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There are three main types of guitar cases ranging from barely protective to super strong. But which type you’ll want to choose will largely depend on how and how much you plan to move your guitar from place to place.
But don’t think that gig bags aren’t protective. More modern, slightly higher-end gig bags can have neck cradles and impact panels just like hard cases. While your cheapest option will always be a gig bag, depending on the quality, prices can range from $10 to $100 or more.
Sturdy and with more padding than a gig bag, a hard case will keep your guitar safe from any accidental bumps or scratches.
When choosing a flight case, look for TSA-approved locks, wheels, and gasket seals for an extra level of protection. But don’t just automatically get a flight case because it offers the most protection. They can be very heavy and pretty expensive, so if you aren’t going to be flying, a hard case is enough.
What your case is made from is nearly as important as the kind of case you choose, as the better the material, the better protected your guitar will be.
Synthetic materials like nylon are not only stronger and more resilient than natural materials, but they are also more likely to be water-resistant.
Hard cases can also be made from other materials such as fiberglass or plastic, but these tend to be heavier and more expensive. Stay away from chipboard, which is basically thick cardboard. It’s flimsy–and in most cases, lacks padding.
For flight cases, however, you want to look for injection-molded plastic. This will offer you the thick-walled protection that a trip in the cargo hold requires.
Guitar case lining comes in two varieties—fluffy and spongey. Plush, fluffy lining is generally cheaper and offers the best protection for preventing scratches. Faux fur and, in some more luxurious cases, velvet are popular options.
In any case, you’d be hard-pressed to find any kinds of fabric or velvet that would harm or otherwise alter your guitar’s finish. A spongey foam interior, on the other hand, will offer better shock-protection.
To check if it fits, make sure the guitar sits flat and there’s no pressure on any one part of it. But to give yourself the best chance at ordering the right size on your first try, you should always check the case’s measurements against the size of your own guitar before deciding to buy it.
Most guitar cases aren’t just things to wrap your guitar in—they can come with other features, too. Gig bags will normally have shoulder straps for easy carrying.
If you bike or need to move around quickly, many also come with backpack-styled straps, which leave your hands completely free. In any case, ensure that any straps are padded so that it’s comfortable.
Gig bags often also have exterior pockets to hold straps, sheet music, and other accessories. Hard cases and flight cases also come with storage, though not normally as much as gig bags. If you need to keep your things all in one place, be sure to look for a case that can handle it all.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Gator Gator Cases Hard-Shell Wood Case|Dreadnought | $99.99 Mid | Withstands Any Kind of Non-Air Transportation and Holds Many Kinds of Guitars | ||
2 | Gator Gator Cases Molded Flight Case|Dreadnought | $150.26 High Mid | A Flight Case You Can Use Every Day | ||
3 | Gator Gator Cases Transit Series Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag|Acoustic | $109.99 High Mid | A Gig Bag Sturdy as a Hard Case | ||
4 | Yamaha Yamaha Acoustic Guitar Hard Case|Dreadnought, hard case | $79.99 Mid | For the Environmentally Conscious Musician | ||
5 | CAHAYA CAHAYA Premium Guitar Gig Bag | $27.89 Low Mid | Sponge-Padded Bag with Ample Storage | ||
6 | Ibanez Ibanez Acoustic Guitar Bag | $59.99 Mid | A Good-Looking Back With a Strap for the Neck and Ample Storage | ||
7 | ChromaCast ChromaCast Acoustic Hard-Shell Guitar Case | $59.98 Mid | Solid Value Case if You aren’t Particularly Rough with Your Guitars | ||
8 | CAHAYA CAHAYA Acoustic Guitar Bag | $16.90 Low Mid | Budget-Friendly Protection for Beginners | ||
9 | Faswin | $16.99 Low Mid | Keep Dust Off and Prevent Small Scrapes | ||
10 | SKB SKB Injection Molded Acoustic Guitar Case | $342.99 High | Flight Case that Does Everything It Can to Protect Your Guitar |
Reviewers say the case is extremely sturdy with secure latches and just enough padding.
Reviewers do think that the bag can be a bit heavy, but the protection it offers is enough to satisfy any guitar player. It has lasted through bumpy United Airline flights while stored in carry on luggage compartments.
Reviewers do mention their guitars not fitting into the case, so you'll want to double-check sizing before clicking buy. However, others say that this case has great padding and fits Yamahas perfectly.
Some reviewers do say the bag is cheaply made and rather thin. But the bag works for most others, who say it's great value for their money, providing plenty of room and a decent amount of padding.
It has four pockets for ample storage and can even hold a 13-inch laptop. On the inside, there’s a strap to hold your guitar’s neck in place to prevent any damage from movement.
Faswin's Gig Bag provides a snug fit for most standard sized 41-inch guitars. It's lightweight at only 600 grams, which makes it perfect for easy transportation to and from a concert venue. Although made of thin material, it does wonders at keeping your guitar dust-free and saves it from minor bumps.
Younger guitar learners can fit about 30 to 40 pages of sheet music in the large front pocket when attending lessons. Overall, since the case is soft and thin, it's best used for cheaper travel guitars; but note that this case is not waterproof.
Reviewers note that you absolutely need to check your guitar dimensions before buying this case, as it can be a tight fit. In addition, it doesn't have a ton of padding, but just enough for safe transportation. It's also fairly well made, and, like the above, perfect for beginners.
Reviewers note that it's definitely not an everyday case, it's highly protective and keeps out humidity.
The world of music is a vast one. You can play an instrument, listen to pop, or even learn about the amazing world of developing jazz. Whatever you're looking for, we have you covered with buying guides that can help you choose the best product for your purposes.
No. 1: Gator|Gator Cases Hard-Shell Wood Case|Dreadnought
No. 2: Gator|Gator Cases Molded Flight Case|Dreadnought
No. 3: Gator|Gator Cases Transit Series Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag|Acoustic
No. 4: Yamaha|Yamaha Acoustic Guitar Hard Case|Dreadnought, hard case
No. 5: CAHAYA|CAHAYA Premium Guitar Gig Bag
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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