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So, personally for me, hard case.
But if it's anything angled would always go hardcase or decent Mono-type gigbag. Hiscox are brilliant for hardcases - lightweight and super-tough. I've had several through the hell of airport baggage systems and never had a problem beyond a thumbnail-sized hole in the edge of one. In that instance the guitar was fine and the case is still going strong a decade later.
The main areas a hard case gives better protection are from crushing and bending - so if it's going in a van or a heavily-loaded car, or it's a hollow instrument or has a steep headstock angle, then a hard case is better. But other than that a decent gig bag is as good and is a lot less of a faff to carry.
[stuck record] There are also 'semi-hard' cases which for some reason are often overlooked by guitarists - basically a hard case made from lightweight foam with a nylon covering and straps like a gig bag - most classical musicians use them, for much more fragile and valuable instruments than we have. [/stuck record]
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Much the same as above, I have a heavy duty soft case for my stat, but I did splash out for a fitted hardcase for the Gretsch.
My rule of thumb. Gibson type = hard case. Fender = gig bag. Baseball bat necked tele's just chuck in the boot
A hardcase is £80 and i think if i bought a case now it would be that one.
And for cluttering up the place because my guitars are on wall hangers.
I've had a Mono gigbag in the past and now have the Gator bag below. The quality and protection is up there with the Mono, and there is a load more storage space plus it's cheaper at £99.95.
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/GPGELECTRIC/gig-bags/gator-progo-series-deluxe-gig-bag-for-electric-guitar
If at any point someone else is moving it, or it is going in to a vehicle I haven't completely packed myself then Hiscox Hardcase.
If it is just me moving it and I'm taking one instrument then a gigbag, worn on shoulder strap. I like the one I got with a (since sold) Godin guitar. It is pretty similar in quality to the PRS gigbag.
The Epiphone fitted case is much less practical for me - nowhere to put anything, much heavier, has to be carried by hand at my side and is generally unwieldy. If I had my time again with the LP I'd not buy the hard case but now I have it I'm going to keep it. With the gig bag I can fit my lesson folder in the front pocket, wallet, keys etc. in the top pocket and there's space for much more. Sling it over my shoulder or on my back and it's forgotten as it's so light compared to the case. If I do any sort of dotting about on my way to or from lessons and have the guitar with me it's no problem at all, not like carting the hard case in and out of shops and having to set it down to do anything. It fits neatly behind the seats on the floor of my wee Fiesta too, so does the hard case but I just find it much easier at every stage of the process using the gig bag.
I know the OP clearly stated that the budget isn't there for a Mono bag but I'd get a less expensive gig bag (like the PRS ones people mention on here) if you're carting it around yourself. If it's going in the car boot or you have other people moving it, then the hard case is the safest option. To help fund the Mono, I sold the standard Gibson bag that came with the SG as it was awful, cheap crap - despite them being touted as deluxe / premium. I couldn't even fit my guitar strap in the pocket. It was quite a thought laying out the (£130ish?) cash on the Mono, but I'm glad I did it and it's going to last for years to I took all that into consideration and I'm happy I went for it.
If you need to go across town on public transport with a guitar and bits, then a suitable guitar (tele) and bag might seem appropriate. Since I never find myself in this position a proper case is the order of the day. My guitars live in hard cases and are carried to/in my own car most of the time, but still hard cases because you never know, surely thats the point!
Sounds complicated and very expensive to implement.
https://www.gak.co.uk/en/protection-racket-7050-classic-electric-guitar-bag/5443
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