Fusion Gig Bag

[younggun]

Anyone own one of these? They seem to be quality made and I like the functionality of the attachable accessory bags. Just looking for some opinions of actual owners.

Link:
Guitar Gig Bags

[B String]

I do believe I saw these at the last NAMM show in LA. For some reason I recall (vaguely) that the straps were a little low, or in a slightly wrong spot. I could be off on this, but that's what I seem to remember.

Are these easily found in the U.S? I think they weren't available here when I asked.

[younggun]

Yes, there is a distributor here in the States, AsFab music Company, run by Nick Pyzow:
Link:

www.asfabmusic.com


Seems he is the only distributor in the States.
I e-mailed him yesterday asking about prices, and here was his response about my inquiries:

The Fusion Electric bass bags start at $44.95 for the F4, $79.95 for the F3, $159.95 for the F2, and $199.95 for the F1. Did you want Acoustic bass as well? (Not stand up, but the dreadnought style).
Attachment bags range from $69.95 to $119.95 depending upon which bag(s) you're interested in.

Where do you live? Which bags are you most interested in? I can give you a better idea that way.

I e-mailed him back with some specifics and am waiting to hear back from him.

I was researching a Mono gig bag when I stumbled across the Fusion web site. Price is about the same as a Mono bag (for the top end F1 Fusion bag). I like the protection featured on the Mono bags, but the Fusion bags look like they have lots of extra padding, and extra hardshell protection in vital areas too. All else being equal I'd lean toward the Fusion bag because of the ability to add the extra bags and packs. I'm tired of lugging a gig bag, and a shoulder bag with all my music, books, etc. in it. Their modular bag system seems a great solution. I'm just a little leery of investing in something that is new to the market.

[bassbrad]

The F1 & F2 bags look really nice but the shoulder straps are too low, unless you are under 5 feet tall and the pricing is high.

[younggun]

Originally Posted by bassbrad

The F1 & F2 bags look really nice but the shoulder straps are too low, unless you are under 5 feet tall and the pricing is high.

Thanks for the response and input. Did you try one somewhere, or are you going off of the pictures?
I ask because I currently own a cheapie Roadrunner gig bag, and from what I can tell from the Fusion pics the straps look to be in about the some place. Ergonomically the Roadrunner seems to work fine for me right now.

..and yes, I realize the bag is a bit expensive, but I'm specifically looking for a higher end gig-bag with extra protection (ala the Mono) that isn't a hardcase. Considering how much money I've got invested in the basses I own, a couple hundred more into a quality gig-bag isn't much.

[bassbrad]

I am just looking at the photos but i know from experience that the straps would be too high for me to walk thru a doorway, not even sure i could do it with one of their gtr bags and I ain't that tall.

[B String]

Originally Posted by younggun

..and yes, I realize the bag is a bit expensive, but I'm specifically looking for a higher end gig-bag with extra protection (ala the Mono) that isn't a hardcase. Considering how much money I've got invested in the basses I own, a couple hundred more into a quality gig-bag isn't much.

The new Access Stage three bag is a killer. Tons of protection and tons of storage. Very nice, well thought out hybrid bag.
The Protec Contego is great too, although I'm not a fan of their "non customer service".

[younggun]

Originally Posted by B String

The new Access Stage three bag is a killer. Tons of protection and tons of storage. Very nice, well thought out hybrid bag.
The Protec Contego is great too, although I'm not a fan of their "non customer service".

Thanks for those suggestions. The Access bag looks pretty nice, but I'd like something that has the inner strap and extra padding for the neck/headstock, ala the Mono and Fusion bags. I like the idea of something holding the headstock firmly in place from moving back and forth in the bag.

I had a VERY bad experience with a Protec bag. The zipper split open on my 3 month old Protec gig bag, and my $4K bass slid out the bottom as I was slinging it onto my shoulder. Fortunately I was able to get my foot under the bass before it struck the floor, and it didn't get damaged. I sent an e-mail and pictures to Protec, got a response that they'd "look into it"...never heard anything back. Needless to say, I'm not buying any more of their products. The failure of that bag is the reason I'm in the market for a new one.

The guy from Asfab music hasn't e-mailed me back with further product and ordering details yet on the Fusion bags, so I'm beginning to re-think buying a bag from them. If you can't even get good customer service before the sale, that's a huge red flag for me.

Any other suggestions on higher end gig bags anyone?

[B String]

Originally Posted by younggun

Thanks for those suggestions. The Access bag looks pretty nice, but I'd like something that has the inner strap and extra padding for the neck/headstock, ala the Mono and Fusion bags. I like the idea of something holding the headstock firmly in place from moving back and forth in the bag.

I had a VERY bad experience with a Protec bag. The zipper split open on my 3 month old Protec gig bag, and my $4K bass slid out the bottom as I was slinging it onto my shoulder. Fortunately I was able to get my foot under the bass before it struck the floor, and it didn't get damaged. I sent an e-mail and pictures to Protec, got a response that they'd "look into it"...never heard anything back. Needless to say, I'm not buying any more of their products. The failure of that bag is the reason I'm in the market for a new one.

As you've read, I understand how you feel about Protec. However... Have you seen either the new Stage Three or Contego bag up close? They both have a big hunk of foam under the neck, near the headstock, and fit pretty securely in the bag. No strap needed. I'm just sayin.

[younggun]

Just a quick update, I ended up ordering a bag from this guy:
PROBAG

Ordered it with a couple of custom options added (an extra strap and storage pocket). The total with shipping and tax (we are in the same state), came out to a little more than $230 for a heavy leather bag. Prices were VERY reasonable for a custom made leather gig bag, considering a comparable Reunion Blues runs about $400. It should be done in about a week (he told me a 15 day build time). I'll post a review when it comes in.

[younggun]

My Probag came in yesterday. Very nice bag for the money. Pics and review here:

Probag Leather Gig Bag Review