Musicians need guitar cases to help them get their instruments from point A to point B safely. That’s pretty basic. The only trouble is that buying guitar cases isn’t quite as simple as one might think. With so many different styles and types to choose from, it can be easy to misstep and buy the wrong one.
To help you make a smarter decision, here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Soft-Shells.
Soft-shelled guitar cases are commonly referred to as “gig bags,” because that’s what they basically are — bags. Soft-shelled cases are typically made from canvas or some other durable, lightweight material. Some higher-end gig bags might have extra padding for protection, or small pockets for cables, guitar tuners, sheet music, or other small items, but most often they’re just lightweight bags. This type of case is perfect for the amateur musician who’s just starting out and needs something cheap to help them carry their instrument from point A to point B.
Hard-Shells.
As you may have already inferred, hard-shell guitar cases have a hard, rigid shell around them with a plush interior to protect the instrument inside. They also usually have enough room to hold some extra sound equipment or chunky accessories for guitars, too, like guitar effect pedals. These types of cases are much more durable and provide a lot more protection than gig bags, and, naturally, are much more expensive.
Specialty Cases.
Most guitars are generally shaped the same way, and can fit into just about any type of case. However, there are some guitars whose unique body shapes make them tough to fit into standard guitar cases. For example, Gibson’s Flying-V or Explorer guitars have jagged, pointy bodies that won’t fit into most guitar cases soft, round shapes. Luckily, there are special guitar cases for these special guitars. Unless you have a uniquely shaped instrument, you likely won’t have to worry about getting one of these.
The Too Long; Didn’t Read Section.
Basically, if you need something cheap, get a gig bag. If you need something tough that will definitely protect your instrument, get a hard-shell. If you have an oddly shaped guitar, get a matching case for it.
If you have any questions about finding the right case for your guitar, feel free to ask in the comments. Helpful info also found here.