Poll: Would you like a hardshell case or a gig bag with your CF guitar?

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by L3stat

For those who said gig bag only, how was the guitar shipped to you? In that gig bag only? Was there a shipping box or something?

I assume you’re asking about Emeralds (as you just ordered one ) - they all ship in a very sturdy box, regardless of whether you ordered a gig bag or a hard case.

[RP]

Originally Posted by jonfields45

When I'm walking through the airport I want a gig bag.

After I've placed it in the overhead I want a case.

If it gets gate checked then I really want a case.

Carrying my guitar around town and in my car I want a bag.

Sharing a ride to a gig with all of his stuff and our PA I want a case.

There is no pleasing me!

That's where my 90% Rule comes in. When you're moving about with your guitar (or your guitar is in transit via plane, bus, car, bicycle etc., does a hard case or gig bag best meet your needs 90% of the time???

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by RP

That's where my 90% Rule comes in. When you're moving about with your guitar (or your guitar is in transit via plane, bus, car, bicycle etc., does a hard case or gig bag best meet your needs 90% of the time???

My gig bags are stored in a closet and I went entirely with cases. I paid extra for the specific TKL case models that have no extra space at the headstock and are a snug fit to the body to minimize total bulk and weight.

My CO-PA came with a Access case which was quite bulky. I got rid of it on Craigslist and replaced it with the same TKL I bought for my CH-PA. The Gator bag I got with the H-DR is also gone on Craigslist. I thought it was too bulky.

For a short while I tried the Gator 3/4 acoustic case which is also light and compact on a RainSong Parlor. But its quality was just too low and I gave it away (protruding staples holding the top fabric in place, misplaced hinges such that it did not close tightly...).

So my bottom line, at least for now, is a good quality case that fits with no excess bulk.

My preference would be that guitars be sold without a case/bag and I can get the one I really want.

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by L3stat

For those who said gig bag only, how was the guitar shipped to you? In that gig bag only? Was there a shipping box or something?

We have received Emerald guitars in both hard cases and gig bags. All were in a well padded box and arrived safely. I don't know if they will ship without any case, but you can ask. If there isn't a "no case" option, then I would choose the hard case and resell it later. Getting a Hiscox case in the US can be an expensive proposition. And I really like the Hiscox hard case over all others.

Speaking to RP's 90% rule, I refuse to fly commercially anymore, so a gig bag covers me virtually 100% of the time. Hard cases only get used for humidity control for the remaining wooden guitars during the dry season, and otherwise take up space. For many buyers, having a proper hard case is a bonus if you ever resell your guitar and can make the difference between buying your guitar -- or not.

[guitarwebguy]

Hmm ... I’ll throw my 2 bits in the ring for the HSC, long long ago I had guitars. That were gig bagged so to speak and found that they just never provided the protection I wanted for my instruments, especially when it came to unintentional “oops”. All of my instruments have sturdy wood cases (Deering and Ameritage) and I LOVE the wonderfully sturdy Hiscox case my Emerald came in, so light weight I don’t even think about a wanting a gig bag .....

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by jonfields45

My preference would be that guitars be sold without a case/bag and I can get the one I really want.

I tend to agree, with some major caveats.

I can buy a case that fits a Dread anywhere.
I can buy a case that fits an OM/000 easily.

00 or 0 are doable, though harder.

Weird or slightly odd shapes are a royal pain to try to find a case. I still haven't found a case that fits my Guild F-212 properly. A Taylor GA case would be perfect (since Taylor copied Guild's body size) but Guild's headstock is much longer. Similarly, I have a Tacoma Roadking. It's a Dread, but a shallow dread, so of course dread cases don't fit.

[RP]

FWIW I recently requested and received my special order Rainsong H-WS1100N2T (from LA Guitar Sales) in a Rainsong gig bag. Very adequate protection for my needs and extremely light to carry...