I've been engrossed reading all the poop about the custom case builders on here for the last several hours and for some stupid reason I feel compelled to weigh in on this. I've been an acquirer of custom cases for most of my life. I hesitate to say collector, because I've sold most of them just so I can buy more of them it seems. I've had them all, Fellini, Flowers, Justis, Murnak and even a Chas Clements that I designed with Chas, you name it I've had it. I don't think it is fair to compare most of these guys to each other at all, they do different things. Now these are just my opinions and personal observations as I've done business with most every case maker alive, so please don't flame me. Justis,Murnak, and Barton all build incredibly great cue cases whatever the price. I would call Justis for a case if I wanted to be able to customize a case based on a variation of standard options and tooling choices. I know Jack has done some truly exotic skins and incorporated some high end hand tooling into some of his cases over the years, but there is a fairly standard theme, if you like that, you will be happy.
If you want a case that can be compared to the finest heavy weight luggage ever made with a pretty damn good list of custom options and hand tooling, Murnak is your guy. I will say, be prepared to pay up front and wait, don't get uptight about the delivery date, and don't call bothering the guy every couple of weeks, you will get the case, and you will happy.
If you want an incredibly functional and well made case, and like to feel as if your getting bang for your buck, Barton is your guy. John is a true innovator in an industry that usually just kind of plods along. I've seen some of Johns cases that I didn't personally like and some I've loved, so it goes when you push the envelope.
If over the top custom hand tooling is your thing then try and convince Chas Clements to build your dream, but be forewarned, time means nothing to Chas, and every phone call will cost you a little bit more, but in the end, it's worth it. I could still kick myself for selling mine.
There are many more great case makers out there all doing fantastic work, but I thought I would focus on the ones that were the lightening rods for the crap I've been reading, and enjoying. Just thought this might help somebody pick out a builder for what they truly want. I currently own cases from all three of these builders and several others, and I use them all depending on where I'm going and what mood I happen to be in.
If you want a case that can be compared to the finest heavy weight luggage ever made with a pretty damn good list of custom options and hand tooling, Murnak is your guy. I will say, be prepared to pay up front and wait, don't get uptight about the delivery date, and don't call bothering the guy every couple of weeks, you will get the case, and you will happy.
If you want an incredibly functional and well made case, and like to feel as if your getting bang for your buck, Barton is your guy. John is a true innovator in an industry that usually just kind of plods along. I've seen some of Johns cases that I didn't personally like and some I've loved, so it goes when you push the envelope.
If over the top custom hand tooling is your thing then try and convince Chas Clements to build your dream, but be forewarned, time means nothing to Chas, and every phone call will cost you a little bit more, but in the end, it's worth it. I could still kick myself for selling mine.
There are many more great case makers out there all doing fantastic work, but I thought I would focus on the ones that were the lightening rods for the crap I've been reading, and enjoying. Just thought this might help somebody pick out a builder for what they truly want. I currently own cases from all three of these builders and several others, and I use them all depending on where I'm going and what mood I happen to be in.
