For many guitarists, their instruments did not come with a case or a bag.
A guitar case or a bag is an essential item, not only for transporting your instrument to and from gigging venues, but also for helping you store your guitar safely and protecting it when you do not use it.
To help you out with this decision, we put together a list of the best acoustic guitar gig bags currently on the market. Let’s get to it!
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Acoustic Guitar Gig Bags
- OUR TOP PICK: Gator Cases Transit Series
- Fender Gig Bag FA62
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Music Area RB20
Table of Contents
What is a Gig Bag?
A gig bag is a soft, padded carry case for guitars, bass guitars, or any other instrument. They are not as hard as hardshell cases, but they are also lighter and less bulky than a hardshell case, which makes them the favorite when it comes to instrument transportation.
They include handles and backpack straps to make them easy to carry to various locations, external pockets, and compartments for all your accessories and, perhaps most importantly, thick padding in crucial areas to support your guitar. These are the features that make gig bags very convenient, but they are also highly protective, keeping your investment safe at all times.
Gig Bag or Gig Case, Which is Better?
A gig bag is definitely softer and lighter than a gig case, but this does not mean that gig cases are less functional. Here’s a full breakdown of their main advantages and disadvantages.
Pros and Cons of Gig Bags
- Ideal for storage
- Easy to travel with
- Lightweight
- Takes up little space
- Affordable
- Not so protective
- Not suitable for flights
Pros and Cons of Gig Cases
- Highest level of protection
- Ideal for touring
- Ideal for airport luggage handling
- Ideal for storage
- More expensive
- Heavy
- Bulky
Overall, most guitarists prefer soft gig bags since they are generally more practical, they take up less space, and they are also more affordable. If you often travel by plane or go on tours, a hard case would be more appropriate since it offers you a higher level of protection. But it is also bulkier and heavier.
Often, you will find that a hard case can even double the weight of your guitar, which makes them quite impractical for daily gigging, especially when you also need to take all your accessories with you. For starters, gig bags can fulfill all your needs and keep your guitar safe and sound.
How to Choose an Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag
Here’s a short round-up of factors you need to consider when choosing your acoustic guitar gig bag:
Usage
First of all, you need to decide what exactly your expectations are – do you want a guitar bag only to store it at home, or are you traveling with it quite often? A sturdy gig bag will be of use in both situations. As a gigging musician, though, you might want to get a waterproof, dustproof, and shockproof guitar bag, with plenty of compartments, features that are not necessarily adding much functionality for someone just storing the instrument.
Budget
When it comes to your budget for a gig bag, you should consider investing an amount proportional to your guitar’s value and purpose. If you go to classes or gigs all the time, consider expanding your budget so that the gig bag contains all the features you need, according to the purpose of the gig bag. A gig bag is an investment just as the guitar is, so don’t compromise on quality!
Durability and Reliability
Lastly, a good acoustic guitar gig bag needs to be very durable and reliable, yet lightweight. Because we know this, we collected the best ones matching this description in the following section.
Comparison of the Best Acoustic Guitar Gig Bags
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Review of the Best Acoustic Guitar Gig Bags
Now that you know what to keep an eye out for in the best gig bag, let’s take a look at some of the best options out there.
Best Overall:
Gator Cases Transit Series
No products found.
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This bag is one of the most comfortable and secure gig bags you can find on the market. The interior is thick and has a velvety soft, plush feel to it, while the exterior can endure any weather conditions with great success. There is also a rubber pad on the bottom that maintains the guitar in a safe standing position.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Gator’s Transit is a series of high-quality gig bags that protect your instrument through any unfavorable conditions. It is lightweight and highly portable, so you can easily take it with you from gig to gig. The plush interior lining keeps the instrument safe and sound, while the exterior is sturdy and resistant.
Who Will Use This Most
This gig bag is ideal for anyone who wants a sturdy case that features all the benefits of hard cases, without being too bulky and heavy. It is ideal for standard acoustic guitar sizes, and it has three adjustable interior pads for top, neck, and bottom so you can secure your instrument in place when traveling.
Bottom Line
Overall, if you are looking for the perfect blend between protection, functionality, and comfort, you definitely need to check out the Gator Cases Transit Series. It features some of the benefits of the hard case, such as sturdiness and high protection, combined with the lightweight sizes of the soft cases.
Runner-up:
Fender Gig Bag FA62
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The shape of the bag reminds you of a hard case, though once you pick it up, it feels soft and lightweight. It is ideal for any travel, and the design features all the qualities of the Fender reputation in terms of durability, reliability, and high-quality components. It is an ideal gig bag for any serious musician!
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Fender FA620 gig bag knows how to keep your investment safe and sound. It has a thick 20mm padding with protective bumpers, the backpack straps have air mesh with airflow channel for enhanced support and comfort, and the large front pocket can store business cards, extra strings, picks, pens, and many more.
Who Will Use This Most
This gig bag is ideal for any serious gigging musician. It is long-lasting, protective of your instrument, and ideal for dreadnought shape acoustic guitars. The F620 has a comfortable shape with an ergonomic design; it is affordable and allows you to store all the accessories you need during your gig.
Bottom Line
Overall, if you want maximum protection and comfort for your guitar, you cannot go wrong with this one. It is perfect for the gigging musician always on the go; it is resistant, reliable, and keeps your investment safe at all times. The Fender design is stylish yet simple and has a soft velvety feel to it.
Best for the Money:
Music Area RB20
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This gig bag is ideal for any acoustic guitar. It is well-constructed, and all the components are environmentally friendly. The sides are quite stiff, but this means that the gig bag will better protect your guitar. The material of the bag seems durable and reliable.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Music Area RB-20 is an innovative, affordable gig bag for acoustic guitars; it also features a snowflake texture, making it visually appealing and creative. It is waterproof, weatherproof, and dustproof, and the manufacturing process involves eco-friendly processes and materials.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are a frequent traveler, this gig bag can offer you all the protection you need at a fair price. It is ideal for those who travel at night since it includes fashionable reflective strips. The gig bag resists aging, the zipper is exceptionally high-quality, and the exterior is glossy and resistant.
Bottom Line
Overall, this gig bag is well-built and has a fair price. The zippers, materials, and construction process are well thought, and it is a highly functional gig bag. It protects your instrument with a 20mm thick interior padding, has reflective shoulder straps for your safety when walking in the dark, and is overall a great, durable gig bag.
4. Godin Acoustic Guitar Case
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This gig bag is lightweight, sturdy, and reliable. It has beautifully designed backpack straps that make it easy and convenient to carry your instrument. The outer case is hard, durable, and protective, while the accessory compartment is large enough for multiple accessories.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Godin Acoustic Guitar Case is a high-quality protective case that can easily be used as a gig bag. It is thermally insulated, which protects your instrument during very high or very low temperatures. It is made of foam, so it is both durable and lightweight.
Who Will Use This Most
This guitar case is ideal for any acoustic guitar player. It is affordable, well-made, and extremely sturdy. Its thermal insulation is an excellent advantage for musicians who want to protect their guitar against extreme temperatures. It has plenty of room for accessories, and it is comfortable.
Bottom Line
Overall, this case is a great alternative for a gig bag. It is highly protective and made of good quality foam, which will keep your instrument safe at all times. The build is sturdy, reliable, and can withstand many shocks and bangs. It is well-designed and reliable, but also featherweight.
5. Ibanez IAB924 Powerpad
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PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The Powerpad is a great gig bag, with water-repelling properties that mightily protect your guitar. It is lightweight and includes sturdy, durable padding support for the neck, while the roomy compartments can hold numerous accessories, including a few pedals, chords, strings, capo, tuner, and even your laptop.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Ibanez IAB924 is a smart, stylish, well-designed gig bag that offers supreme protection to your instrument. It comes with a padded rubber bottom with shock-absorbing properties and 25mm thick padding for top, back, sides, head, and bottom – because you can never go wrong with some extra protection!
Who Will Use This Most
This gig bag is ideal for intensive traveling and carrying. It is sturdy enough to withstand frequent manipulation; the waterproof fabric and zipper will keep your guitar safe and sound against spills, rain, and dust. It includes three roomy pockets that can carry anything – from your laptop to books, strings, headphones, tuners, and any other supplies.
Bottom Line
Overall, this Ibanez gig bag is not only high-quality, but also offers great value for your every cent. If you want some extra protection, the 25mm thick padding will ensure that your guitar remains in place and safe at all times. It is ideal for frequent traveling, and it has plenty of pockets.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Here’s a short breakdown of the most important aspects to consider before buying your guitar case:
Fit
The most important aspect is to make sure your future gig bag is suitable for your acoustic guitar. This is vital, especially if your instrument has an atypical or asymmetrical design. If there is not a perfect fit between your guitar and the case, the instrument will not be as protected as it should be, and the next bang could easily damage it.
Materials
A lightweight gig bag does not mean a weak one. Make sure the materials used are high-quality, sturdy, and able to keep you protected from as many threats as possible, including rain, dust, excessive temperature, and accidental impacts. Don’t give in to the pressure and make sure you get as many features as possible in your future gig bag, particularly those that will protect your guitar.
Storage
Depending on your needs, you might want a model with roomy pockets or the opposite, a smaller one with fewer compartments. If you are frequently gigging, you need the pockets to store accessories like picks, strings, tuner, capo, and others. If you purchase a gig bag only to store your guitar, you could go for a simpler alternative.
Conclusion
Overall, our best acoustic guitar gig bags are sturdy, durable, lightweight, and most importantly, they all ensure maximum protection for your instrument. We covered all needs, whether you are an aspiring musician, a student, a gigging musician, or a professional, so hopefully, we inspired you enough to find your match!
