Golihur Professional Bag = Bellafina Pro Bag ???

TCube · #1 08-25-2010, 01:51 PM

I was pricing upright gig bags onliine and noticed that the Professional bag on the Golihur site (for $269) looks a lot like the Bellafina Pro bag on the Musician's Friend website (for $140).

The prices are radically different, so Bob G's version might actually be better built. Do any of you have experience with either of these?

Cheap appeals to my nature, but if cheap means shoddy, I'd rather pay for the better bag.

Compare them for yourself:

http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product..._BASS_BAG.html

http://band-orchestra.musiciansfrien...Bag?sku=474501 (Notice that you can get these in tan, which is what's pictured on the Golihur site.)

Keep walkin'

vejesse · #2 08-25-2010, 03:25 PM

Looks like another case of Chinese reverse engineering.

Russell Bergum · #3 08-25-2010, 06:50 PM

I have the bag from Bob G and I love it!

sirero · #4 08-27-2010, 02:56 PM

I don't have one, but there is 1 marked difference between the two that suggest there might be other differences, and that is the placement of the wheels. on the musicians friend bag the wheels are on the bottom, with the Gollihur there on the side.

That tells me that they are different models, and since I can't see the inside of the musicians friends bag, as well the fact that I am a suspicious person, I am going to assume there hiding the thickness of the material.

The only reason I would do that is if it was too thin, so I wouldn't buy it.

Hqubed · #5 08-27-2010, 03:30 PM

I have Bob's bag, or actually my 12 yearold son but I paid for it. Love it, would not trade it for anything. The wheels make it very easy for hime to get his bass around for rehearsals and performances. Have had the bag about 6 months and with 2 - 3 days a week outings still looks like new. Before Bob had this bag we tried the G_ _ _ wheeled bag which was awful. Wheels fell off and I had to repair in the first 45 days and the zipper failed after 3 months.

I was advised by many shops across the country that they do not carry wheeled bags due to issues with the wheels failing. From what I hear Bob stands behind his stuff, I would not know 1st hand because I have had no issues with anything I have picked up from him.

TCube · #6 08-27-2010, 03:51 PM

I am certainly not impugning Bob Gollihur's integrity - he is a man of his word from all my dealings!

I think sirero's observation that the two bags have different wheel placements may indeed mean that the two bags are different. I'm not quite sure, however, that I can see the difference.

As for the padding thickness, MF says, "The bag's foam padding is a dense, protective 1-1/4" thick. " Bob's says the same: "1¼ inches of firm, lined padding to protect your bass..."

Thanks all, for your posts!

Bijoux · #7 08-27-2010, 04:08 PM

I have the Gollihur bag. it's a good bag, although I couple of the handles went out within two weeks. the wheels ate mounted to a metal base, (maybe aluminum?) that will dig a whole into the fabric sooner or later. Unfortunately on mine it was sooner...
Also, my bag was on backorder, so when they sent it to me it was still on it's original package from China which had a tag of the original manufacturer. So I looked it up, and it seems like all these bags are made in the same factory. Their models are slightly different. After digging thru the website and comparing the bags with other that I've seen around makes me think that maybe some dealers might ask for specific features on the ones they sell. But I guess next time I need a bag I'll go with the cheap ones, because even though the one I got is pretty good, I don't think I can justify the extra dough.

ole Jason · #8 08-27-2010, 05:14 PM

This is becoming a common template for bass bags. Here's one for $80...

http://www.rondomusic.com/product1942.html

And the version with wheels for $100...

http://www.rondomusic.com/bs34gafwheel.html

Rondo is a really nice guy I'm sure he'd send detailed pictures of the inside of these cases if someone emailed him. He's great with returns so might be worth a shot checking these out. The one with wheels is new.

LouisV · #9 08-27-2010, 05:31 PM

I bought the $269.00 bag from Gollihur. Yes, it's made in China. It's been a good bag for 3 years until the zipper slider fell apart in my hands as I was zipping the bag. And, no, I wasn't forcing it. Four weeks ago, I brought it to a good shop that repairs luggage, tents, etc. The shop said the zipper slider was made of fragile aluminum (you can tell) and the zipper used originally was of an odd size, so they did not have a slider that would fit. They have had to replace the entire zipper ($148.00 and they used a YKK zipper, the best) and are having trouble with the platform where the wheels are attached. The shop finally sent the whole thing out to a shop with more industrial machines and we are still waiting for news... Buyer beware!

Russell Bergum · #10 08-27-2010, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ole Jason

This is becoming a common template for bass bags. Here's one for $80...

http://www.rondomusic.com/product1942.html

And the version with wheels for $100...

http://www.rondomusic.com/bs34gafwheel.html

Rondo is a really nice guy I'm sure he'd send detailed pictures of the inside of these cases if someone emailed him. He's great with returns so might be worth a shot checking these out. The one with wheels is new.

Very nice, especially for the price. Foam is thinner than Bob G's but it's 1/3 the price.

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #11 08-27-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisV

They have had to replace the entire zipper ($148.00 and they used a YKK zipper, the best)

You got hosed. I recently bought a "Mint Bags" cover with a missing zipper pull for $20 and brought it to an old Russian woman's shoe repair shop. I got probably the same zipper, stitched in heavily enough to survive the Apocalypse, for half of what you paid.