Gretsch Jet, Les Paul case?

unc2701

Anyone know if a Gretsch 6129 w/ a Bigsby will fit in a hardshell Gibson Les Paul case? Got my eye on an auction, but I won't be able to get to a local guitar shop to test it out before the auction ends.

bmbguy

unc - I've got a LP Standard (1980) with a hardshell case. Lemme know if there's any way I can help you out with measurements, etc.

decal

The tremelo arm will probably indent the lining a bit but it will fit.

unc2701

Thanks, guys!

bmbguy, the lower bout is about 13 and 1/4 inches- if it's going to be an issue, it's probably that or the trem arm. If you get a chance to check before noon, that'd be awesome.

Joe08867

Like unc2701 said the lower bout is to wide. It won't fit.

I did a quick search on Google and found several places that state the same thing. The Jet series no matter what model or year won't fit. The Gretsch is just a little too big.

bmbguy

unc -- my LP measures 13" at the widest spot. But the case has padding all around the inside edge that compresses by 1/4-1/2" on each side, and my guitar doesn't really push it. And the guitar can move up/down in the case about an inch to find that widest spot -- in other words, the curve of the case doesn't fit curve of the guitar EXACTLY. At the widest spot in the case, there is enough room for me to shove my little finger down along the side of the guitar to push it tight against the other side, so there probably is enough slop to fit that extra 1/4" you've got.

As far as the depth is concerned -- there is a pad on the inside of the lid that is about 4x4 by 1 inch thick that rests down on the tailpiece and bridge. I doubt that would be a problem at all with your tailpiece itself, but I could see where that could be a possible problem with the trem bar. I'm sure that removing, moving or modding that pad wouldn't be a big issue.

Lemme know if there's anything else you need...

Edit -- just saw Joe's post above. If others have actually tried it and say it doesn't fit, then it probably doesn't. That 1/4" would have to be only a 1/4", and the curve may not be the same. If the lower part of the guitar is a little 'taller' than the lower section of the LP, it could cause a problem. I certainly don't want to tell you it will fit when there's no way I can be certain...

Edit II -- And actually, after looking at images of the Gretsch online, I think the upper bout may be more of a problem than the lower. The Gretsch looks like the upper and lower are much closer to the same width -- I just measured the LP, and it's only 9 1/8" inches across at that point. The widest part of the upper swell is about 9 3/8" 'above' the widest part of the lower.

unc2701

Hm. Well, I don't know. It's actually one of the older "chainsaw" cases, which seems to have a little more rattle room... and straight lines between the bouts.

Eh. Will try to get it cheap and if it doesn't work out, just flip it.

Thanks for all the input!

bmbguy

unc2701 wrote: »

Hm. Well, I don't know. It's actually one of the older "chainsaw" cases, which seems to have a little more rattle room... and straight lines between the bouts.

My HS case is definitely 'guitar' shaped. If you do get it, I hope it works out for ya.

unc2701

Well, wound up going for more than I was willing to pay, but thanks everyone for the input.