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Ameritage cases !
https://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=18090		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Mike Collins [ Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Ameritage cases !
I just received the first of what will be many of Ameritage cases!
The fit & finish is perfect!
It comes with a Hygometer & temperature (F & C )guage with instructions !!
Keys for the case-and a drying agent in a plastic bag just in case you need it!
Plus instructions on how to take care of your guitar in their case !
The clasps (locks) are top of the line!
My CL-4 shape fit perfectly in their classical case !
That makes it much more easy for me & I would think they have made all their cases for an easy fit -dreads-000-00 -and so on !

Nice people to deal with and the case got here in 3 days !
the price was on line with such a quality product!!!
That we guitarmakers need!!!!!!
bliss

Mike [:Y:]
Lets support the O.L.F. underwriters!!! [clap]
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Wed Jul 23, 2008 3:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
yeper I love them. I know I will get some disclaimer here but as good as they come in my opinion
Author:  Don Williams [ Wed Jul 23, 2008 5:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
What Michael said. They're the only case I'll buy for my guitars.
Author:  Blain [ Wed Jul 23, 2008 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
How 'bout some pictures of some of these Ameritage cases?

If y'ant to, please.

I got their builder price list, but does anyone know if this is in US Dollars?

The commas in prices under the builder column kind of threw me off.
Author:  Brock Poling [ Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
They are made in Costa Rica. I suspect the numbers are in dollars. I will need to check my price list, but I am sure that they are priced in greenbacks.
Author:  Dave Anderson [ Wed Jul 23, 2008 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
I just ordered my first Ameritage case -OLF-SJ size. bliss
It should be here in a few days! Thanks Mike, now I really can't
wait to get it. :D
Author:  Brook Moore [ Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
One minor caution - the hygrometers that Ameritage supplies with their cases can read hugely lower than actual RH. I would not want a client to trust one!

Brook
Author:  JRessler [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:32 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
Do they make a case to fit Michael's MJ plans?
Author:  Brock Poling [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
If they don't currently, they will... just ask them.
Author:  Hesh [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 6:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
Ask Bob Connor about the debacle that happened to him when he purchased a couple Ameritage cases and the quoted price to ship them to OZ and the actual price were VERY different. His cases are in my basement right now because it was more cost effective for Bob to fly here from Australia and carry them back than it was to ship them to him.........

This apparently is not the case (pardon the pun) with other cases in as much as Cedar Creek cases have dimensionally smaller shipping cartons and qualify for civilized international shipping rates.

Why is this important to you? Because if you plan on selling your guitars internationally shipped in an Ameritage carton you may run into what Bob has run into.

I am currently in case selection mode and looking to standardize on one brand of quality cases. I like Ameritiage very much including the quality, service, and personalization - the Luthier pricing is excellent too.

However and not to be negative here but these things weigh a ton........ They are the heaviest cases that I have ever checked out.

I would like to hear from Cedar Creek users regarding their impressions of the cases, company, service, and Luthier pricing/terms/minimums etc.

I also wanted to mention that Anthony Z. recently purchased a top-of-the-line TKL case for his SJ and I was very impressed with this case. It's retail cost was roughly half the price of an Ameritage case at suggested retail.

I may end up with Ameritage but I am not ready to drink the kool-aid yet until I check out some other alternatives.

Thanks.
Author:  LanceK [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
I also use Ameritage and would recommend them to anyone.
They are heavy, BUT with that said, I have shipped my guitars from one end of the country to the other, many times, and I am 100% confidant that barring being ran over by a UPS truck, they will make it to there destination in tact.
I use to use CC and had one incident of a top being cracked because the top of the case flexed. I assume another box landed on top of it in just the right spot?
Regardless, Its not so much about "drinking the koolaid" ;) Cases are no different than any other product, they fit the needs of some, not all. :)
Author:  LanceK [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
Hesh wrote:
His cases are in my basement right now because it was more cost effective for Bob to fly here from Australia and carry them back than it was to ship them to him.........


Hesh, I just checked the cost of a flight to DTW to Australia, YOWSIE!
I cant imagine that shipping cases would cost nearly that much. I assume you mean that since Bob will be in Michigan, it is cheaper for him to ship them to you, pick them up and check them as baggage on the way home?
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
Ameritage does not yet have my specs or templates yet on the MJ but that can be resolved quickly.

WoW. I have a Cedar Creek in house for a client right no for my MJ. and I have to say the lighter weight of the Cedar Creek is nice but looking at all things The Ameritage is far better protection in my personal opinion. the cedar Creek is a very nice case, a super case in fact. I would not switch. The price difference is nil on a one custom vs. one custom and Ameritage bet Cedar Creeks quotes on quantity orders when I had them quote my cases two years ago. I have never paid more than I was quoted by Nancy. I have never had any shipping debacles. I have had nothing but wonderful customer support. I have never had a case that the fit and function was not perfect. I can not say that about TKL or Cedar Creek. I have had several TKL cases tht the top was mounted askew of the main body and minor misaligned hardware. I have has similar issues with Cedar Creek. Yes both companies corrected the issues for me with as little discomfort as possible. However I have never had one Ameritage case with a single issue.

Yes they are assembled in Costa Rica. Yes they are priced in US$. There are tons of photos in the archive from me Lance and others

I will be the first to say if you want a case to lug around a lot you may not like them. They are heavy. They are also available with travel wheels and pull handles now. There not for everyone that is for sure. But if you want a case to truly protect your instrument, I highly recommend them.
Author:  Hesh [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
Lance Kragenbrink wrote:
Hesh wrote:
His cases are in my basement right now because it was more cost effective for Bob to fly here from Australia and carry them back than it was to ship them to him.........


Hesh, I just checked the cost of a flight to DTW to Australia, YOWSIE!
I cant imagine that shipping cases would cost nearly that much. I assume you mean that since Bob will be in Michigan, it is cheaper for him to ship them to you, pick them up and check them as baggage on the way home?


Don't get me wrong I ALWAYS support OLF sponsors and always will when it makes sense to do so for me. So when I do raise a concern, which is so very rare that I think that this may be the first time, I have to be pretty troubled to do so.

Because of the dimensions of the boxes that the cases come in and the size cases that Bob ordered, probably dreads, shipping costs to OZ were in the neighborhood of $800.00 US per case......... and he bought 2 of them too. He was shocked and so was I. And Bob did ask these questions prior to ordering the cases and was assured that shipping would be more in line with any case from the US to OZ ($200 or less). So now you can see the economics that are troubling me.

What concerns me is if the dimensions of the boxes that these cases come in fall outside of the standard international shipping rates for the carriers that we use will this situation arise again when one of us sell a guitar to say Japan, China, Germany, etc?

And as some of you know with the dollar devalued US products are now more attractive to international customers. I just think that it is prudent to be properly positioned to have your wares represent decent value to all markets that may have increasing activity due to changing global economic conditions.

I'll add that Ameritage cases are superbly made and I completely agree Lance that they probably offer the best protection available. I am just concerned about the issue of shipping them internationally and personally I am not real keen on placing a 3.5lb guitar in an 18lb case.
Author:  Robbie O'Brien [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
Anybody heard about how the access stage 5 cases have been developing? There were supposed to come out with the new and improved version at the Winter Namm show. I never followed up to see if they actually did.
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
Robbie O'Brien wrote:
Anybody heard about how the access stage 5 cases have been developing? There were supposed to come out with the new and improved version at the Winter Namm show. I never followed up to see if they actually did.


I have not see their new case as of yet. I have a couple Stage 5 Small body cases. Very good case for the money. I use to use them exclusively because of the $value but I started getting cases that had very rack alignment issues. shottie hardware alignment and very long lead times. So I switched. When they make the right they are great cases but I got one batch of 5 cases that I had to send back 3 of.

I hated tht because for OMs and Dreads they were and good design for a very good price
Author:  Burton LeGeyt [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
I had a very frustrating experience with Ameritage where it took over 6 months just to get a quote on a case and when I was quoted it was at the next years prices, not the price when I had placed the quote. After reading the praise most people give them I was surprised. In everyone I have spoken to it seems to be an exception, not the norm so please understand I am trying to share another experience and not insinuate that anyone's praise is unwarranted. I have seen one in person and it was a great case, and all of the ones I see people post photos of look excellent as well.
Author:  Michael Dale Payne [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
blegeyt wrote:
I had a very frustrating experience with Ameritage where it took over 6 months just to get a quote on a case and when I was quoted it was at the next years prices, not the price when I had placed the quote. After reading the praise most people give them I was surprised. In everyone I have spoken to it seems to be an exception, not the norm so please understand I am trying to share another experience and not insinuate that anyone's praise is unwarranted. I have seen one in person and it was a great case, and all of the ones I see people post photos of look excellent as well.


That is strange it has never taken Nancy Worsfold of Ameritage more than 24-48 hours to quote me a new case size. and 15 min on existing cases with custom interior/exterioir specs I am not sure who you dealt with. Heck If I have not placed an order in a few months she checks in with me to see If I need somthing.
Author:  Don Williams [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
I've used both Ameritage* and TKL/Cedar Creek/Harptone. I had a nightmare of a time dealing with the latter on a project once. It took months and months to get the case, and getting in touch with the folks there was difficult at times. Granted, this was during a transition time when they absorbed Harptone, but still they should have been way better to work with than they were. Once I found Ameritage*, there was no going back. It's a Great product, and as others have mentioned, not much more money than a custom CK/TKL, but the quality is much better IMO.
I fully endorse their product.


Don Williams, CEO
D.E.Williams Guitars International






*Ameritage is the Official Guitar Case of D.E.W. Guitars
Author:  Hesh [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
Don Williams wrote:
Don Williams, CEO
D.E.Williams Guitars International


*Ameritage is the Official Guitar Case of D.E.W. Guitars


laughing6-hehe Well I am not going to argue with the CEO! [:Y:] :D
Author:  TonyKarol [ Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
The top of the line TKL cases are good (9100 series), but no where near as nice or solid as the Ameritage .... I do use both, the TKL as std, Ameritage as an upcharge - since I went Ameritage, only one client has said no to getting one, and I ahve had previous clients upgrade after the fact.

Want a quick test to see the difference - I show this to customers regularly ... with the guitar in the case even ... I put the case on the floor and kneel on the top of it, completely suspending my swelt 190lbs ... it doesnt even creak .. i wouldnt dare do that on a TKL (I have in fact, without the gutiar inside - it creaks beofre I get my whole weight on it, as the top to side jopints are not as well built). As well, less padding inthe TKLs and the TKLs have no protective edge like the Ameritage, which is stitched on top and bottom, plus the covering is vinyl, which will tear/wear way faster than the Ameritage Cordura. The buckles and handle are cheaper too - I have replaced a lot of TKL handles with leather ones bolted on, as with moderate use the stock ones last about a year or so. Its not even close IMO. You get what you pay for.

Shipping to Aus and NZ is unreal .. I was quoted 800 as well to NZ, regardless of carrirer (I imagine it would be a bit less if I were in the US though, afterall, all the carriers send their stuff there from here to sort) ... got it down to 575, but thats still pretty steep.
Author:  Cecil [ Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
Robbie,

I bought a couple of stage five small body cases from Access in June. They still have a few of the old style in stock. At that time the new cases were expected in August.

Cecil
Author:  bob_connor [ Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:00 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
G'day All

I decided that I'd rather put the $1000 it was going to cost me to ship the cases with Fedex towards an airfare to the States so I could come and annoy some of you blokes for a week or two. :D

And I must thank Hesh here for looking after them for me.

I am going to visit Cedar Creek Cases while I'm there to try and get get some sort of supply chain happening.

It's very difficult to get cases in Australia for anything smaller than a dreadnought. Classical cases fit 000/OM's but anything smaller - forget it.

The problem with the shipping is that Australia Post put maximum sizes on what they will accept. And some Post Offices in the States will adhere to this size rigorously. Other PO's don't care so much and will send parcels through even if it is a little oversize.

Cheers

Bob
Author:  Robbie O'Brien [ Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
Cecil wrote:
Robbie,

I bought a couple of stage five small body cases from Access in June. They still have a few of the old style in stock. At that time the new cases were expected in August.

Cecil


I thought I had bought all their old stage 5 stock. For a while there they were even sending custmers to me to purchase the things. I guess they got farther behind than expected on the new stage 5 cases but I look forward to seeing them.
Author:  Kim [ Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ameritage cases !
Thanks very much to Hesh for being honest and speaking his mind, it shows the true calibre of this man considering his undeniable loyalties to the OLF. What he is saying here really is an important consideration for those of us in Australia or elsewhere in the world and also for those within USA who look to expand their customer base to include international clientele.

For me the message in Bob's experience is very clear. Be very careful with international orders for guitars and cases because no matter how good the intention and reputation of the company you are dealing with, when things get a little too messy, you will be left standing on your own, and that can be a lonely feeling when you are thousands of miles away from anyone who can help :(

(Edited because Bob posted just before me while I was still typing and said what needed saying.)

Cheers

Kim
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