What started as the expression of individuality led to the demand of a product that has become recognised worldwide. Here is a brief story of the evolution of Jonny Coffin and his Coffin Case Company.
Jonny Coffin is a guitar player, writer, surfer, designer, and inventor. While playing and touring with his band many years ago, he visualized a concept for an unusual shaped case that would incorporate his style, while maintaining functionality and durability. He conceived of a case possessing a shape that not only fit the outline of the guitar, but also fit a deeper, darker image. He sat down and began to sketch out a few concepts, and soon, he concluded that the Coffin shape provided the outline and the image he desired. Jonny then set out building the first "concept coffin case" with his woodworking experience limited only to carpentry skills he had learned to support his music and surfing careers in his late teens. He admits that the first few cases were far from his vision. He continued to refine his craft and created a case that was as much a work of art as the guitar he placed inside of it. And so, comes now, the birth of the first handmade Coffin Case. Jonny received so much attention from his case that he recognized an opportunity to create a lucrative business for himself.
As attention for his fine cases grew, Jonny engaged the advice and assistance of friends and experts in the fields of woodwork and silver jewellery casting. Under the tutelage of these master artisans, Jonny mastered the art of the elegant grand piano, high-gloss finish, and 18th Century French antique silver jewellery carving and casting. Jonny shared his stunning cases with a few notable acquaintances and was hired by several to design and create high-end display cases for the artists to showcase their most prized instruments in their homes. Many of Jonny's original customers are listed as Coffin Case's biggest name endorsees.
Recognizing the potential marketability of the Coffin Case, Jonny acquired domestic and international design patents for the Coffin shaped cases. Jonny then created a consumer line of Coffin Cases possessing exceptional quality, style, functionality, and affordability. The success of the Coffin Case has grown into a lifestyle company recognized worldwide with numerous product lines reaching into clothing, skateboards, snowboards, purses, and handbags. Coffin Case products are featured in over 600 stores nationwide and several countries including Japan, Australia, Germany, Canada, and the UK.