The benefits of the guitar case
The main fact is that guitars are abused on tour and off and even if you’re not in a touring band, you still need to have a guitar case. It’s the best way to care for it.
- If dropped, it can sound different and more liable to be damaged to the neck of the guitar, as well as the body.
- With a guitar case, you protect its outer parts as well as the interior parts to it.
- You prevent it from getting damaged by moisture as well.
- The sound-hole, for example, at the center of the body of the guitar can come under deep scrutiny with debris, dirt, and dust which can ruin and damage the guitar.
- Having one will make it easier for you to keep it clean while being able to keep it as long as you care for it.
- You don’t necessarily have to buy an expensive one because you can get one pretty cheap, but you should consider the right one for your guitar’s weight and body when you shop for one. That’s a huge benefit. You have many options.
- With the case, you’ll have it longer.
How to Choose the Best Guitar Case?
If you play guitar or plan to play electric or classical guitar, you will most definitely need a case for it. Yes, sometimes you’ll see guitarists with the strap wrapped around their neck as they walk down the streets looking cool. Yet, how dumb will it look if he/she were to drop it and then the neck breaks.
On the other hand, if you have a case and it falls, more than likely, it’s not going to break. Because of the construction of the fine-tuned instrument, you definitely want to protect it. Even the slightest bump to it can throw off a melody or note when it’s strummed or the strings are plucked. It will sound differently.
If you plan on going online and buying a used case, you’ll find many cases either with a bunch of artwork (i.e. Paintings with painted markers, drawings, autographs, band stickers and studio labels, manufacturer or company stickers,…) and that’s fine if that’s what you’re into, because it’s the quality and the durability that counts here. Some may look “bad” on the outside, but may, in fact, be ventilated with the right foam material to keep it in good condition for many years.
Notice some cases that are perfectly durable and neat, clean and shiny, yet heavy too are the ones that are owned by the ones who really care for their instrument. As my classical guitar teacher once said, “Sleeping with it is the next best thing to hearing it whispered, and sometimes screams, in my ears… you must protect it at all costs.”
Along with the guitar, there are other parts to it that must be cared for, but it’s all for the protection of your steel-string or nylon-string guitar’s body and overall sound.
Things to Consider When Selecting the Best Guitar Case
You may want to occasionally keep a good eye on it. Some things to consider are it’s neck, body, the tuning pegs and the nut (which is at the top of the neck of the guitar). Also, other parts that need protection are the sound hole and the bridge area. By making sure everything is aligned and fine-tuned, you’ll enjoy it better as well as your fans or audiences.
When you find that the benefits outweigh the cons of owning a guitar case, you’ll buy one as soon as possible. Hence, storing your stringed instrument is better when you have it stored properly. Naturally, you should have a good quality guitar case when you have a good quality guitar. For instance, if you own a ’67 Sunburst Gibson Les Paul, you most definitely want a hard guitar case. It is, in fact, one of the pricier cases on the market.
#1 Consider the guitar’s need for ventilation
With the guitar cases that are generally hard covered, some have ventilation. It shouldn’t be in a high nor low-temperature case. It should be in a 65 – 75-degree room.
To avoid warping is the main reason you want it to stay in a well-tempered room and case. It can be a threat to your instrument because of sudden changes in moisture and temperature. The warping of the neck and major parts can begin to surface. Especially for those that are made of solid wood this should be in a well-ventilated environment. Using a humidifier can help your guitar from cracking also.
#2 There are various considerations when it comes to the case
A Les Paul style guitar in a hard case is probably one of the priciest cases to buy. But, there are others, so don’t worry. Take, for instance, Kirk Hammett (Metallica) who typically plays his signature and the original 1987 ESP KH-2 live. You know he has to have a hard case for that; otherwise, it’s not going to be protected when he’s on tour. Thousands of dollars are dropped into equipment and gear like the pros. But, it’s also the pride they have in their instruments.
There are two main kinds of guitar cases. There are the classic neck-strapped, gig bag and the hard-shell, heavy case. There are some made exclusively for electric guitars and those that are for classical or acoustic guitars.
Although the gig bags seem to be the favorite when purchasing a guitar case, it’s the hard cases which give the guitars better protection. On the other, the gig bags are liked because of the weight and the straps that are attached to them.
On the contrary, some of these gig bags aren’t good because they don’t protect very well as opposed to the hard cases. Some of them have two straps which make it easier to carry; they almost look as if you’re carrying a backpack. The protection the guitar includes a heavy duty interior and with the exterior accessory pockets, the heavy duty 2 pulls zippers which run alongside the gig bags. There are some with two handles for easier carrying including some that have removable backpack straps. The ones that protect from humidity and hot temperatures are even better though. That’s when the interior has foam to its wall.
#3 Damaging effects; the guitar’s physical parts
The damaging effects to a guitar are physical. The physical damaging that can happen when not in a case is essential when traveling on public transport such as a bus, train, or plane, including it’s simply going on a long road trip or journey. Having a hard shell case, for instance, will work; these normally have the draw-back hinges for easy access in the opening and closing the case quickly.
The others, for instance, are the cases that are considered soft and shaped on the inside in the form of the guitar. These cases are strictly for the brand or model your guitar is manufactured from. In this case, the manufacturer, say Fender, has a guitar case for their electric Fender guitars. The same is true for the Fender acoustic guitars which you may have to buy separately. But, likewise, they, too, are made specifically for the Fender acoustic guitar.
The bottom lines
Finally, if you have a guitar that needs protection, then the best thing to do is to take your guitar to the shop you plan on buying your gear from and firmly place your guitar in the one that you’ve been eyeballing to see how it fits. You may even walk around in it, look all cool with it on your back to see if it fits the bill. More than likely, you were probably made to tote a guitar if you do in fact love playing the six (or twelve) string instrument.
