Help me pick my case lock...

[whattaguy]

Hi all. This is a weird question and dilemma. I own a '90 LP Studio in an LP case...the ones with the combination lock on it. Somehow, my combination changed, and I don't know how to open my case. Does anyone know how to pick the lock without breaking it?

PM me if you don't want to let this go in the open.

...and to state the obvious, yes, I own the guitar.

 

[Trent Reznor]

It's difficult to explain how to pick a lock, especially one I can't see. Perhaps you could post some pictures and I could tell you the most efficient way of opening it.

 

[boingoman]

I would try each number off by one.

Like if your combo is 456, try 556 then 356, 466, 446, 457, 455.

 

[olfunk]

thatd work if you could roughly remember it but if you don't then theres 999 numbers! and thats if hes lucky enough to have a 3 number one. if it was 4 itd be 9999!

 

[sile2001]

It actually doesn't really take that long to force crack the code on a 3 digit combination lock. Just start at 000 and make it a goal to try at least 100 combinations a day and you'll have it open with 10 days at the most. If you break it into smaller more manageable chunks it always seems easier. You could even try 10 digits and then go do something else for a little while, and then try 10 more, so on so forth. It only took me a couple of weeks of doing it off and on to crack a 4 digit code. Of course, how long it takes all depends on where in the 1000 combinations the correct one lies.

It's much easier on locks that actually have a loop on one end because sometimes you can just work on the dials one at a time and watch for the loop to move, or put some tension on it and feel for a small shift. I'm not sure if that kind of a trick would work on a lock that was integrated into a guitar case though.

 

[whattaguy]

I would try each number off by one.

Like if your combo is 456, try 556 then 356, 466, 446, 457, 455.

I know my old combo...but somewhere in the mix, someone changed it. I guess it would be close to my old number.

Thanks for that suggestion.

 

[wx3]

I have a 90's Les Paul Studio and case just like yours. One of the things I love about my case is that even if you know the combination on the case, it's still hard to open. On my case you have to push the latch to the right as you pull it open with your thumb.


I don't know if that made sense to you but give it a try.

 

[ggunn]

I know my old combo...but somewhere in the mix, someone changed it. I guess it would be close to my old number.

Thanks for that suggestion.

Yes, if it got changed accidentally, it's probably just + or - one digit off on one of the numbers.

When you finally get it open, set it to 000. Combo locks on guitar cases are kind of silly, IMO. If someone is going to steal it, they'll just take it, case and all.

My case combo is 000. Come and try to get it. ;^)

 

[wx3]

When you finally get it open, set it to 000. Combo locks on guitar cases are kind of silly, IMO. If someone is going to steal it, they'll just take it, case and all.

Yeah, they won't prevent anyone from stealing them but they will keep your average sticky handed 5-year old out of them.

 

[Armistice]

Some 3 barrel combo locks I've come across of the relatively cheap variety are simple to pick by applying pressure to the lock mechanism while turning one dial at a time - you can feel the right place - then you move onto the next dial etc. Give it a try.

 

[Outlaws]

Yeah, they won't prevent anyone from stealing them but they will keep your average sticky handed 5-year old out of them.

I was just gonna say....roommates.

 

[IronFlippy]

This reminds me of spaceballs:

"So the combination is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5? That's the kind of code an idiot would put on their luggage!"

I don't remember the exact words, but something to that respect.

Outlaws, if a college room mate wanted to get at your guitar in the case, he'd probably be drunk at the time. In which case he'd try breaking it open. Or setting it on fire as a prank.

 

[whattaguy]

Thanks. I will keep you updated.

 

[faderbug]

thatd work if you could roughly remember it but if you don't then theres 999 numbers! and thats if hes lucky enough to have a 3 number one. if it was 4 itd be 9999!

there are 1000 and 10000 combinations, you forgot to count 000 and 0000.

you're welcome

 

[normalizer]

i think the best way to pick it is to jam a huge flat head in it and pry it open. also when you do this, you won't have to wory about accidentaly locking it again...