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Hello and welcome to my review of the Gator GC DREAD dreadnought case.
This review will look at a number of factors and determine what I think of the case as well as show you what others think of it.
Amongst other things the review will take into account:
- Protection/Fit
- Durability
- Weight/Compactness
- Quality
- Price
- Functionality
Table of Contents
- Overall Rating
- GC Dreadnought Case Specs
- Best Uses
- Details
- Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
- Value for Money
- Where to Buy/More Info
- FAQs
Overall Rating
- Case: Gator GCDREAD Deluxe Dreadnought Guitar Case
- Price: $119 (USD) – $189 MSRP but usually doesn’t sell for this much
- Fits: Dreadnoughts
- Rating Score: 87.5/100
PROS
- Sturdy
- Nice soft plush interior
CONS
- Some fit issues – but that comes with most cases
- A bit ugly – IMHO
GC Dreadnought Case Specs
Check out the specs of the Gator GCDREAD below.
Internal Dimensions
| in INCHES | in MILLIMETERS | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Length (width): | 41.25″ | 1048mm |
| Body Length (width): | 23″ | 584mm |
| Lower Bout Width: | 16″ | 406mm |
| Lower Bout Width: | 12.25″ | 311mm |
| Upper Bout Width: | 12.5″ | 318mm |
| Body Depth: | 5.5″ (but tapers down a bit towards the neck of the body) | 140mm |
Interior dimensions are as per Gators website. Some stores have slightly different measurements published.
External Dimensions
| in INCHES | in MILLIMETERS | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Length: | 44.25″ | 1124mm |
| Width: | 18″ | 457mm |
| Body Depth: | 7.25″ | 184mm |
Exterior dimensions are as per Gators website. Some stores have slightly different measurements published.
Weight
This case weighs 11lbs (5 kg) according to Gator – but is listed as 9lbs at a couple of stores I looked at. I haven’t weighed it myself. Assume that it’s 11lbs as that’s how the manufacturer lists it.
Materials
- Shell & Outer: ABS Plastic
- Interior Lining: EPS Foam and Plush lining
- Hardware: Chrome plated lockable latches, reinforced “extra strength” handle
Best Uses
This case is pretty sturdy so will be fine for protecting your guitar in transit to lessons, band practice etc.
Not strong enough as a flight case – so if you will be transporting your guitar via air I would invest a bit more in a proper flight case to make sure it’s protected.
The seal is pretty good too – so if you need humifdity control for your case then this will work well for that too (using something like Humidipak).
Fits dreadnought acoustics – but this is a pretty broad claim these days with different dreadnoughts having slightly different dimensions – make sure to check measurements with your particular dreadnought before purchasing.
Details
Below are the details for a number of different factors.
Protection/Fit
Even though this case is made from plastic and not wood, don’t be fooled. It feels pretty sturdy so they obviously are using high quality, tough plastics.
In terms of fit you’ll have to be careful to make sure your guitar will fit, as you always have to be with any case that isn’t designed for a specific guitar. Even though it says that it fits dreadnoughts, be careful to make sure that it fits your particular dreadnought.
Some reports have stated that the case didn’t fit their dreadnought, whilst others say it’s a perfect fit.
I’d really like to see guitar case manufacturers come out with a list of guitars that the case fits. Do a bit of research and release the list so that buyers can be sure.
O.k. rant over?
Durability
Whilst I read one review that claimed the case cracked after 6 months – there were no other complaints surrounding durability. I imagine that they either got a dud one or it was pre-damaged in transit when being delivered which made it weak.
Try to make sure, if you’re ordering online, that you make sure that they are sending it protected and don’t assume it protects itself. Like I say it’s not a flight case so no guarantees it will survive transport undamaged.
Ease of Carry
If it’s 9lbs as some stores claimed then it will be quite easy – that’s not super light but lighter than most cheaper cases like this. However, if it’s actually the 11lbs stated by the manufacturer (as I suspect it is), then it won’t be as easy to carry.
Compact
it’s not incredibly compact but not overly bulky either. 11lbs is on the heavy side in terms of weight but if you’re only carrying it short distances it will be fine.
Hardware
The hardware seems pretty heavy duty and seems to line up well and the latches latch well. The latches are lockable too.
Recommended
90% of those that reviewed this case on Musician’s Friend would recommend this case.
The case scored 4.3/5 stars on amazon.com (55 review), 3.8/5 stars on Musician’s friend (13 reviews) and 4.3/5 stars at Guitar Center (3 reviews)
Storage Space
There is pretty standard storage space in the area under the neck of the guitar for your picks, strap, strings, capo etc.
Style
Personally I find it a bit ugly. Maybe it’s hard to mold the case to look like a guitar when your using ABS plastic but surely that would cut down on a bit of weight too.
But, of course, looks are in the eye of the beholder.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the table below to the see the breakdown of the score I gave the case.
| Out of 100 | Overall Contribution to Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Protection/Fit | 90 | 22.5 |
| Durability | 85 | 12.8 |
| Ease of Carry | 85 | 12.8 |
| Compact | 70 | 7.0 |
| Hardware | 85 | 8.5 |
| Recommended | 90 | 13.5 |
| Storage space | 85 | 4.3 |
| Style | 70 | 3.5 |
| TOTAL SCORE: | 84.8/100 |
Note: Things like protection get more contribution to the final score, and things like style get less – this is a reflection of what I believe is more or less important in a guitar case
Value for Money
Depending on what price you can get it for, then yes. But definitely don’t pay the MSRP of $189 (USD) – the standard price for this case is $119 (USD). Even then I probably wouldn’t spend that.
Just because I think there are better options for cheaper. But if you can find it for less than $100, then go for it (assuming it will fit your guitar of course).
I did a quick calculation, from a small sample of cases (54 different cases), for the average of guitar hard cases – and the average price was $97.68 – and the average price out of those for dreadnoughts was $97.03.
Where to Buy/More Info
Disclosure: Links may be affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you.
Check out the links for more info on this case plus a bunch of user reviews so you can see what others thought of this case.
If you want to check out other options, then you could check out some of the other case reviews on this site: Acoustic Guitar Case Reviews
FAQs
Gator Cases is a reputable brand known for producing guitar cases that offer good protection for a range of instrument types. The quality and features can vary between models, so it’s essential to choose a Gator case that matches your specific needs and budget.
