**Disclaimer** - I LIKE red. This is very much a RED gigbag. When I opened it, I went 'WOOAAHH!'. You will *not* be missed with this. If you're at all shy - do NOT buy this gigbag. However - once the initial shock wore off - it's cool. Just make sure you really, really like red.
It's padded - not to a great extent - I wouldn't go bashing it about or dropping it, but it will provide a certain level of protection for a guitar. I must confess I'm a *little* nervous transporting my Harley Benton SC450+ Les Paul style guitar in this, with the infamous Les Paul weak neck/headstock join - however, if you take a piece of expanded polystyrene (like HB and probably other guitars come with, from Thomann and elsewhere) - just bob this in the bag with the guitar, under the neck and it will afford some additional, cushioning support.
Having said all that - it *is* reasonably well padded - very much so for the money.
The pockets are BIG. One is 34cm x 11cm x 3cm - good for a strap/cable, tuner, small pedal....the other is 39cm x 24cm x 3cm. Goodness only know what you'd use this one for - sandwiches, maybe? Lots of sheet music? Could get a tablet in, I suppose. Note - these pockets aren't padded. So your butties could easily be squashed.
Holding the bag - there's a carry handle, that's perfectly fine - and a couple of added shoulder straps. Both methods seem fine for the average electric guitar.
In conclusion - I'm perfectly happy for Belle, my SC450+ Lemon Drop to live in here when I'm not caressing her - I'd just be careful not to throw her on a bus or in the back of a van. But then again - you really shouldn't do that with your favourite instrument, should you? Recommended.
