By Christian Wissmuller
“From the standpoint that I also still gig often – I have a closet full of hardshell cases that never leave the house. When bringing two guitars to a gig I’m going to sling both over my shoulders in pro ($200+) gig bags.” – Joe Chiappone, Northfield Music
As the landscape of musical gear continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: players want their prized instruments protected—and they’re looking to their trusted dealers for the right solutions. From the touring pro hauling gear across continents to the weekend warrior heading to a local jam session, electric guitar and bass players rely on cases and gig bags that deliver durability, comfort, and style. In this month’s MMR Dealer Survey, we’re diving into the trends, top-sellers, and customer preferences shaping the market for electric guitar and bass protection. What’s moving, what’s stalling, and what do players really want? We asked — and you answered.
For your store, sales of electric guitar & bass cases and gig bags in 2025 are…
Up: 37.3%
Down: 21.4%
Level: 41.3%
What sells the most for your MI retail operation: electric guitar & bass cases or gig bags?
Cases: 36.8%
Gig Bags: 63.2%
What is your customers’ preference re: locking systems?
Lock (regular lock): 72.9%
No lock: 8.3%
TSA lock: 18.8%
What types (primary material) of hardshell cases are most popular?
Wood: 55%
ABS: 33.9%
Cloth: 28.8%
Nylon: 28.8%
Hybrid: 15.8%
Tolex: 15.8%
Vinyl: 12.9%
Fiberglass: 3.7%
Metal: 3.7%
What brands are the top sellers for your store?
Gator: 22.9%
On-Stage: 20.7%
SKB: 19.4%
Roadrunner: 18.3%
TKL: 18.3%
Access: 14.5%
Fender: 11.3%
Guardian: 10.6%
Protec: 10.6%
Boblen: 9%
Coffin Case: 9%
Reunion Blues: 9%
Epiphone: 8.4%
Gibson: 7%
MONO: 7%
Gruv Gear: 6.3%
In-house/store imprint: 4.9%
What trends are impacting sales of cases and gig bags for electric guitar & bass in 2025?
“Regarding gig bags, portability (as well as cost) is reason number one for all instrument levels starting around $30 for decent entry level Gator bags. But many pro’s will put their higher end solidbody and semi-hollow guitars in bags that cost $150 and up so their hands are free to carry other things to gigs. I think we’re selling hardshells more often for higher end acoustics than gig bags simply for the safety factor. We don’t sell an awful lot of high end hardshells, though, simply because [with] companies like Fender, Ibanez, and PRS, higher end guitars come with them. Personally, from the standpoint that I also still gig often – I have a closet full of hardshell cases that never leave the house. When bringing two guitars to a gig I’m going to sling both over my shoulders in pro ($200+) gig bags.”
Joe Chiappone
Northfield Music
Pittsford, NY
“Less and less guitars are coming with gig bags and cases.”
Ryan Brondyke
West Music
Coralville, Iowa
“No one is willing to pay for a guitar and then pay an additional $129-159 for a hardshell case. We sell gig bags. I stocked up and got over 100 gig bags three years ago when they cost a lot less, though they had a 15% surcharge for textiles as it was.”
Van Cochran
Cochran Guitars
Martinsville, Illinois
