Rainbow Musical Instrument Guitar Case Buyer's Guide

I recommend that any guitar case you purchase is a hard one.

But you might have good reason for purchasing a soft sided case.

Here are the pro's and con's of each, plus a few buying tips:

1.Soft Sided Advantages

You get pockets for things like music, strings, picks, etc. The cost is typically lower than for a comparable hard case (most are $25-55).

2.Soft Sided Disadvantages

Most of the force from a hard bump is transmitted to your instrument. Sharp objects can poke through most of them. A sharp enough object, with sufficient force, will poke through every one of them. They offer little, if any, support for the neck of your instrument.

3.What to Look For

A detachable shoulder strap... a sturdy handle... thick, durable stitching, zipper, and material (ballistic nylon, rip-stop nylon, or some other tough non lint producing material)... close-able pockets... soft interior... a hook for hanging. Don't get one that is too big or your instrument will slide around, increasing the chance of damage.

4.Hard Sided Advantages

Protection from bumps, drops, and rapid changes in temperature and humidity. Good support for the guitar neck.

5.Hard Sided Disadvantages

Storage is limited. Costs are higher than for a soft-sided case (but well worth it, in my opinion). Most after-market hard sided cases are $80-100.

6.What to Look For

Sturdy latches and hinges that are easy to open/close... convenient storage compartment under the neck (big enough for picks, strings, tuner, capo, cleaning cloth)... a soft interior, with no hard points to mar or damage your instrument... sturdy/comfortable handle. You may also want to look for a case with locks, however, unless you purchase a more expensive case, these will offer minimal protection.