Gig Bag Or Hard Case What Do You Prefer

Session 5

Session 5

Ambassador of Strings & Wings
Country flag
Myself, I like a well padded gig bag over hard case. I transport my guitars to my tech for setups once a year, I use the hardcase and my Godin gig bag which is padded well. But if i am going to a friends house , or doing a gig on my own, i use the bag. The Fender bag that came with my new guitar, is not bad.

But there are some bags out there that are very well padded, for instance Gator and Mono bags.


1735789699713.png
 

Attachments

Although I prefer a hard shell case for my guitars, I can understand the allure of a squishy bag…hahahahaha…sorry.
I have really nice gig bags that came with my PRS SE, and my Taylor. Those types are pretty nice.
That said, I’ve traveled with a diverse crowd throughout my days of gigging(or not). I’ve seen some “interesting” decisions made in handling equipment over those years. So yeah….I prefer a good hard shell case.
 
Thatbastarddon said:
Although I prefer a hard shell case for my guitars, I can understand the allure of a squishy bag…hahahahaha…sorry.
I have really nice gig bags that came with my PRS SE, and my Taylor. Those types are pretty nice.
That said, I’ve traveled with a diverse crowd throughout my days of gigging(or not). I’ve seen some “interesting” decisions made in handling equipment over those years. So yeah….I prefer a good hard shell case.
Click to expand...
I have a hard case my Ovation lives in. For the electrics and the bass, I have gig bags. I however don’t have enough bags for guitars. I still need something for my G400 and the Viking. And will need something for the green guitar once finished.
 
Most of my good guitars came with a hard case.
The LP Tribute & Studio came with a "soft case".
Stock soft ones are still fairly sturdy and well padded.
They look quite similar on the inside.
Here's the Tribute case next to the Deluxe gold top case.

soft-hard.jpg

I do have some cheapo Ambazon cases I kinda share with the home builds and junk mods.
I've never stuffed a good guitar in a flimsy bag, but they don't travel often either...
 
Session 5 said:
Myself, I like a well padded gig bag over hard case. I transport my guitars to my tech for setups once a year, I use the hardcase and my Godin gig bag which is padded well. But if i am going to a friends house , or doing a gig on my own, i use the bag. The Fender bag that came with my new guitar, is not bad.

But there are some bags out there that are very well padded, for instance Gator and Mono bags.


View attachment 104525
Click to expand...
Either for shipping or for transport, the hard case is a necessity.
Once a year is one thing, but we frequently transport gear 2-3 times a week and that gear is gonna get smashed.
Why take the chance?
Guitars cost too much money and are too easily damaged.
 
Amp Mad Scientist said:
Either for shipping or for transport, the hard case is a necessity.
Once a year is one thing, but we frequently transport gear 2-3 times a week and that gear is gonna get smashed.
Why take the chance?
Guitars cost too much money and are too easily damaged.
Click to expand...
For sure if I was a gigging musician and actually had an expensive guitar(s), I would have and transport in a hard shell. The 1/2 dozen times in 10 years I played electric at church, my G400 went to church in the gig bag that came with my Ibanez bass.

The Ovation bought in 74 came with a hard case. Even at home, the only time it’s out of the case is when it’s in my hands getting played.
 
Good question and great thread, 5!

I like a hard case for storage only mainly for it's air-tight ability, and bags 100% for carrying and gigging. For some odd reason it seems like they squeeze into anywhere allowing the best common impact protection while you are moving and placing them. They are a foam protected field for a guitar as a mechanical bull riding foam lined fall-off area is to the riders. In a general protection sense they BLOW way a hard case as common bangs and short drops have about 0 shock impact on the guitar, while a hard case is really only good for HARD impact that would otherwise crush, break, or damage a guitar in the serious sense. In this sense the benefits of a hard case are utilized next to never. Hard cases are actually a little contradictive in their general protection ability I believe as well.

A friend of mine had a special acoustic soft case that was rated to handle a 14 foot drop. It was expensive. He used to take his guitar (for bragging demos only) and literally throw it across the room. Lol. The guitar had full protection and was harmed 0. That kind of impact that is most common and why I like my semi-rigid black squishy sacks more than the completely hard option.
 
Last edited:
About 25 years ago this company Ameritage was blowing out their $400 gold series cases for $99. I bought 1 and when it arrived I was so impressed I bought 3 more. They are built like a tank, lots of storage and stand up on their side very well, as they are deep/wide. I used them for which ever guitar(s) I’m taking out of the house.

IMG_2025-01-02-101851.jpeg

IMG_2025-01-02-101908.jpeg
 
Sapient said:
Good question and great thread, 5!

I like a hard case for storage only mainly for it's air-tight ability, and bags 100% for carrying and gigging. For some odd reason it seems like they squeeze into anywhere allowing the best common impact protection while you are moving and placing them. They are a foam protected field for a guitar as a mechanical bull riding foam lined fall-off area is to the riders. In a general protection sense they BLOW way a hard case as common bangs and short drops have about 0 shock impact on the guitar, while a hard case is really only good for HARD impact that would otherwise crush, break, or damage a guitar in the serious sense. In this sense the benefits of a hard case are utilized next to never. Hard cases are actually a little contradictive in their general protection ability I believe as well.

A friend of mine had a special acoustic soft case that was rated to handle a 14 foot drop. It was expensive. He used to take his guitar (for bragging demos only) and literally throw it across the room. Lol. The guitar had full protection and was harmed 0. That kind of impact that is most common and why I like my semi-rigid black squishy sacks more than the completely hard option.
Click to expand...

Yes , some of these bags are well protected, My Godin bag is a good one, there are some that are very well made. some are quite pricey. If i was flying, taking a train or loading up a cube van with guys who were just tossing the gear around, then i would use a hardcase.
 
My first gig bag is a Fender Custom Shop I tried to buy more but was only made one year
the only guitar that was stock with a gig bag is Mayones Hydra 7 string low blow for such a expensive guitar


Hydra 002.JPG
 
Session 5 said:
Yes , some of these bags are well protected, My Godin bag is a good one, there are some that are very well made. some are quite pricey. If i was flying, taking a train or loading up a cube van with guys who were just tossing the gear around, then i would use a hardcase.
Click to expand...
"If i was flying, taking a train or loading up a cube van with guys who were just tossing the gear around, then i would use a hardcase."

For sure.

I think also and as you indicate, anyone else touching the guitar would mean a hard case for sure. Soft or semi hards are good in your own hands only.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top