You may be wondering what the best electric guitar cases are. This guide will help you find an excellent case for your electric guitar. It’s important to protect your valuable investment.
Quick Look: Best Electric Guitar Cases
★ #1 Best Electric Guitar Case Overall: Fender Molded Stratocaster Case ★
- Best Cheap Electric Guitar Case: CAHAYA Gig Bag
- Best Electric Guitar Case Under $500: Fender Tweed Case
- Best Electric Guitar Case Under $100: Gator Hardshell Case
- Best Softshell Case Electric Guitar Case: Gator Electric Transit
- Best Hardshell Guitar Case: Gator Hardshell Case
- Best Flight Guitar Case: Fender Molded Stratocaster Guitar Case
I’ve been playing acoustic and electric guitar for many years. I’ve gone through quite a few cases in that time. All of the cases on this list are excellent products to help you protect your instrument.
What Is an Electric Guitar Case?
An electric guitar case helps protect your guitar from damage. It keeps your instrument away from dust and debris. If you have a case that locks, you can protect your instrument from being stolen.
Cases can either be softshell, hardshell, or a combination of both. The type of case you get will depend on your individual preferences and what you’re looking for.
Some people like to leave their instruments out on a hanger or rack. This invites theft, so I prefer to keep them in my guitar case and take them out when I’m ready to play again.
Types of Electric Guitar Cases
Here are the main types of electric guitar cases that you need to be aware of before you order.
Hardshell Case
A hardshell case is a case that has a hard outer layer that protects the instrument. The inside is soft, and there’s usually a compartment for accessories.
Softshell/Gig Bag
A softshell case has a softer outer layer. Often it has compartments on the outside for music papers or small accessories. The inside can have padding, but it’s less than a hardshell case. It’s sometimes called a gig bag.
Hardshell/Softshell
This case is a combination of the hardshell case and the softshell. They tend to have more padding than a regular softshell and can also have some hard plastic to protect the instrument.
Flight
The flight case is an extremely well-made case that protects the instrument during a flight. These cases often have a lock on them, so the instrument is protected from theft. These cases can cost quite a lot.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Electric Guitar Case
You need to keep in mind a few things before picking up an electric guitar case. It’s important to get one that will meet your needs and requirements.
Size
The size of your case is important. You need something that will fit your instrument. Electric guitars come in different sizes. For example, if you have an Explorer shaped guitar, it won’t fit into a Stratocaster case.
Protection
You want to have good protection for your electric guitar case. Your case needs to have protection on both the outside and inside to protect the instrument from damage. Hardshell cases have more protection than softshell.
Price
A basic softshell case will run between $50 to $75. A decent hardshell case can cost around $100 to $200 or more. Try to spend as much as you can on your guitar case because you want to protect your instrument in the best way.
Portability
If you’re going to guitar lessons, a hardshell case might not be as practical. Softshell cases tend to have shoulder straps and are easier to carry, which might be suitable for lessons. Hardshell cases are more cumbersome.
Security
If you’re concerned that your instrument might be stolen, you should buy a case with a lock on it. These cases cost a little bit more, but you’ll have added security for your instrument investments.
10 Best Electric Guitar Cases
Here are 10 of the best electric guitar cases that you can purchase. Before you buy, make sure that your case can hold your guitar. For some guitars, you may need a special case.
1. Gator Hardshell Case
- Size: Strat body style
- Material: Plywood/vinyl
- Type: Hardshell
- Best for: Those with a Strat/Tele style guitar
The Gator Hardshell Case for electric guitars features latches and a solid handle to secure the case. The outside is durable, and inside, the guitar rests on soft velvet-like material to protect the finish.
✅ Solid protection
✅ Latches
✅ Storage compartment
✅ Good price
❌ Compartment is small
❌ Awkward to carry
Why I Recommend It
I’ve used Gator guitar cases before, and one of my instruments is still in a Gator case. These are excellent lower-cost electric guitar cases that have the features you need.
I like that the inside of this case has a neck rest, so the guitar neck is kept stable inside the case. The material inside is soft, so the guitar is protected from scratches. Overall, this is a great case for most players.
2. CAHAYA Gig Bag
- Size: Strat body style
- Material: Nylon/plastic
- Type: Softshell/gig bag
- Best for: Those with a Strat/Tele style guitar
The CAHAYA Gig Bag electric guitar case is perfect for musicians on the go. It has plenty of outside storage for your accessories. There are shoulder straps for easy transport and a good handle. This is one of the best electric guitar travel bags.
✅ Shoulder straps
✅ Storage pockets
✅ Solid handle
✅ Neck holder
❌ Not much padding inside
❌ The zipper could be better
Why I Recommend It
It’s a low-cost product for anyone that needs a basic electric guitar gig bag. It has everything you need to protect your instrument while you go to and from guitar lessons.
While this case could use some more padding, it does have plenty of accessory pockets on the outside. This is perfect for all of your papers and small accessories you need to take with you to guitar lessons.
3. Fender Molded Electric Guitar Case
- Size: Strat body style
- Material: Hard plastic
- Type: Hardshell
- Best for: Those with a Strat/Tele style guitar
The Fender Molded Electric Guitar Case is an excellent case for any Stratocaster or Telecaster style guitar. It locks, so your instrument is safe, and the extra high impact plastic will protect your instrument from any damage.
✅ Lock
✅ Extra protection
✅ Compartment
✅ Good latches
❌ Expensive
❌ Heavy
Why I Recommend It
This is the same case I have that protects my Fender Stratocaster. It gives you superior protection with high impact plastic. It has a solid handle, great latches, and locks for maximum security.
This case has a little bit of weight, but it’s perfect for storing your guitars out of the way. The inside is soft, and there’s a nice storage compartment for small accessories such as picks or an extra set of strings.
4. Crossrock Hardshell (Gibson Body)
- Size: Led Paul body style
- Material: Hard plastic/plywood
- Type: Hardshell
- Best for: Those with a Gibson Les Paul style guitar
If you have a Gibson Les Paul style guitar, you’ll want a high-quality case for your investment. The Crossrock Hardshell Case is an excellent product for your guitar. It has an accessory compartment, a great handle, and a soft interior.
✅ Solid handle
✅ Velvet-like interior
✅ Good price
✅ Storage compartment
❌ Compartment a bit small
❌ Latches couple be better
Why I Recommend It
If you have a Gibson Les Paul guitar, this Crossrock electric guitar case is a good choice. It has a high-impact outer shell, an excellent velvet interior, a small storage compartment, and a solid handle.
This case features plastic and plywood construction, so your instrument will be secure. Inside the case is plenty of foam to help protect your guitar from damage.
5. Gator Les Paul Molded
- Size: Les Paul body style
- Material: Hard plastic/EPS foam
- Type: Hardshell
- Best for: Those with a Gibson Les Paul style guitar
The Gator Les Paul Molded case offers excellent protection for a Gibson Les Paul style guitar. You get hard impact plastic on the outside and a soft interior. It has an excellent handle as well as a storage compartment inside.
✅ Solid protection
✅ Storage compartment
✅ Good handle
✅ Inside padding
❌ A bit cramped inside
❌ A little expensive
Why I Recommend It
Gator cases are a solid option, as I’ve used these before for my guitars. Their Gibson style cases are just as good. You have better protection than a regular gig bag and a nice storage compartment inside.
The handles on these cases are quite decent. I wish they had a little bit of a bigger hinge on them, but it’s not that bad. Your guitar will be protected quite well with this case from Gator.
6. Gator Transit Gig Bag
- Size: Most electric guitars
- Material: Foam/nylon
- Type: Softshell gig bag
- Best for: Those that want a quality gig bag
The Gator Transit Gig Bag is a quality case for your electric guitar. It has a solid handle, zipper, and padding inside. The outside features pockets and a sturdy shoulder strap so that you can take the case with you.
✅ Good foam padding
✅ Outside pockets
✅ Quality zipper
✅ Strong handle
❌ Expensive
❌ It may not fit every guitar
Why I Recommend It
I like Gator cases, and they also make quality gig bags such as the Gator Transit. This one has many pockets on the outside for guitar accessories, so you’ll be ready to go for your lessons.
I like the quality shoulder straps and the sturdy handle. This gig bag cradles the neck inside so your guitar is kept stable. Overall, this is a good gig bag when you need quick transport for your next lesson.
7. SKB Molded Guitar Case
- Size: Most electric Strat-style guitars
- Material: Hard plastic
- Type: Hardshell
- Best for: Those that want a locking case for travel
SKB makes good cases, and this one has a lock, so you get added security. Take the SKB Molded Guitar Case on a flight, and you won’t have to worry about your guitar. It has a good handle, quality latches, and a soft interior for added protection.
✅ Locks
✅ Hard plastic
✅ Good handle
✅ Storage compartment
❌ Expensive
❌ It may not fit all guitars
Why I Recommend It
This is a great case for traveling, as it has a TSA approved lock. The high impact plastic will protect the guitar from damage when on the go. It has solid latches and a good handle.
There’s a nice interior to protect the guitar and a storage compartment for small accessories. You won’t have to worry about your instrument getting scratched or damaged when you use this case.
8. Fender Gig Bag
- Size: Most electric Strat-style guitars
- Material: Nylon/plastic
- Type: Softshell/gig bag
- Best for: Those that want a good gig bag
The Fender Gig Bag is an excellent softshell case for any Strat or Tele style guitar. It has a solid handle as well as a good zipper. You can easily take this bag with you to music lessons as it has a set of adjustable shoulder straps.
✅ Good handle
✅ Shoulder straps
✅ Solid zipper
✅ Extra padding
❌ Could use more storage
❌ Won’t hold all guitar types
Why I Recommend It
I’ve used Fender gig bags in the past. These are excellent products for anyone taking music lessons. It’s highly portable thanks to the set of great shoulder straps, which are easy to adjust.
This bag has a good zipper when compared to other gig bags. I wish it had a little bit more storage space, but it’s still a decent bag to take with you to your lessons. This one is moderately priced to meet your budget.
9. SKB Case for Explorer and Firebird Guitars
- Size: Odd-shaped guitars
- Material: Hard plastic
- Type: Hardshell
- Best for: Those that have Firebird or Explorer-style guitars
If you have an odd-shaped guitar such as a Gibson Firebird or Explorer, it can be difficult to find a case for it. The SKB Case will fit that type of guitar shape. It’s made with hard plastic, and it has a lock for maximum protection.
✅ Fits odd-sized guitars
✅ Quality handle
✅ TSA lock
✅ Storage compartment
❌ Expensive
❌ Only for a few guitar types
Why I Recommend It
I like SKB cases because they offer maximum protection for your guitars. This one is perfect for those odd shaped Gibson guitars. It has a great handle, a storage compartment inside for accessories, and a TSA-approved lock.
This case is solid, so it’s going to give you the protection that you need. It has a great handle, and the latches are large and won’t bend or break like other latches can.
10. Fender Tweed Tele and Strat Case
- Size: Tele or Strat guitar
- Material: Tweed/wood/leather
- Type: Hardshell
- Best for: Those that want quality protection for a Fender style guitar
The Fender Tweed Tele and Strat Case is an excellent case for any Stratocaster or Telecaster style guitar. It has an excellent look to it on the outside, and you get great protection inside along with the storage compartment for your accessories.
✅ Great look
✅ Solid handle
✅ Storage compartment
✅ Nice interior
❌ A bit expensive
❌ Some may not like the color
Why I Recommend It
It has a bit of a style. This one isn’t boring like the regular black cases are. It has that nice tweed look to it. The case has a solid handle as well as latches to protect your guitar during transport.
It has a nice-looking interior, and there’s a storage compartment for small accessories. The neck is kept stable in the cradle. This is the perfect case for any Tele or Strat lover.
Best Electric Guitar Case Brands
There’s a wide range of cases on the market. It’s important to go with major brands to ensure you get something quality.
Here are the major manufacturers that you should consider buying from.
Gator
I’ve used Gator cases in the past. These are excellent cases, and they offer a wide range of different products. Some of my best guitars are sitting in Gator cases, and I’ve never had a problem with any of them.
Fender
Your expensive Stratocaster or Telecaster will be safe in a Fender case. I have one of their better cases with a lock, and they make a wide range of cases for any guitar that is this style. They have both hardshell as well as softshell cases.
SKB
These cases are made of plastic, and a lot of them come with locks. They’re perfect if you want to travel or want extra protection for your instruments. They have a wide range of cases available to you.
Crossrock
These cases are made out of molded plastic or fiberglass and offer solid protection for any electric guitar. Many of their cases are suitable for travel.
Electric Guitar Case Aesthetics & Build
Here are some points to keep in mind when looking for the best electric guitar cases. You need to ensure that you get something of quality for your instrument, so it doesn’t get damaged.
Material
Most hardshell cases are made with high-impact plastic for other durable materials. Softshell cases usually are made with vinyl and some plastic.
Size
You want to make sure that your guitar will fit inside the case. Not every case will hold every type of guitar. For example, if you have a Stratocaster, you want a case that holds a Stratocaster.
Locks
It’s up to you to decide whether or not you want a lock for your case. Some cases come with locks, while others don’t. If you have an expensive guitar or are traveling, you might want a lock.
Storage
Storage is another aspect of your case that you might want to keep under consideration. Hardshell cases have less storage when compared to soft shell cases.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some frequently asked questions that people ask about electric guitar cases.
How Much Do Electric Guitar Cases Cost?
A cheap gig bag will cost you between $50 to $75. As you go up in price, you can expect to pay $100 or more. A good hardshell case costs between $100 to $200 or more.
What Are the Best Electric Guitar Cases?
These are what I consider to be the best cases for your electric guitar. All of these would make perfect storage solutions for your electric guitar.
Gator Hardshell Case: Best for Average Players
The Gator Hardshell Case is perfect for the average guitar player. These cases give your instrument a lot of protection. They have good handles, solid hinges, and a nice storage compartment.
Fender Molded Case: Best for Professional Players
The Fender Molded Case is an excellent case for anyone that has a Stratocaster or Telecaster style guitar. It’s made with solid plastic, has excellent hinges, and comes with a lock, so your instrument is protected.
Gator Transit Gig Bag: Best for Guitar Students
The Gator Transit Gig Bag is an excellent case for guitar students. It has a solid handle, great shoulder straps, and plenty of storage outside for accessories and music papers.
Where Are the Best Electric Guitar Cases Made?
Most of the best electric guitar cases are made in the United States. You should purchase your case from a well-known manufacturer so you can get something of quality.
Where to Buy Electric Guitar Cases
Here are a few places where you should consider purchasing your electric guitar case. Make sure you get a case that will fit your instrument before you order.
Amazon
Amazon is probably the best place for ordering your guitar case. I’ve shopped with them before, and I’ve always been satisfied. They have fast shipping, great rates, good customer service, and you can read reviews before you order.
Online Music Retailers
Sweetwater and Guitar Center are two other locations where you can purchase musical instruments and cases. They have a broad range of products, great shipping, and excellent customer service, and they’re reliable.
Your Local Music Store
You can also purchase a guitar case at your local music store. Ask the retailer if they have a case that will fit your electric guitar.
Review This Post
Table of Contents
In Conclusion
Thank you for reading our guide to the best electric guitar cases. You want proper protection for your electric guitar. A hardshell case gives you the best protection, while a gig bag is more portable. You have to decide what you want.
Please comment, like, and share this article. We look forward to hearing from you about guitars and music in general. Now, take your guitar out of your new case and start practicing.
