The Complete Handbook of Guitar Cases & Gig Bags
A practical reference for working musicians, touring pros, retailers, and collectors on selecting, using, and maintaining instrument protection
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The definitive technical reference on protecting guitars: materials, construction, fitting, repair, and the business of cases.
About this book
Every guitar, from a vintage 1959 Les Paul to a first-tour acoustic, depends on a case or gig bag to survive the space between performances. Yet most players, and even many retailers, judge these products on superficial features like strap quality or the number of interior pockets. The Complete Handbook of Guitar Cases & Gig Bags dissects the category from the inside out, examining the physical properties of plywood, ABS, vulcanized fiber, and cordura, and explaining which construction methods protect against what specific threats: impact, compression, humidity shift, and temperature extremes.
The book offers clear, practical frameworks for buying the right protection for your specific instrument and situation. It walks through the decision process for a working musician flying weekly, a home-based collector with twenty acoustic guitars, and a retailer stocking a showroom wall. These are different problems demanding different solutions, and this handbook spells out the differences without hype or ambiguity.
Beyond product selection, the book covers the operational side of cases: proper fitting and padding, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting common failures like broken hinges, deteriorating interior linings, and split plywood. A dedicated section explores business opportunities within the category, including retailing, servicing, private-label production, and rental operations. The final chapters look at emerging materials and smart-case technology, and provide a curated tour of expert resources, standards bodies, and educational programs. This is the only reference you will need to make a smart, informed decision about protecting your guitar.
Reader Reviews
Mary Allen
★★★★★I've been repairing guitars for twelve years and thought I knew most of this cold, but I genuinely learned a few things about case construction and refurbishment methods that I'm going to apply this week. The chapter on brands was a little overly diplomatic in places - I would have liked stronger opinions on which budget cases to avoid - but the practical chapters on fitting and maintenance are worth the price on their own. It's my new recommendation for customers who ask what case to buy.
Ryan Hernandez
★★★★★Finally, a reference that treats cases as the engineering problem they are rather than a fashion accessory. The chapter on understanding the physics of protection was worth it alone, and I especially appreciated the concrete walkthrough of choosing between a composite hard case and a flight case for regional touring. The repair and troubleshooting section is gold - I successfully fixed two latches on my band's PA cart this weekend using the right method. This is going to sit on my desk next to my amp repair manual.