Case by case - soft or hard?

[Bredian]

OK couldn't find a thread.

My instrument investments have been under $500, so most have soft cases, unless included in original purchase, or deals on hard cases under $70 - 2 so far.

Got a Road Runner soft case which seems to the the best of my collection of 3-4. A new Spector hard case is $160 for a 5er I paid $400ish.

On the other hand, I have a '68 Gibson that's survived likely due to the hard case.

Why did you buy a _____ case for yours?

[jlepre]

Soft: For gigging to save room in my car, and use the back pack feature.
Hard: For long term storage while bass is not in use in my house.

[Nev375]

If I'm hauling my bass a good padded gig bag is perfect.
If a friend may be helping me load in, i'll use a hard case.
If its going on an airplane, you need an ATA flight case packed inside another ATA flight case.

[mjac28]

Originally Posted by jlepre

Soft: For gigging to save room in my car, and use the back pack feature.
Hard: For long term storage while bass is not in use in my house.

+1

[mjac28]

Originally Posted by Nev375

If I'm hauling my bass a good padded gig bag is perfect.
If a friend may be helping me load in, i'll use a hard case.
If its going on an airplane, you need an ATA flight case packed inside another ATA flight case.

And +1 again If you care about it get a hard case for moving it.

[Snakeman1066]

I always go Hard case...soft cases and gig bags scare me...

[Solarmist]

Originally Posted by Snakeman1066

I always go Hard case...soft cases and gig bags scare me...

+1 Same here.

[lolmont]

Originally Posted by Snakeman1066

I always go Hard case...soft cases and gig bags scare me...

Add another +1

[ProgRocker]

Always hard case. Accidents happen.

[Sid Fang]

When I bought my Steinberger, used, 20-odd years ago, it came with a gig bag, and that was sufficient for keeping dust off in my studio, or going to jams in friendly environments. Once I was actually gigging with it, with hasty loads/unloads, shifting stacks of gear, etc., shelling out for a hard case seemed like the sensible thing to do.

[smcd]

Best of both worlds are the polyfoam lightweight cases. They're much less expensive, yet offer the same protection as a hardcase. They're much lighter than a hardcase, but superior in every way to a gig bag (which is what I assume you're talking about when you say "soft case")

[1bassleft]

I've got my best bass in a HSC and my nearby store is selling off post-Xmas Ritter gigbags at £4/$6. It's so ridiculous that I only look at the >10mm padded ones and now everything's covered up. A part of me regrets not leaving more out to get hit by the wife's ironing board, though.

Tom Robinson (were TRB known in the US?) had a valid complaint about cases, along the lines of, "so you're back home, with these great song ideas, and your best guitar - the one you're most creative with - is stuck in a case so you end up writing songs on some rubbish copy lying around."

He has a point. I got mine out yesterday after a long hibernation and that tricky line I'd been struggling to remember just flew out. Anybody else find this or am I being lazy?

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

Originally Posted by lolmont

Add another +1

And one more.


I think the backpack feature is a big part of why people use them so frequently. But some of us strap our small cabs on our backs and carry a hard case in one hand and a mocha in the other. Load in, in one shot, and my Bass is always safe.

I get by with just a DI these days, so its not really a hassle to use a hard case

[elgecko]

Originally Posted by Snakeman1066

I always go Hard case...soft cases and gig bags scare me...

-1

I have a hard case but never use it.

[Lowactnsatsfctn]

VS

[Snakeman1066]

Originally Posted by smcd

Best of both worlds are the polyfoam lightweight cases. They're much less expensive, yet offer the same protection as a hardcase. They're much lighter than a hardcase, but superior in every way to a gig bag (which is what I assume you're talking about when you say "soft case")

lol i see what your saying they do offer a little more protection than a gig bag....but have somebody spill a beer on one or drop a lighted cigarette on one....nylon and or cordura padded or not, is still not a substitute for a nice piece of plywood covered in tolex! or a good chunk of ABS

Again give me a Hard case everytime!

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by lolmont

Add another +1

A hard case for the basses I like and a soft case for the ones I don't care about.

[Bredian]

Originally Posted by 1bassleft

I've got my best bass in a HSC and my nearby store is selling off post-Xmas Ritter gigbags at £4/$6. It's so ridiculous that I only look at the >10mm padded ones and now everything's covered up. A part of me regrets not leaving more out to get hit by the wife's ironing board, though.

Tom Robinson (were TRB known in the US?) had a valid complaint about cases, along the lines of, "so you're back home, with these great song ideas, and your best guitar - the one you're most creative with - is stuck in a case so you end up writing songs on some rubbish copy lying around."

He has a point. I got mine out yesterday after a long hibernation and that tricky line I'd been struggling to remember just flew out. Anybody else find this or am I being lazy?

THATS A GOOD POINT, BUT

at home they end up in stands and/or nice locking wall hangers...that way they get played.

Appreciate the input, folks

[ErikW]

Originally Posted by Lowactnsatsfctn

And one more.


I think the backpack feature is a big part of why people use them so frequently. But some of us strap our small cabs on our backs and carry a hard case in one hand and a mocha in the other. Load in, in one shot, and my Bass is always safe.

I get by with just a DI these days, so its not really a hassle to use a hard case

Yup, thats me too. Fender/SKB ATA cases for both of mine. Streamliner, mic, DI, Tuner, Wireless setup and cables in a gig bag over my shoulder.

[Green1]

Mono gig bags for me....unless I was checking it when flying.....then definately a flight case or anvil case