Hard shell cases with your guitar or bass.

[Bassist Jay]

For those that own a guitar or bass that is let's say $1,000.00 or more new. How important is it to you that it come with a hard shell case from the manufacturer or the retail store you buy it from?

 

[R&B]

Very.

 

[Ezrocks4u]

I recently bought a bass including hardshell case for $110. No excuse for an expensive new guitar/bass to not come with a hardshell case, all these manufacturers not including cases shock me.

 

[NWB]

I find hardshell cases heavy and awkward to carry. I prefer a good quality gig bag.

My US G&L did come with a hard case, but I usually put in a gig bag when I go out.

 

[Bob_Ross]

It's important to me that it come with a case that is of commensurate quality as the instrument...but whether that case is a hard case, a soft case, a gig bag, or some zero-gravity floating cocoon, is completely unimportant to me.

However, what is important is that whatever case it comes with, that case can also accommodate one of my other basses; I like my cases/bags to be able to multitask.

 

[Gearhead17]

For me, a Spector Euro or American bass needs to have a special case - the rounded body contour makes it difficult to fit in around 95% of all cases available. I am not a fan of gig bags and prefer the hard cases. With all of the narrow doorways, stairwells and so on, I need my case to survive the constant loading in and out. I tend to bang doors and walls quite a bit.

 

[Pilgrim]

It doesn't have to come WITH a hard case.

BUT - I won't travel without a hard case, period. If I don't have one, I buy one. I think that out of 12 basses, I have only one with no hard case to fit, and it's not one I take farther than to rehearsal.

 

[elgecko]

Not important at all...I dislike hardshells.

 

[ebozzz]

For me, it's very important but the total overall cost of the deal is the key if all other variables are equal....

 

[bassbrad]

Gig bags are my usual carry but having a hard case is a must.

 

[AaronVonRock]

I don't like hard shells, either. When I bought my last bass, I sold the hard shell it come with and used that money for a MONO M-80.

 

[bass12]

I don't like hardshell cases. My favourite cases are Sadowsky Portabags. The only benefit of a hardshell as far as I can see is protection against potential piercings. If my bass is going to get dropped I'd prefer it be in a Portabag with a shock absorbent soft interior instead of in a hardshell with a rigid interior.

 

[FretNoMore]

I want a hardshell case for the initial shipping from the builder or store, but after that I hardly ever use it. I prefer a gigbag; less weight, and easier to carry and transport.

 

[hhirbe]

Taking my bass to practice = gig bag.
Taking my bass to the gig = hard case.

 

[FretNoMore]

If my basses go to a gig in a trailer or van, then it's hardcase. But as I almost always drive myself to gigs, I use gigbags.

 

[ebozzz]

I keep mine in cases around the house. I've got a wife & kids.....

 

[Al T.]

My Lakland came with a G&G hardshell case but I bought a gigbag for it also. My Jazz lives in a Vertigo bag when I take it out to play.

 

[Bassist4Eris]

It is very important to me that a well-fitting case be available. If it doesn't come with the bass, I factor that into the cost.

 

[Dave W]

Very important. At that price range it's practically mandatory.

EDIT: But I do prefer gig bags for the most part. I haven't gigged with a hardshell case in years.

 

[rogerbmiller]

I prefer a good gig bag. Protects your bass and saves your back