What is the Best Soft Padded Case (Gig Bag)?

[carlopetro]

I’m in the market for a new Soft Bass Case (Gig Bag). What are the best cases out there? I’m looking for the best quality that exists, I’m not looking for a deal. Any opinions or experiences to share?

Thanks in advance.

[mjt0229]

I love my Messina cover. It's custom-fitted for my bass.

[1954bassman]

I have (2) Levys gig bags and for me, they are great. They can be found on ebay quite often. Here's a link at Musicians Friend:


http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...Bag?sku=541371

They are really, really nice. Shop around, they go for less than their $299 price very often. I did not see any on ebay right now.

Mark

[Thunderthumbs73]

I like Levy's as well. Try one, though, and see if it fits your bass!

[MingusAmongUs]

I don't think a DB will fit in there....

I like my Bobelock. Similar to Mooradian but seems to have more padding, is more solidly built. This is my recommendation for VALUE: features for the price. It does everything I need, and does it well. Plenty of pockets, and handles in the right places. About $250.

There are, however, lots of other options with more features. The Soundwear, I think it is, appears to be built like a space suit and can probably withstand cosmic radiation, if that's something you want. It also comes in different colors, lighter than the default black, which could be good for reflecting heat from the sun. Also has backpack straps. This runs somewhere in the neighborhood of $650. But I haven't actually heard from anyone on the overall quality of this bag. From the price you would assume it's top notch but you know what they about assumptions.

Plenty of other options in between. But aside from build quality, you'd have to make your own judgments about the features you need.

[Thunderthumbs73]

Oops, sorry, this is a DB thread. Doh!

[JoeyNaeger]

+1 on Bobelock bags. Mine is very sturdy and has handled years of abuse without showing nay sings of wear and tear.

[Captain Scarlet]

Another vote for the Bobelock. It really is the best deal for the price range. I got mine for about $200 and I love it.

[mattfong]

I don't know if it's the best, but my Ritter case is very nice. Thick padding, lots of pockets and handles, backpack straps (though I don't use them), 2 separate bow pockets, and it's solidly built. Cost me about $250 CAD.

[LouisF]

Ritter double bass bags seem hard to find in the States (or at least I had trouble finding one) Do have a link or contact?

Thanks

[hdiddy]

+1 on the Soundwear. I have the Performer and after several years of use, it hardly shows any wear. I paid the big $$$ and never regretted it once. And I'm very rough with my baggage. BTW: One time I got sleepy in my practice studio. I laid the bag open and took a nap on the soft inside... very nice. :P

[Roger Harper]

1 vote here for Gollihur bag. At $125 is a great value. Padding seems heeavier than any other bag I have looked at, easy to get in/out of with my Upton.

Roger

[dave88]

Originally Posted by Roger Harper

1 vote here for Gollihur bag. At $125 is a great value. Padding seems heeavier than any other bag I have looked at, easy to get in/out of with my Upton.

Roger

Two of my friends have had handles break on their Gollihur's. Hate to say it cause Bob's such a great guy. Maybe the stitching's improved lately??

[toman]

The Reunion Blues bags are the most bomb-proof cases I've seen, but they have downsides. I've had mine for about ten years, and other than dirt, stains etc. its as good as new, and it has been everywhere. I could not ask for a more protective soft case, or a more durable one.

Problems:
The materials, while super tough, are harsh to haul around, imo. The straps and handles, though they may last forever, eat up my hands and arms in rather short order.

Weight. They weigh a ton.

Size. They don't collapse or fold; the bag off the bass is as big as the bass itself. You can't stuff in under a chair or behind your amp or whatever.

Virtually zero water resistance.

Spendy.

[Silversorcerer]

Originally Posted by toman

The Reunion Blues bags are the most bomb-proof cases I've seen, but they have downsides. I've had mine for about ten years, and other than dirt, stains etc. its as good as new, and it has been everywhere. I could not ask for a more protective soft case, or a more durable one.

Problems:
The materials, while super tough, are harsh to haul around, imo. The straps and handles, though they may last forever, eat up my hands and arms in rather short order.

Weight. They weigh a ton.

Size. They don't collapse or fold; the bag off the bass is as big as the bass itself. You can't stuff in under a chair or behind your amp or whatever.

Virtually zero water resistance.

Spendy.

I have one of those, too. Got a deal on it used from a fellow TBer whose bass was swallowed by it. My bass is about as big and heavy as they normally come so it was a good fit. The Reuninon Blues is the closest thing to a hard shell case without the hard shell. I agree that there are some downsides, but other than the shoulder straps being a sardonic joke, these are minimal. The pockets will actually hold things like a double bow case, a folding music stand, cables, music, a bass wheel, etc.

And then there was that one instance that I have reported here before, when I (not really thinking), leaned my DB against my car while I shut the hatch (wagon) and the Bass slid down and hit the pavement. Ka-booommmm! AUUGGHH! It was in the Reuninon Blues Bag. Not only did it survive with only a nasty edge bruise, it was still mostly in tune. I was expecting at least two or three pieces of wood when I opened that bag.

So after ten years with your RB bag, Toman, what are you trading up to?

[toman]

If anything, I'd like to downgrade! My back is killing me!

[BenWC87]

Another vote for Bobelock. I've been using them for years and never had a problem. Very good handles and excellent padding.

[Silversorcerer]

Originally Posted by toman

If anything, I'd like to downgrade! My back is killing me!

Do I hear squealing?

I can recommend a good chiropractor...... I also know a few good cello teachers I can refer you to.

My DB weighs in at 31.5 lbs without the bag. Add the RB bag, the bow case, the music stand, etc. I'll bet it the whole shootin' match tops 50lbs. If it's more than 10 yards, I put it on wheels. Really, if you want closed cell foam an inch thick and a bag that lasts 10 years, it's going to be on the heavy side.

Neither one of us mentioned the heavy leather reinforcements at the bridge, the scroll, the handles, etc. or the reinforcement at those areas on the interior also. RB is lifetime bass bag.

[mattfong]

Originally Posted by LouisF

Ritter double bass bags seem hard to find in the States (or at least I had trouble finding one) Do have a link or contact?

Thanks

http://www.ritter-bags.com/downloads...20Imperial.pdf

The one I have is on page 12, but page 11 is a bass bag too.

[JimmyM]

My Upton bag is going strong after 3 years of moderately heavy use.