Gig bags.

[Darin]

I don't think I even own a hard case anymore. Gig bags are way more practical and they don't scratch your heated leather seats! And if you don't treat your guitar like an idiot, you don't need a hard case when taking your guitar out for a spin.

[MFB]

For me, I had only had one guitar that could even fit in a gigbag so I kept the guitars original boxes and kind of double used those. However, since my King V is no longer getting used and being mounted as a "Collector Item", I'll be using a gigbag that my Kramer came with. Too bad my next guitar (an LTD GUS-200) will need a hardshell, but its worth it.

[Myst and rain]

Voted for both. If I just go a short distance with my bike to a friend, I'll just use a gigbag. But if I were to go to some venue or club (which I never do, btw) I'd use a hardshell, for sure.

[DEADTUNES666]

20 guitars + 4 children + 1 wife = Hard cases only

I have some gigbags sitting in the garage, but I never use them, unless I go to buy something and they don't have the case in stock. Then I'll use one until the case comes in.

[elcid]

I always end up giving my gig bags away. They are almost as pointless as chipboard cases.

[HeavyMetal4Ever]

For me, the whole idea of a gigbag/hard case is to protect my precious guitars, and i've never seen a gigbag yet that was anything more than a flimsy carry bag. Accidents happen, and a hard case is way more likely to protect it's contents than a soft bag, so, hard case all the way.

Rock on!

[Spudman]

I use both.
For local gigs and jams I take a couple guitars in gig bags with back straps. I can load a double bag on my back, effects case in one hand combo amp in the other. I can't do that with cases.

If I'm on the road or having to throw my gear in someone else's rig then I go with hard cases especially for the expensive guitars. I do have hard cases for almost every guitar I have that is of higher value.

[Darin]

FYI: There are some quite good gig bags. They would protect from every thing other than a 4x12 falling over on the guitar, from a considerable height. What do you protect your guitar from when transporting. Sun, scratches, bumps and dings etc. Good quality gig bags will do that. Not the cheapo bags that come with cheap guitars.

[MFB]

I haven't seen any that are that good but a few I've seen have had a good inch of 2 of padding to them which to me is enough. I don't know anything that would do more damage to a guitar especially during just moving it from A to B that would require more padding than that.

[kotornut]

For me, here in Japan, I have to ride trains with my gear in hand. A gig bag that can go on my back helps me carry my amp and pedal board. At home though, I use my hard case. It's all how well you take care of your gear.

[DEADTUNES666]

Originally Posted by MFB

I don't know anything that would do more damage to a guitar especially during just moving it from A to B that would require more padding than that.

Years ago in my old band, we loaded up the other guitarists mini van for a gig. Somewhere along the way the equipment moved enough so that when we opened the tail gate, his guitar (in a gigbag) fell straight down into the parking lot. It sustained serious enough and noticable damage, while still leaving it playable. My 77FP in it's hard case, is still awesome today...

[Tank]

For guitars that cost more than 300 bucks -> hardcase only. Simply the best protection for your well spent money.

[Pursuit]

I reckon what you use certainly depends on what you're doign and where. If you need easy transportation and space, then use gig bags. If you need a lot of protection and space/practicality isn't an issue, then you use hard cases. Simple.

[MFB]

Originally Posted by DEADTUNES666

Years ago in my old band, we loaded up the other guitarists mini van for a gig. Somewhere along the way the equipment moved enough so that when we opened the tail gate, his guitar (in a gigbag) fell straight down into the parking lot. It sustained serious enough and noticable damage, while still leaving it playable. My 77FP in it's hard case, is still awesome today...

That's a shame

I'll let you guys in on a little secret : I've dropped each of my guitars at least once. My Explorer actually came loose from it's ****ty strap locks and fall off two days after I bought it.

[RG1820X]

Hard cases - all the time.