Sound Wear....Worth it??!

anonymous12251111 · #1 07-18-2008, 08:53 PM

I was just browsing heavy duty gig bags, reading specs and such. Does anyone know why Sound Wear is so expensive? It seems to have the exact same padding as Mooradian but is so much more expensive...Is it worth the extra cash? I want a custom fit bag and it seems that Moorodian is the only custom fit company.

hdiddy · #2 07-18-2008, 09:24 PM

It's just really tough, kinda heavy, doesn't fold well, and has lots of good padding. 2.5+ years and handly any sign of wear and tear on my Performer. There is like 1 stray thread and some of the handles show a small amount of wear, but thats probably understandable.

I'm a clutz so I went for the toughest bag I could find. Look no further if you're like me. IMO, Soundwear looks like a flak jacket while Mooradian looks like nice cushy pillows.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #3 07-18-2008, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

It's just really tough, kinda heavy, doesn't fold well, and has lots of good padding. 2.5+ years and handly any sign of wear and tear on my Performer. There is like 1 stray thread and some of the handles show a small amount of wear, but thats probably understandable.

I'm a clutz so I went for the toughest bag I could find. Look no further if you're like me. IMO, Soundwear looks like a flak jacket while Mooradian looks like nice cushy pillows.

Just so. Tonight as I was coming through the kitchen and talking to my wife, I turned a corner and whacked the bass on the (brick) corner. She made a face, but I just said "that's why I have an expensive case right there". I do clumsy stuff like that far too often. With the Soundwear, nothing happens to the bass when I'm a Klutz. I like that.

anonymous12251111 · #4 07-18-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Fitzgerald

Just so. Tonight as I was coming through the kitchen and talking to my wife, I turned a corner and whacked the bass on the (brick) corner. She made a face, but I just said "that's why I have an expensive case right there". I do clumsy stuff like that far too often. With the Soundwear, nothing happens to the bass when I'm a Klutz. I like that.

Sold! Thanks!

mattfong · #5 07-18-2008, 10:37 PM

Haha yeah you're gonna want something super tough for the Gorman bass Calvin.

Steve Swan · #6 07-18-2008, 10:47 PM

If the Soundwear cover fits your bass, I can't think of a better cover made anywhere.

Good luck!

anonymous12251111 · #7 07-19-2008, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Swan

If the Soundwear cover fits your bass, I can't think of a better cover made anywhere.

Good luck!

I don't think it fits. My friend had a bass with 27" LB, and she said it didn't fit. My bass is 29". Apparently you can get a custom fit soundwear for 25 percent extra...not sure if it's worth the cash. 1000 bux for a soft case, kinda scary. Makes me almost want to just buy a flight case.

**Adrian Cho** · #8 07-19-2008, 10:27 AM

$1000 for a case seems a bit insane. Two other very good heavy duty options:

a) The cases made by Jacques Gagnon's Cremonasia are very heavy-duty. I have one. However it seems there are issues with ordering from Jacques nowadays. Though Volker Nahrmann seems to have frequent contact with him and gets basses delivered. In fact the basses often come in the bags and Volker then sells them separately - that's how I got one. However you may be able to get a custom one through Volker. I've had a Mooradian and a Bobelock in the past and the Gagnon bag is seriously heavy duty compared to them.

b) Another option is the Messina cases available through the Cinci Bass Cellar or directly: http://messinacovers.net/.

Paul Dwyer · #9 07-19-2008, 11:54 AM

I have a case made to fit my bass by Glenn Chrokhite http://www.glenncronkhite.com/
I think it was about $500.
It's very protective/heavy duty, the zips are strong etc.
I've had it about 4 years, no tears, splits, sags whatever. Very happy with it.
If you're on myspace you can see it in my photos.
Paul

hdiddy · #10 07-19-2008, 12:11 PM

Oooh, a local custom bag maker. I'm going to hit him up for a case for my Yamaha EUB.

anonymous12251111 · #11 07-19-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Dwyer

I have a case made to fit my bass by Glenn Chrokhite http://www.glenncronkhite.com/
I think it was about $500.
It's very protective/heavy duty, the zips are strong etc.
I've had it about 4 years, no tears, splits, sags whatever. Very happy with it.
If you're on myspace you can see it in my photos.
Paul

Paul, thanks for the link. Great looking case! Looks identical to a Reunion blues, makes sense because he used to work there. I wonder if his cases are better than the Reunion Blues? I'll give him a call. Thanks again!!

hdiddy · #12 07-19-2008, 01:31 PM

He turned me down. At least his response was fast. Good luck with getting an DB bag built, and I don't mean that facetiously.

anonymous12251111 · #13 07-19-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

He turned me down. At least his response was fast. Good luck with getting an DB bag built, and I don't mean that facetiously.

Ya, I think he's going to turn me down as well. Feels like I'm going on a date! He sent me an e-mail back within 15 minutes and said that he prefers not to make bass bags anymore, but he told me to e-mail him my basses dimensions to see if it fits into one of his designs. I was under the assumption (from his website) that his bags are completely customizable, not 3/4 7/8 or 4/4 lol. Regardless, he guarantees that his cases are the best in the market. He started Reunion Blues then when they started getting the Chinese to make their cases with lower quality materials he pulled out and started doing it himself. I'm still trying to stay as far away as possible from Soundwear, the entire concept of 1k for a soft bag makes me really want to barf. Does anyone recommend Messina cases? I wonder how sturdy they are in comparison to the big boys, ie. Soundwear.

**Matthew Tucker** · #14 07-19-2008, 04:09 PM

I have a Gagnon bag and it's great, and well priced.

BUT you need to find a way to ensure you get the bag after paying your money. Mine took months. If I was to go that way again, i'd only risk 50% up front, with the rest on delivery. If I'm going to have to trust him, he's going to have to trust me.

hdiddy · #15 07-19-2008, 04:40 PM

$1000!?!! Where are you getting that figure from?

WWBW sells it for US$519 now.
http://www.wwbw.com/Soundwear-Profes...-i134984.music

And that's the HIGH END version. The Performer is $459, and then there is the cheapest one that even lower.

milomo · #16 07-19-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

$1000!?!! Where are you getting that figure from?

WWBW sells it for US$519 now.
http://www.wwbw.com/Soundwear-Profes...-i134984.music

And that's the HIGH END version. The Performer is $459, and then there is the cheapest one that even lower.

Quinn Violins has them for that same price as well.

jrlynch · #17 07-19-2008, 09:03 PM

there is a question of relativity here: it is crazy to put a thousand buck bass into a thousand buck bag, but if i had a 20 thou buck bass, i'd drop a grand on protecting it without hesitation.

jeff.

Bass Barrister · #18 07-19-2008, 10:31 PM

Glenn Cronkhite's bags are top quality and he is great to work with. I own several of his bags for various tubas, euphoniums, and trombones that I own. As stated previously, he founded Reunion Blues, split with the company after they moved their production to Chna, sued to regain the rights to his designs, and now makes bags under his own name. HIs operation is not large, however, and custom orders can take some weeks. It's always worth the wait.

anonymous12251111 · #19 07-20-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

$1000!?!! Where are you getting that figure from?

WWBW sells it for US$519 now.
http://www.wwbw.com/Soundwear-Profes...-i134984.music

And that's the HIGH END version. The Performer is $459, and then there is the cheapest one that even lower.

The 3/4 and 4/4 size models are too small for my bass. I was under the impression that in order to get a custom size you need to order directly from them in Europe.

Soundwear Performer (their website) - 619.00 USD
+ 25% Surcharge for a Custom Bag - 773.75 USD
+ Sales Tax - 889.81 USD
+ Shipping to Canada - I'm guessing at least 150.00

Now convert that to Canadian dollars, you're at 1k.

anonymous12251111 · #20 07-20-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

$1000!?!! Where are you getting that figure from?

WWBW sells it for US$519 now.
http://www.wwbw.com/Soundwear-Profes...-i134984.music

And that's the HIGH END version. The Performer is $459, and then there is the cheapest one that even lower.

The 3/4 and 4/4 size models are too small for my bass...they only go to 26" on the LB!!! I was under the impression that in order to get a custom size you need to order directly from them in Europe.

Soundwear Performer (their website) - 619.00 USD
+ 25% Surcharge for a Custom Bag - 773.75 USD
+ Sales Tax - 889.81 USD
+ Shipping to Canada - I'm guessing at least 100- 150.00

Now convert that to Canadian dollars, you're at 1k.