007
C.O.G. 
Posts: 2,603
My main instrument is: 1965 Hagstrom H45E
|
Post by 007 on Oct 28, 2013 20:41:33 GMT
Great bargain
|
|
brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,188 
My main instrument is: Fylde Goodfellow
|
Post by brianr2 on Oct 28, 2013 21:40:17 GMT
Got my first Calton case at Cambridge Folk Festival, 1975(maybe 76) I think. I still have the case and the receipt so I can check that for the date. Keith Calton had a stall in the vendors tent, so I took measurements and a outline for my Fylde 12 string Prospero to the festival. He fitted the inside padding at the festival. Get this though, the price. Cost me £33, with £3 discount as the case was scratched. The case is pretty light. Great cases. I used to go to Cambridge in the late 1970s. I still have fond memories of camping made tolerable by Abbot Ale anaesthesia. I am am sure your case has worn better than me over the past 40 years. But isn't price inflation terrible? I remember drinking Courage Best as a student at 9p a pint and scrumpy (which was cloudier than a December sky) at 5p a pint. Total oblivion for a quid! Oh happy, carefree days of my youth..... Brian |
|
brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,188
My main instrument is: Fylde Goodfellow
|
Post by brianr2 on Oct 30, 2013 11:22:59 GMT
I have just learned from Keith that he is selling his business to a chap in Austin Texas and production will be moving to the USA. See hereHe is semi retiring but will continue ro complete existing orders and work with the new owner for the next 2 years. It seems that the new business model may be to sell via shops rather than direct. See hereIt is a little sad that Calton Casea are leaving England but this will secure the company and allow Keith to edge into retirement and so he has my very best wishes for the future. Brian |
|
Martin
Administrator
Posts: 11,994
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"http://mandocello.org/lytebox/images/adirondack.jpg","color":""}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 0a530b
Mini-Profile Text Color: 4f3517
|
Post by Martin on Oct 30, 2013 11:28:13 GMT
I knew that he was trying to sell the business for a while, but I agree it is sad that it is leaving England.
|
|
davewhite
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Luthier
Aemulor et ambitiosior
Posts: 3,548
|
Post by davewhite on Oct 30, 2013 11:40:28 GMT
Brian, Great review and lovely new case - just needs a new guitar inside it now  Very sad to see that the Calton business is moving to the US but good to see that Keith will have a nice retirement. There's always Pegasus that's still here as a British bespoke case maker. I haven't tried one yet but Hiscox make an "Artist" range of cases which retail for around £240 which are probably the best to compare in a review with the Calton (the one priced just under £100 is their "Standard" model and they have a "Pro" range for around £130): www.hiscoxcases.com/guitar_hiscox.htmThey aren't custom fitted so like the "Standard" and "Pro" ranges your guitar needs to match to be a tight fit: www.hiscoxcases.com/artistguitar_hiscox.htm |
|
alig
C.O.G.
Posts: 1,059
|
Post by alig on Oct 30, 2013 13:06:20 GMT
Brian, Great review and lovely new case - just needs a new guitar inside it now Very sad to see that the Calton business is moving to the US but good to see that Keith will have a nice retirement. There's always Pegasus that's still here as a British bespoke case maker. I haven't tried one yet but Hiscox make an "Artist" range of cases which retail for around £240 which are probably the best to compare in a review with the Calton (the one priced just under £100 is their "Standard" model and they have a "Pro" range for around £130): www.hiscoxcases.com/guitar_hiscox.htmThey aren't custom fitted so like the "Standard" and "Pro" ranges your guitar needs to match to be a tight fit: www.hiscoxcases.com/artistguitar_hiscox.htmYup. I've seen a Hiscox 'Artist' case at Rory's. They're very good. Much more rigid and stiff than the Pro II and Liteflite cases. The lining and padding are better also. I think there's an extra latch and they come with a leather handle and an option for shoulder straps. I had originally gone for Pro II case for my builds but have recently asked Rory if I can change to the Artist. |
|
leoroberts
C.O.G.
Posts: 26,122
My main instrument is: probably needing new strings
Member is Online
|
Post by leoroberts on Oct 30, 2013 13:11:17 GMT
Interestingly* I had a discussion with Thomas Leeb about this very subject whilst we were at the Llyn Guitar Festival.
He uses Hiscox and his rationale is this:
The Calton (and similar) cases are big, heavy and seemingly indestructible. So, imagine you are a baggage handler at the end of a long day, you're tired, aching and had an argument with your wife... you come across one of these and think "it'll take it" and just chuck it on the cart. The Hiscox cases are lighter and look less sturdy - so, maybe, the baggage handler will take a little more care with it. Doesn't always happen but..."
*not really interestingly
|
|
brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,188
My main instrument is: Fylde Goodfellow
|
Post by brianr2 on Oct 30, 2013 13:26:28 GMT
Brian, Great review and lovely new case - just needs a new guitar inside it now Very sad to see that the Calton business is moving to the US but good to see that Keith will have a nice retirement. There's always Pegasus that's still here as a British bespoke case maker. I haven't tried one yet but Hiscox make an "Artist" range of cases which retail for around £240 which are probably the best to compare in a review with the Calton (the one priced just under £100 is their "Standard" model and they have a "Pro" range for around £130): www.hiscoxcases.com/guitar_hiscox.htmThey aren't custom fitted so like the "Standard" and "Pro" ranges your guitar needs to match to be a tight fit: www.hiscoxcases.com/artistguitar_hiscox.htmI agree that the "Artist" range would be a fairer comparison. I think they would still be too big for my non-standard size guitar (and I should still prefer the shape and colour of the Calton). Either way, a new guitar is certainly needed and I hope it won't be too long! Brian |
|
brianr2
C.O.G.
Posts: 3,188
My main instrument is: Fylde Goodfellow
|
Post by brianr2 on Oct 30, 2013 13:36:56 GMT
Interestingly* I had a discussion with Thomas Leeb about this very subject whilst we were at the Llyn Guitar Festival. He uses Hiscox and his rationale is this: The Calton (and similar) cases are big, heavy and seemingly indestructible. So, imagine you are a baggage handler at the end of a long day, you're tired, aching and had an argument with your wife... you come across one of these and think "it'll take it" and just chuck it on the cart. The Hiscox cases are lighter and look less sturdy - so, maybe, the baggage handler will take a little more care with it. Doesn't always happen but..." *not really interestingly I can only admire Thomas's optimism. The notion of baggage handlers stopping to think - or indeed thinking at all - about potential breakages seems a tad unlikely! I suspect that gentle handling is more matter of luck than anything else. The question ( pace Clint Eastawood) must be: do you feel lucky? Brian |
|
garynava
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Posts: 460
My main instrument is: Stanley No.5
|
Post by garynava on Nov 7, 2013 16:22:43 GMT
There is no doubt that Carlton cases are great cases, I've had one for 30 odd years. But let's remember they are over 4 times the cost of a Hiscox- not quite a fair comparison in my opinion.
Cheers Gary
|
|
007
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,603
My main instrument is: 1965 Hagstrom H45E
|
Post by 007 on Nov 7, 2013 19:40:01 GMT
Sad to see they are going abroad still that's the way of the world
|
|
|
|
Post by dreadnought28 on Dec 23, 2013 0:55:40 GMT
I have several examples of cases from both manufacturers. There is no doubt that Keith Calton makes a fantastic case and is great to deal with. On the other hand I find the Hiscox Pro 2 to be an excellent product that does a great job at a fraction of the price. I generally prefer the Hiscox due to the noticeable difference in weight unless I'm flying when the Calton is the obvious choice. Of course the Calton has more street cred ;-)
Sad to see the business move overseas but understandable. At least, as I visit Austin every year, I should be able to get hold of a case if I want one.
|
|
Jo whoever he is.
