Post by brianr2 on Oct 28, 2013 13:02:17 GMT
I recently received a custom Calton case for my impending custom Fylde. I thought it might be of interest if I did a quick "compare and contrast" with my present Hiscox Standard Liteflite.
The Hiscox is, of course, rather cheaper: under £100 compared to around £450 for the Calton. It is also available off the shelf whereas the Calton took about a year to produce. The Calton - like the custom Fylde - was a self-indulgent, slightly belated birthday present with the encouragement of my domestic comptroller, bless her! Both guitar and case and once-in-a-lifetime luxuries which should more than see out my playing time.
Calton were an excellent company to do business with. All my emails were answered quickly and Keith C could not have been more
helpful. He did not ask for a deposit and delivered the case exactly when he predicted at the time of ordering. The case was spot on first time, using a specification helpfully provided by Roger Bucknall at Fylde (who recommended Calton cases over some other options I was considering at the time). I am absolutely delighted with it.
Some piccies follow (if I can master the technology).
The two cases side by side. There is little between the two in dimensions but I much prefer the curvaceous Calton:
Looking at the tops of the cases, you can see the slight arch in the lid of the Calton and its bespoke edge protectors:
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Now looking at the bottoms, they both have raised pieces to keep the main case clear of the ground. The Calton's rubber feet will prevent slippage:
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The top edges show the catches fitted. Only one of the Hiscox's lock whereas all five of the Carltons do. The Carlton's catches and hinges are also noticeably more robust:
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The Calton's has a very robust leather handle, which I find more comfortable than the Hiscox's plastic jobbie:
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With the lids open, the difference between the linings is evident. The Calton's is much thicker and plusher:
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This close-up of the Calton's cushioned neck support shows how long and deep it is, compered the pad in the Hiscox:
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The next photo shows the Hiscox containing my Fylde Eric Bibb (which has very similar body dimensions to the custom Fylde I have on order). This highlights the relatively poor fit, due to the guitar being smaller than the standard size for which the case was made. I fitted some extra pads myself using material kindly sent free by Hiscox - another good company to do business with - but I can still feel the guitar moving inside the case when I pick it up. This has never done any harm but it bothers me:
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The Calton's fit is, as you would hope and expect from "made-to-measure", much snugger. There is no movement when you pick it up and it gives me much more confidence:
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As I said at the beginning, I am very happy with the Calton case. It is very well made, uses high quality materials and provides a much better fit for non-standard guitars. I also really like the look of it.
Is it worth the extra £400 or so? I have no doubt that the Hiscox cases provide good protection, are very practical and provide excellent value for money. But as with most things "guitar", there is more to it than logic. My once-in-lifetime new guitar will deserve pampering and the aesthetics and quality of the Calton will give me a lot of satisfaction over - all being well - very many years. My wife even likes it and she, of course, has impeccable taste! The Calton remains a bit self-indulgent but, hey, I'm worth it!
Brian
The Hiscox is, of course, rather cheaper: under £100 compared to around £450 for the Calton. It is also available off the shelf whereas the Calton took about a year to produce. The Calton - like the custom Fylde - was a self-indulgent, slightly belated birthday present with the encouragement of my domestic comptroller, bless her! Both guitar and case and once-in-a-lifetime luxuries which should more than see out my playing time.
Calton were an excellent company to do business with. All my emails were answered quickly and Keith C could not have been more
helpful. He did not ask for a deposit and delivered the case exactly when he predicted at the time of ordering. The case was spot on first time, using a specification helpfully provided by Roger Bucknall at Fylde (who recommended Calton cases over some other options I was considering at the time). I am absolutely delighted with it.
Some piccies follow (if I can master the technology).
The two cases side by side. There is little between the two in dimensions but I much prefer the curvaceous Calton:
Looking at the tops of the cases, you can see the slight arch in the lid of the Calton and its bespoke edge protectors:
Now looking at the bottoms, they both have raised pieces to keep the main case clear of the ground. The Calton's rubber feet will prevent slippage:
The top edges show the catches fitted. Only one of the Hiscox's lock whereas all five of the Carltons do. The Carlton's catches and hinges are also noticeably more robust:
The Calton's has a very robust leather handle, which I find more comfortable than the Hiscox's plastic jobbie:
With the lids open, the difference between the linings is evident. The Calton's is much thicker and plusher:
This close-up of the Calton's cushioned neck support shows how long and deep it is, compered the pad in the Hiscox:
The next photo shows the Hiscox containing my Fylde Eric Bibb (which has very similar body dimensions to the custom Fylde I have on order). This highlights the relatively poor fit, due to the guitar being smaller than the standard size for which the case was made. I fitted some extra pads myself using material kindly sent free by Hiscox - another good company to do business with - but I can still feel the guitar moving inside the case when I pick it up. This has never done any harm but it bothers me:
The Calton's fit is, as you would hope and expect from "made-to-measure", much snugger. There is no movement when you pick it up and it gives me much more confidence:
As I said at the beginning, I am very happy with the Calton case. It is very well made, uses high quality materials and provides a much better fit for non-standard guitars. I also really like the look of it.
Is it worth the extra £400 or so? I have no doubt that the Hiscox cases provide good protection, are very practical and provide excellent value for money. But as with most things "guitar", there is more to it than logic. My once-in-lifetime new guitar will deserve pampering and the aesthetics and quality of the Calton will give me a lot of satisfaction over - all being well - very many years. My wife even likes it and she, of course, has impeccable taste! The Calton remains a bit self-indulgent but, hey, I'm worth it!
Brian
Jo whoever he is.
