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Whether you’re looking to ship out a guitar to a customer or take your guitar on a plane, there are times when weight is a critical factor.
In such an instance, you won’t just be bringing your guitar bare, because you don’t want to end up with a damaged instrument. You’re going to ensure that it’s encased in its own protective environment – a case.
Meaning – the weight of the case is going to be a factor. So, how much does a guitar case weigh? Here are several real examples to give you an idea of what to expect.
Table of Contents
How Much Does An Electric Guitar Case Weigh? Quick Answer
There are several different types of electric guitar cases, which is obviously a factor. Here we’ll offer a broad overview of the weight of electric guitar cases, with specific examples to follow.
Most hardshell cases weigh in the 8 to 15 lbs. or 3.6 to 6.8 kg range.
Most gig bags weigh in the 2 to 5 lbs. or 0.9 to 2.3 kg range.
Of course, it is possible to find lighter and heavier cases that fall outside of these specifications.
Now for a few examples:
CAHAYA Hard Shell Rectangle Electric Guitar Case
Weight: 14.48 lbs.
The CAHAYA hard shell electric guitar case is your standard rectangular case (with padded neck support and a storage compartment) that works for most types of electric guitars. Great for gigging!
This one is made of a combination of wood, leather, plush, and various hardware accessories. No wonder it weighs over 14 lbs.!
ChormaCast CC-PS-LPC Pro Series Electric Guitar Hard Case
Weight: 10.5 lbs.
When you think of “electric guitar cases,” this is probably what immediately comes to mind – a contoured guitar case shape.
The ChromaCast CC-PS-LPC, as the name would imply, is perfect four housing Les Paul style electric guitars, and it weights just a little over 10 lbs.
Gator Cases GTSA-GTRELEC Molded Flight Case
Weight: 8 lbs.
Flight cases generally offer the most protection of any case. As such, you might assume they are heaviest, but not so with the Gator Cases GTSA-GTRELEC, coming in at a humble 8 lbs.
This case specifically accommodates Fender Stratocaster and Telecaster style electric guitars and features an ATA roto-molded polyethylene outer shell, with carry handle, EPS foam nest with black plush lining, as well as storage compartments.
Gator Cases GL-ELECTRIC Polyfoam Electric Guitar Case
Weight: 5.25 lbs.
Gator Cases breaks convention with their own rectangular polyfoam guitar case, a unique case type that sits somewhere between a hardshell case and gig bag.
Made with nylon, dense EPS foam core and plush lining, it still offers good protection and is relatively lightweight at 5.25 lbs. It even comes with an interior storage compartment, carry handle, and a removable shoulder strap.
CAHAYA Electric Guitar Gig Bag
Weight: 2.16 lbs.
The stylish and simple CAHAYA electric guitar gig bag is a popular, low-cost case that’s perfect for full size and 3/4 size electric guitars (note – electric basses will not fit).
The case features shoulder straps, carry handle, an exterior pouch, and blue zippers. At 2.6 lbs., it is quite lightweight.
How Much Does An Acoustic Guitar Case Weigh? Quick Answer
As with electric guitar cases, there are a few different types of acoustic guitar cases, which can affect their weight.
Hardshell and flight cases are typically in the 9 to 22 lbs. or 4 to 10 kg range.
And gig bags / soft cases usually weigh about 1 to 3 lbs. or 0.5 to 1.4 kg.
But this mostly applies to the cases featured here, and you might be able to find lighter and heavier cases as well.
Now for a few examples:
SKB 3i-4217-18 Acoustic Guitar Case
Weight: 22 lbs.
If you think you might need some extra protection, then the 22 lbs. SKB acoustic guitar case might be for you. Just as there are rectangular cases for electrics, they exist for acoustics as well, and they generally don’t come as heavy duty as this.
This case has been designed to fit most acoustic guitars and is likely a roadworthy case.
Crossrock CRF2021CIV Deluxe Fiberglass Classical Guitar Case
Weight: 13.47 lbs.
For all our classical acoustic guitar players out there, there’s the classy looking Crossrock Deluxe Fiberglass case at 13.47 lbs.
Hardshell cases are often a little lighter, but in this case, it probably has something to do with the construction materials.
Gator Cases GTSA-GTRDREAD Molded Flight Case For Acoustic Guitars
Weight: 11.35 lbs.
Just as there are flight cases for electric guitars, there are flight cases for acoustic guitars too. The GTSA-GTRDREAD was made specifically with dreadnought style acoustic guitars in mind, and it comes in at a comfortable 11.35 lbs.
Like its electric guitar counterpart, it has an ATA roto-molded polyethylene outer shell, carry handle, and EPS foam nest.
Gator Cases GW-DREAD Deluxe Wood Case For Acoustic Guitars
Weight: 9.13 lbs.
The Gator Cases GW-DREAD, featuring a plywood and black tolex construction, comes with a carry handle and a padded interior with an accessory storage compartment. Its weight, at 9.13 lbs., isn’t overbearing though.
This case was designed with dreadnought acoustic guitars (the most common body type) in mind.
CAHAYA Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag
Weight: 1.37 lbs.
At 1.37 lbs., the CAHAYA acoustic gig bag is lightweight, affordable, and convenient.
This one comes with a waterproof oxford cloth exterior, adjustable shoulder straps, as well as a carry handle. The exterior pouches allow for the storage of sheet music, music books, and other accessories.
How Much Does An Electric Bass Guitar Case Weigh? Quick Answer
Bass guitars are quite a bit different than standard guitars in a lot of ways – they’re bigger, they have fewer strings, and they have a deeper sound. Not to mention, bass players play a different role in the band, and therefore tend to think differently about how they approach their instrument, too.
All these factors mean a bass guitar case is generally heavier than electric or acoustic guitar cases (though not always).
Electric bass hardshell cases are often in the 8 to 13.2 lbs. or 3.6 to 6 kg range, but they can certainly be heavier.
Gig bags and soft cases are usually in the 1.5 to 6.2 lbs. or 0.7 to 2.8 kg range.
Now for a few examples:
Crossrock CRW620BBR Electric Bass Guitar Case
Weight: 13.2 lbs.
Hardshell rectangular cases aren’t just for acoustic and electric guitars. They work great for bass guitars too, and this spacious Crossrock CRW620BBR case boasts the relatively humble weight of 13.2 lbs.
This case would accommodate most electric bass guitars and it even comes with a large accessory compartment, padding and plush lining, along with vintage bronze latches.
Fender Deluxe Molded Jazz And Precision Electric Bass Guitar Case
Weight: 11 lbs.
The Fender deluxe molded electric bass guitar case is a heavy-duty 11 lbs. case with ATA molded military-grade polyethylene outer shell, custom-fit EPS protective foam interior, ergo-grip handle, and more.
This is not the cheapest option, in case this one caught your eye, but given its solid construction, its weight is relatively slight.
Gator Cases GTSA-GTRBASS Flight Case For Bass Guitar
Weight: 8 lbs.
Since we’ve already looked at a couple of Gator Cases flight cases, you probably have a good idea of what to expect here in terms of construction materials. This one, like the others, only weighs 8 lbs., which is surprising given its size.
A flight case is an essential for travel, and this one is ideally suited to Fender J and P Bass style electric bass guitars.
Gator Cases GL-BASS Lightweight Polyfoam Guitar Case For Electric Bass Guitars
Weight: 6.14 lbs.
A solid option for all your “in-between” needs, the Gator Cases GL-BASS rectangular electric bass guitar case only weighs 6.14 lbs. but still offers decent protection overall.
This case will fit most electric bass guitars, comes with a nylon exterior and EPS foam core with plush lining, interior storage, carry handle, removable shoulder strap, and more.
CAHAYA CY0222 Electric Bass Guitar Gig Bag
Weight: 1.54 lbs.
The CAHAYA electric bass guitar gig bag is ideal for all those casual outings, a night at the open mic, and even the occasional local gig. At 1.54 lbs., the heavier item is bound to be your bass, not the case.
This case is relatively standard so far as gig bags are concerned, with shoulder straps, carry handles, and of course an exterior pouch for your basic storage needs.
How Much Does A Guitar Case Weigh? Final Thoughts
In summary, most cases are in the 1 lbs. to 15 lbs. range, regardless of whether you have an electric guitar, acoustic guitar, or electric bass guitar.
There are a few types of cases depending on what you’re looking for, but the main ones are: gig bag, polyfoam, hardshell, and flight cases. Obviously, some cases offer more protection than others, but generally weigh more than the ones that don’t give you as much protection.
So, no matter what you have planned for your guitars, travel, shipping, or otherwise, if you remember to account for a few extra lbs., you should do fine.
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