To find the best banjo case for your needs, you must first determine what those needs are. A soft, padded gig bag is a good option if you just want a banjo case for general protection. If, on the other hand, you need a banjo case that will provide maximum protection for a valuable banjo and you frequently fly, a custom-fitted fiberglass case with thick padding might be the best option. When it comes to choosing a lower-cost case, the scale, number of strings, and type of banjo — open or closed back — are usually all you need to know.
The long, thin neck of a banjo is one of its most vulnerable parts. While traveling, this is the most commonly broken component of any banjo. You might want to consider a custom-made fiberglass case as the best banjo case to protect your banjo from this type of damage. This type of banjo case is typically very expensive, and once ordered, it can take months or even years to arrive from the maker. Unless you’re a traveling musician with a high-priced banjo, you might not need this level of security.
The soft gig bag may be your best option for general protection as well as dust and dirt prevention. This banjo case is made of soft Nylon® and foam rubber padding. The case has a zipper and a shoulder strap so you can carry your banjo to practice or on a trip. If you’re a working musician who performs at a variety of venues and travels by car, a commercially available hard case might be more to your liking.
This type of banjo case, which is available online and at most music supply stores, is designed to fit a variety of banjo styles. Additional padding may be required to keep your specific model of banjo from sliding around inside the case. Most music stores, on the other hand, can usually match the size and style of the banjo to the case’s fit. The outside construction of the cases is typically made of hard fiberboard or injection-molded plastic, and they are commonly the middle-of-the-road banjo case in terms of price. The airline-approved banjo case is made of aluminum and lined with a generous supply of padding for the professional with a very expensive banjo.