What to Look For
“I am looking for quality construction with good protection for my instrument; light weight and easy to carry—also easy and safe to pack and unpack,” notes Dorothy Cole, a cellist with the Charlotte Symphony in North Carolina. Cole is not alone in her quest for a light, safe, and convenient way to transport her instrument. Such requests are the reason most musicians begin their search for a gig bag or case cover.

But what should you look for when evaluating these products?

Stamell says most of his clients are looking for “good-quality construction, good padding, and large pockets for music and accessories.”

“Padding is always a prime concern, particularly in cello and bass covers,” reports Tom Kagan of T.R. Kagan Violins in Raleigh, North Carolina. “Bow pockets, rather than a detachable bow case/pouch, are favored, as are pockets for rosin, spare strings, and bridges.”

Tony Nigliazzo, a violinist, sees zippers as the most important aspect of any case cover or gig bag. When a zipper broke on his case last season, the violinist says he suffered a “catastrophic failure” that irreparably damaged his instrument.

For McHugh, the most important traits of a good gig bag or case cover include “serious protection for the instrument, generous accessory/bow pockets, and, above all, substantial zippers.” But he adds this caveat: “Give serious thought to the amount of convenience balanced with the exposure to damage. A hard-shell case is hard to beat for best protection.”

When shopping for your own gig bag or case cover, take along an evaluation checklist. Case manufacturer Barrie Kolstein ­recommends “[looking] at the overall ­structural quality of the cover, the amenities and the features of the cover, and the aesthetics.”

You’ll also want to consider the padded and/or insulated linings; reinforced seams and linings; extra-strong zippers; multiple, reinforced, and well-positioned handles; comfortable, padded shoulder or backpack straps; and bow, accessory, and/or music pockets.