What's the Best Bag or Case for My Hollow Body/Archtop Guitar?
Since hollow body / archtop guitars come in various shapes and sizes, picking the right bag or case can be tricky. In this Buyer’s Guide, we look at the various guitar models available and help you find the best-fitting gig bag or case for your guitar.
Hollow body/Archtop | Semi-Hollow/Thinline | Important | Gibson | Gretsch | Ibanez | Other Brands | Archtop | More
1. What’s a Hollow Body or Archtop Guitar?
As the name implies, a hollow body guitar is a guitar with a fully or partly hollowed out body. That said, hollow body models usually aren’t considered acoustic guitars. Also called archtops because of their arched soundboard, these guitars are primarily used in styles like jazz but also frequently feature in rock, soul and blues music.
Compared to standard ‘flat-top’ acoustic and electric guitars, hollow body models have a unique look that typically includes the aforementioned arched top and one or two sound holes near the lower bout (the widest part of the body, otherwise known as the belly). So, unlike a traditional acoustic steel-string, there’s no sound hole in the middle of the soundboard.
Originally, hollow bodies were considered steel-string acoustic guitars. These days, they’re mainly considered to be semi-acoustic or even electric guitars because one or more pickups can be seen mounted to the body.
2. What’s a Semi-Hollow Body / Thinline Archtop Guitar?
Some hollow body / archtop guitars have a thinner body and are sometimes referred to as semi-hollow body or thinline archtop guitars. Don’t mix these up with ‘standard’ thinline guitars because these are generally normal electric guitars with one or two cavities and sound holes. Extra-thin steel-string acoustic and classical guitars are also occasionally called thinline models.
3. What Should I Pay Attention to When Picking Out a Hollow Body Guitar Case or Bag?
- First of all, because there are so many different bags and cases available, it’s easy to pick one that’s actually too small for your guitar. Luckily, Bax Music offers free returns (within 60 days after purchase).
- If you go for a bag or case that’s slightly too big, it’s recommended that you secure your guitar using foam. When given room to shift, guitars are vulnerable to damage, especially when stored in a case.
- At the same time, make sure there’s enough room available around the headstock and the machine heads.
- If you have a guitar with a slanted headstock (a feature certain Gibson models boast), we strongly recommend fully supporting the neck and securing the body so that it’s unable to shift. With some models, you’ll need to first use a piece of foam to raise the body before you can fully support the neck along the entire length. The headstock, on the other hand, needs to be able to ‘float freely’.
4. I Have a Gibson® / Epiphone® Hollow Body. Which Bags and Cases Are Compatible?
- The ES models, Thinline Archtops and Casinos made by Gibson® or Epiphone® generally fit best inside a gig bag or case made for a comparable model from the Gibson® ES Series (any model with a similar depth and width). Sometimes, you’ll have to use a piece of foam to fully secure your guitar.
- Deeper archtop guitars from Gibson® or Epiphone® require a gig bag or case made for an acoustic jumbo guitar. Again, you’ll probably have to use foam for a perfect fit.
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Remember the information included in the answer to Question 3!
5. I Have a Hollow Body Guitar Made By Gretsch. Which Bag or Case Do I Need?
- Gretsch offer various tailor-made cases for specific Gretsch hollow body models.
- If you can’t find the right custom case for your Gretsch guitar, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Odds are, we’ll be able to source what you need.
- Alternatively, you can pick up a universal bag or case. Here are some tips:
- A standard jumbo case or bag is the best option for Gretsch hollow body archtops. Additionally, you might need some foam to secure the body.
- For Centreblock models, check out the first bullet point in the answer to Question 4. We can’t guarantee that it’ll work, but it’s certainly worth a try.
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Remember the information included in the answer to Question 3!
Gretsch Hollow Body Guitar Bags / Cases
Jumbo Guitar Cases / Bags
Contact Information
6. I have an Ibanez Hollow Body. Which Gig Bag or Case Will Fit?
- For most Ibanez guitars, there are custom gig bags and/or cases available.
- Can’t find one for your specific Ibanez hollow body? No problem, just contact us and we’ll try to order what you need.
- Alternative solutions for when a specific bag/case isn’t available or too expensive:
- For Ibanez Artcore (thin), Artstar (thin), Scofield or Krasno models: check out the first bullet point in the answer to Question 4. We can’t guarantee that it’ll work, but it’s certainly worth a try.
- For Ibanez Artcore (deep body), Artstar (deep body), Benson or Metheny models, a standard jumbo case or bag is the best option. Bear in mind that you might need some foam to secure the body.
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Remember the information included in the answer to Question 3!
Ibanez Hollow Body Guitar Bags / Cases
Jumbo Guitar Cases / Bags
Contact Information
7. I Have a Hollow Body Guitar From a Different Brand. Which Bags and Cases Are Compatible?
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First of all, remember the information included in the answer to Question 3!
- D’Angelico, Godin, Hagstrom and Eastwood:
- Thinline guitars: check out the first bullet point in the answer to Question 4. We can’t guarantee that it’ll work, but it’s certainly worth a try.
- Standard hollow bodies: a standard jumbo case or bag is the best option. Bear in mind that you might need some foam to secure the body.
- Rickenbacker: standard gig bags and universal electric guitar cases will fit most Rickenbacker models.
- For any other guitar brand we haven’t mentioned:
- See if your guitar closely resembles one of the brands/models we’ve already mentioned. If it does, the best solution is included in the answer to the relevant question.
- Scroll down to Question 9 for more info.
8. I Have An Acoustic Archtop Guitar. Which Bag or Case Do I Need?
If you’ve got an acoustic archtop guitar, in most cases, a standard jumbo case or gig bag is the best option. Bear in mind that you might need some foam to secure the body. See Question 3 for more information.
9. I Can’t Find the Right Gig Bag or Case for My Hollow Body. Now What?
- You could try a universal acoustic jumbo guitar bag or case. While these don’t offer a perfect fit, they’re a more affordable solution.
- If none of the info in this Buyer’s Guide has answered your questions, if you’ve got a guitar with a particularly odd shape, or if you want a case or gig bag that’s been specifically designed for your guitar, just contact us! One of our product specialists will then try to find what you need.
- Always keep the answer to Question 3 in mind when you’re looking for the perfect gig bag or guitar case!
Links & More Information
Product Categories
Hollow Body / Semi-Hollow Body Guitar Bags & Cases
Jumbo Guitar Cases / Bags
Semi-Acoustic Hollow Body Guitars
