duganderson - Posted - 04/01/2025:  07:48:36

I'm looking for suggestions for an inexpensive protective case for a Square Neck Dobro?

Thank you! Doug

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 04/01/2025:  11:51:17

Is this an actual Dobro brand guitar?

You capitalized all three words - Square Neck Dobro - that's why I'm asking.

Check out this case specifically designed for Dobros from the Epiphone division of Gibson. It's about the same price from whichever online store you choose.

I bought a 1936 Model 37 a little over a year ago and I have been considering one of these cases because the seller sent it to me in its original chipboard case from the '30s which is pretty sketchy.

This modern Dobro case @ $129 strikes me as being fairly inexpensive.

tinyurl.com/2v3kdw2d

duganderson - Posted - 04/01/2025:  14:25:57

No....it's a Gretsch Bobtail.

That case seems like a pretty good deal.

Edited by - duganderson on 04/01/2025 14:26:57

MarkinSonoma - Posted - 04/01/2025:  15:31:51

Well it's good that you specified it's a Gretsch, since squareneck resophonic guitars come in a variety of shapes and sizes and like shoes, one size doesn't fit all.

The Bobtail seems to be based pretty much on the prewar Gretsch brand resos that were built for that company by Regal of Chicago when they were building actual Dobros back in the 1930s so it might be a good fit. 

But of course you will want to compare measurements. If you didn't scroll down earlier on the Amazon listing, you can find the dimensions of the case there to see if it will work with the Gretsch. 

Edited by - MarkinSonoma on 04/01/2025 15:32:53

Charlie Bernstein - Posted - 04/03/2025:  04:55:31

If you email Gretsch, they'll tell you.



Unlike flattop guitar cases, makers don't offer a wide range of sizes for squarenecks. That means two things. For one, there's probably one case built to accommodate your guitar — not a variety of types, materials, and prices.



For another, it won't be real expensive, since your guitar wasn't. For about $125, I got a Dobro-branded Epiphone-made case for my Dobro-brand guitar. It's well made and a perfect fit.

(And Mark makes a good point. To avoid confusion, remember that all dobros are not Dobros.)

Edited by - Charlie Bernstein on 04/03/2025 05:00:12