Locked Gibson in case,any advice?

[MiamiBluesJam]

I recently locked my SG in my case and forgot the combination...Can someone please help.I have a guitar center down the street,can they get it open without ravaging my case?My nearest tech is over 100 miles from here,and its not worth the drive to open a case.Thanks in advance.

[The Geoff]

Now if we told you how to do that, every thief who stole a guitar in its case would know.

 

And that wouldn't be good for you or me.

 

I vote you take it to your local locksmith.

[Ol Boy Rivers]

Dude....That has to suck. Nice guitar...All locked up...Anywho. First off man, Welcome to the forum, if you cant find help here, Your better off asking your lawn. The locked case! Without ravenging your case...Allright. Look for a few things. Check your locks and latches, If its a normal case they will be " Riveted " On instead of something like a flathead screw or something. BUT if it has those screws, Just unscrew the lock and open the case to reclaim your glory. SECOND this one WILL ravage your case though. Get you a pair of bolt cutters and snap off that lockbar. THIRD is go to your guitarcenter. NOW depending on that case...They MIGHT have a key that opens the case. ( Alot of cases use cheap keys that are standerd for all cases, Chances are yours MIGHT be one of them. ) Hope this helps guy.

[Ol Boy Rivers]

Originally posted by Ol' Boy Rivers:

Dude....That has to suck some. Nice guitar...All locked up...Anywho. First off man, Welcome to the forum, if you cant find help here, Your better off asking your lawn. The locked case! Without ravenging your case...Allright. Look for a few things. Check your locks and latches, If its a normal case they will be " Riveted " On instead of something like a flathead screw or something. BUT if it has those screws, Just unscrew the lock and open the case to reclaim your glory. SECOND this one WILL ravage your case though. Get you a pair of bolt cutters and snap off that lockbar. THIRD is go to your guitarcenter. NOW depending on that case...They MIGHT have a key that opens the case. ( Alot of cases use cheap keys that are standerd for all cases, Chances are yours MIGHT be one of them. ) Hope this helps guy.

I just got proved a jackass by geoff...Someone Cut my pride off...

[I I mjrn]

What sort of lock is it?

Many times one can figure the combination out by trial & error...tedious but workable.

Let me know the type of lock (rotary dial; number series; etc) & I'll PM you some more specific tips.

[S. Yeti Bigfoot, Esq.]

If it's one of those with 3 number dials, you only have about 1,000 possible combinations. Just start dialing them sequentially beginning at 000...the most you'll have to dial is 999....plus, you'll never lose your place (all you have to do is look at the last number you tried).

 

By the way...you have a 50/50 chance of having to try less than 500 numbers.

[Ol Boy Rivers]

Atleast Sasquatch is looking on the upside of things. If it is one of those locks, Ive done one. Took me 3 hours and alot of coffee.

[The Geoff]

Originally posted by Ol' Boy Rivers:

Originally posted by Ol' Boy Rivers:

Dude....That has to suck some. Nice guitar...All locked up...Anywho. First off man, Welcome to the forum, if you cant find help here, Your better off asking your lawn. The locked case! Without ravenging your case...Allright. Look for a few things. Check your locks and latches, If its a normal case they will be " Riveted " On instead of something like a flathead screw or something. BUT if it has those screws, Just unscrew the lock and open the case to reclaim your glory. SECOND this one WILL ravage your case though. Get you a pair of bolt cutters and snap off that lockbar. THIRD is go to your guitarcenter. NOW depending on that case...They MIGHT have a key that opens the case. ( Alot of cases use cheap keys that are standerd for all cases, Chances are yours MIGHT be one of them. ) Hope this helps guy.

I just got proved a jackass by geoff...Someone Cut my pride off...

 

I'll send you a 'foot in mouth' remover later.

 

 

G.

[Ol Boy Rivers]

Yeah...Better bring the ky and vicegrips, Its pretty far up there...

[The Geoff]

LOL!!

 

 

G.

[Dr. Ellwood]

Did you buy it new? if you did I bet Gibson could help you out? If somehow you could you where in possession of you own guitar and case. I had that happen on one of my brief cases and called Coach Leather the manufacturer of it and they told me to put a flat screwdriver behing the toggle and pop it.. and that it would be ok ..and it WAS! I just reset it and put in a new combination and no problem.

[marvar]

From the Gibson site:

The combination lock on my case wont open, how can I open it without damaging or removing the lock?

If the combination was somehow changed, try shining a flashlight into the spaces where the thumbwheels turn. As you rotate the wheel, you'll see a small notch once it gets to the correct number. Line up all three thumbwheels in this way, and it should open.

 

You can also use a thin strip of metal if you have trouble using the flashlight method. Using a thin strip of metal (we suggest one cut carefully from an aluminum can) - to insert into the space beside each thumbwheel - hold pressure on the metal strip as you rotate the wheel - you'll feel the notch as you rotate - stop when you feel the notch and move on to the next wheel until you have all three set.

 

The long way around this is to start at "000" and work through the 1,000 combinations - it can take a few hours, but it does work!

 

If the lock is seems stuck or is actually damaged, we do recommend having a locksmith open/repair the damaged lock.

 

Below are listed the instructions for resetting the lock combination -

 

The locks are set at the factory to open at 0-0-0.

 

To set your own combination;

 

1) Choose 3 digits which you can recall easily-address, phone, birthday, etc.

 

2) Press the button in a direction toward the dial with your thumb and hold with your other hand (Use point of ballpoint pen) rotate the dials to the desired setting. Then, release the button.

 

3) Your lock is now set to open on the three digits engaged at the time you release the button.

 

CAUTION!

 

4) Accordingly- NEVER rotate the dials with the button held open UNLESS you make careful note of the dial setting upon release of the button.

 

5) The manufacturer is not responsible for damage resulting from misuse, abusive handling, or failure to follow instructions.

 

Remove the red arrow before setting the lock.

 

* Please note:

 

Make sure to cut down the red plastic pin before operation.

[Dr. Ellwood]

Good stuff MARVAR! at some point we might all be able to use your contribution..thanks for doing the research!

[fantasticsound]

Well, I'm glad someone else checked the Gibson site. I had to give that information out a lot when I worked for Gibson Customer Support.. and I was only there 3 months!

[Ol Boy Rivers]

I...smell...a...GUINESS!

[I I mjrn]

Sasquatch's advice on the sequential # test is a bit like what I've done previously.

I usually works much faster than one imagines.

 

The advice quoted from Gibson is great except 4 this:

"try shining a flashlight into the spaces where the thumbwheels turn. As you rotate the wheel, you'll see a small notch once it gets to the correct number. Line up all three thumbwheels in this way, and it should open.

 

You can also use a thin strip of metal if you have trouble using the flashlight method. Using a thin strip of metal (we suggest one cut carefully from an aluminum can) - to insert into the space beside each thumbwheel - hold pressure on the metal strip as you rotate the wheel - you'll feel the notch as you rotate - stop when you feel the notch and move on to the next wheel until you have all three set."

 

I&I'm torn B-tween thinking it helpful & thinking it irresponsible.

Doesn't that sound like an X-cellent way 4 a bandit 2 open some1 else's property?!

[Ricochet]

An acetylene torch works really fast.

[marvar]

Originally posted by I & I mjrn:

I&I'm torn B-tween thinking it helpful & thinking it irresponsible.

Doesn't that sound like an X-cellent way 4 a bandit 2 open some1 else's property?!

If someone wants to steal your guitar- a cheap case lock ain't gonna stop them no how- I figure if Gibson makes it public knowledge, thieves have already read it anywho, or already know the procedure. I sure hope no one is depending on the case locks to discourage a thief.

The best idea is to never let your axe out of your sight.

Personally, I've never used the locks anyway, I mean, it's just as easy and faster for a thief to walk away with the case, guitar and all, as it would be to open the lock, steal the guitar.

[Xplorer]

...what you're going to need is some spent CO2 airgun cartridges and some triple 'F' black powder...

[MiamiBluesJam]

I forgot to introduce myself.My name is Sonny East.Thanks for the Info!Its a Gibson usa case,with the 3 dials.Ill let you know when i get it open!(No i didnt rip anyone off,this guitar was a gift from my hard-working father.)

[The Geoff]

God Bless your Dad!!

 

Sorry if I seem suspicious - it was a fairly ambiguous kinda post.

 

Geoff

[fantasticsound]

Originally posted by I & I mjrn:

...I&I'm torn B-tween thinking it helpful & thinking it irresponsible.

Doesn't that sound like an X-cellent way 4 a bandit 2 open some1 else's property?!

First, unless you're familiar with the procedure it's not easy. Heck, even if you are familiar it's not easy!

 

Second, as has been mentioned, a lock of this type will not keep a thief from stealing your guitar, in case, and open it elsewhere, later. What it will do is a) keep you from ruining your case in an attempt to free your instrument and b) assuming your notion is correct that a thief finds this information, at least your case and instrument will be safe if the police manage to recover it.

[Braxat]

Hey,

 

welcome to the forums, as its said before, you cand find help here on anything related on guitars, even if they are not invented yet ( AI. Guitars designed for sasquatche's... PUN intended )

[teleman65]

Originally posted by marvar:

Originally posted by I & I mjrn:

I&I'm torn B-tween thinking it helpful & thinking it irresponsible.

Doesn't that sound like an X-cellent way 4 a bandit 2 open some1 else's property?!

If someone wants to steal your guitar- a cheap case lock ain't gonna stop them no how- I figure if Gibson makes it public knowledge, thieves have already read it anywho, or already know the procedure. I sure hope no one is depending on the case locks to discourage a thief.

The best idea is to never let your axe out of your sight.

Personally, I've never used the locks anyway, I mean, it's just as easy and faster for a thief to walk away with the case, guitar and all, as it would be to open the lock, steal the guitar.

The thieves told Gibson

[S. Yeti Bigfoot, Esq.]

Originally posted by Braxat:

Hey,

 

welcome to the forums, as its said before, you cand find help here on anything related on guitars, even if they are not invented yet ( AI. Guitars designed for sasquatche's... PUN intended )

Heeeeyyyy!!!! I resembles that remark!

[Durockrolly]

Locksmith!!!

[MiamiBluesJam]

I got it open after reading this the other day.I just sat and fiddled the numbers for a few minutes and it popped open.Needless to say ever since ive been tearing it up. thanks again!