Bluegrass Wales

Hard Guitar Cases - Which offer the best protection?

By Andy and Nadine Highfield

Acoustic guitar cases come in many shapes, sizes and offer varying degrees of protection. The ‘ideal’ case will vary according to your particular needs. A case well suited to regular flying may not be the ideal case for local car journeys or lugging by hand around town. We have gathered a few well-known cases together here and compared them side-by-side. The results may surprise you.

We have excluded soft cases or ‘gig bags’ as these offer no real protection at all in the event of a fall or impact. This review is limited to hard-shell cases, which in our view are the only kind of case that should be considered for a valuable instrument.

C. F. Martin 300 Series

Description: This is the case offered with many of Martin’s low to mid-range guitars. It features a 3-ply, non-arched construction and is lined in plush green. The outer is covered in a black ‘Tolex’ type material. The hardware is plated brass and there is a generous accessory compartment. The carrying handle is plastic.

Comments: The first thing that strikes you upon probing this case is how flexible and weak the top feels. This is not a case to stand on, or even pile other luggage on top of. There is no doubt that the degree of give in the top and back of this case could pose a serious hazard to the guitar inside.

The neck support is adequate, and the internal padding is a reasonable thickness, but does not offer as much protection as the 500 model. The degree of water resistance is clearly very limited. This case is made for Martin by TKL in Canada.

Verdict: OK for storing a guitar in the house, and better than a gigbag – but not by much. Overall protection rating: 2/10

C. F. Martin 500 Series

.	Description: Often designated the ‘Geib’ case, this model is a considerable step up from the 300 series, and features a vaulted 5-ply construction offering much better crush resistance.

.The fittings are plated brass, and the carrying handle is a comfortable padded leather-type material.

The interior is very nicely finished in green crushed fabric, has a roomy and well-constructed compartment with a durable padded lid, and the overall fit is excellent

Comments: This is one of the better class wood ply cases available. It offers a good level of impact and thermal protection, and certainly looks very nice. Like all covered wood cases, however, it is very susceptible to tears in the outer fabric and rough use will soon cause visible deterioration. Overall fit and finish is excellent, with good neck support and very generous internal padding.

Both the 300 and 500 series share the same latch design, where the sharp metal pieces extend beyond the edge along the top of the case. This has the potential to inflict severe damage to the guitar top.

Verdict: A very nice traditional case. Offers good protection and should withstand all but the most severe traumas. Overall protection rating: 6/10

SKB 18 Series Thermoplastic

.	Description: Made from a strong thermoplastic material in a dark grey/black finish, this case features an aluminium valance and moulded in ‘bumper’ reinforcements. The top is slightly arched and offers good resistance to pressure.

The interior on the tested example was lined in a plush short-pile black material, and the level of interior padding was about average for a case of this type.

The accessory compartment was nice and wide, but of limited depth, and without a padded lid. This case is very similar to Martin’s own 600 series case. The carrying handle is made of plastic.

Comments: This case clearly offers very good protection from impact, and feels generally strong and well made. The neck support is very good. The exterior neck region is also nicely contoured, which makes carrying it particularly comfortable. The internal padding is not particularly generous, and could be better around the end-pin region.

Verdict: An excellent mid-range thermoplastic case. Should withstand all but the most serious accidents or abuse. Relatively light at 9 pounds, or just over 4 Kilos for the level of protection on offer. The edge seal is good, but not exceptional. Should withstand light showers. Overall longevity of this type of case tends to be very good. Overall protection rating: 6/10

Hiscox PRO Thermoplastic

Description: Hiscox are a UK company who have been in the guitar and orchestral instrument case business for many years. This particular example is a large classical sized case that also fits an OM or 000-sized instrument, and was custom ordered in a light ivory finish. Standard black finish is also available.

Although not vaulted, resistance to firm pressure is very good indeed. The light finish is excellent for reflecting heat. The fittings appear to be of very high quality, and the handle is particularly robust and comfortable. Optional strap lugs were fitted.

Comments: The entire feel of this case inspires confidence from the outset. The top meets the base with considerable precision, and it is evident that structural rigidity is first class. The interior padding is very firm, and is of a generous thickness.

The guitar is well supported and the accessory compartment is of adequate dimensions. The latches are well-designed and do not extend beyond the aliminum seal, eliminating the possibility of them damaging the guitar top.

The seal between the top lid and lower part is aluminium, and while obviously offering considerable strength, is not as water-resistant as some others described here.

Verdict: Strong, light, and well made, the Hiscox is an impressive case for the money. It should protect the guitar from all but the most severe traumas. If you don’t need a Calton, but want the next best thing, this case should be seriously considered. Overall protection rating: 7/10

Eastman / Hofner Fiberglass Case

Description: This particular example is finished in heat-reflecting silver and is completed inside with a red plush lining. It is a very smart looking case indeed that weighs only 8 pounds or approximately 3.5 kilos. Strap lugs are fitted as standard.

The seal between the top and lower half is a flexible, interlocking waterproof material, offering excellent protection against water penetration.

The case fittings seem to be of good quality and are finished in chrome. The flexible plastic seal provides some protection against water. The handle is a typical plastic variety.

Comments: It looks like a true high-end flight case (and even has an interior humidity guage), but it isn't. The shell is amazinglyflexible and the internal padding thin to the point of being worrying.

i	There is no accessory compartment as such at all, just a removable pouch capable of holding a spare set of strings and not much more.

When fully locked together, rigidity improves a lot (it is actually pretty floppy when the top is open). Neck support is just about adequate. The range of colours available is good.

Verdict: A very good lightweight case for carrying around town in a heavy downpour, or for short car journeys (provided you are not involved in any kind of accident). As with the Martin 300 series case, though, be sure not to stack other heavy cases or amplifiers on top of it! I absolutely would not trust this case to withstand serious trauma. It looks great, and is very light in weight, but both physical and thermal shock resistance is strictly limited. The water seal, though, is very good indeed. Overall protection rating: 3/10

Calton Cases

Description: These cases are heavy, and built like a battleship. Shell rigidity is excellent. The level of internal padding is exceptional. Fittings are clearly of the highest quality, with individual locks and very strong strap lugs. A good range of colours is available for both exterior and interior. The handles are leather.

Comments: Calton cases have one of the best reputations around, and it is not hard to see why.

These cases cocoon the guitar in a way no other case in this comparison achieves. Lock the instrument down in one of these and short of the most severe trauma imaginable, the guitar should be safe.

No worries even in a tropical storm. Each case is hand-fitted to a particular guitar, and delivers optimum support all round. Latch fittings along the top of the case are recessed within the seal.

Neck support is outstanding and the thick foam padding over the compartment provides incomparable protection. The lid is securely riveted from within. The flexible PVC seal between top and bottom halves is excellent.

Verdict: These are real flight cases. The only downside is that they are fairly heavy, but in terms of protection, they are hard to beat. Overall protection rating: 9/10

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