Hello all, I agree fully that a hardshell case is the way to go. I just wanted to add that an area of concern for hardshell cases (or any case) is the possibility of a broken headstock. This is more of a risk on instruments with a notoriously weighty headstock, high string tension, or weak neck at the nut (12-string, mandochellos, or a les paul?). If the instrument is at full string tension in the case, and the case falls on it's face, there will be a whipping action that may cause a failure near the nut, and a broken headstock. I only mention this so that if you are (God help you) shipping your instrument, or surrendering control of it in a significant way, you could reduce the risk of this expensive repair by decreasing the string tension and packing around the headstock inside the case with crumpled packing paper or newspaper. In the event that a fall such as this occurs a hard-shell case is still your best bet. That's it for my maiden submission, as a new member on the mudcat..... nice place you have here. Be well Jo King