Solved the weight issue!

David Milliken · From: Pickering, Ontario, Canada

I'm sure others have done this but I thought I would share, anyway. Lugging my 52-pound LDG in its bulky case has been a massive strain on my back. Went to my local music shop and ordered a padded keyboard case that was four inches larger all around than my PSG body. I then went to my local upholsterer and had him cut me a piece of four-inch foam to fit the case with the centre cut out to fit my LDG including a two-inch bottom slab. I used my lap steel case to store the legs, bottom rail and rods. Voila! I now have a case that holds the body that weighs only 31 pounds and a case for the rest that weighs 18 pounds. My back is thankful. Now, if I could only apply that same thinking to get rid of the tummy, I'd be set. Here are some pics.

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1976 ShoBud LDG, Peavey Nashville 112, 1994 Fender Custom Shop Jerry Donahue Telecaster

Bob Blair · From: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The late Jim Murphy used a foam case that was not dissimilar - he was showing it off to Smiley Roberts and I at the Long Hollow Jamboree some years back. You're in good company.

Bob Russell · From: Virginia, USA

I use a Gator padded keyboard case with wheels for my Fender 800, carrying the legs and rods in a Plano gun case. Works great.

Tim Konecky · From: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Couldn't a guy stick a couple wheels on one end of a hard case and a handle on the other and drag it around like a piece of luggage? I know that doesn't solve the problem with stairs but it certainly would help with the street level gigs.
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Jackson Blackjack
Fender Deluxe
Peavey Nashville 400

John Russell · From: Austin, Texas

Bob (are we related?) I did exactly the same thing. Last summer I had some back problems--two surgeries and a long rehab. I got the Gator keyboard case for the guitar, a Ruger .22 gun case for the pedal rack, the rods and two of the legs. The other two can fit inside the main case. I tried to attach wheels to the main case but have a nice folding dolly. I have a Zum S12U that weighs 37 lbs. and an older Sierra S12U that weighs 54 lbs. Both guitars can fit in these cases but the Zum does most of the traveling. :~)

Malcolm McMaster · From: Beith Ayrshire Scotland

Have used similar set up for many years, gig bag padded with high density foam and shotgun case for legs and rack.Use this for local gigs when travelling in my own car, but have a light weight Scott Dixon flight case for flying/van gigs.Puting wheels on existing cases helps for jobs on the level but does not do anything regards lifting it in and out of car, or as pointed out in previous post, with stairs.Best move I ever made to help with my back problem.
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MSA Millenium SD10, GK MB200, Sica 12inch cab, Joyo American Sound Pedal/ Jay Ganz Straight Ahead amp, Telonics 15inch in Peavey cab, Digitech RP150, Peterson tuner.Hilton volume pedal.Scott Dixon seat and guitar flight case.

Bob Russell · From: Virginia, USA

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Travel guitar gig bags work well as pedal board/rod and leg bag holders also.

Bob Russell · From: Virginia, USA

Eric Philippsen · From: Central Florida USA

I've tried split cases but it just seems.....to me.....that you're trading one hassle for another. That is, yes, the weight is somewhat less with two separate cases, but then you have to carry yet another case.

So, for the last several years I've been using a fiberboard road case with wheels on one end and a handle on the other. Works for me.

Then again, I'd try what was suggested in this thread if I could somehow attach wheels to it.

Malcolm McMaster · From: Beith Ayrshire Scotland

Personally, I don't see the hassle in two light cases rather than one heavy one, my back thanks me for it.As far as wheels go , there are lots of wheels on the market that are easily attached, I got a set from Fred Justice a few years ago for a heavy case, and know lots of others are available , in fact there was a thread about it some time back that may help anyone looking.Fibre board is good idea but only for non flying/ van gigs IMHO , a good flight case is needed for those type of gigs.Eric sorry,think I misread your post, believe you we're talking about attaching wheels to gig bag.Some like gator have wheels on them, or if not get a set off the corner of old suitcase and put them on gig bag with pop rivets( put strengthening piece on inside) .
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MSA Millenium SD10, GK MB200, Sica 12inch cab, Joyo American Sound Pedal/ Jay Ganz Straight Ahead amp, Telonics 15inch in Peavey cab, Digitech RP150, Peterson tuner.Hilton volume pedal.Scott Dixon seat and guitar flight case.

Len Amaral · From: Rehoboth,MA 02769

Good idea putting the steel in foam padded keyboard bag and carry the legs and rods in another unit. When I was playing out, I had a steel in my garage and it was the last piece of gear into my pickup truck near the tail gate. The bed on the truck had a cap. When I got to a gig I would assemble the guitar in the case and carry it into the gig first.

It seems carrying the steel legs up near your body worked better for me that lifting the entire guitar in the case with all the weight on one side.

John Russell · From: Austin, Texas

Len, you are right about that. Anytime you carry something heavy with your back bent you're putting lots of strain on the back. Same is true carrying a heavy amp a long distance by the handle down low.

The biggest hassle (for me) with two cases is opening the leg case while you're sitting, or standing in front of the main case. For now I'm setting it on top of the steel while it's still in the case upside down. The legs and pedals ride in a soft gun case so there's no damage to the guitar.

A couple of years ago I bought a nice semi hard cordura keyboard case with wheels for my heavy Sierra guitar. I compared the weight (after I bought it) to the hard case and they're about the same. The only advantage was the wheels. Soft cases sometimes have trouble with zippers failing and good luck finding someone to repair a zipper. The Gator case I use now has strong zippers and handles so I'm sticking with what works. My back thanks me each gig.

Len Amaral · From: Rehoboth,MA 02769

Hi John:

To make sure a zipper won't get caught you can rub a candle lightly around the zipper. I hvae this lubricant that looks like an under arm deodorant stick and I use that on luggage zippers. Also, the obvious is to trim any threads or loose material that can get caught in the zipper.

Jack Hanson · From: San Luis Valley, USA

Boy, sure do wish my old D-10 only weighed 58 pounds cased!

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

The above solutions are all valid for carrying a steel guitar and accessories.

However, my best solution was the coming of the "Rock & Roll Cart", that became available at music stores about 2000. I could carry a D-10, a stereo-steel amp with two 15" speakers, a pac-a-seat, all accessories, and I could hang my uniform of the day on the handle.

I could roll all of the above on the cart into the side door of my high-top van, roll them out at my destination, and onto whatever stage we were destined to work.
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"FROM THEN TIL' NOW"

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