‘Pro Usage is Up, Overall’ – Sales of Guitar & Bass Cases and Bags Surge As Live Performance Returns at Full-Strength

With only just over 10 percent (10.5%) of participating dealers in this month’s poll reporting a downwards trend in terms of Guitar & Bass Cases and Gig Bags sales, it would appear that the post-pandemic “return to the stage” is having a real impact on this market sector.

As for observed trends, in most respects it really seems to be an open field. For every MI retailer who bemoans the ever-inflating costs related to cases and bags and how it’s discouraging sales, there are at least as many noting how even lower-cost instruments come with bags as standard equipment these days. “Increasing costs are driving gig bag prices up to and beyond the cost of hardshell cases,” says Spidey Mulrooney of The Music Shop in Southington, Connecticut. “Today only the more expensive guitars leave the shop in a bag. Many lower cost/lower margin guitars walk out in the shipping box or just as a guitar.” Chad Neil Davis of Riverton Music (West Jordan, Utah) sees it differently: “[Even] cheap acoustic guitars are coming in solid weekend warrior hard cases, like the Fender CD-60.”

Similarly, some stores are observing non-black bags generate significant sales, while others see no upside to all the multi-color choices available: “Color options do not improve sales for us; black is still the seller for us,” shares Joe Chiappone of Pittsford, New York’s Northfield Music, Inc., while Joni Dey of Herter Music Center in Bay City, Michigan asserts that, “People are looking for more color choices in gig bags; something besides black please. On-Stage makes a striped gig bag that’s been very popular.”

Read on to learn more about what dealers think about sales of these protective fretted instrument essentials.

For your store, sales of Guitar & Bass Cases and Gig Bags in 2024 are…

Up: 31.6%

Down: 10.5%

Level: 57.9%

What sells the most for your business: Cases or Gig Bags?

Gig Bags: 71.1%

Cases: 28.9%

What types (primary material) of cases are most popular?

Wood: 58%

ABS: 34.2%

Cloth: 26.3%

Nylon: 26.3%

Hybrid: 13.2%

Tolex: 13.2%

Vinyl: 13.2%

Polyester: 5.3%

Fiberglass: 2.6%

What is your customers’ preference re: locking systems?

No Lock: 65.8%

Lock (Regular Lock): 31.3%

TSA Lock: 2.9%

Which brands are the top sellers for your store?

Gator: 23.1%

On-Stage: 22.4%

TKL: 19%

Roadrunner: 17.3%

SKB: 17.3%

Access: 11.2%

Fender: 11.2%

Guardian: 11.2%

Protec: 11.2%

Coffin Case: 9.1%

Boblen: 8%

Reunion Blues: 8%

Gibson: 6.5%

Dean: 5.9%

Epiphone: 5.9%

MONO: 5.9%

Gruv Gear: 5.9%

In-house/store logo imprint: 5.9%

Ibanez: 4.8%

What trends are impacting sales of Cases and Gig Bags for Guitar & Bass in 2024?

“Quality. Case handles, lining. No one wants something cheap. I include a bag or case with almost every instrument, cheap classicals excluded. It keeps the instrument in good shape and the customer happy.”

Keta Tom

The Fingerboard Extension

Corvallis, Oregon

“Customers seem to appreciate the ease and protection of the top shelf bags that can be carried over the shoulder like the Gator Icon series.”

Will West

Will West Music & Sound

Jefferson City, Missouri

“Increasing costs are driving gig bag prices up to and beyond the cost of hard hell cases. Gig bags used to be an easy add on to any guitar sale. Today only the more expensive guitars leave the shop in a bag. Many lower cost/lower margin guitars walk out in the shipping box or just as a guitar.”

Spidey Mulrooney

The Music Shop

Southington, Connecticut

“More guitar manufacturers are offering mid-level price points that include cases or bags.”

Todd Peery

Ted Brown Music

Tacoma, Washington

“[Even] cheap acoustic guitars coming in solid weekend warrior hard cases, like the Fender CD-60.”

Chad Neil Davis

Riverton Music West Jordan

West Jordan, Utah

“Inflation is hurting everyone! But people are digging deep and making it happen with a little convincing!”

Anthony Mantova

Mantova’s Two Street Music

Eureka, California

“We have always provided our customers with many options for their instrument’s protection at all price points. We do consistently well with our private label gig bags and SSC. We purposely sell those at slightly lower margins than the major brands, knowing that the message they carry is priceless.”

Jerry Vesely

Vesely Music

Parowan, Utah

“Lightweight Options: While protection remained important, there was also a growing demand for lightweight cases that were easier to carry around. Hybrid cases that combined elements of hard cases and gig bags gained popularity. These cases often featured a hard shell frame for better protection, combined with padded panels and backpack-style straps for easier carrying. Aesthetic Appeal: Musicians were showing interest in cases that not only protected their instruments but also looked stylish and unique. Technological Integration: Some cases started incorporating technology, such as built-in humidity and temperature control systems.”

Bruce Ashby

Wire Meets Wood Guitars

Powhatan, Virginia

“Gig bags always the most popular due to lower cost. We have seen hardshell case prices dramatically increase the last couple years. We can often buy a U.S.-made hardshell for a similar price as our previously cheaper import hard case. And it is often better quality, so we have been going that route lately.”

Ted Parrish

Parrish Music

Viroqua, Wisconsin

“Pro usage is up, overall. Gig bags are not only being purchased for entry level instruments as quality and choice improves. Color options do not improve sales for us; black is still the seller for us.”

Joe Chiappone

Northfield Music, Inc.

Pittsford, New York

“People are looking for more color choices in gig bags; something besides black please. On-Stage makes a striped gig bag that’s been very popular.”

Joni Dey

Herter Music Center

Bay City, Michigan