*DISCLOSURE: The mustang, stratocaster and the other guitar cases are NOT for sale and are NOT included in this listing or the final sale price.
I have for sale an off-brand hardshell guitar case from what I believe to be from 1964 or before. The story goes:
I purchased the pictured 1965 (neck stamped Feb. 65) mustang and it came to me in this case. The seller told me that the guitar was found underneath a bed and it is believed to have spent majority of its life in this guitar case, under this bed, before being sold to me. Granted, it is possible this case and the guitar met during or after 1965. I have found an era correct case for it and am now selling this one. I believe that sellers story, because inside the storage space in the case, included an original Fender dust clothe, and an advertisement paper from the 1960s. The case has blue felt inside it. I know my mustang and this case spent a long time together because my mustang is in excellent condition. The only wear it has is where the blue dye from the felt of the case seeped into the finish (not pictured). The guitar had to have sat in this case for decades in order for that to happen. Part of me feels this mustang belonged to a student. The original case issued with these guitars was a little too big for the student so they opted for a smaller case. That's why all those extras were found in this case. They just swapped cases. Hardly any wear to the outside of the case, which more so shows it sat. Maybe the student gave up on guitar and stowed it away? Any ideas? Please message me!
The case for sale is for an offset guitar, particularly a 3/4 size model (the mustang is 3/4 scale). However, it will fit a full size stratocaster (pictured) and lock. I have only tried fitting the strat and mustang in it. I'm sure it will hold any mustang variant. Probably not a jazzmaster/jaguar. Maybe a tele. The case locks, but the latch to the left of the latch by the handle requires some elbow grease to get it to lock. One of the pins holding the hinge opposite the handle is coming out. No key included. Case has no keyhole to lock it. Hardly any padding inside either. As I have moved guitars in this case across country before with no issues, I still do not trust this case to protect any guitar. The latches all read "USA Excelsior Stamford Conn. (pictured). I've done some research. It appears that company issued the latches for guitar cases between the 50s and 70s, but it is not the brand of the case. Pictured next to a modern Gibson and Taylor case to show height. I believe it is an American-made case as the latches are American, and I feel most electric guitar accessories from this era were made in the US. Case smells like it came from the sixties or before. Since the first production run of the musicmaster was in 1956, I can date this case from 1956 to roughly 1965.
I am not fully sure of what the actual value of this case is. If it is more than what I am asking, frankly that does not bother me. This case will be sold as a final sale (as-described) and I will NOT accept any returns. Please review all the pictures, description, condition, and message me with any questions prior to submitting an offer or buying. Shipping to the continental United States only and always open to local pick-up in New York. Thanks for looking!
