Well this all started when I had posted a thread on why Fender never made any classic humbucking guitars. So Cvilleira sent me a link to the Charvel site. Now I knew Fender bought Charvel but I was never into them but after watching the clips of the new models which sounded great and looked hot I put it on the want list for $1,100 I was like thats worth every penny. BAM then I see comes with gigbag and I was shocked how can an $1,100 guitar come with a gigbag. So I went on ebay and looked at all the old Charvels even the real cheap ones came with a case back in the day. So is this what Fender did when they took over Charvel put them on a budget to give a gigbag with the guitar which kind of says this isnt good enough for a case and cheapens the ax.So I just went to sweetwater and ran down all the Fenders and I was shocked at how many high priced and top selling models did not come with a case -Richie Blackmore artist $1,300-John 5 triple deluxe $1,200-Jazz master special$ 1,100-72 deluxe and thinline tele $950-Classic players series $1,100-Road worn series $950-highway 1 $700 Everyone of these models come with a gigbag how cheap you want to be and I bet a lot of the guys on the forum did not know all these models came with gigbags. I hated it when they started doing it years ago with 2 and 3 hundred dollar guitars now they are doing it with guitars over a grand and that is cheapening The Fender name. Cmon guys a gigbag is something to grab your ax on the fly with not to be stored in your house with. How do you sell a beautiful guitar with a gigbag. The only guitars that came with cases were MIA artist series,MIA deluxe and MIA standard. So I guess everyone that owns a MIM does not have a case WHAT A JOKE. Whats next soon only custom shop models will come with a case.

A lot of the guys that come to the blues jams that I host and/or attend use good padded gigbags and carry over their shoulder.

My preference is also a hardshell case too though!

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

Hi straycat113: I know it's not the point you're making, but sometimes I'm only too glad when a guitar doesn't come with a case. I've got enough cases and gigbags littering up my house already. If it's a planned purchase then I'm very happy to take an empty case with me and bring it back full.

Though of course I can somehow never turn down another case or bag if it's included in the price...

But I know what you mean. Over a grand a guitar just should come with a case.

Cheers - C

+1

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

for me is the gigbag better to handle, the hands are free. so i don't need a case realy.

cheers

Don't hate

The Hardcase is one of the "perks" of buying the MIA line of guitars.

But seriously, I think Fender is doing it to keep costs down on the MIM line. If the case were included, I'm sure they would charge a couple hundred more and that might reduce sales.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

I know they have to keep costs down, but I seriously would look twice at buying a guitar that came without a case.

One store I use to use in the 80's in Manchester UK would price the guitars cheaper, then add on another rake of cash for the case when you got to the till....robbing filth!

From personal experience, not my guitar but a buddy's, a gig bag is great at preventing scratches. And who in the world cares about a scratch when a loose piece of gear slides over on a turn and cracks the neck against the side of the car. No scratches and a cracked neck, at least the pieces were nice and shiny.

I despise gig bags, even my back up bass, ($100 SX) has a hard case.

Once you cross the $500 line, IMO, a case should be as standard as coming with tuners or a bridge. Protecting the investment.

Fender isn't going to include a hardcase for the current cost of the MIM instruments. They've decided that THAT is the price point for what they are offering. Now if you would be willing to shell out another $100 for the addition of it coming with a hardcase, I'll bet they'd consider it. It's a business and businesses exist to make a profit.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

I have to admit I was surprised at being given a gig bag with my Classic Player Jazzmaster Special, particularly since it doesn't fit a Strat/Tele hard case.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

When I bought my first Strat back in 91, the shop threw in a hardcase with the guitar. It may say "Squire by Fender" but at least it was a case to protect it and not just a gig bag. When I bought my new Strat it came with a cheap gig bag. When I sold my old one I just gave the gig bag.

I'm sure glad BB King never used a gigbag back in the day.

I wouldn't have one as a gift.

Wery true, that case saved his life.

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It's a mix between Jazz and Funk, it's called "Junk"

Good marketing ,your going to pay for the case one way or another.I bought some cases from fenders accessories dept. get to pick what type, style color, interior color and on the tweed ones theres a choice of color too, I know you would hope for a hardcase spending that kind of money but I will sacrifice the case before any quality in the instrument.And as we know the MIMs are great guitars .Check out Fenders cases sometimes buying just a cool fender case cane cure gass before it costs you thousands of dollars.Idid get the hand tooled leather one , I keep my MIM esquire in it.can post pics if intrested

Yes please