Gig bag vs a case

Stonehauler · #1 02-09-2022, 06:07 AM

I am curious....

Why do people use gig-bags instead of a hard case?

I get that some guitars come with gig bags. My Sigma did and it resided there for over 20 years, but I have since gotten a case for it, and it's either on the stand or in the hardshell case. It's never gone back into the gig bag.

I've seen people talk about putting their high end Gibsons, Taylors, etc. that come from the factory with a hard case into a gig bag, and I just wonder why would a person make that choice?

If you use a gig bag when you also have a hard shell case, maybe you can enlighten me and help me understand why it might sometimes be better/more useful to use the gig bag.

Thanks

rmp · #2 02-09-2022, 06:33 AM

I don't like / use bags.

I can see the benefit as they are more transportable, but the case is definitely the preferred way to travel and store (better humidity control for example)

YeOldRocker · #3 02-09-2022, 06:36 AM

When I lived/played in the city, my electrics were carried on my back in soft cases, making it much easier to navigate (and lighter) than the hard cases left at home. But I never had a soft case for acoustics.

I'm told some of the newer gig bags are pretty resilient and protective, and they're much lighter than hard-shell cases. But why anyone would choose to replace a good hard case for a softer one, I can't tell you.

FingahPickah · #4 02-09-2022, 07:02 AM

All of my instruments live in hard shell cases.

I do, however, keep a decent Eastman gig bag handy for those times when it's more convenient to carry a guitar (and/or a second instrument i.e., mandolin) when it involves a fair amount of walking.

RP · #5 02-09-2022, 07:14 AM

if your protection needs are minimal, and you prefer the lighter weight of a gig bag, the choice is obvious. That and the fact that various companies have developed hard-sided soft cases that offer a decent amount of protection. Taylor's Aerocase comes to mind immediately...

PerryE · #6 02-09-2022, 07:15 AM

When walking and using public transport of course! Even though you often need to take it off when entering a bus or train it is much much more convenient. If you don’t have or use public transport I assume there are less benefits

The Bard Rocks · #7 02-09-2022, 07:18 AM

I feel there is a greater difference in protectiveness between the best and the worst gigbags when compared to the best and worst hard cases. the cheapest gig bag are just a convenient way to carry an instrument without much investment, and do very little to protect what is inside. The best ones are as expensive as the better hard cases and rival the protection level.

Keep in mind there are many things a guitar needs protection against: drops, friction rubbing against other surfaces, things that can cause damage to the finish, jolts, damage from heat or humidity (or lack thereof), crushing, generally getting banged around, fire.... a long list when you think on it. There is no case that protects well against everything. To someone pondering whether to stay hard or go soft, I recommend thinking of what you expect your instrument will need protection against, and choose with that in mind.

Most times the hard case wins, but not always. And the soft case has the great advantage of being far lighter and often easier to put on your shoulders if you wish. A good soft case will take up more space in storage than a hard case and an el cheapo, less, which goes to illustrate the difference in quality and protectiveness between bags.

donlyn · #8 02-09-2022, 07:28 AM

Gig bag vs a case

Hard shell case. No contest. All instruments, even laminate constructed ones.

Living in New England means humidification in a old house which means constant case humidification in the wintertime.

I am well used to keeping guitars in their cases which is a year round habit. It does protect them too, and does not deter me from playing at any time.

I also have hardshell cases for my very few ukuleles, and I have found the best ones are the Oahu tenor cases. Ukuleles need care too.

I do have some gig bags kicking around just because one may be occasionally needed. But not since Covid struck.

Don
.

TTiimm · #9 02-09-2022, 07:38 AM

Because gig bags have the manufacturer's logo on it.

Nymuso · #10 02-09-2022, 07:42 AM

Because I can sling it over my shoulder and have hands free to carry stuff into / out of the venue. Gotta go high end, though. Those thirty dollar bargain jobs ain't the way to go.

Dash_Starkiller · #11 02-09-2022, 07:48 AM

And here I have some guitars that have neither!

jricc · #12 02-09-2022, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nymuso

Because I can sling it over my shoulder and have hands free to carry stuff into / out of the venue. Gotta go high end, though. Those thirty dollar bargain jobs ain't the way to go.

This! One trip in and out. Guitar on back, amp/speaker in 1 hand, bag/mic stand in other

MrDB · #13 02-09-2022, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nymuso

Because I can sling it over my shoulder and have hands free to carry stuff into / out of the venue. Gotta go high end, though. Those thirty dollar bargain jobs ain't the way to go.

This. My Eastman goes on the seat of my truck in it's gig bag. When I get to the bar I can put my guitar over my shoulder and carry my amp and my equipment bag and get everything inside in one trip. So convenience is the difference.

pieterh · #14 02-09-2022, 08:38 AM

All my instruments have hard cases except for the Ibanez RG and our Korg SP-500 piano. I have the gig bags some of them came in still and will use them if I am using public transport to get to a gig or rehearsal. Otherwise if I’m travelling by car then I’m always using cases.

I’ve had a couple of bad experiences with gig bags so prefer to avoid them these days…

Methos1979 · #15 02-09-2022, 11:27 AM

All my instruments came with very nice hard cases. They (cases) all get stored in the boxes they shipped in and I carry the guitars to shows in gig bags. Even the Froggy Bottom goes into a gig bag on the rare occasion it gigs out. Granted, it's a really nice gig bag, more of a soft shell semi-rigid case with lots of stiff padding so the guitar is well protected.

Why gig bags over hard cases? Lighter, easier to carry (shoulder straps) and has plenty of extra pockets to carry things needed for a gig. The only time I ever use a hard case is if I'm shipping an instrument or if I was traveling by air and might have to check a wood instrument. Half my guitars are carbon fiber and so a gig bag - even a cheap one - is more than good enough.