Can you put a shorter length guitar in a longer hard guitar case?

Question

I have a cheap guitar that I am learning on and am planning to eventually buy a better quality guitar.

My current guitar is 43" long. I was wondering if when I buy a new guitar, will I be able to use the same hard-cover case for that guitar if it is shorter than 43" long?

How snug of a fit is necessary for the guitar?

Thanks!

Additional Details

Correction - it's 41" long.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

I say YES it will fit, and it gives you more room in the case to for stuff, like your capo, picks, tuners, etc. Also, your guitar may get banged up a bit. For this, I suggest goin down to te hardware store or something and buying some styrofoam. Not the crappy kind that gets all over the place, but good decent styrofoam, like you can use as a floatation device for a raft. Then, get it cut or cut it yourself to fit the space in the guitar case when the new guitar is in it. When it fits, rip away some of the casing of the case and apply a strong adhesive to the styrofoam and attach it. Then, go and buy some casing that matches the rest of your case so it looks nice. Problem solved!!!

Source(s):

I did it once with my old guitar case. It worked nicely. I just hope your not a neat freak, because the size perspective will bother you. I am a neat freak.

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

I forgot to consider that I'll need to pack other things in the case besides my guitar (eg. picks, strap, capo, etc). Thanks for your answer! I think a little larger will be good. And the Styrofoam sounds like a good idea.

Answer 2

well,i dnt know how short of a guitar ure going to buy next.most guitars are in length of 39" to around 45".so if u bought another guitar that was 39"it would rattling around in there and u dont want that to happen.another thing is is that u need to consider the width and style for example this happend to me i had a stratacaster for my first guitar then when i bought my second guitar a bought an explorer and i didnt think about the style of the explore it has a big edge sticking out and it was alot wider so i couldnt fit it into my old bag.so u might end up having to buy another case for your new one like i did.you could sell your old guitar and old case and buy a new guitar and a new case to fit it.depends on what you want to do

Answer 3

Hey Jules

Their is always some play in any guitar case, whether it is made for it or not.
It needs breathing room and secondly, you can put your guitar strap or extra set of strings in it.
Don't worry if your guitar is 40" or if the case if 46". Irrelevant.

Source(s):

Student Guitarist / Luthier

Answer 4

You can always wrap the guitar in a towel or something to keep it from banging around in the case.

Answer 5

The length of the case shouldn't be an issue. If the case is made to fit your current guitar body snugly, it may not fit your new guitar's body.