gig bag or hard case

larsenboy · #1 08-22-2009, 09:14 PM

i have 2 basses. and im starting to wonder should i stick with the gig bag or spring for the hard case?

Armbruster · #2 08-22-2009, 09:15 PM

I'd probably go for the hard case, even though I'm too cheap to buy one myself, but I'm getting there...

larsenboy · #3 08-22-2009, 09:16 PM

yea i have the same problem. im just wondering i kinda want to start traveling with it and stuff

MattAT · #4 08-22-2009, 09:16 PM

I've switched back to gig bags to move all my equipment in one trip. It's just easier.

larsenboy · #5 08-22-2009, 09:19 PM

hm... well idk it just seems like a hard case would be a little more reliable in terms of saftey and stuff

MattAT · #6 08-22-2009, 09:20 PM

Well, I have also switched back to playing cheap basses so it is not that much of a concern to me.

J. Crawford · #7 08-22-2009, 09:21 PM

Do you want better protection, or more storage room/comfort?

Gig bags give the comfort and feeling of being able to keep your bass personable, on your back, etc., but hardshells give you added proteciton, yet are awkward.

Ill take good gig bags any day of the week.

There are the stock gig bags that come on most basses, not bad, but not good, and then there are Mono Gig bags, Sadowsky, MTD, iGig, etc.

larsenboy · #8 08-22-2009, 09:24 PM

hm. ill get the hard case and keep the good gig bag i have. cause im so paranoid about my baby when shes in the bag in the back of the car

J. Crawford · #9 08-22-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larsenboy

hm. ill get the hard case and keep the good gig bag i have. cause im so paranoid about my baby when shes in the bag in the back of the car

Dont ever, ever, leave any kind of instrument in a car unattended. Unless you want it to be stolen, that is.

larsenboy · #10 08-22-2009, 09:26 PM

no like when i am driving and stuff. i just for some reason get the feeling that its gonna slide around and something will happen

J. Crawford · #11 08-22-2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by larsenboy

no like when i am driving and stuff. i just for some reason get the feeling that its gonna slide around and something will happen

Oh. Well, either in a gig bag or hardshell, you should be cool. Unless its in the back of a truck, or sitting vertical, youll be okay.

Put it in your trunk, back seat, etc., but make sure it doesnt have too much wiggle room.

larsenboy · #12 08-22-2009, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Crawford

Oh. Well, either in a gig bag or hardshell, you should be cool. Unless its in the back of a truck, or sitting vertical, youll be okay.

Put it in your trunk, back seat, etc., but make sure it doesnt have too much wiggle room.

good to know. ill get the hard shell cause ill also eventually fly somewhere and have nightmares without it

Pilgrim · #13 08-22-2009, 10:17 PM

Personally, I would rather tolerate the slight additional inconvenience of a hard case because I gain so much more protection. I only use gig bags when I'm transporting a bass a short distance and know no one else will handle it.

Jim C · #14 08-23-2009, 07:56 AM

+1
Gig bags are for when I carry my bass in the backseat of the car to rehearsal or a local gig; if your instrument is to be transported by others, or put in the back of a van or truck with other gear, I would suggest a good hard case

bstringkyle · #15 08-23-2009, 09:29 AM

I went from gig bags to hard shell cases. I like the Hard shell cases more. But gig bags do just fine for protecting the bass.

larsenboy · #16 08-23-2009, 01:19 PM

yea i know that im usually the only one touching my bass but im starting a band with some friends and that could change soon.

BassChuck · #17 08-24-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I only use gig bags when I'm transporting a bass a short distance and know no one else will handle it.

This is it for me. Around town we handle our own equipment, but if we travel we'll use a van and I get the old HSC out of the basement.

PJSShearer · #18 08-25-2009, 05:09 AM

I keep both my Basses in Gig bags - this is for a couple of reasons:

1. I can stow them behind the sofa for easy access at home when I want to get one out for a noodle.

2. I can carry both of them from the car to the venue using the shoulder straps and still have both hands free to carry my toolbox and Mike stand - then I go back for my combo ...

3. In the car they take up less space and the soft edges don't harm the upholstery. I normally put them in the rear footwell, not on the back seat, so they can't fall any further if I have to brake suddenly and they are more or less invisible to someone looking in through the car windows.

larsenboy · #19 08-25-2009, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

I keep both my Basses in Gig bags - this is for a couple of reasons:

1. I can stow them behind the sofa for easy access at home when I want to get one out for a noodle.

2. I can carry both of them from the car to the venue using the shoulder straps and still have both hands free to carry my toolbox and Mike stand - then I go back for my combo ...

3. In the car they take up less space and the soft edges don't harm the upholstery. I normally put them in the rear footwell, not on the back seat, so they can't fall any further if I have to brake suddenly and they are more or less invisible to someone looking in through the car windows.

that makes alot of scence im just so paranoid

i_got_a_mohawk · #20 08-25-2009, 08:17 PM

I have a couple gig bags for ease of carrying cheaper basses around, tho most of my basses have hardcases.

Sure, a little bit more hassle, but not really bothered as long as the instrument is going to be ok.

Also, being 6ft4, having a bass on my back can be a pain, having to duck doorways etc