How to Spring the Lock on a Guitar Case

There are a few ways you can get a guitar case open that you locked and can't remember the combination to if the guitar is yours and not stolen. Springing the lock on a guitar case also can be useful if it is an orphaned case because you can reuse it for a different guitar. You can solve this problem the meticulous way, the legitimate way or the destructive way. The choice is yours.

Things You'll Need

• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Registration information for your guitar
• Proof of purchase
• Flashlight
• Small strip of aluminum

Instructions

1. Call your guitar's manufacturer with your official proof of purchase, serial number and registration information. The case is linked to the guitar, and the combination can be retrieved with the correct information. You might be asked for your credit card number and some other information to verify your identity if the guitar was purchased with a credit card.

2. Most guitar cases that come with combination locks have three digits. If you have no other choice, start with the obvious combinations, such as 000 or 123. These often are the default combinations set by the manufacturer.

3. Use a flashlight to peer into the spaces where you turn the thumb wheels. On the thumb wheels will be a very small notch when it reaches the correct position. Find the notch on each thumb wheel, and you should be able to spring the latch.

4. Slide a small strip of aluminum into the space between each thumb wheel. Turn each thumb wheel until you can feel the notch described in Step 3. Move on to each thumb wheel, and the latch should spring open.

5. If those combinations fail, make yourself comfortable, and scroll through the combinations one by one. It might take a while, but eventually you will find the combination.

6. As a last resort, you can spring the lock of your guitar case with a hammer and a screwdriver. Unfortunately, the locks aren't very durable, and a few solid whacks should spring the lock. However, you might appear to be walking around with a stolen guitar after that, so be prepared to defend your good standing. This also could result in losing the warranty from the manufacturer.

References

• Gibson: FAQs
• Fender: Support