As a music store employee, one of the things that pains me the most is seeing a customer carry their guitar in for a repair without any sort of protection. They then spend their hard-earned money for a repair or restring, only to carry their instrument out of the store by the neck. This guitar is destined for doom without a gig bag or case.
Gig Bags
Gig bags are usually the most economical choice for carrying around your instrument. They’ll often come equipped with a handle and backpack straps for ease of travel. Gig bags are much lighter and less bulky than a hard case, but don’t provide nearly as much protection from dents, dings, humidity, and temperature changes. Generally, they’ll contain a zippered pouch or two for books, picks, extra strings, and other accessories. Gig bags come in varying thicknesses that offer different amounts of protection. The absolute lightest bags provide protection against dust, but not much else. Thicker gig bags can take more of a beating before the guitar inside takes any damage. Compared to other options gig bags are easier to fold and store when your instrument is NOT inside.
Hard Cases
A hard case will provide the best protection for your instrument. Even at home, a hard case will help maintain humidity and prevent your guitar from sustaining catastrophic cracks (especially if you use a humidifier as well). Hard cases are designed to stand up to the toughest of situations, whether being tossed in the back of a van in a pile with other instruments, being accidentally dropped, stepped on, or even standing up to the rigors of an airplane’s cargo hold. Most cases have a compartment inside for accessories. Hard cases also hold up better than a fabric gig bag that may need replacing after years of wear and tear.
Hybrid Cases and Bags
A hybrid case or bag will give you a little bit of the best from both worlds. The interior is a bit stiffer than a gig bag and won’t provide quite as much protection from humidity and temperature changes as a hard case but will provide better protection from rain than a gig bag. However, they’re a bit lighter than a hard case and often have backpack straps to make traveling around easier. These types of cases/bags also tend to have neck support for instruments, unlike regular gig bags.
When it comes to choosing the right protective case for your guitar, you have many choices. Anything is better than nothing. But the best choice is one that will withstand the rigors of your lifestyle, climate, and traveling demands. My advice is to get the best option you can afford – this is an investment that will protect your instrument for years to come.
Ryan Brondyke is the Category Manager for guitars, ukuleles, folk instruments, and sound and recording equipment at West Music. Ryan has been playing fretted instruments for 23 years and has worked in the music retail industry for 4 years. In addition to overseeing sales, marketing, and inventory of guitars and ukuleles at West Music, he teaches guitar lessons, builds and fixes effects pedals, plays guitar in a classic rock cover band, and plays drums in alt/indie/rock band Casual Disasters. You’ll find Ryan representing West Music at our ukulele booth at the TMEA conference in San Antonio – stop by and say “hi!”
