Protecting an electric guitar is crucial, and cases or gig bags provide varying levels of security. Hard cases date back to the 1950s, designed to protect fragile guitars during transport, while gig bags emerged as lightweight alternatives for convenience. Key brands include Gator (GTSA & Pro-Go series), SKB (iSeries), Mono (Vertigo), and Fender (Deluxe Molded Case). Hard cases offer superior protection against impacts and environmental changes, ideal for touring musicians and air travel. Gig bags, especially padded ones, provide portability for daily transport and light gigging. Choosing between them depends on the balance of protection and convenience required.