A question regarding case covers: Anyone use 'em? I seem to find two that'll fit: Small Dog and Colorado. Does anyone have any experience with these two products? I've never seen any of them in person, but I'm interested in learning more. The Frank Ford website section titled, "what's wrong with case covers?" got me thinking about them. Here's the link:

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/Acessories/Cas...s/WCover/wcover.html

Thanks!

I own a Small Dog cover and I used to own a Colorado case cover. I would still own the Colorado case cover if I didn't end up including it in a deal that entailed me shipping a guitar to Romania. I feel that the Colorado is a little better, since the material is a codura rather than a nylon, and since there is an opening where your guitar case handle sticks out for you to carry it. The Small Dog I have has it's own handle, and I feel that could cause problems at some point down the road with wear and tear. Either will do the job, but I plan on getting another Colorado to replace the one I gave away. Had the guitar I shipped fit in the Small Dog, I would have sent that one and kept the Colorado.

I have Colorado Case covers for my guitar and banjo. Chose them for the true insulating qualities, not just to protect the cases themselves.

Colorado Case had test results of the insulating properties of their case covers, posted on its web site.

Have never used a Small Dog. My own opinion is that the pile lining is good for trapping warm air generated by a human being. But to protect an instrument from rapid thermal changes, you need a true insulating material that significantly slows down the heat transfer from hot to cold or cold to hot, and I'm not sure that a pile lining would be adequate. However, Small Dog might have more information on the thermal properties of its cases.

Have been very pleased with the materials and workmanship of Colorado Case.

Alex

I like both. My cases are 4-5 years old and used 1-2 times a week. Both are in great shape and it is easy to tell which of my guitar cases are pre- or post-cover purchase. I like the Colorado cover for the velcro piece that goes under the case handle to cover the portion where the zipper doesn't close because of the handle sticking out. The Small Dog is just open where the handle sticks out. I like the small dog for the strap on the bottom because I carry my guitars where I need to pull them out from the end pin side of the guitar.

I ordered a custom Colorado cover for my MT-2 with double insulation and it is perfect with the handle cover piece sewn where the handle is so only one side is velcro'ed. Perfect guitar case would be like that with a end pin side strap added.

I would buy a Small Dog case next to support a local dealer. They are close enough for that to be the deciding factor for me. I got the cases for added insulation--the reason I ordered the custom case with extra insulation--because I blamed heat for pickguards lifting on an early nineties D-2H and SJ. I figure the insulation gives me some leeway in the amount of time a guitar can spend in the heat before bad things happen. Same for slowing down wood movement and finish problems in cold weather. The bonus is keeping the cases in great condition.

Hey everyone: Great input here -- many thanks. What about the combination of a case cover with a Calton? I hear the Calton's provide some extra insulation quality. Is a case cover over overkill? If nothing else, I'm thinking the Calton would at least benefit by keeping it looking really good. Thoughts?

I have a Colorado case cover for my D1A and it does provide extra insulation for the guitar, plus keeps the case from getting banged up.

However, I find it to be a nuisance in everyday use. It flops around when you open the case and then you have to re-fit it over the latches, etc to close the case.

I have a Calton for my D2H and I think that adding a case cover would be overkill, but that is just my opinion.

I have a Calton for one of my guitars, and have a Colorado case for it. Again, for the thermal properties, not for protecting the case itself. I recall a note from Al at Calton many months ago, and understanding that the case and the lining don't result in any extra thermal insulation on their own. However, because the Calton is close to air tight and has fairly thick padding, it is probably more insulating to the instrument than a standard wood case.

For me, if the outside temperature is over 80 or under 60 degrees, or I'm carrying the case in the sun, I'm using the case cover. Why take a chance on a multi $k instrument when you can have insurance from a $140 insulated case cover?

Alex

Many thanks to all of you who have responded to my questions -- much appreciated!

Anything worth killing is worth overkilling, I always say. That's why my Collings travels in a Calton with a Small Dog cover. Can just never get too much insulation.

I'm thinking so, as well. I live in the frozen tundra where we've had some seriously cold weather the past few weeks with overnight lows below 0 (F) and daytime highs in the single digits. Why take the chance? I ordered a Colorado Case cover yesterday.

Google Alerts...Gotta love it when they recognize an 18 month old post!

Anyway, I thought I'd chime in on a couple of facts regarding the differences between Small Dog (SD) and Colorado Case Company (CCC)brands. Since we make both, I can be very objective in the differences.

Outer Shell: SD uses a 420 denier nylon pack cloth, CCC uses a 1000 denier DuPont brand Cordura. At its basics, the higher the denier the thicker the material. Many cheaper cases use an off brand and imported Cordura. The imports don't wear nearly as well as the DuPont brand. We purcahse both materials with a urethane backing to provide a high degree of water resistance.

Pockets: SD has a large zippered pocket, CCC has a large pleated pocket. the pleated pocket allows for bigger items because it has depth. However, a pleated pocket can't seal completely and small items could fall out if the cover is turned upside down.

Insulation: CCC was engineered, tested and manufactured to provide thermal protection. While SD may provide some thermal protection, it is not nearly as insulative as the CCC brand.

Dealers: We have a much better dealer network, hence availability, with the SD product. But their are some online CCC dealers available.

Inventory: We stock over 50 sizes of guitar covers in the SD brand. We only stock 5 CCC sizes. Because the CCC brand is a bit higher end, we make most of them to fit your tracing. This results in a perfect fit, color combination, pocket arrangement and strap configuration.

Warranty: Lifetime warranty for CCC products, one year on SD.

Hope that helps...

Steve
Colorado Case Company

I didn't see this thread originally.

I had a Colorado Case Cover for my D2H.
I have to assume it's the same cover that MEP posted about above, because he bought it from me.

It certainly did what it was advertised to do, provided substantial padding and insulation, avoided dings to the case. I'd certainly consider getting one again if I traveled a lot with a guitar, took it to outdoor festivals, etc.

As it happened, I rarely took my D2H anyplace. So I experienced more of the disadvantages of a case cover than the benefits. Such as: i) bulky; ii) another, slightly cumbersome, layer to take on and off, iii) have to store it someplace if you don't have it on the case, and iv) significant added weight when carrying the case around.

So it was perfectly good for what it does, but I'm not rushing out to get another one, given my current and prior use pattern.