what you are doing with the guitar. If you are intending to fly, get the best you can. If you are just popping it in the boot, you really don’t need to spend the earth. 

Devil#20

earwighoney said:

What Eastman OM do you have btw?  I've been tempted by one for a while now, played a lot over the years and I like them a lot but like ever I've run out of space for guitars! 

I've got 2 actually. I've an E10OM-TC and a PCH2 and it's the latter I want the case for as this only has a poor quality gig bag with it and it's the one I cart about with me or sits in the living room on a stand. The E10 is a adirondack spruce top with mahogany back and sides and has a beautiful warm tone and everything about the build quality is spot on. At the time I compared it with the Martin equivalent and I couldn't justify the price difference and in some ways I preferred the Eastman. The PCH2 is nevertheless also a superbly put together guitar. The spec for the money is great. It's a spruce solid top and laminated rosewood back and sides so more stable cimate wise so that's the one that I'm happy transporting around if I'm out and about. I've had Martin and Taylor guitars (and still have a Taylor dreadnought but I'm sold on Eastmans. Don't be put off  that they are made in China (Beijing) because they have been making stringed instruments longer than Martin or Taylor. Wood quality is great because they ignore the CITES rules I think (and that might bother you). Not sure how they get away with it. Surely the wood used for acoustic instruments is a lot less of an issue than using protected species for house building, decking, fences etc. Some places have a policy of planting trees to offset guitar sales in any case. Richard's Guitars certainly do because that's where I got my E10 from. 

Devil#20

Teyeplayer said:

I’ve a crossrock case for my brook mandolin -seems solid enough. Happy to send over some photos if it helps you get an idea of quality. Had an OM case from artist guitars that was cheap and cheerful, but no better (or worse) than the Martin case my 000-15 was in. Gator cases have always been excellent quality and when they are the right price bracket I generally go for them -lots of decent padding for the guitar. 

Really depends what you are doing with the guitar. If you are intending to fly, get the best you can. If you are just popping it in the boot, you really don’t need to spend the earth. 

Yes, be good to have a look at some pics of the case (plus the mandolin). Eastman are a big manufacturer of mandolins too incidentally. They aren't cheap though. 

earwighoney

Devil#20 said:

I've got 2 actually. I've an E10OM-TC and a PCH2 and it's the latter I want the case for as this only has a poor quality gig bag with it and it's the one I cart about with me or sits in the living room on a stand. The E10 is a adirondack spruce top with mahogany back and sides and has a beautiful warm tone and everything about the build quality is spot on. At the time I compared it with the Martin equivalent and I couldn't justify the price difference and in some ways I preferred the Eastman. The PCH2 is nevertheless also a superbly put together guitar. The spec for the money is great. It's a spruce solid top and laminated rosewood back and sides so more stable cimate wise so that's the one that I'm happy transporting around if I'm out and about. 

No need to do the hard sell on me my friend!  I have a Eastman E10-00, which is an incredible sounding guitar but I never quite gave it as much attention as it deserves as the neck is a big boy. 

They use some good timber for the E10/20 series, when I bought mine they advertised it as being a 20+ year soundboard from Old Standard, who also supply Collings etc.  I've played quite a few of their models over the years, and the PCH2 is an excellent guitar irrespective of the price.  I'd played the non thermo version of your guitar many years ago in Maks/Ivors, superb instrument. 

I've been tempted by one of their cedar OM's, maybe one day I will pick one up. 

If you're taking your PCH2 for gigs and so on, I don't think you could get away with a light hard foam case if you like, I've got a few of them and they are under rated for protection, something like this might be a touch wide but it would do a good job, I have a few cases like them.  I myself wouldn't go the full hog any get a Hiscox.  

Devil#20

earwighoney said:

Devil#20 said:

I've got 2 actually. I've an E10OM-TC and a PCH2 and it's the latter I want the case for as this only has a poor quality gig bag with it and it's the one I cart about with me or sits in the living room on a stand. The E10 is a adirondack spruce top with mahogany back and sides and has a beautiful warm tone and everything about the build quality is spot on. At the time I compared it with the Martin equivalent and I couldn't justify the price difference and in some ways I preferred the Eastman. The PCH2 is nevertheless also a superbly put together guitar. The spec for the money is great. It's a spruce solid top and laminated rosewood back and sides so more stable cimate wise so that's the one that I'm happy transporting around if I'm out and about. 

No need to do the hard sell on me my friend!  I have a Eastman E10-00, which is an incredible sounding guitar but I never quite gave it as much attention as it deserves as the neck is a big boy. 

They use some good timber for the E10/20 series, when I bought mine they advertised it as being a 20+ year soundboard from Old Standard, who also supply Collings etc.  I've played quite a few of their models over the years, and the PCH2 is an excellent guitar irrespective of the price.  I'd played the non thermo version of your guitar many years ago in Maks/Ivors, superb instrument. 

I've been tempted by one of their cedar OM's, maybe one day I will pick one up. 

If you're taking your PCH2 for gigs and so on, I don't think you could get away with a light hard foam case if you like, I've got a few of them and they are under rated for protection, something like this might be a touch wide but it would do a good job, I have a few cases like them.  I myself wouldn't go the full hog any get a Hiscox.  

My 12 string has one of those foam cases. Quite like them. Nice and light but, like you say, they do have some bulk to them. @Teyeplayer sent me some pics of his Crossrock and Gator cases so think I'm gonna plump for either of those.

You're right. Eastman's are so underrated. I also have the 335 style that I bought on here a few years ago as a temporary stop gap to finding a good Gibson 335. That search has now ended because I've not played a better one than the Eastman. I had a Korean Tokai before that that I thought was pretty good but no comparison when it came down to it. 

thermionic

Crossrock appear to be a big, if relatively new, operator in the USA, with a range that extends to "twice the price of a Hiscox".

https://crossrockcase.com/product/crw530om-000-14-frets-om-guitar-case/

Another indicator of a more upmarket case as opposed to a cheap and cheerful one, imho, is an arched top.

Devil#20

thermionic said:

Crossrock appear to be a big, if relatively new, operator in the USA, with a range that extends to "twice the price of a Hiscox".

https://crossrockcase.com/product/crw530om-000-14-frets-om-guitar-case/

Another indicator of a more upmarket case as opposed to a cheap and cheerful one, imho, is an arched top.

That's the case I ended up gettiing. Ordered on Amazon and when I checked out it was further discounted down to £104. It looks a pretty good case to be fair. Wasn't too sure about the fussy patterned finish but it looks OK really. Decent stiched handle, arched top and exactly the right size for the OM shape. There's some additional padded pieces in it the protect the headstock. Recommended.