Thomann Acoustic-Steel Gigbag Elite

I've owned this particular gig bag for a while, and it's served me really well for the last few years I've owned. Aside from looking a bit grubby, a slight pitfall of the cream coloured tolex that forms the majority of the case.

The case itself is larger than it might seem. Easily large enough to hold a dreadnought, and fine for a Orchestra Model or Grand Auditorium model, guitars with lower bouts of 15 and 16 inches. For something smaller, be it a 00 sized guitar or a parlour guitar, this particular case might be a bit too large without the need of using a folded towel or something to provide a closer fit without the guitar moving around too much in the case.

When it comes to padding, the case is fairly robust, it definitely has a strong feel to it. More than enough protection for day to day home storage and for taking to gigs as well.

The guitar case is really well stocked for pockets as well. There are two at the lower bout of the guitar, one which is large enough for a A4 notebook, with a smaller one over that suitable for keeping strings, picks and other accessories. There's a pocket at the top of the case, near the headstock and it's about the size to keep a small dynamic microphone in a soft case if needs be.

Great case, it's served me well in the years for storing my guitar at home and for providing protection to rehearsals and a few gigs.

First things first: This is a BEAUTIFUL gigbag! The color combination is really appealing. The padding looks more than sufficient and inspires confidence that the guitar will be well protected. The space provided requires a bit of careful consideration since not all guitars might fit. My ancient PR 350ME Epiphone fits snugly enough and that really assures me that the instrument is safe. Compared to the original Epiphone gigbag, that qualified no higher than a grocery bag, this one feels like a high end piece of art!!! It is not but, you get my drift. The extra space provided with all the pockets must be really welcome, especially to people that haul a lot of stuff around, though that is not the case with me. I never take my acoustic out of the house and the reason I bought this is to simply have the guitar neatly and safely stored when not in use, which is about 80% of the time... Anyway... Now to the "negative" aspects... As I said the color is great looking but I do have reservations on how long will it stay that way, once the gigbag starts the inevitable out of house excursions. I only hope that it is possible to dry clean it... Last but not least, and this a complaint of mine addressed to ALL gigbag manufacturers: Is it that HARD to place the carrying handle 10cm forward, towards the neck that is, so that the bag is more balanced? Really now, is it? That said, this is a gigbag I would recommend hands down. BTW the price, as usual with all Thomann products, is UNBEATABLE!!!