Crossrock Fiberglass "Archtop" Case Review

[spencer096]

INTRO

This is the mid-tier CRF2020 series.

I just bought a new archtop that needed a case I'd feel comfortable carrying around, but offered more crush resistance than a gig bag. This topic is an often recurring one, judging by combing through the archives, and there really isn't a perfect compromise between protection, convenience and...all importantly...price.

Calton, Hoffee and a few others make incredible cases that come with an equally incredible price tag. One that's absolutely worth it, if you're a musician who travels extensively and flies (spoiler alert...I'm not). Hiscox seems to get rave reviews at an affordable price, but I wasn't sure I could get one here in Ohio. Given the financial gymnastics I had to pull off to get this guitar, the thought of eating Trader Joes burritos for a month so I could get a Hoffee seemed just an awful proposition.

Here's the big caveat in this review...

I decided to give this universal fit fiberglass case that's made in China a try because a) I had Amazon gift certificates lying around, b) I was lucky enough to catch a flash sale, and...without spoiling part of the review...c) got a credit. End of the day, I was $100 and change out of pocket for this case...had I spent the typical $430-500? The tenor of this review would be far more negative...

...but given its intended uses (i.e. not flying or traveling around in a touring van), I honestly don't think the reviews themselves would be that much different.

RIGHT OFF THE BAT

This case might try to look the part, but there is absolutely zero comparison in build quality or workmanship to Calton/Hoffee here. Dissuade yourself that this is a $500 Calton solution, because this ain't it.

That said...

PROS

1. Gotta admit, it's a good looking imitation.

2. TSA lock and latches are nice, smooth, secure...got some backpack straps...leather handle is nice too.

3. Man is this thing light, but by no means do you think your guitar isn't adequately protected during everyday stuff like in the back seat of a car on your way to a local gig or lessons or something. Really portable.

4. I like the nautical themed cheap hydrometer. It probably isn't accurate, but you know what? I'm a sucker for a nice font.

FIT

Again, if you're expecting this universal-fit guitar case to fit as snug and perfect as a Calton, you're going to be disappointed. But if we're talking about using this for everyday stuff, it's excellent. I really have to say I'm impressed with how snug the guitar fits in this case (using one of the two included extra pads). There's a little give, a little wiggle, but I'm using a decent bit of effort and the guitar isn't really moving much.

There's a ton of room in the headstock part to store some stuff or add extra support. I really like how they designed the tiered top and bottom where the body rests. Puts all the secureness on the sides and no touching of the bridge or strings on the top of the front part. And you can't feel any looseness to the guitar when carrying it by the handle. The guitar is secure in there pretty good.

For a universal-fit case, this is an aspect that I'm very pleased with.

CONS

This blemish came from Amazon's side and that's why I settled for a credit. It's pretty superficial, but...yea, pictures speak a thousand words.

At first the case didn't really open and close on the same plane, and you'd have to kind of shimmy it...but that hasn't been a problem in a few days, so I think maybe it just settled in or something? I don't know. What I can say is that it's not anywhere near as solid of a case as those other two, and that you'd notice this difference immediately. Like I said before...there is no comparison to build quality or workmanship. That's why this case is priced at $500 and not $1,300+ (they do make cases in that range, but if they feature the same levels of craftsmanship and materials it'd be impossible to recommend them).

Cheaper fiberglass, an (at least initially) ill-fitting lid? I would strongly advise against flying with this case protecting an instrument you highly value.

CONCLUSION

It was difficult to write this review knowing that its target market likely won't have the same confluence of events that allowed me to get this case for the price of an entry-level gig bag. At about $100, I'm pretty happy with it to say the least.

Of course I'd like a Calton/Hoffee...but I gig locally and take lessons...why do I need a case that robust? Simply put I don't...and for all the flaws in quality of materials and workmanship...this case is absolutely robust enough to handle a workload like that. Could you take it on a subway or a bus? Hell yea, without any worry whatsoever.

But those are my initial thoughts having bought it at $100. If I bought it at $500 (minus the blemish of course), that paragraph would likely read like this.

Of course I'd like a Calton/Hoffee...but I gig locally and take lessons...why do I need a case that robust? Simply put I don't...and while I think this is massively overpriced, this case is absolutely robust enough to handle a workload like that. Could you take it on a subway or a bus? Sure.

It's less enthusiastic, no doubt, but at the end of the day as long as you're not flying or throwing an L-5 into a loaded van like an idiot, it's still a pretty good case. Just keep an eye out for one that dips below $375 on Amazon. I opted to keep it because it's wayyyy better than the tank Ameritage case it's replacing. Damn, honestly...comparing this case to that Ameritage instead of a Calton probably would've been a better idea.

To put a bow on this...good case, don't fly with it.

[Gitterbug]

A recurrent topic, with reason. Why should quality cases cost more than budget, yet giggable, guitars? No tonewood, no impeccable finishing, no electronics, no meticulous setup, just a few hinges and latches. I was going to bring up the Tric case protecting my Godin 5th Avenue. EPS, light and protective. A quick look at their website: totally different stuff now. I'm lost.

[sbeishline]

Figure I may as well chime in with my 2c as I have 2 of these cases.

Very nice review, BTW, and I agree. Same amateur-player reasoning behind not spending a heavy bag of coppers on a Calton/Hoffee.

I ended up getting a CRF2000C case for my first archtop build from eBay. I tried to get the closest fit for my guitar's particular dimensions and it ended up fitting totally snug like a glove - couldn't be a better fit as luck would have it. It does a great job for car transport and gig protection, but wouldn't send it airborne alone without having it in hand. The hygrometer is completely useless and I ripped mine out, so it wouldn't scratch my headstock. The latches aren't as tight as I would like, but they work. Storage is great.

Overall, it's a nice case and checks all the boxes for my needs. So much so that I bought another CRF1000LSL (Les Paul sized) for my current build. I don't expect that this guitar will fit snuggly like my other one as my lower bout will probably be 1/2"-3/4" smaller, but all the other dimensions will work well. Figure I can add some additional foam padding to the sides if necessary.

For the price point, I totally recommend Crossrock cases as long as you know what you'll be getting.

[sgosnell]

I wonder if the cases Eastman uses are available elsewhere. They're similar, fiberglass or carbon fiber, probably fiberglass, but the one I had was an excellent case, and my only complaint was that there was no room for anything else in the case, not even a strap. It fit the guitar perfectly, though, and was very robust. About the same weight as a standard case. I have no idea of the cost, because it came with the guitar, but I would say they're easily worth $300 or so.

[ccroft]

I still have the old 'cello case'. It's not carbon, and I don't think it's fibreglass but it might be. Maybe just 'plastic'. But it's my favourite. Noticeably lighter, smaller and far more maneuverable than the Guardian I also have. Excellent weather seal. The OP's case looks like better padding though.

Definitely not checkable. I got mine with a used 2007 Pisano 880. It had a giant fragile sticker on it and so I think it had been checked, and there are signs of some crushing damage to the guitar.

I will happily use it for my B-120 when it arrives. I think of it as a super duty gig bag.

[RJVB]

At first the case didn't really open and close on the same plane, and you'd have to kind of shimmy it...but that hasn't been a problem in a few days, so I think maybe it just settled in or something? I don't know. What I can say is that it's not anywhere near as solid of a case as those other two, and that you'd notice this difference immediately.

My first "formed" violin case was like that, and if it was open you could really "shimmy" it. To a point where I asked the local violin luthier (big business catering to several musicschools, the conservatory, local philharmonic etc). He taught me that these have a clamshell design that looks flimsy when open but becomes very robust when closed.
So as long as the two halves latch together appropriately with a little shimmying I wouldn't worry about a bit of jiggle.

You mention that the strings aren't touched, what about the pickguard?

[spencer096]

You mention that the strings aren't touched, what about the pickguard?

nope…only part of the lid that touches the guitar is the outer ring. You can see this in the first pic under FIT…the outer ring keeps the guitar secure all around the sides, but leaves ample room for the bridge, guard, etc.

adter w couple more days, I’m quite pleased w this case.

[chris32895]

Don't want to revive this thread for no reason but I have an Eastman 880 model and am wondering if this Crossrock would be a good upgrade over the standard case Eastman provides? My case is wooden, not the plastic/cello style case like earlier models.

[tbeltrans]

All my guitars came with cases, so I am not really knowledgeable on the price of cases and levels of quality. However, if a decent quality case costs $500 these days, that must be an OK price. I recently saw somebody on reverb.com selling a Gibson Citation case for $1,000. That seems a bit much to me. The case that came with my Citation weighs a ton and I wonder if the lighter Calton type cases might provide just as much protection for half that price.

I can see some reluctance paying $500 for a case for a guitar that cost less than that, but if you really like the guitar, some sort of protection would be worthwhile. I had an inexpensive Ibanez archtop that would have been really nice for me except that the string spacing and nut were just a bit too tight for my taste. If it had been a bit wider, maybe like my Eastman FV-880, I probably would have kept it. These days, there are makers on the inexpensive side making surprisingly good instruments, but I think they usually come with cases. Mine did.

Tony

[FourOnSix]

I don't know about the case, but that Nickerson guitar is a beaut!

[spencer096]

Don't want to revive this thread for no reason but I have an Eastman 880 model and am wondering if this Crossrock would be a good upgrade over the standard case Eastman provides? My case is wooden, not the plastic/cello style case like earlier models.

honestly if I didn’t get this case for essentially nothing, I wouldn’t consider it a massive upgrade anywhere but weight. It’s a nice case no doubt, especially if you tote it around town frequently.

But I wouldn’t fly w the Crossrock…that’s the situation where a high end case like Calton of hoffee really earns its weight in literal gold.