Anthony S - Posted - 02/28/2026:  11:20:44

hi. I just bought a deering, goodtime, artisan parlor banjo. It came with a “padded” gig bag, which isn’t too bad, as far as gig bags go. But honestly, i just don’t like gig bags. I don’t think gig bags really offer much protection, except maybe against scratches and abrasions.



I am wondering two things:



1. If i stick with this gig bag, i would like to at least put some support under the banjo neck in the gig bag. Is there any product made specifically for this purpose? Probably not. In which case can anyone suggest what kind of foam or padding i can get to place in the gig bag? It would be nice to get some foam or padding that would cradle and support the neck. Thanks.



2. If i really want to splurge, i know i could get a custom case made for this rather inexpensive banjo. But i kind of feel if i’m going to have a banjo that is nice enough to keep, then i should really protect it when i take it out, travel with it. So any recommendations for custom case companies? I wouldn’t think i would need the best custom case possible, just something that protect the bridge and head and something to protect/support/cradle the neck. Something hard. But the HSC should be as small as possible so that this would still be just my travel banjo. (The bigger the case, the less the banjo can be a travel banjo.)



Thanks for any advice.

Edited by - Anthony S on 03/02/2026 09:59:52

banjered - Posted - 02/28/2026:  11:56:52

I've fashioned several foam neck supports. Using something like a 4-5" block of foam, I cut it to the width of the case where I want it to support the neck, and I cut a scoop in the foam where the neck will lay on the foam. I use a sharp kitchen utility knife. It pretty much stays put, doesn't move around much with the pressure of both the neck and the case. banjered, the back yard banjo hacker....

potterz - Posted - 02/28/2026:  12:42:23

Here's an alternative:
accessbagsandcases.com/product.../padding/
My neck support is velcro'd in place in their gig bag.
Steve

jdskyler - Posted - 02/28/2026:  12:43:46

At the risk of getting lots of hate and discontent thrown my way. You can probably find something that would work, a lot cheaper than a "One off", on Amazon.

Capybara - Posted - 03/01/2026:  06:55:23

I'm not sure there are really any HSC out there that will not significantly add to size and weight, simply due to the physics of materials necessary to offer HSC-level protection. I don't know what would be lighter and more travel friendly than, say, a Crossrock case.

Alternatively, there are some very nice gig or semi-structured cases/bags that might fit your use case and are cheaper than a custom case. For example, Reunion Blues bags are really nice, have multiple neck supports, very easy to travel with, etc. I am comfortable using one when out and about at festivals (finally after years of being convinced I had to lug around my heavy Calton). That would be a huge step up from the Deering gig bag in terms of support/protection. Also, Gator has a polyfoam case that might be even better for you. It is very lightweight (albeit not the smallest) and 'hard', but the hardness is essentially a dense foam. It feels very protective in terms of accidentally banging the case against things or jostling around in the car, or other kinds of travel damage except for maybe running it over with a car.