Hey Nigel...I actually didn't talk to the rep from Gretsch, the dealer did. The good news is, I found a fellow in California who owns a company called Blue Heron cases, who will build me a high quality custom fit bag for about $350.00.
His name is Ken Jorgenson, and he has a radio show called Bluegrass Country on KMUD 91.1 FM. I connected him with my friend J.D. Crowe, who is a giant in that field. J.D. is going to do a call-in radio interview with him. His shop is in Carlotta, California.
I'll do a tracing of the instrument, indicate where the balance point is for handle placement and wait for my new case.
Check out Blue Heron...looks like a fine resource for custom case work.
russ