Jim Britton - Posted - 03/03/2014:  06:56:11

Needing a good hard shell case for a new banjo. Reading all the reviews is quite overwhelming. I have a Calton for heavy duty needs, but I need another case for local wear and tear. I would like to keep the price under $150.

Any suggestions??

THANKS!  -JB

Dale Morris - Posted - 03/03/2014:  07:17:30

I like the looks and feel of the Superior "bump" cases. They have the area that extends out in a little bump for the 5th string peg. It's a streamline hard shell case that holds up well. Overall though I use my Protec, Roadrunner, or TKL padded gig bags the most because they are lighter to tote around.

BlowingRockNC - Posted - 03/03/2014:  07:24:14

Ditto the Superior case. I have a few of the 12" openbacks from Superior, and they're fairly good, although the latches aren't as good as they could be. The latch issue seems to be true for most of the newer cases, but Superior seems to be a tad above average.

Edited by - BlowingRockNC on 03/03/2014 07:25:04

cfheery - Posted - 03/03/2014:  07:36:18

I too would recommend the Superior case. After several years with only a gig bag I recently got the CD-2530 for my resonator and was surprised at just how nice it is. Thick padding, two foam wedges to hold the headstock in place, a large "glovebox" that fits a Cooperstand with room to spare, and perhaps most importantly, perfectly balanced when the banjo is in there. I bought an inexpensive hard case for my mandolin and it tips forward, making the handle uncomfortable to hold. The Superior case tips forward a bit when empty, but the weight of the banjo levels it out so it hangs just right while in transit.

Good luck in your search.

O.D. - Posted - 03/03/2014:  08:34:17

I like the TKL  Pro series alot but I paid over 150.00.

 I also have a Recording  King Case I picked up in a trade  . Its a real nice case

The double support for the banjo neck was  an important variable for me

 There certainly is  plenty  to choose from.

 Good luck

 Everett

SmokinJoe - Posted - 03/03/2014:  09:19:13

I just picked up a Superior CD-1530 on amazon...$133.50 after shipping. This is the black hardshell case with the "hump" design for a 5 string banjo.

Jim Britton - Posted - 03/03/2014:  19:12:09

Thanks for the input. I'm checking out Superior cases.

-JB

WildJimbo - Posted - 03/03/2014:  23:31:00

I've been really happy with the Guardian Vintage.  I think they're a little less than your price point.  I also have one of the Superior bump cases for one of my openbacks -- solid case too. 

Rizo - Posted - 03/04/2014:  06:58:20

Do not, I repeat NOT get the Saga/Golden Gate cases, I have one of their bump cases and I really hope it's not teh same as the Superiors. Cheap, latches break, "tolex" tears.... I'd go TKL if I had to do it over again. 

pknight - Posted - 03/04/2014:  14:36:50

I had a Superior Bump case that was very nice, but the lid would not stay open. It was very annoying. I went to a jam and saw 2 other banjo players with the Superior cases like mine. Theirs wouldn't stay open either. Seems like a small thing, and probably not all of them do that, but it got so annoying, I gave it away, brand new, to a friend who only had a gig bag.
Personally, I hate to see banjos in gig bags. Those TLK Lite or the Gator Featherlite can't weight much more than a gig bag, but offer better protection, in my opinion.
Best of luck

J.Albert - Posted - 03/04/2014:  18:15:52

The overall best-designed wooden case I've seen is the TKL "American Vintage", but it may be beyond your price range.

But if I'm not mistaken, isn't the Guardian Vintage an "Asian clone" of the American Vintage case?

I also have an Ameritage case which is probably the most solidly-constructed banjo case I own, but it weighs a TON. You'd want wheels to move this thing around much.