How to choose a guitar case

A guitar case is necessary not only for carrying but also for storing the instrument.
It’s a significant item that protects your precious musical instrument from shocks, rain and wind, and sunlight. Choosing a suitable case for your guitar will make it easier to carry, and it will also protect your guitar from damage caused by sudden changes in temperature and humidity.

Sound House offers a wide range of guitar cases. Find the case that most suits your needs.

1. Types of guitar cases

Cases that protect musical instruments are roughly divided into four categories: "soft cases," "gig bags," "semi-hard cases," and "hard cases."

• Soft cases

  Soft cases are made of cloth with a thin cushion material or no cushion material at all. These are the lightest types of cases.

• Gig bags

  Compared to soft cases, gig bags have a thicker cushion material, achieving both portability and protection.

• Semi-hard cases

  Although semi-hard cases are heavier than soft cases or gig bags, they’re lighter than hard cases and can be carried on your back like a backpack, and they’re also excellent for portability.

• Hard cases

  Hard cases are made of wood or plastic, and are heavier than other types of cases, but they’re the most durable.

Soft cases

Gig bags

Hard cases

Plastic cases

Semi-hard cases

2. Choose for your needs

A thin soft case made of nylon is sufficient for short-distant commutes. When traveling to work or school, a gig bag or a semi-hard case that protects the instrument with cushioning material is a safe option. One of the reasons why we recommend gig bags and semi-hard cases is that there are many styles of cases that don’t put too much weight on your shoulders when you carry them on your back.

The hard case is the sturdiest out of the cases and is recommended for long expeditions concert tours and storage at home or in the studio.

3. Choose a case that matches your guitar

On the Sound House website, you can narrow down guitar cases not only by manufacturer and the type of case, but also by the type of guitar.

* We do not accept inquiries about instruments outside the compatible models given by the manufacturer. If you are unsure about sizing, please measure your instrument and then refer to the dimensions on the webpage before purchasing.

Types of hard cases

Hard cases have two main types; one made from tweed or Tolex which is wrapped onto the wooden base, and the second type which is made out of the same plastic that is also used for car interiors.. Plastic cases tend to be relatively lighter in weight than the wooden cases.

Also, hard cases have two different shapes: a "shaped type" that is designed to match the shape of the guitar, and a rectangular "square type".

Shaped type

Square type

How to unlock the hard case

Standard guitar case brands like FENDER can be opened by pushing and sliding the keyhole sideways. Many people seem to have trouble opening it when they first buy one.

Here is how to open it!

What is a TSA lock?

If the guitar case has a TSA safe lock, the Transportation Security Administration agents have the correct key so they can check your luggage without breaking the lock.

Hard cases are often used for carrying overseas, so a TSA recommended lock is necessary for travel. Recently some guitar cases have installed a TSA trigger release latching system. We recommend the American brand SKB for their strong and durable TSA safe lock guitar cases. SKB also manufactures instrument cases, equipment, and rack cases.

TSA Agents at all airports in the United States will potentially break the lock to open your guitar case during inspection,
This is why brands like SKB started making TSA safe locks for guitar cases.

The "SKB Guitar/Bass Case Selector" makes searching for a SKB case really easy by listing options for manufacturer and model of the instrument. Please check it out!