Acoustic Guitar Cases & Gig Bags

When it's time to pack up your acoustic guitar and take it on the road, a case or gig bag will help to make sure it gets there in the same condition it was in when you set out. Just like the guitars themselves, cases come in a number of different sizes, shapes and styles, allowing you to choose one that's a great match for your guitar as well as your own personal style. One of the first questions you may ask yourself will be 'hard or soft?' If you can, it's not a bad idea to have one of each since they're both good for different things. A soft gig bag is more lightweight and takes up less space when you're not using it, so it's a bit handier to tote and easier to store when space is limited. Soft cases are also gentler on their surroundings, so you can put the guitar in the backseat without fear of hinges or latches tearing it up. A hard case, on the other hand, is incredibly tough. Their durability and damage resistance makes hard cases a must for airline travel and long-haul tours. When you're picking out your case or gig bag, it's vital to choose the correct size. You're not likely to fit a Dreadnought in a case made for a traditional guitar, and if you put a 3/4-size guitar in a dreadnought case it'll defeat the purpose of the case by bouncing around inside. For unusual sizes or specialty guitars, look for a case that's made specifically for those designs. While you're thinking about size-matching and the decision between hard case and soft gig bag, take a moment to factor in the little extra features. How much storage space does your case need: just enough for a few picks and strings, or do you want a whole pile of pockets for other accessories? How about a locking case to help safeguard a valuable vintage guitar? These finishing touches may wind up making the difference between the final cases and gig bags on your short list. At the end of the day, what matters is that your guitar is well-protected and gets where it's going safely. You may take a soft gig bag to nearby shows with a hard case for long road trip and flights, or just go the simple route with a rigid case for every outing. As long as the enclosure is the right fit for your guitar, the rest is up to you.