Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

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tc

Uptonogood
For local transportation at least. I never check my guitars in flights, but if I had to I'd be glad to have a flight case made out of adamantium.

I just bought a Fender Metro gig bag because I was sick of carrying a hardcase. I can use the gig bag like a backpack and free up my hands to carry heads/stands/cabs/etc. It's heavily padded and it looks durable. We'll have to see how well it fares. I wanted an Incase but people are charging crazy prices for either old ones or ones separated from John Mayer Stratocasters. Protec Contegos and Mono cases are too expensive as well.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

Too much of a risk of me, I don't mind carrying cases even if they're slightly more cumbersome.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

With Fenders, yeah. With Gibsons or acoustics, heck no.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

I just purchased a hardcase for the Ibby. I will be relocating after a few months. And I just wanted to be double sure during transport. I thought a lot about the size and bulky thing. and choose the compact Ibanez M5C case. I should be getting it next week.
 
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Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

Gig bags scare me.
I gave one away as part of my Tele sale last year, and a Fender one still hangs unused in my storage room.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

Depends on the situation. I have hard cases for all of my guitars and one flight case. I also have two Levy gig bags and an acoustic gig bag I use depending on the situation. When I lived in Boston proper the gig bags were key on the subway. If I am taking the car I usually opt for cases.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

I play at a couple of small pubs that are a mile or two away from my apartment, and I use a Tele 95% of the time. Gigbag, for sure. Tele and boost pedal/cords/tuner/misc in the bag over my shoulder, and a small Laney combo in my hand.

If I was going farther, or taking my Hamers on a regular basis, I'd use my hard cases.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

I have hard cases for some of my nicer guitars, but I prefer to use padded gig bags when taking them out of the house. Hard cases are harder to carry, especially up/down tight staircases, and more likely to open up and dump a guitar if not closed properly.

Keep an eye open at GC - they sometimes have great deals on decent gig bags. (I've heard they receive most new guitars in a gig bag, then sell them separately.) I have found Gibson gig bags are really excellent, and can be had for about $30 if you catch them on clearance.

I need more cases, though. Many of my guitars still have to go commando because they won't fit into any case that I have. For example, the Destroyer and Fireman are too long and oddly-shaped to use just any case.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

Gig bag for less expensive solid bodies.

Hard case for semi-hollow, hollow, and acoustic guitars . . . also for guitars worth lots.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

Damage your guitar once in a gigbag & and you'll be using hardcases from then on.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

i have two very nice levy's gig bags that ive had for probably 10 years. 95% of the time for local gigs i use those with solid bodies and chambered guitars . I have a bunch of hard shell cases and my acoustics and hollowbody stay in the hard case.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

Dr. Vegetable said:
I need more cases, though. Many of my guitars still have to go commando because they won't fit into any case that I have. For example, the Destroyer and Fireman are too long and oddly-shaped to use just any case.
Click to expand...

Neither one of those came w/a case or bag?

Damn...
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

For the people that walk with gigbags, I'd say get one of those semi-hard cases and glue some backpack straps onto it.

Looks like Gator makes one with a strap:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/gator-gl-elec-lightweight-fit-all-electric-guitar-case

Oooh, SKB makes one with backpack straps already:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/skb-rectangular-electric-guitar-soft-case?pfm=sp


DV016_Jpg_Large_502467_back.jpg
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

Anything with an angled headstock and my acoustic gets a hard case.
Strats or anything with a straight headstock can go in a gig bag. Although, my 20+ year-old Frankenstrat has had a hard case its whole life.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

angled headstocks on guitars that are moved + gig backs = eventual damage.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

I prefer cases, but I need to find something, anything, that my destroyer will fit in.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

I've been gradually transitioning to 100% hard cases over the past five years. My last remaining gig bag, a Levy's two guitar bag that I've had since the late 90's, is now up for sale.

I prefer hard cases over gig bags in any situation. They're better for storage, better for vehicle transport, better for leaving backstage, easier to write your name on, and generally more durable.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

I always use gig bags too. Even though I have hardcases I never use them, they're just to heavy and cumbersome. I suppose if I had like a multi-thousand dollar acoustic I'd probably use a hardcase but that's about it.
 
Re: Who here has given up on hardcases and mostly relies on gig bags?

I'll acknowledge the Jackson keyboard cases I have my Kelly and Warrior in are ridiculous, but I wouldn't want to carry either around in a big.
 
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