The Best Guitar Cases
What is the most important piece of guitar equipment aside from the guitar itself? The guitar case. Without it, your guitar is naked to the world when you carry it to shows, making it susceptible to dings, scratches, or even worse damage. Without a sturdy and durable guitar case, there is simply no transporting your guitar from gig to gig. The case has to hold up to collision, drops, and your absentminded drummer spilling his beer all over it. So, whether you're into gig bags, hard shells, or dreadnought cases, we've found a few of the best ones to keep your main axe safe and sound (see what we did there?).
Cahaya 41-Inch Guitar Bag
Case in point
Traveling musicians with plenty of gigs need a guitar case that’s worthy of an encore, and this is it. Gig musicians will enjoy plenty of convenient storage with this guitar case thanks to two exterior pouches (on the front and neck). Musicians can stash their sheet music, CDs, and other accessories in a flash. Not only is this guitar case built for storage, but it’s also designed for superior comfort. It comes with dual, fully adjustable shoulder straps and also includes double handles so you can carry it as a backpack when you’re on the move.
Pros:
- Thick, comfortable padding
- Compatible with 40- to 41-inch guitars
- Back hanger loop
Cons:
- Small pouches
- Snug for full-sized guitars
ChromaCast Electric Guitar Hard Case
Electrifying protection
Inside this sturdy yet sleek wood hard case, you’ll find a plush-lined interior for extra protection. You’ll also find a large compartment to keep your accessories on-hand and ready for action. Protection doesn’t stop on the interior, though: for added security, the exterior boasts sturdy chrome latches and bumpers aligned on the sides and bottom. Together, this promotes overall stability to keep your electric guitar safe. This electric guitar hard case is also built to endure the rigors of travel. When you’re packed and ready to roll, grab it by the comfortable handle and go.
Pros:
- Lockable
- Extra neck and bridge padding
- Molded handle
Cons:
- The handle could be more sturdy
- Odd neck placement
- Instrument may move around some (not a customized fit)
Fender Multi-Fit Guitar Bass Bag
State your case
Aside from being designed by a notable name in the industry that you can trust, Fender’s bass bag offers many other features such as padding and soft-touch velour lining on the interior. Making sure you’re comfortable while going gig-to-gig is a critical element of this bass bag. That’s why Fender uses 400 denier polyester with ergonomic backpack straps for superior comfort. With a water-resistant reverse zipper and a zippered slip pocket to hold all of your necessities, this bag is handy for storing things like picks, a tuner, and extra strings.
Pros:
- Thick interior padding
- Adjustable ladder-lock buckles
Cons:
- Somewhat short straps
- No hanging hook
Gator Hard-Shell Case
Get off my case
Looking for superior acoustic guitar protection? Then this is the acoustic hard-shell guitar case for you. This Gator hard-shell case is designed to accommodate plenty of popular acoustic guitar models like Gibson, Yamaha, Takamine, Washburn, and plenty more. Made with ultra-durable plywood, this case can handle anything that comes its way. Of course, the added durability also means that this case is a bit on the heavy side. Aside from durability and a larger headstock, this case also sports an ergonomic handle with a comfortable grip to help you take your acoustic guitar anywhere.
Pros:
- Accommodates six-string and twelve-string acoustic guitars
- Black Tolex PVC covering
- Distributes the guitar’s weight evenly
Cons:
- A bit heavy
Crossrock Electric Guitar Case
In case you want vintage
From the deep, wine red plush to the gold latches, this guitar case has vintage flair in spades. You will love how this guitar case looks like it’s straight out of the 1960s, yet the quality is top-tier. This guitar case is built to accommodate semi-hollow and hollow body electric guitars, including the infamous Gibson ES-335. This results in an old-fashioned guitar case that is versatile enough for many musicians. The case’s looks aside, musicians will also love the thick and dense padding on the inside and the deluxe gold latches made from high-quality tweed PVC on the outside. Now, you won’t have to worry about dings or damage while you’re traveling in vintage style.
Pros:
- Thin profile
- Thick foam padding
- Resists tear
Cons:
- Handle placed a bit low
Frequently Asked Questions
For added safety, should I get a locking guitar case?
Sure, every little bit helps, but the keyword here is “little.” The locks on a guitar case are so small that they won’t deter a thief who really wants what’s inside that case. You’re better off making the small investment of a keychain GPS tracker and hiding it in the fabric of the guitar case.
I dropped my guitar case. Is its integrity ruined?
The great thing about guitar cases is that they’ll “show” you when their integrity is gone. The handle comes off. The latches break. The lid hinges detach. The shell cracks and the insulation becomes exposed. There is no standard life span for a guitar case. When it’s time to get a new one, you’ll know.
Can I store my solid-body electric guitar in a dreadnought guitar case?
We don’t recommend it. If you play one of the thinner-body styles of guitar, like a Strat or a Gibson SG, it will rattle around inside the open space of a dreadnought (or most acoustic guitar cases). This can cause damage.