Big Bang Bag?

Ric Vice · #1 02-13-2013, 05:14 AM

Hello All,
I'm seriously considering the purchase of a Markbass Big Bang, but I can't find a U.S. retailer that stocks the Big Bang Bag. Does anyone know where I might purchase that case in the U.S. ? I haven't been able to locate a retailer state side who stocks them. Thanks

Ric

mam1862 · #2 02-13-2013, 06:37 AM

Yeah I looked for one too with no luck. I have a small Gator bag that I used when I had a LMIII which works fine. They will probably be available as sales increase would be my guess.

beans-on-toast · #3 02-13-2013, 07:20 AM

I imagine that finding a case suitable to contain a Big Bang would be difficult.

+1 for Gator cases. I have a mixer case that I use as a gig bag. Built very well at a reasonable price.

Ric Vice · #4 02-13-2013, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mam1862

Yeah I looked for one too with no luck. I have a small Gator bag that I used when I had a LMIII which works fine. They will probably be available as sales increase would be my guess.

Thomann Music actually carries them, but because of the exchange rates I'd prefer to buy one in the U.S.. Guitar Center/Musician's Friend carries soft bags for every Markbass amp with the exception of the Big Bang. Perhaps they are not really available yet, and Thomann is just listing them on their site until they are in production. This wouldn't be the first time that happened.

Ric

darius8 · #5 02-13-2013, 03:02 PM

I'm looking for a case for my Big Bang too. I thought about getting the MB small amp case but I noticed they're changing the logo from "MarkBass" to "MarkWorld" on all of their cases. So I might wait for the actual BB case.

Ric Vice · #6 02-13-2013, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darius8

I'm looking for a case for my Big Bang too. I thought about getting the MB small amp case but I noticed they're changing the logo from "MarkBass" to "MarkWorld" on all of their cases. So I might wait for the actual BB case.

Darius,
I've emailed both Guitar Center and Musicians Friend to see about acquiring a case. Musician's Friend doesn't stock them. Guitar center offered to special order one, but their special orders must be (according to them) a minimum of $100.00 which is more than the case costs. This is so strange since GC carries every other case for all the Markbass Heads, including the new Randy Jackson. Why they don't carry the Big Bang Bag is a mystery to me.
You can buy the case from Thomann Music in the UK but it costs. $118.89 as buying a product from there incurs VAT and Shipping charges. So for now it's wait and see, but I'm not holding my breath. I just think it's so weird that GC didn't have the foresight to carry the BBB when they are the exclusive dealers for Markbass in the U.S.

Ric

Rodger Bryan · #7 02-13-2013, 05:30 PM

I had Studio Slips make a clamshell gig bag for my Momark head.(and dust covers for my Berg cabinets)

If you give Susan the dimensions, she will give you an exact quote for your head. Mine came out to be $110, which includes double padding, one external pocket, and a shoulder strap. If you decide to order one, I highly recommend the double padding for a head. Let me know if you would like pics.

http://www.studioslips.com/clamshell.php?ManID=202

Ric Vice · #8 02-13-2013, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodger Bryan

I had Studio Slips make a clamshell gig bag for my Momark head.(and dust covers for my Berg cabinets)

http://www.studioslips.com/clamshell.php?ManID=202

Rodger,
Thanks for the help, they look to be very nice bags, the reason I'd really prefer to get one from Markbass, is that the ends unzip to allow you access to use the head without removing it from the bag.

Ric

Ric Vice · #9 03-02-2013, 06:37 AM

Well,
So far I've had little luck getting Guitar Center to stock the soft bag for the Big Bang. I did get in touch with Markbass Technical Support and Ricardo informed me that the bag is a new item in their catalog, and he would look into it for me.
It's readily available all over Europe.

Ric

KJung · #10 03-02-2013, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Vice

Well,
So far I've had little luck getting Guitar Center to stock the soft bag for the Big Bang. I did get in touch with Markbass Technical Support and Ricardo informed me that the bag is a new item in their catalog, and he would look into it for me.
It's readily available all over Europe.

Ric

Yeah, unfortunately, that is controlled by the Guitar Center/Musician's Friend purchasing department. The supplier/manufacturer has little input. It always seems to take about 6 months or more for a Markbass accessory to be stocked after the primary product is available.

Ric Vice · #11 03-02-2013, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Yeah, unfortunately, that is controlled by the Guitar Center/Musician's Friend purchasing department. The supplier/manufacturer has little input. It always seems to take about 6 months or more for a Markbass accessory to be stocked after the primary product is available.

Thanks Ken,
So the upside is the discounted price for their amps, while the downside is the lead time it takes for their new products to be feed into the MF/GC pipeline. It took nearly 12 months before the Big Bang actually appeared at the Bridgeton Guitar Center here in St. Louis.

Ric

KJung · #12 03-02-2013, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Vice

Thanks Ken,
So the upside is the discounted price for their amps, while the downside is the lead time it takes for their new products to be feed into the MF/GC pipeline. It took nearly 12 months before the Big Bang actually appeared at the Bridgeton Guitar Center here in St. Louis.

Ric

Markbass, when they entered the US market 7 or so years ago, entered an exclusive distribution relationship with Musician's Friend/Guitar Center (same company). That gave them massive, immediate distribution (good), but put their product introductions in the control of that company (not as good).

A product making it to an individual Guitar Center brick and mortar store is kind of another issue. I would assume that the store manager has some control over that, and from what I understand, many of those stores are in financial difficulties. The Big Bang has been available on-line at Musician's Friend for quite a while now, and with their 'no questions asked' 30 day (might even by 45 day) return policy, there really is little advantage to waiting for your local store to get one in. Free shipping, zero risk (you are just out a few dollars shipping), and you get a new one in the box (and if you watch for the 15% off sales that are always coming up at Musician's Friend, better price, and in many states, no tax... MO is not one of them)

For the cover, I would not bother with your local store. Just check in at Musician's Friend every once in a while, and it will eventually show up. Free shipping.... beautiful.

That being said, while I am impressed with the design of the little Markbass rack bags, the price/value is not particularly good. Cheap compared to other bags of the same price, and relatively small cable pockets on the smallest bag. If the Big Bang is a keeper for you, I'd just man up and have a Mooradian bag made for it. IMO there.

Ric Vice · #13 03-02-2013, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

For the cover, I would not bother with your local store. Just check in at Musician's Friend every once in a while, and it will eventually show up. Free shipping.... beautiful.

That being said, while I am impressed with the design of the little Markbass rack bags, the price/value is not particularly good. Cheap compared to other bags of the same price, and relatively small cable pockets on the smallest bag. If the Big Bang is a keeper for you, I'd just man up and have a Mooradian bag made for it. IMO there.

Hey,
Good to know, actually I purchased the head directly from GC with free shipping and a coupon. So that's a done deal. I'll see if Mooradian can make a custom case for the head.

Ric

KJung · #14 03-02-2013, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Vice

Hey,
Good to know, actually I purchased the head directly from GC with free shipping and a coupon. So that's a done deal. I'll see if Mooradian can make a custom case for the head.

Ric

Mooradian amp bags are all custom made. All they need is depth (including knobs), height and width.

Ric Vice · #15 03-02-2013, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Mooradian amp bags are all custom made. All they need is depth (including knobs), height and width.

Hey,
I wasn't aware of that either. Thanks Ken.

Ric

KJung · #16 03-02-2013, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric Vice

Hey,
I wasn't aware of that either. Thanks Ken.

Ric

I look forward to checking that amp out sometime when we hang! It looks very nice.

The Mooradian bags are a bit spendy (for an amp that size, probably around $100), but are very high quality and will outlast the amp! Great little company, and they usually turn around a small bag request within about 10 days. Lifetime warranty also!