For players that are on the move, no matter how frequently or infrequently, investing in one of the best guitar cases or gigbags is a must. If you’re transporting your instrument out of the house then a quality case will help keep it protected.
The best guitar cases and gigbags can also be the ideal place to store your instrument at home. Keeping your instrument out is great for when you want to play quickly, but keeping it in a case will help keep it safe from accidental damage, and can also help with things like humidity and changes in the environment around it.
Of course, if you’re playing shows regularly then you’ll need a good case for getting your guitar from A to B. You might be loading up a van or trailer, so you’ll need something that offers a lot of protection – you don’t want another piece of equipment falling on it and causing serious damage. The best guitar cases and gigbags can help protect from all sorts of dangers that lurk within the world of gigging.
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Quick list
Hiscox makes a range of cases to fit all manner of electric, bass and acoustic guitars. It's actually the go-to brand that many boutique guitar manufacturers look to when they want to include a hard case, which speaks volumes in itself.
The Boss CB-EG20 is a gigbag, and then some. It sort of offers the benefits of both a regular gigbag and a hard case in that it provides a lot of protection, but it’s still pretty lightweight and can be carried on your shoulders.
Inspired by cases of the ’50s and ’60s, these brown Lifton cases are nearly as iconic as the guitars that you’ll find inside them. They’re included with Gibson’s Custom Shop reissue guitars, so if they’re chosen to keep those instruments safe and secure, then they’re going to be good.
There’s something about the look of Fender tweed that screams class. Maybe it’s because we’ve seen it on some of the best amps ever made, or maybe it’s because those early Fender guitars were kept in tweed cases. You can recreate that golden era vibe with the Fender tweed case.
If you need to take more than one guitar to a gig then you’re usually looking at taking multiple cases. The Mono M80-2G means you no longer have to. You can take two guitars in one incredibly sturdy, durable bag.
This is probably one of the best gigbags to get if you’re on a budget. Whilst it doesn’t offer the protection of a hard case or semi-rigid bag, it does give you 10mm of padding that will help keep it safe from scratches or light bangs. Whether you’re using it to store your guitar at home, or to travel around with, it’s going to keep your guitar safe.
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The fact that the series is called Frequent Flyer hopefully gives you an idea of the sturdiness of these cases. They’re made from military-grade polyethylene and can withstand a fair amount of abuse. So much so that we’d be happy transporting one of our guitars on a flight using this case. The lock on the center latch is even TSA-approved, so you really can fly with confidence.
Stagg often gets a bad rep, but it actually produces some good stuff at very reasonable price points. Its Ndura gigbag series features 10mm of durable padding offering a good amount of protection for your guitar.
Best case overall
Hiscox makes a range of cases to fit all manner of electric, bass and acoustic guitars. It's actually the go-to brand that many boutique guitar manufacturers look to when they want to include a hard case, which speaks volumes in itself.
Hiscox cases are made in the UK within their specially-designed factory. The cases feature the company's triple shield technology which helps protect against a variety of external threats that exist when taking your guitar out in the big wide world. Its marketing actually shows a number of people stood on one of its cases to show how strong and crush-proof they are. We don’t recommend that, but it’s nice to know that a Hiscox case can withstand up to 500kg crushing weight.
They’re also super padded inside so your instrument is safe from scratches, knocks and drops. They contain thermal insulation too, helping your instrument resist changes in the environment around it. The ABS is very durable but it’s not too heavy, resulting in a hard case that’s relatively lightweight, but still very protective.
Best gigbag
The Boss CB-EG20 is a gigbag, and then some. It sort of offers the benefits of both a regular gigbag and a hard case in that it provides a lot of protection, but it’s still pretty lightweight and can be carried on your shoulders.
It’s got a semi-rigid construction, so even without an instrument inside, it retains its shape. Inside the bag it’s got a lot of soft, thick padding as well as internal impact panels on the front and back. There’s an extra cushion at the bottom to protect against dropping it, though that is detachable for longer guitars. It’s also got neck support and straps so your guitar is locked securely in place.
As you might expect, it’s on the more expensive side of things for a bag, but it really does offer a lot of protection, and it’s probably easier to carry around for long periods of time than a heavy, bulky hard case.
Best for a Gibson
Inspired by cases of the ’50s and ’60s, these brown Lifton cases are nearly as iconic as the guitars that you’ll find inside them. They’re included with Gibson’s Custom Shop reissue electric guitars, so if they’re chosen to keep those instruments safe and secure, then they’re going to be good.
It’s a durable wooden case, and you can get them to fit a few different Gibson guitars. Inside it’s got very soft pink padding that’s perfectly molded to the shape of whatever guitar it has been designed for. Once in, the instrument lies securely in place, and won’t be moving around at all whilst you’re on your travels.
These Lifton cases look great, but of course their main job is to protect your guitar, which they do really well.
Best for a Fender
There’s something about the look of Fender tweed that screams class. Maybe it’s because we’ve seen it on some of the best amps ever made, or maybe it’s because those early Fender guitars were kept in tweed cases. You can recreate that golden era vibe with the Fender tweed case.
It’s made from very durable 3-ply wood, meaning that your instrument is protected from all manner of bumps and knocks. If you’re traveling to shows, the studio, rehearsals, or just to jam with friends, then this case will not only keep your instrument safe, it will really help you look the part too! On the inside, it’s got a soft crushed acrylic plush lining, so your guitar dwells in luxury comfort, safe from any tiny scratches it might suffer in a cheap bag or something less sturdy.
We probably wouldn’t risk it on a flight, but in most other instances, the Fender Tweed Case is one of the best around!
Best dual case
If you need to take more than one guitar to a gig then you’re usually looking at taking multiple cases. The Mono M80-2G means you no longer have to. You can take two guitars in one incredibly sturdy, durable bag.
Many of us like to have a couple of guitars when playing live; however, if you’re using public transport to get to gigs, then carrying multiple cases can prove troublesome. This is where the Mono Dual case comes in so handy. It provides both guitars with lots of protection so you can travel more easily, with peace of mind.
It’s basically two separate cases in one, so both guitars are fully protected. Inside are neck braces that suspend the headstocks, meaning that neither one touches the back of the case. The necks are locked in place too, so they’re very secure. There’s high density foam strategically placed to reduce damage if dropped, and the outer shell absorbs and deflects hard impact away from the vulnerable points of the guitars.
Best budget gigbag
This is probably one of the best gigbags to get if you’re on a budget. Whilst it doesn’t offer the protection of a hard case or semi-rigid bag, it does give you 10mm of padding that will help keep it safe from scratches or light bangs. Whether you’re using it to store your guitar at home, or to travel around with, it’s going to keep your guitar safe.
You can get these to fit all sorts of different body shapes, whether you’ve got an electric, acoustic or bass guitar. It’s got a tough polyester outer that acts as the first barrier to the outside world, then you’ve got the padding, and on the inside it’s lined with a soft touch microfiber that means you won’t get any surface or finish scratches. There are also tougher plastic parts on the outer case at strategic points to help increase protection.
Best for flights
The fact that the series is called Frequent Flyer hopefully gives you an idea of the sturdiness of these cases. They’re made from military grade polyethylene and can withstand a fair amount of abuse. So much so that we’d be happy transporting one of our guitars on a flight using this case. The lock on the center latch is even TSA-approved, so you really can fly with confidence.
Inside, there’s an EPS protective foam interior that helps absorb any shocks the case might experience on its travels, keeping the precious cargo safe and secure. You can get these for different electric body shapes (and acoustic and bass) – each one is molded to the shape so your guitar is kept securely in place.
If you’re playing regularly, traveling by any method, then this Gator case will help keep your guitar protected.
Best for pockets
Stagg often gets a bad rep, but it actually produces some good stuff at very reasonable price points. Its Ndura gigbag series features 10mm of durable padding offering a good amount of protection for your guitar.
If you’re traveling or gigging often then you might want something higher quality, but if you’re only taking your guitar out of the house infrequently, then something like this will do just fine. You can easily use this to transport your guitar in the car, or carry it over your shoulders. You wouldn’t throw it in the back of a packed van, as if something were to fall on it then there isn’t enough protection there, but not everyone needs something super roadworthy.
Buying advice
How Much Protection Do You Need?
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How much protection you require from your new case will largely come down to how and where you intend to use it. If you’re gigging regularly, then your instrument will be leaving the safety of your home and going out into the wider world fairly often. Between traveling, load-ins, soundchecks and shows, your guitars can get moved around a lot, so it’s important that they’re protected from their potentially dangerous environments.
If you’re only popping out occasionally to play with friends, then the risk posed to your instrument is reduced in that it’s out of the house for less time. You might even want one of the best guitar cases to keep your instrument in at home. A good case can help with keeping more consistent humidity levels, as well as protecting it from everyday bangs and scratches.
Hard cases provide a lot of protection – their ABS or wooden outers act as a barrier to knocks, falls and bumps. You shouldn’t, however, dismiss a good gigbag. Many premium gigbags now offer nearly as much protection as some hard cases, boasting all sorts of ‘drop-resistant’ technology and such.
Weight
One of the main things to factor in when shopping for the best guitar cases is the weight. If you’re gigging, you might automatically opt for a hard case – they offer a lot of protection when you’re out and about – but, say, you’re playing a lot in cities and you’re not always driving to the gig, then a hard case could get a little heavy after a while.
Instead, you might want to consider a premium gigbag that still offers a lot of padding and protection but doesn’t quite have the same weight, and may also be carried on your shoulders.
Will My Guitar Fit In It?
Whilst it might seem like an obvious thing to consider, it’s always worth double checking that the instrument you’re buying for will fit in the case you’re looking at. Many of the Fender cases won’t fit a Les Paul in, for example. Instead, you’ll have to look for an Epiphone or Gibson branded one. Not only do the body shapes and thicknesses differ, but also the angle of the headstock can impact the guitar's fit in a case.
How we choose
At Guitar Player, our team of writers aren't just music enthusiasts; we're real-life musicians. Our hands-on experience with cases and gigbags ensures that our reviews and recommendations are backed by practical knowledge and real-world testing.
When it comes to selecting the best guitar cases and gigbags, we leave no stone unturned. Meticulously evaluating factors like build quality, durability and value for money, it's only after rigorous testing in a variety of scenarios do we choose products for our guides. We stand by our selections, ensuring that every case we recommend is one we'd use ourselves.
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