Harley Benton LightCase-El-Bass

I got this case because I wanted something a little more sturdy than a gig bag but less heavy than a proper hard shell case. Basically just something to carry my guitar to rehearsals or studio sessions but sturdy enough to throw it into the back of a car without worrying too much about it.

For this type of use this case is perfect. Of course one could always wish for better designed storage compartments and even better build quality but at this price it's a steal. How Thomann can sell these perfectly decent soft cases at such a low price is beyond me. Of course it's not the same quality as the most expensive models but you would have to pay a LOT more money to get a significantly better case.

I wouldn't send this case on a plane or use it for extensive touring of course. It's a soft case, they're not designed to withstand that kind of abuse. But this case is hard to beat if you need an excellent value case that sits right between the portability of a gig bag and the added protection of a case.

Highly recommended if you're looking for a light weight, soft case. Just be aware that a soft case will never provide the protection of a more expensive hardshell case.

I really like this case. It is a perfect compromise between a gig bag and a hard or flight case. Personally, I'm calling it a "gig case". It is almost as light as the gig bags but with the boxy structure of a case at a great price. Perfect!

The two cubby holes either side of the neck don't have their own flap covers but are effectively "sealed in" when you close the case. Personally, I would have preferred independent covers just to minimize the chance of the contents going for a walk during transit or when opening in awkward places or angles. If you have a Pod Go or similar modeller they won't fit inside where they would probably fit in the pocket on the outside of many gig bags. There is a zip pocket on the outside but it's only for slim things - strings, minimal sheet music. It also has a simple detachable strap in addition to the normal handle.

My own personal bugbear is that almost all bags and cases come in a wide variety of black. I wish we could have more interesting colours. Even light grey would be an improvement on black. I recently bought a Cordoba Protege classical guitar which came in four different colours with matching gig bags. Superb. Do the Spanish know something the Germans don't?

I bought this because it was a bundled offer with the HB MV-4PJ Gotoh Burgundy Mist (absolutely gorgeous and flawless by the way). I've only just discovered this is also available as a guitar version as well which has never been bundled or suggested before with guitars so I don't know if it has been absent from the catalogue for a while? I would have loved to have bought that instead of the normal HB gig bag.

My only criticism really is that while it fits the HB PJ bass perfectly (with a little spare headroom) but my HB MM Stingray homage is slightly too long by about an inch (presumably why it wasn't offered as a bundle with that). As you have a channel in the middle for the neck, there's no flexibility to angle the bass to try and get it in. Why couldn't Harley Benton have just made the case a wee bit longer to accommodate more of their basses.

Don't hesitate, get a "gig case" today. Even if it is black.

Update: The HB MM Stingray homage will fit in. It pushes against the foam inside "frame" but not by much and doesn't interfere with the closing of the case so all is well. I still wish they'd made the case another inch longer though.

I don't see a reason to buy a hard case. Unless you want to check it into airplane luggage. But then even a hard case won't do, they'll still ruin your instrument unless you apply smart extra protection measures.

For all other pruposes this is cheaper, lighter to carry, and will not get or cause damage when carrying around or bumping into stuff.

Plenty of space inside too. Better than a hard case, for me anyway.