Post by Martin on Apr 4, 2013 11:25:21 GMT
As some will have seen on my other thread, I did have some difficulty laterly in getting this case, but everything was resolved satisfactorily in the end, so there's no need to go over that again in any great detail.
This is my review of the case after having it in my possession for a couple of months now.
For my birthday last year, my family surprised me with the gift of a new Pegasus case. I had no idea they even knew about that sort of thing, but obviously someone had been listening when I was yammering on about guitars and cases and the like, and came up with this incredible idea.
Of course, it had to be ordered and the guitar measured, but that would be part of the fun.
I arranged to visit Sam Gifford, the owner of Pegasus Cases in July 2012, and took a trip up to his home in Foss, near Pitlochry. It is a beautiful idyllic location, and I had a great time chatting with Sam and looking at examples of his work. I had initially hoped the case would be ready by September to allow me to take it to our forum meeting in Halifax, but this would be unlikely.
In the event, the case wasn't completed until February of this year, and I have had it now for around two months.
My first impression was - it's very big!
Appearance
The case is made with a fibre glass shell coloured in British Racing Green, and the interior is upholstered in heavy-weight woolen Tartan. I wanted the shell to match my tartan reasonably well, and I think it has done that.
I also wanted a matt finish which would be less flash, and also possible harder wearing than a gloss finish.
The result of this decision, however, is that the matt finish has a bit of a swirly, brushed look in places, which is unnoticable except in direct light, and which I would prefer wasn't there, but is apparently unavoidable in this type of finish.
There are one or two locations where there are obvious tooling marks in the shell - nothing major at all and it adds to the 'hand made' feel a bit. Also adding to this feel are the slightly rough cuts of the black rubber seal around the edge of the lid when it reaches a latch or hinge, and one or two of these are cut short. In saying that, they do not appear to compromise the seal of the lid, which appears to be very tight, and is a very close, accurate fit.
The interior is gorgeous - the tartan colour works very well, it is stitched and glued very neatly, and there is no play in the material at all, or any fraying or loose ends anywhere. It also feels very smooth and soft, and I would imagine will be very gentle with a guitars finish.
Fittings
It comes with six latches, two of which are lockable. These are the same kind used on Hiscox cases, and as such as sturdy, easy to operate and reliable. I'd also feel comfortable about getting a replacement should a latch become damaged or defective.
The hinges and D rings are all rivetted onto the body of the case, and feel very solid indeed.
There are very substantial rubber 'feet' screwed and glued onto the bottom, side and rear ofthe case, meaning it can be reliably placed on the ground either standing up on the bottom, lying on its rear, or rested on its side (handle pointing up).
The handle itself is made of a rigid black leather, and is bolted very firmly to the shell using steel brackets - this is not coming off!
Feel
This case weights a ton!!
Ok, not really, but it is heavy. People who have tried lifting it are amazed when I tell them I've still to put the guitar inside! It is not easy to lift and carry. If I was going to be walking any distance with the guitar at all, I would seriously consider just using the Hiscox instead. If I was travelling anywhere using a car or train, or even plane, then this case is perfect. Short lifts into car boots and quick carries from car to venue would be far less of an issue, and of course this is what it's designed for - the ultimate impact protection.
It also feels solid. There are no creaks or wobbles when lifting it, opening it or closing it. Everything is glued, screwed and bolted together very well indeed. It's a pro bit of kit, there's no doubt.
Fit
The all important bit! The guitar was measured up beforehand, so I didn't expect any problems.
In actual fact, there is a little bit of lateral movement with the guitar in the case - only a few mm, and Sam assured me this was absolutely fine. In use, the guitar doesn't move, but there is a tiny amount of room there, which may accommodate my future addition of a strap button or even pick up jack.
Otherwise, it is a very accurate fit indeed, not too tight, just right.
The neck is fully supported along most of its length, and the headstock is held in place with a matching soft pad stitched to the roof of the case. There was another pad stitched at the bottom of the lid to hold the body in place, but the guitar is such a neat fit in that respect that we took this pad out and the lid upholstery holds the guitar in place.
With the guitar inside, the lid closes perfectly and latches easily - no worries at all.
Overall
This was a real indulgence. I didn't need a case of this quality and construction, so I have been spoiled a lot here, but it is a really high quality item, handmade in the truest sense of the word, customised to suit me in particular, and designed to be an attractive and very practical (if heavy) protection solution.
It is lovely to look at, it works very well, and the imperfections it has are merely cosmetic, and add to the overall feeling that this was not mass produced in a factory.
Would I recommend a case from Sam at Pegasus?
Without a doubt.
He has assured me that the waiting time I had was not his usual, and that his turnaround from order to delivery now is around 6-7 weeks, which I tend to believe.
I also enjoyed very regular and amiable communication with him, via the phone and email.
Here are some more pics hopefully showing the colours used in a more accurate manner:
This is my review of the case after having it in my possession for a couple of months now.
For my birthday last year, my family surprised me with the gift of a new Pegasus case. I had no idea they even knew about that sort of thing, but obviously someone had been listening when I was yammering on about guitars and cases and the like, and came up with this incredible idea.
Of course, it had to be ordered and the guitar measured, but that would be part of the fun.
I arranged to visit Sam Gifford, the owner of Pegasus Cases in July 2012, and took a trip up to his home in Foss, near Pitlochry. It is a beautiful idyllic location, and I had a great time chatting with Sam and looking at examples of his work. I had initially hoped the case would be ready by September to allow me to take it to our forum meeting in Halifax, but this would be unlikely.
In the event, the case wasn't completed until February of this year, and I have had it now for around two months.
My first impression was - it's very big!
Appearance
The case is made with a fibre glass shell coloured in British Racing Green, and the interior is upholstered in heavy-weight woolen Tartan. I wanted the shell to match my tartan reasonably well, and I think it has done that.
I also wanted a matt finish which would be less flash, and also possible harder wearing than a gloss finish.
The result of this decision, however, is that the matt finish has a bit of a swirly, brushed look in places, which is unnoticable except in direct light, and which I would prefer wasn't there, but is apparently unavoidable in this type of finish.
There are one or two locations where there are obvious tooling marks in the shell - nothing major at all and it adds to the 'hand made' feel a bit. Also adding to this feel are the slightly rough cuts of the black rubber seal around the edge of the lid when it reaches a latch or hinge, and one or two of these are cut short. In saying that, they do not appear to compromise the seal of the lid, which appears to be very tight, and is a very close, accurate fit.
The interior is gorgeous - the tartan colour works very well, it is stitched and glued very neatly, and there is no play in the material at all, or any fraying or loose ends anywhere. It also feels very smooth and soft, and I would imagine will be very gentle with a guitars finish.
Fittings
It comes with six latches, two of which are lockable. These are the same kind used on Hiscox cases, and as such as sturdy, easy to operate and reliable. I'd also feel comfortable about getting a replacement should a latch become damaged or defective.
The hinges and D rings are all rivetted onto the body of the case, and feel very solid indeed.
There are very substantial rubber 'feet' screwed and glued onto the bottom, side and rear ofthe case, meaning it can be reliably placed on the ground either standing up on the bottom, lying on its rear, or rested on its side (handle pointing up).
The handle itself is made of a rigid black leather, and is bolted very firmly to the shell using steel brackets - this is not coming off!
Feel
This case weights a ton!!
Ok, not really, but it is heavy. People who have tried lifting it are amazed when I tell them I've still to put the guitar inside! It is not easy to lift and carry. If I was going to be walking any distance with the guitar at all, I would seriously consider just using the Hiscox instead. If I was travelling anywhere using a car or train, or even plane, then this case is perfect. Short lifts into car boots and quick carries from car to venue would be far less of an issue, and of course this is what it's designed for - the ultimate impact protection.
It also feels solid. There are no creaks or wobbles when lifting it, opening it or closing it. Everything is glued, screwed and bolted together very well indeed. It's a pro bit of kit, there's no doubt.
Fit
The all important bit! The guitar was measured up beforehand, so I didn't expect any problems.
In actual fact, there is a little bit of lateral movement with the guitar in the case - only a few mm, and Sam assured me this was absolutely fine. In use, the guitar doesn't move, but there is a tiny amount of room there, which may accommodate my future addition of a strap button or even pick up jack.
Otherwise, it is a very accurate fit indeed, not too tight, just right.
The neck is fully supported along most of its length, and the headstock is held in place with a matching soft pad stitched to the roof of the case. There was another pad stitched at the bottom of the lid to hold the body in place, but the guitar is such a neat fit in that respect that we took this pad out and the lid upholstery holds the guitar in place.
With the guitar inside, the lid closes perfectly and latches easily - no worries at all.
Overall
This was a real indulgence. I didn't need a case of this quality and construction, so I have been spoiled a lot here, but it is a really high quality item, handmade in the truest sense of the word, customised to suit me in particular, and designed to be an attractive and very practical (if heavy) protection solution.
It is lovely to look at, it works very well, and the imperfections it has are merely cosmetic, and add to the overall feeling that this was not mass produced in a factory.
Would I recommend a case from Sam at Pegasus?
Without a doubt.
He has assured me that the waiting time I had was not his usual, and that his turnaround from order to delivery now is around 6-7 weeks, which I tend to believe.
I also enjoyed very regular and amiable communication with him, via the phone and email.
Here are some more pics hopefully showing the colours used in a more accurate manner:
Jo whoever he is.
