Guitar Cases
- The American Guitar Academy
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Guitar cases are something that is often overlooked by even experienced musicians interested in saving a bit of money. In this blog post, I will supplement my own experience with buying and actually using all manner of guitar cases, with some common-sense points that everyone should consider.
Before we jump in, just imagine a young 13 version of myself carrying a beat-up old acoustic to a practice session, having wrapped it in some black refuse sacks and far too much tape – don’t be that guy!
The Bottom Line
The bottom line, the bare minimum that your case needs to provide regardless of how you use it, how much you pay and whatever brand name you choose, is going to be pretty consistent with other pieces of gear that focus on protection. Here is a short, but not exhaustive, list:
There must be a certain level of protection (dust, scratch etc),
Showerproof – not necessarily waterproof, but the equipment will survive in outside in the rain for five seconds,
Must make transportation easy – does it have shoulder straps or carry handles? Flight cases for amps tend to have casters too.
I will go into more detail later on, but there is a high chance that the cheapest case you find on Temu will be less useful than a Kleenex. Do not settle for less than the bare minimum!
The Situation
Without going into detail just yet with the price of different products, you should first take a step back and determine the exact scenario in which you are using your guitar. Even an exclusively hobbyist guitar player with no intention of playing outside their house will need to move their guitar one day – this perhaps the only situation where the lowest priced Amazon offering would be acceptable.
When I was at university, I had a close friend (who is still very active in the international touring scene!) who came from a wealthy background. As a result, he could afford many different products from Mono – arguably they make some of the best protection equipment around as I have come to realise – but I disregarded that as an unnecessary expense for a poor student.
When I interviewed a well-known session player, he also used Mono equipment and he was on his way to Andertons Music to replace a faulty product. Mono completely honoured this and offered a full replacement instantly through the retailer. It was the level of commitment they showed to their customers that got me interested so I invested £140 (including student discount!) in their flagship guitar case – that thing lasted me 10 years and survived tours all over the world. I could not commend it any higher!
With that in mind, would I spend that amount of money on a case if I was not performing regularly? I had also just purchased my first premium guitar, my faithful Gibson Les Paul, and wanted something a little easier to walk around with than the included hardcase. The answer is yes; I probably would buy it if I was not performing all the time. It fit all my other guitars in and continued to do so for the duration of its life, some of those guitars ended up being quite valuable.
If you are playing regularly, but you favour guitars that do not have a high monetary value, maybe you should consider going for something a little less pricey. It is entirely possible to have a case worth more than your guitar is, and to me that seems a bit strange. Something middle of the road, perhaps an offering from Gator, would be your best choice then – adequate protection for your instrument without leaving you strapped for cash for a while.
On the other end of the spectrum, if you are in a touring band that moves overseas frequently, transporting several guitars at a time all in one big tour case and either in vans or aeroplanes, a rugged case designed specifically for this purpose from Enki is going to be your best option.
In conclusion to this section, if you are moving the case around yourself a lot, either on trains or other public transport, investing in an appropriate gig bag is my recommendation. Frequent tour bus use means the hardcase still has a place, and bigger artists might need to rethink their strategy (though if you are reading this, you might not be at that level just yet).
Extra Equipment
Another point for Mono cases is the sheer number of alternative products they offer, both as standalone products or as ancillary items to add on to something you already own. For example, you can buy an acoustic version of the Mono case which is the same product just wider and deeper. They also make something called the ‘tick’, which is a utility pouch that affixes to the outside of the case to increase carry capacity.
Other manufacturers offer a series of cases for your other equipment too, and humans love a consistent theme. This can extend to pedalboards, rack cases, flight cases for guitar amplifiers and chests for random equipment.
Budget
Do not skimp on the protection of your equipment. Think about investing your money in this area rather than buying the most boutique drive pedal you can, just because your favourite Instagram guitar player said it was the best. You will probably think everything is ok, until the time when it goes wrong and you just wish that you had changed your mind before. However, it is important to remember to operate within your means, so second hand cases should not be ignored if you are looking for a premium product on a budget.
Here are my recommendations depending on your budget, aim for the best you can afford.
High Budget
Mono M80-EG-BLK (35800jpy/£166.36/$221.94)
This was the case that I used for many years. The raised headstock support means it is suitable for guitars with angled headstocks. There are bass, acoustic and dual guitar versions available (along with pedalboards, backpacks, wallets and more!).
Enki X3 (129044jpy/£599.80/$799.99)
This is the cream of the crop, highest regarded multi-guitar case amongst busy, international touring bands. I cannot find them for sale in Japan, and similar products are available.
Medium Budget
GATOR G-PG ELECTRIC (18600jpy/£86.45/$115.24)
This case is rugged enough, will last at least a few years and has an acceptable amount of padding and damage resistance. The zips are always good in my experience, and there is plenty of storage.
Low Budget
Fender FE1225 (6380jpy/£29.64/$39.52)
In terms of features, this case is pretty basic and fits most regular guitar shapes. They are relatively rugged and reviews do say that it is comfortable to carry, but the capacity of the main pouch on the front is significantly less than you would expect given the external size.
Avoid
As I mentioned earlier on, avoid any and all of the cheapest cases you might be tempted to purchase on AliExpress, Amazon or similar sites. I think you would probably have better luck, and save money, if you decided to wrap your guitar in tissue paper instead.
Final Thoughts
My suggestions above are based on the fact that I would personally only use a high-quality gig bag. This is because it is so much more convenient for me travelling on the train, running around Tokyo to different rehearsals, jam sessions and live shows. Gator also makes fantastic hardcases, as do brands like SKB.
An honourable mention would be the Reunion Blues RBC-E1 case, which appears to be discontinued. The company still makes similar cases, and they are highly recommended for their compact shape, but they have an almost soft-shell case quality. Don’t forget to check this brand out!
What this all comes down to is how much you really care about your instrument and if you want to put in the time, effort and money to make sure you obtain the right product for your situation.
