Abstract: Cases for the protection of musical instruments each with a neck and a body are disclosed. The case includes a case body having an elongated upper portion for receiving the instrument neck and a lower enveloping portion with a far end for receiving the instrument body. The cases also include a selectively releasable cover hingedly affixed to the case body to permit selective access to the case body so that the instrument may be inserted into and removed from the case. The cases also include a protective boot attached to the far end of the case body. Optionally, such boots may include a central region disposed between a pair of opposing regions wherein the central region transfers less shock to the stringed instrument body than the opposing regions.