Usually at Haywire Custom Guitars we don’t ship our used guitars in guitar cases but we pack the instruments very well. The reason for this is because shipping rates have gotten very high. The extra weight and new rules for dim (dimensional weight) weight add lots of extra “balloon” charges to adding  guitar cases which can sometimes double the cost of shipping.  Just like insurance,  guitar cases do not guarantee perfect delivery. I have photos from UPS and FedEx to prove that. We don’t want to see our customers pay hard earned money and get very little value for it.

Guitar cases can be expensive to ship

We would rather see our customers save their money on the expense of extra shipping and spend and buy guitar cases on the other end after they receive their new guitar from the Haywire Custom Shop. They can benefit from all of their purchase money instead of handing some of it it over to the shippers. A good used case is not expensive and will do the job just fine. Some of the players we build guitars for are on the road 24-7 and when in smaller vehicles they have to use gig bags to cut down on taking up too much space.  So, before you opt for or feel as if you need a  “new case” for your guitar think about how it will fit in your life-style.

While hard-shell cases offer maximum protection for long-distance travel or air transit, they are often old school and overkill for daily local gigs. Carrying a heavy case every night can be unnecessary. There are practical advantages of the modern alternatives. If you’re still concerned about protection but want to ditch the weight, consider a Lightweight Poly-foam Case, which offers a rigid frame with the weight and straps of a gig bag.

• Hands-Free Mobility: Most gig bags feature backpack-style straps, allowing you to carry your guitar on your back and leaving your hands free for your amp, pedal-board, or opening doors.
• Superior Storage: Gig bags typically offer multiple external pockets for cables, tuners, and accessories that hard-shell cases lack.
• Space Management: In cramped venues or bar jams, hard-shell cases take up significant floor space. A gig bag can often be folded or tucked behind an amp once you’ve unpacked.
• Modern Protection: High-end “hybrid” bags, such as the MONO Classic
  use military-grade materials and internal suspension systems that can absorb shocks more effectively than some rigid, non-padded vintage cases.
• Lower Physical Strain: For musicians who walk, bike, or use public transport, the significantly lighter weight of a soft case reduces long-term back and shoulder fatigue. 

In the 1950-1969 era when guitars began to sky rocket in sales, cases were generally included with a new purchase.  In 1969 I remember seeing a new Telecaster with a hard shell case for sale in a local music store for $200. Today you can pay close to that just for guitar cases.  Since cases are no longer always “free” with purchase, take time to ask yourself if you really want to get saddled with carrying a big heavy case to a gig every night. Maybe a gig bag will work just fine.

 Make sense?

Rick Mariner

Haywire Custom Guitars Inc.

Haywire Custom Shop

https://haywirecustomguitars.com

843-347-5742

Do you really want to get saddled with carrying a big heavy hard shell rectangular Guitar Case to a gig every night?

Or, will a light weight gig bag work better?   If you’re a pro player the answer is obvious.

                                                        Still want one? Sure thing! We’ll get you one!!