Our guitars are our most prized possessions. That means we want to keep them safe.
The best way to do this is to keep it in a guitar case. Especially if you have a guitar like a Les Paul that can be quite expensive.
I travel a lot for gigs, and I want to know that my prized Les Paul is safe and sound. I need to keep it protected from the elements, and from the inevitable bumps and bangs that happen when loading in and out of a venue.
To keep your precious Les Paul as safe as possible while it's in storage or on the go, you need a case that you can count on. I’ll discuss some of my favorites below, most of which I've used for my Gibson Les Paul Standard and my Epiphone Slash Les Paul Plus Top.
Best Cases for Les Paul Style Guitars
1. Gator GC-LPS Deluxe
You can never go wrong with a Gator case. The GC-LPS Deluxe is one of those cases that shows why Gator is so well-known and highly regarded.
I use Gator cases whenever I have to fly to a gig. I can’t always trust baggage handlers to treat my guitar with the care it deserves, “fragile” sticker notwithstanding.
As soon as you pick up this Gator case, you’ll feel how tough and dense its shell is. It closes tighter than a clamshell, which keeps the guitar and strings safe from temperature and humidity fluctuations. That means your strings will last longer and your guitar won’t warp from the heat.
Gator GC-LPS Deluxe
On the inside you have the thick foam padding with its plush lining. Upon placing my Les Paul in the case, it slid into place easily, with no movement at all within the case. It sits comfortably snug, like a worn-in pair of boots.
The neck compartment isn’t huge, but it’s got enough space for the strap and guitar multitool I like to travel with.
The case is reasonably light, but still reassuringly weighty in your hand. My Les Paul is already a heavy guitar, so it’s nice to have a case that won’t feel like an anvil in my hand as I carry it to a venue.
Another thing I also usually look out for is the handle. This is a fairly basic handle, but I didn’t have much of an issue with it being uncomfortable to hold or slipping with sweaty hands. I’ve noticed that this style of grip tends to deteriorate over the years, particularly if you’re carrying it post-gig with hands covered in sweat. A more durable plastic or rubber handle (as appears on other Gator cases) may be useful here.
Beware: if you have a left-handed Les Paul, this case won’t work. It’s custom-molded to the dimensions of a standard right-handed Les Paul. It may not fit non-Gibson (or non-Epiphone) Les Paul-shaped guitars, either - it’s a very snug fit for the standard, trademarked Les Paul shape.
A left-handed Les Paul or an off-brand one won’t fit into this case, so you’ll need to get case molded for the shape of your individual guitar.
2. SKB 1SKB-56
The SKB 1SKB-56 is one of their more basic models. Even basic SKB gear, however, still boasts the brand’s legendary durability and build quality.
SKB are known for their, quite literally, military grade cases. The 1SKB-56 certainly lives up to that standard.
SKB 1SKB-56
This is one tough case. I actually dropped it down some stairs by accident with my Les Paul inside. I was, of course, terrified, but checking on the case it didn’t even have a scratch. The Les Paul inside also looked like it hadn’t even moved an inch within the case and was completely fine. The case endured some scuffing from the tiled stairs in my apartment building, but otherwise survived.
Speaking of inside, the interior of the case has some very nice padding that is lined with soft plush lining. It is also molded to fit pretty much any Les Paul or Les Paul style guitar, and can fit both left and right handed guitars.
While there is room behind the neck and headstock for extras like cables, they are open. For this price, I would have expected SKB to also add a cover to prevent things from falling around inside the case.
If your guitar has a particularly thin 60s-style neck, this could lead to some movement of the guitar within the case.
The neck compartment is also generously proportioned, with plenty of room for your tuner pedal or a couple of spare patch cables.
My other issue, which is kind of just an annoyance, is the lone lock at the back of the case. There are already four very tough and secure locks at the front. This random one at the back isn’t really adding to the security of the case and just makes it take longer to open the case.
But apart from these two small issues, I think the 1SKB-56 is a very good case that is well worth the price.
3. Epiphone ENLPCS
The Epiphone ENLPCS is another fairly basic case. It is just a very solid case, designed to keep your Les Paul safe. If you bought an Epiphone Les Paul, this is the hard case that most likely came with it.
Epiphone ENLPCS
The gold painted-on Epiphone logo at the front also adds a lot and makes the case look very classy. It might also discourage guitar-playing thieves who might think about grabbing a more expensive-looking Gibson-branded case.
The handle is big and heavily padded, giving you a very nice and comfortable grip.
The interior of this case is nice and soft, with plush lining and a snug fit, although it’s not quite as tight as I’d prefer for flying. It should be fine, however, if you aren’t catching a flight to a gig or tour.
The neck compartment is generously proportioned, with plenty of room for cables or your strap. There’s a little bit of room around the neck compartment for soft accessories, like a polishing cloth.
There is also the same hidden compartment behind the neck rest. The compartment is also quite a bit bigger, giving you more space to store things like cables.
The big difference is in the molding. While the GC-LPS can only fit right handed Les Pauls, the ENLPCS is molded to fit both left and right handed, as well as a wider variety of Les Pauls and Les Paul style guitars. This does mean that it doesn’t fit a standard guitar quite as snugly as I’d prefer.
While the contour of the case was spot on for both my Gibson and Epiphone Les Pauls, it couldn’t accommodate my friend’s ESP Eclipse. Similarly, another friend’s double-cutaway Les Paul moved a little too much in the case for my liking.
Epiphone has decided to annoy me slightly with a lock at the back. This one does make a bit more sense though, since there are only three locks at the front and the hinges are further apart.
My primary gripe with this guitar case is its latches. These hook-style latches work for a while, but in my experience they’re prone to breakage. They loosen up over time, and if you gig heavily with this guitar, locking and unlocking the latches frequently, this will occur more quickly.
I’ve worn out at least one of these latches on three different Les Paul cases over the years.
Despite this gripe, this is a great, affordable case.
If you are looking for something that looks and feels like it costs more than it does, this is the case for you.
4. Gibson Accessories Deluxe
The Gibson Accessories Deluxe Protector is a case that is about more than just keeping your prized Les Paul safe. It is a case that also aims to look good while doing so.
I am not often impressed by guitar cases, but this is one that did. From its tough, yet sleek exterior, to its lush interior.
Gibson Deluxe Protector Hard Case for Les Paul
The outside feels super solid, like you could drop this off a building and nothing would happen to it. The case also has these very cool latches that simply click into place when you close the case. They are then opened again easily with just the press of a button on the bottom of each one.
I strongly prefer this latch style, with fewer breakable moving parts. The TSA lock, too, is a handy feature. There are possibly apocryphal stories of TSA agents breaking open locked hard cases, so the TSA key on this one should keep the case in shape even if the TSA has to open it before or after your flight.
I decided to test out the durability of this case and let it slide around in the back of my car as I took a few laps around a carpark. After about twenty minutes of aggressive treatment, I opened it up, and the case, while scuffed, was perfectly fine.
You could throw this guitar case around like a football and the guitar inside would look as new as the day it came out of the factory.
The inside is what I really liked, though. Instead of the usual black padding, this case has a very nice, soft, blue padding. It really lives up to the deluxe in its name. The lush royal blue of the interior padding really does make this feel like a step up in build quality. It’s soft to the touch.
I noticed some tiny blue threads standing out against the wine red of my Les Paul, but it was easy to sweep them off.
The handle is a bit of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand, it is thick and molded to give you a really nice grip. On the other hand, it is plastic with no extra padding. It definitely gets a bit slippery if you have sweaty hands.
While this case is a bit on the expensive side, the price isn’t too high that it becomes unaffordable. This is also genuinely one of the nicest cases I have ever tried out. If you want a super solid case that also lives up to the deluxe in its name, this is one of the best.
If you have a high-end Les Paul Custom or Supreme, this might be the case for you.
5. Gator Economy
The Gator Economy is a straightforward, minimalist wood case. This is the case for musicians who just need something simple to keep their Les Paul safe while they carry it around.
While you could probably get away with this case for touring, it really feels more like a case to take to rehearsal if you’re putting your guitar on the back seat of your car.
Gator Economy Case
This is a just a simple, standard hard case. It is made from wood wrapped in tolex to provide a solid exterior. The inside has some nice, thick padding, and I found the neck support to be great.
Because of this simple construction, it’s nowhere near as bulky as other cases.
The Economy is fairly compact for a hard case. This makes it pretty easy to store if you don’t have a lot of room or when you are traveling and don’t have much space in the back of a car or van.
It easily slid into the little gap between the couch and the wall in my study/guitar room.
The downside of this lighter construction is that this case isn’t going to handle much of a beating. A friend of mine once stepped on the lid of his empty wooden case, and his foot went straight through the lid. Fortunately, his guitar wasn’t inside, but the case was destroyed.
But that also means that there isn’t much space on the inside. I was able to store my guitar strap inside with my guitar without issue, but there isn’t really room for spare cables, pedals, or any other accessories.
It is also best to keep the strap on the guitar since there is no way of keeping anything from falling around inside. Of course, you won’t be able to do this if you’re using locking strap buttons.
My only real issue with this case was the handle. The handle is quite thin and doesn’t have much in terms of padding.
Combined with the relative weightiness of the case itself, carrying this case for longer than a few minutes becomes uncomfortable, and quickly. I felt it digging in to my fingers when I picked it up with my Les Paul inside. I can’t imagine that it would be good to put such a strain on your hands before a gig.
While there isn’t much going on with this case in terms of extras, I still think it is a very solid case. If you have an Epiphone Les Paul and want an inexpensive case to keep it safe, this is a great option. If you plan on touring or gigging extensively, I’d look at a more upmarket option.
6. SKB 3i-4214-56
If a serious case is what you are looking for, the SKB 3i-4214-56 is about as serious as it gets. This case looks like it chews nails for breakfast before running an ultramarathon. It’s as tough as tough gets.
This is an extremely well-built guitar case. The outside is sturdy and tough, while the inside is soft and luxurious. All together these elements will keep your guitar safe and looking pristine.
SKB 3i-4214-56 Case
The case is also able to fit pretty much any Les Paul from the Gibson family of brands. Les Paul style guitars (like, say, the ESP Eclipse) might also not fit due to the cavities made specifically to fit the controls of a Gibson-style Les Paul.
I was also very glad to find a very spacious cavity where you can put extras like cables, guitar straps, etc. The top of the case also seals tightly to the bottom. So, not only won’t your extras fall around inside, but your guitar is also kept tightly in place.
The mobility of this case is also surprisingly great. I found the case to be much lighter than I thought it was going to be, given its bulk.
But you also don’t need to carry the case around. SKB has also added wheels at the bottom, along with two handles on either end of the case. This allows you to wheel the case around, and makes it easier to pick up when you want to store it.
By far my favorite feature of this case is the handle placement. No matter which way you’ve put it into the back of your band van, there’s a comfortable handle ready for you to grab and pull your guitar out. No more awkward scrabbling at the smooth exterior for load in.
This is a fairly expensive case, but with that price tag comes total reassurance as to the safety of your prized instrument. But if you have an expensive Les Paul you want to keep safe, it is well worth the price.
Hard Cases vs Gig Bags
It might be easy to think that just buying a hardshell guitar case is the best option. They provide the best protection after all.
But that protection does come at a cost. Quite literally since hard cases can be quite expensive. They tend to be bulkier and heavier than soft cases, in order to offer superior protection for the instrument inside.
This doesn’t really make them the best for carrying around. Gig bags, on the other hand, don’t have these disadvantages.
While they don’t provide the same amount of protection, they are much lighter and pretty cheap. They can also be folded up when not being used, and usually have extra pockets for things like cables.
Some even have straps like a backpack so you can wear your guitar on your back.
This makes gig bags ideal if you need to take your guitar to rehearsals, lessons, or the shop for a service. And if you are taking public transport, a guitar in a gig bag takes up less space and can be carried much more comfortably.
I prefer hard cases for all my instruments. I’d rather be confident that my Les Paul is well protected than have a convenient trip. I had a soft case for one of my guitars in high school, and when on the crowded train home, it bounced off the seat in front of me. My guitar bears the ding from that particular incident to this day!
These days, I drive to and from just about all my gigs, and keep my Les Pauls in hard cases.
Gig bags like the Gator Economy is a super cheap option. There are also gig bags with extra padding, like the Gator 4G if you are worried about your guitar getting damage. These gig bags also easily fit Les Paul guitars.
I still recommend a hard case for a serious gigging musician who wants to prevent dings and damage to their instrument while in transit.
What Makes a Good Guitar Case?
When choosing a guitar case, there are a few things to look for, apart from just a tough exterior. This applies to any guitar it is meant for, Les Paul or otherwise.
Guitar Movement
This refers to how freely your guitar can move inside the case. That is that your guitar shouldn’t be able to move very freely at all.
Your guitar should sit quite tightly inside the case. There shouldn’t be more than about a 1/4-inch space between the sides of the case and the body of the guitar.
This will prevent the guitar from moving around too much and help to prevent bumps if the case falls, gets dropped, or bumped somehow.
Ideally, you want no space between the guitar and the interior. Hard cases often shut so tightly that you can see the imprint of your strings in the ceiling of the case.
Cases molded to the specific contours and dimensions of your instrument of choice are always best. I’ll never get tired of seeing my beloved Les Paul slotting perfectly into the Les Paul-shaped cavity in its Gator case.
Latch Style
You want a guitar case that shuts tight like a clam. You don’t want any of the elements getting in, whether that’s rain, snow, or bits of dust and pollen on a windy day.
For this, I prefer the sturdy, spring-loaded latches on my Gator flight case. The hook-style latches on other cases just aren’t as durable.
Neck Support
Similar to the body, the neck shouldn’t be able to move, This is especially important on Les Pauls, since their necks are prone to breaking at the headstock. One of my Les Pauls has stress cracks around the headstock already from my old habit of pushing on the headstock as a pitch-shifting technique.
A good case will cradle the neck and give it rigid support.
Storage
This isn’t as important, but having some extra storage space inside the case is always handy. You are likely always carrying a strap and some extra picks and cables around. Being able to keep those safe inside the case is a nice extra to have.
I like to have a neck compartment big enough to fit my usual gig extras: spare strings, a multitool, a strap, and a capo.
Security
You also want a case that won’t open easily. This means getting a case with tough locks.
If you are traveling in the USA, get a case with TSA approved locks. The locks can be opened with a master key by TSA agents. My Gator flight case has this lock style.
While not common, TSA might want to inspect the contents of your guitar case. If it doesn’t have a TSA approved lock, they will use whatever methods to open the case, usually by breaking it open.
Not only will your guitar no longer be locked inside the case, but you will also need to replace the lock at your own expense, and at worst, the entire case.
Portability
This is another convenience thing, but get a case that you won’t struggle to carry around. This usually just means getting one that isn’t too heavy and has a comfortable handle.
Softer, more comfortable handle materials aren’t as durable, however. It’s best to find the balance that works best for you.
Final Word
I hope this guide has been helpful and given you some good options for a case to keep your Les Paul safe and secure.
As a side note, I would recommend getting a gig bag as well as a hard case. There will be times when a hard case just isn’t practical or convenient to use. Besides, it’s always good to have a backup option.
