Our Picks of Guitar Gig Bags:
If you have a favorite Acoustic Guitar, and it is one that you want to keep out of harms way, you will definitely want to invest in a good quality case. It really doesn’t matter is your guitar is a valuable Vintage Martin D28, a fine handmade guitar or a new, solid wood production guitar, having a quality case will protect your investment from abuse and low humidity.:
Types of Guitar Cases Available:
There is a variety of guitar guitar gig bags available to the guitar consumer. Some of them will give you a high level of protection and many others will not. The level of protection often is proportional to the amount you pay for the case.
Gig Bags:
One of the more popular options in cases, is what is called the Gig Bag. This is basically a form-fitted garment that fits the guitar shape with sewn fabric of different materials, including full-grain leather bags, which are the top of the heap, reinforced ballistic nylon, which is very durable and vinyl, which is bottom of the line. Also, when you get into the median priced Gig Bags you will find bags that are padded, which affords much more protection to our valuable instrumets.
If you are on a budget, then you should, get some sort of protection for your guitar and the Gig Bag often fills that bill. In your search for a gig bag, go with a padded variety no matter what. This way the padded gig bag will absorb most of the everyday abuse a guitar will take be subjected to during normal everyday use. Step on the guitar or let if fall more than a few feet and we are talking about major damage to the instrument – possibly even with a great padded Gig Bag. Then you should save up your dollars and get into the median price hardshell cases.
High End Gig Bags
I really don’t want to make the Gig Bag seem like a very poor choice when it comes to guitar protection. There are certainly some very high quality Gig Bags that are made for high end guitars. You do pay a high-end price for these though. Equal to or even more than a molded hardshell case in fact. But they are sure cool looking and give you a very distinctive look for your prized instrument. If you don’t plan on shipping your guitar in the airliner cargo hold or plan on stepping on your guitar too often, then a good to excellent quality Gig Bag may be just right for you.
Reunion Blues Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag
This is a totally cool and very high quality gig bag, as just about all in the Reunion Blues Gig Bag line boast. The are made from top grain leather, along with very thick, dual-layer high density foam, which gives your guitar a high level of protection. Other features they sport are are leather string protectors at the headstock and bridge areas, which shields the guitar case from sharp string penetration, and an adjustable Velcro strap that is very secure. The interior of the case is equally appointed with a very soft tarnish-resistant interior lining. Top that off with double stitching with extra-high tensile thread and custom plated hardware and you will have a bag that is sure to turn heads.
Ballistic Nylon Gig Bags
With the ballistic nylon variety of Gig Bags, the price gets more down to earth. You can pick up a good quality ballistic nylon bag with a padded interior for around 40 bucks. This will give you a pretty good case that will stand up to a lot of abuse. The Ballistic Nylon is a very durable and almost bullet-proof exterior so this case will last you a long long time.
SKB Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag
SKB makes great acoustic guitar cases no matter what variety they are. This case will last you a lifetime with its durable Ballistic Nylon exterior and double heavy-duty zipper system. I love the large accessory pouch that this model sports in that you can stores tons of strings, straps, chords, tuners, capos or whatever you need. This case is also padded and will afford you a moderate amount of protection, if that meets your needs. For less than $40.00 you can hardly go wrong with this case.
How Low Can You Go?
Can you purchase a Gig Bag for less than 40 bucks? The answer to that question is ‘yes you can but’. And that is a big but, because the amount of protection that the bag will give your guitar is minimal and the durability of the case will be pretty much nil. I wouldn’t recommend purchasing one of the vinyl bags that is unpadded under any circumstances. Save your pennies and move up to the SBK above and you will be much happier.
The Ultimate Guitar Case
Actually, if you are looking for the supreme system for guitar protection, then you should look into a molded hardshell case. These cases hold the guitar securely in place and give maximum impact resistance and you can rest easy is you look out the window of your airliner and you see your case drop off the top of one of those luggage carriers. (This happened to me – really). Okay maybe you will still almost have a heart attach, but your guitar will be safe!
