There’s a new player in the impact-resistant flight case game. Peter McMath has launched Timbre Cases, and will soon be producing these high quality instrument cases from his home base in Fredericton, New Brunswick in Canada.
They are manufactured using an extrusion process from Kydex thermoplastic, a strong but extremely lightweight material designed to offer top stress protection without bulk or needless weight. Kydex, an acrylic-polyvinyl chloride composite, was developed for the aircraft industry in the ’60s, and has since found applications in a variety of industries from knife manufacturing to helmets, telescopes, and marine use.
McMath has been in consultation with the Kydex folks for the past two years about using it for his cases, and is finally ready to start production. They will begin with the DNone model, for dreadnaught guitar styles. All will feature recessed latches to avoid shearing, and torqued hinges to remain open at any angle. Peter has also engineered what he calls an Easy Glide system with wheels and a recessed handle near the headstock to allow you to roll your case through the airport. Each will also have a D’Addario two-way humid control packages installed.
He is using Kickstarter to launch initial production, with four different case options to choose among. This first run will be limited to 200 cases, which they expect to deliver in May of 2015. Customization and color options exist, with prices running from $699-$899 CAD ($619-$796 USD).
This video appeal explains the features of the case, and shows a look at the manufacturing process.
Though only dreadnaught guitars are now supported, Timbre hopes to expand into banjo and mandolin cases soon, along with other guitar body styles.
