There is a substantial difference in materials, weight, cost, lifespan and the amount of abuse that the case can protect your precious from. Most regular instrument cases are made from plastic or thin plywood with almost no protection from a drop or crush situation. A true Flight or road case is made from heavier materials with metal corners, edges, hardware and internal support, thicker more dense foam and often more fancy fabrics.
You can also specify design options or additions up to an including making a case "bulletproof" with Kevlar or metal plates.
I have 2 custom bass road cases, a single and a double, that I would not hesitate to send basses in, but they each weigh 50 pounds empty.
See the link below for more details
OPTI-CASE INC.
