The 5 Best Cases for a Les Paul Guitar
This article will cover the 5 best cases for a Gibson or Epiphone Les Paul guitar. Protecting your beloved instrument is a no-brainer and these are my favorite hard cases. Each of these cases will fit your guitar perfectly and safely without any modifications.
1. Gibson Les Paul Hardshell Electric Guitar Case
Without question, the best hard case for a Gibson is an official Les Paul case. The Les Paul Hardshell case offers optimum protection and a very snug fit. One of the most essential requirements for any hard case is making sure there is a little movement internally as possible. You never want your guitar to slide around inside the case. This case will keep your Gibson or Epiphone Les Paul guitar safe from internal movement and damage. The Gibson hard case will also fit left and right-handed Les Paul guitars.
While this Gibson Les Paul Hard Case is not the lightest case in the world, it offers the best protection and is worth it if you can spend a little more on an official hard case. After all, these are made by the same company that makes the guitars so you know it’s good.
The Gibson Les Paul hardshell case has a plush interior and an internal compartment for storing a string winder, strings, or other accessories. These cases can be locked using a provided key for safe transportation. Branded proudly with a “Gibson” logo, these are the perfect match for any Les Paul. I currently own a brown Gibson Les Paul Hard case and it’s one of my favorites of all time.
For more photos and prices please click on the best link in your area below. These cases also come in brown.
Buy it on Sweetwater | Thomann
2. Epiphone Les Paul Hardshell Case
The next best thing to a Gibson is an Epiphone, right? Yes! Some would argue that Epiphone is a better value and the same argument can be made with this hard case. These Epiphone cases are very similar physically to the official Gibson cases and will fit any Les Paul without any issues. Internally, these have a really great compartment for storing strings or a guitar strap.
These cases are the perfect option for those wanting to save a few dollars over an official Gibson Hard Case. There’s no real trade-off between the Epiphone and Gibson Hardcase other than the Branding. I’ve owned a number of these cases over the years and they are very reliable, tough, and gig-worthy.
This Epiphone case allows very little movement internally which makes for safe transportation. Combined with the plush interior material, the Epiphone case is a real winner.
For more photos and prices please click on the best link in your area below.
Buy it on Sweetwater | Thomann
3. Gator Deluxe Wood Case
Without question, Gator makes some of the best third-party cases in the World. if you couldn’t care less about brand recognition this is by far one of the best cases for any Les Paul guitar. Another advantage to the Gator cases is their price! These cases are less expensive than the Gibson and Epiphone alternatives yet don’t sacrifice features.
The Gator Deluxe Wood case is strong and has the same build style as the previous cases. We get a rugged plywood internal construction and a plush-lined interior. There’s also foam padding around the edge of the case to keep the instrument safe. Much like the previous two cases, the Gator Les Paul case can also be locked with the provided key for extra security.
For more photos and prices please click on the best link in your area below. These also come in a black option.
Buy it on Sweetwater | Thomann
4. SKB 1SKB-56 Les Paul Hard Case
SKB is another brand that doesn’t get much love. This brand has been making quality hard cases and rack cases for years. One of the biggest benefits of the SKB 1SKB-56 is that it’s far lighter than all the other cases on this list. For those wanting a light and durable option then look no further than this case.
Unlike all of the other cases on this list, the SKB is made from a light-weight molded plastic that is near indestructible! The TSA approved locks and quality latches make traveling on airlines in North America a breeze. This will allow security checks on the guitar without the need to break the locks.
The external material does not tear or rip like the others on this list. While it can technically scuff, it will last a lot longer. These ABS/plastic cases will stand the test of time and are far better for severe weather conditions. This SKB case is the lightest and most portable but they don’t stack as well as the regular cases. The reason why they don’t stack as well is their slightly fatter molded bump above the guitar body. You can see this raised section in the picture below.
For more photos and prices please click on the best link in your area below.
Buy it on Sweetwater | Thomann
5. Gator Titan Series Waterproof Guitar Case
While this guitar case is 5th on the list, this doesn’t make it the worst. This is a premium hard case from gator that is waterproof and weatherproof! The reason why this is last on the list is only that it’s far more expensive than the other options while also being a third party option.
Secondly, the Gator Titan Series case is rectangular instead of the ‘fitted’ style case that most people go for. This means it will take up more room in storage but the trade-offs are still awesome.
Gator cases are some of the best in the world and the Titan Series case for a Les Paul is no exception. Like all of the other cases on this list, the Gator Titan will fit both left and right-handed guitars.
This is the only case made of an impact-proof light resin with an ATAS-300 certification. This dust-proof and waterproof design have an IP-67 certification allowing it to handle far more extreme weather conditions.
Another benefit to the Gator Titan case is its locks. These easy to release Powerclaw latches work a treat and give you a worry-free experience when it comes to transportation. Additionally, the case also has pre-punched holes for padlocks which allows for some semblance of security if you choose to use a lock.
The only considerations with this case are its physical shape, size, and weight. The Gator case comes in at 22lbs making it heavy for an ABS option, but it sure is tough!
Buy it on Sweetwater | Thomann
Quality Les Paul Case Considerations
Neck Support
There are a few requirements when buying any guitar case. These requirements also apply to Gibson or Epiphone Les Paul Guitars. All of the cases listed in this post meet these particular requirements. The first requirement is making sure the neck is supported. This means that the neck is rested snug, while also allowing the headstock to “float” off the edge of the neck rest. Les Paul headstock breakage is very common and the case should always ensure this does not happen. With the combination of neck support and floating headstock space, your instrument will be safe.
Guitar Movement
The second requirement is little to no wriggle room for the guitar body. A quality case will keep the guitar from moving. Again, this is a huge safety consideration for Les Pauls. If the guitar is not secure and it slides up and down, it has the potential to damage the instrument. There should be less than a fingertip of movement in any good hard case.
Travel Considerations
For guitarists traveling on plans in the USA, I would only recommend TSA approved locks. I personally had a guitar case damaged by TSA because they didn’t know how to unlock the case properly. TSA just used a crowbar to break the locks and I had to fix them at my expense. To add insult to injury, the case wasn’t even locked.
Case Weight
Weight is subjective to what you can lift and are happy to handle. For gigging musicians that travel on airlines or end up walking a long way to a gig, then go light. The ABS/Molded plastic cases are fantastic options for keeping the weight down to a minimum. Les Paul guitars are heavy enough without the hard case, so think light!
For more tips see my full article about essential guitar hard case considerations.
