Guzheng Cases

Cases are crucial for protecting your guzheng. They are a world unto themselves - one made the more interesting by the challenge of acquiring them.

There are classically two types of guzheng case: Soft cases made from fabric and foam and Hard cases made from wood or fiberglass. Wood cases weigh a lot, fiberglass or other composites weigh less but cost more.

There is an emerging third classification that offers a compromise: a medium or reinforced soft case. It still won’t protect your instrument from getting crushed, but its foam or plastic reinforcements provide better knock protection than a soft case, and may well come with wheels, extra handles, or more storage.

A soft case retails for around $60 in the US while a hard case ranges from $500 to $700.  The medium or reinforced soft cases are between $150 to $250 but are hard to find outside of Asia.

 Basic Soft Case or Bag (古箏軟包, Gǔzhēng ruǎn bāo)

Often included with guzheng purchases.

Construction

About three layers:

• outer shell of canvas or nylon

• inner surface of soft or slippery artificial fabric

• inner foam layer ~2mm thick

Storage

Soft cases may also have external pockets. The most common is a set-in pocket. They are smooth to the surface of the bag, sitting between the outer layer of canvas or nylon and the inter foam layer. Set-in pockets are cheap to make and keep the bag looking sleek, but the tension of the outer shell can push the contents of the pocket into the guzheng inside, risking damage. they are best used for flat and soft objects like paper or a flexible nail card.

Reinforcement

Semi-rigid plastic or rubber piping may be added along the edges of the case to increase rigidity. Corners may be reinforced and abrasive resistant materials may or may not be added to certain faces.

Straps

Carrying straps are expected. They are typically two handles or loops of strap and may have adjustable lengths or buckles.

Price

About $60, but usually included with new guzheng purchases.

What to look for

Zipper: slide smoothly, sit just beneath the top Edge when case is laying on floor ready to be opened. Zipper that is flush with the sidewall of the case is ideal. If a zipper forms the edge or corner of the case then the zipper is likely to wear prematurely. See picture for two different corners for comparison. It is a consequence of little reinforcement and that reinforcements wearing over time.

Fabric: a durable Canvas or sturdy nylon is great. If you can get a waterproof or water-resistant coating that is better. The water resistance helps slow down moisture loss in dry weather. Another plus would be thicker,  more durable fabric or rubber on the bottom, side, or head as these three sides are most likely to come into contact with the ground and thus experience additional wear.

Straps: straps with stitching that joins them to the case for their entire length. Reinforced stitching at the point they leave the case is ideal. See pictures for triangle and X-Box reinforcement examples. 

Other extras that might come with:

• straps, handles

• Bellows pockets

• set in Pockets with reinforcements

• convertible straps

• Wheels

• backpack straps

• feet or skids

“Medium” or Foam-Reinforced Soft Case

The next step up from a basic soft case. It gives more protection than a soft case but less than a hard case, but is lighter. Highly recommended for general use. 

Compared to a basic soft case, a medium or foam-reinforced case has around eight times the foam, providing substantially more protection. Looking at this particular case, it also has reinforced zippers, plastic piping, straps for handles, and far more useful pockets.

Construction

• outer shell of canvas or rigid nylon

• inner surface of slippery artificial fabric

• internal foam padding ~16mm thick

Storage

 Set-in pocket for flat materials but extra canvas  reinforces the inside of the pocket.

Bellows pocket with additional zippered pouch pocket inside. Thanks to the added sides of the Bellows pocket, this can store a music book, brush, nail case, tape, tuning wrench, or even scissors.

Other features

• Adjustable straps with buckles to switch from parallel to perpendicular handles depending on carrying preference.

• Extra thick rubberized lair and gripping feet or skids to provide Extra Protection from surfaces on the hinge side of the case

• Internal straps that secure the guzheng to the case

Price

$150-250, depending on shipping as you’l most likely have to buy from a seller in Asia. A friend’s aggressive battering got me this case for CNY ¥300 (USD $50) in Shanghai in 2018, which I then stuffed inside my spare luggage to get it home. It would have cost about $100 as extra luggage otherwise, with a possible over-sized charge for a total of $200.

What to look for

Zipper: slide smoothly, sit just beneath the top Edge when case is laying on floor ready to be opened. Zipper that is flush with the sidewall of the case is ideal. If a zipper forms the edge or corner of the case then the zipper is likely to wear prematurely. See picture for two different corners for comparison. It is a consequence of little reinforcement and that reinforcements wearing over time.

Fabric: a durable Canvas or sturdy nylon is great. If you can get a waterproof or water-resistant coating that is better. The water resistance helps slow down moisture loss in dry weather. Another plus would be thicker,  more durable fabric or rubber on the bottom, side, or head as these three sides are most likely to come into contact with the ground and thus experience additional wear.

Straps: straps with stitching that joins them to the case for their entire length. Reinforced stitching at the point they leave the case is ideal. See pictures for triangle and X-Box reinforcement examples. 

Hard Case (古箏硬盒帶, Gǔzhēng yìng hédài)

Hard cases are the ultimate protection. They are the only type that will protect against crushing damage, say from something dropping onto the case. Properly made cases can also be nearly air and water tight, offering effective protection from changes in humidity.

3 classic styles of hard case are the green vinyl, the faux leather, and the faux reptile skin cases. Cases have been typically made of wood or plywood, but other materials have increased in usage in the last few decades.

 Construction

• Outer layer of leather, vinyl, or other plastic sheet

• Hard substance such as plywood, fiberglass, or carbon fiber

• Inner layer of thick, carpet-like fabric or felt

• Some, not all, can include a foam layer to better cushion and support the guzheng

Price

Hard cases range from $500-700 in North America. They can be found for around $200-400 in Asia, but shipping can double that final price. For example, a store in Singapore offers the fiberglass hard case for $380 USD, but charges $270 for shipping, meaning you would pay $660.

What to Look For

Fasteners: Hard cases are typically fastened with clasps or latches rather than zippers. These pull the lid against the body of the case. Overlapping lip designs and additional lighting material in the lips can feel the case nearly airtight, significantly protecting the guzheng from sudden changes in humidity. locks or spaces for padlocks are common. 

Curvature: Hard cases can have pronounced curves in the bases, accommodating the height difference of the guzheng backboard and feet.

Interior: The older cases from the 80s and 90s have carpet-like fabric on the inside, no foam. Modern cases would most likely have some amount of foam to cushion the guzheng. 

Fit: Different cases can fit more or less tightly.  a case that is too loose let's a good Jon Bounce Around, possibly damaging it. A case that is too tight  may make it difficult to remove the guzheng, or potentially damage either side decorations or the fabric of the case.

Height: Some hard cases can accommodate a guzheng with the movable bridges in place. Some cannot. Check carefully before closing the lid for the first time. If you try and force it closed, your guzheng could be heavily damaged.

Storage: Some cases have slim or set-in pockets in the interior. I don't know special purpose of these pockets but they could fit a few sheets of paper or a bill of sale.