Super Light Classical Guitar Case Review

I love visiting Japan to see  all the interesting products that are only available there. Food, fashion, electronics and even classical guitars.

Japan has an unusually large appetite for the classical guitar. It is a large market and many products are produced for the domestic market with no intentions of being exported to other countries.

Enter the Super Light line of foam cases. The cases are available for classical and western sized guitars and commonly used by some Japanese luthiers for their domestic instruments. Instruments made for export are typically shipped in a hard-shell case.

I received the Super Light case as part of my recently acquired Wataru Tsuji Grand Suprema. Aside from a screw that had come loose and a slightly deformed section of the headstock area (refer to photos), it was in excellent condition.

I’ve seen a few foam cases over the years and typically I scoff at how poorly-made they are. I have not seen a foam case that has impressed me until now.

Interior

The Super Light case looks and feels like a premium case. The interior features a wine-red velour fabric. The base features a slight patch of padding. The size of the padding is decent, but the amount of padding is rather thin. I would have liked more padding.

The placement of the padding is excellent. It is placed in an area that would come into contact with the guitar first.

It also features a Velcro strap that wraps around the neck and holds the instrument in place.

There is an accessory compartment underneath the neck portion of the case. The lid of the accessory compartment has a small handle.This makes is easy to open the latch. Then compartment lid is fitted with an elastic strap underneath. This ensures that the lid is always closed .

It’s a double-edged sword. It makes retrieving items with one hand difficult but ensures that the lid is always closed so that you do not accidentally place your guitar in a case with an open accessory compartment. Personally, I like it.

Exterior

The case is covered with a water-resistant nylon fabric. It features dual zippers and a locking flap with gold hardware.

It has metal feet instead of rubber ones and comes with 2 should straps. The case can either be carried on one shoulder, or like a back pack.

On the lid of the case is a large pocket for books and scores.

The case weighs a mere 2.8kg  and is so light that it has a tendency to topple over backwards when the case is open and empty.

The Super Light case is the most nicely made foam cases I’ve ever seen. It is light and offers as much protection as a foam case can afford.

It definitely isn’t as strong as a Hiscox or a good carbon fiber or fiber glass case, so I wouldn’t ship a guitar or check a guitar in a plane with it.

If you wear it as a backpack and fall backwards onto it, I also question how much protection it can afford.

The Super Light case is a good case that does what it’s supposed to; it’s a great around-the-town kind of case that looks elegant, functions well and is easy to carry due to its light weight.

It offers more protection than a gigbag, but less protection than a hardshell case while maintaining a light weight.

If you are looking for a well-made, light weight case for general around town use, the Super Light case may be the answer.

It has a retail price of $320(¥20,790) and is available at fana or rokkoman.