Gig bag vs hard case

Truktek2 · #1 04-02-2010, 05:01 PM

So i've been getting tired of lugging my bass around in a hardcase. I've contemplated getting a gig bag since the idea of carrying my bass like a knapsack seems like the way to go. Pros? cons? Obviously the hardcase offers more protection, but other than that, any disadvantages? Also let me know which ones are the best. Pockets, padding etc. I've seem them range from 15.00 to 75.00. obviously there is a difference. Thank You.

David1234 · #2 04-02-2010, 05:13 PM

If you get a gig bag, get a fairly well-padded one like Warwick's Rockbag Deluxe. There are better bags on the market, the Rockbag's don't last forever, but for me they are a good compromise.

Flimsy bags won't protect the bass against sharp corners. No bag will protect against big weights dropping on it. A middleweight bag like the Rockbag Deluxe means that you can shoulder your bass and save a trip lugging from the car. Win-win!

The hardcase offers more protection against bumps, but it also more likely to get bumped, after all, it's heavier and has to be carried in one hand instead of over your shoulder. Keep the hard case for long trips and when you have to stack a lot of gear, but use the gig bag for everything else.

newbold · #3 04-02-2010, 05:20 PM

Get a great gigbag when you do...igig makes a great one. I use a warwick rock case, light rectangular case and it's big and clunky.

I miss my crappy flimsy gig bag...some day I'll get a decent one.

MNAirHead · #4 04-02-2010, 05:34 PM

Spend $150 on one.. the cheapones suck and damage gear.

rodl2005 · #5 04-02-2010, 05:44 PM

Good gigbags like the Warwick mentioned above & others, are great IMO. Especially if U R carrying a small rig & U can strap the bass to yr back-a'la back-pack style.
Sure they aint gonna protect the bass if a spkr cab or SVT falls on it

but I OFTEN use them- as I pack all my gear & feel fine with a soft case. DEFINATELY get the good quality ones tho. the canvas cheap ones w/ 0.5" padding only protect the bass from rain drops at most

I find the bags like the Warwick rock case great to slip up the side of the packed gear- taking less space than a hardcase & still protecting the bass from all the scuffs it might get when I pack it.

Jefenator · #6 04-02-2010, 05:56 PM

I've been a gig bag guy forever. For load-in, for me, it's all about the shoulder strap. Never had a bass damaged in a bag, yet.

Spare yourself the angst & expense of buying a new one every 1000 calls (or less) and check this guy's stuff out:

http://www.glenncronkhite.com/index.html

Commreman · #7 04-02-2010, 06:29 PM

I use the InCase tour bag. These are no longer made. It is a great bag that offers excellent protection and lots of storage space. They will not accommodate a 35" scaled bass, though.

Burlington · #8 04-02-2010, 06:31 PM

Mono makes great gigbags. I have the double. Too bad it was almost $300!!

waynobass · #9 04-02-2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truktek2

... the idea of carrying my bass like a knapsack seems like the way to go.

A knapsack? Why don't you carry it in a little basket along with your flowers?

Man up and use your muscles to carry the hard case!

Truktek2 · #10 04-03-2010, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waynobass

A knapsack? Why don't you carry it in a little basket along with your flowers?

Man up and use your muscles to carry the hard case!

Funny. Because as a product of an 80's glam band I got used to having my hands free to carry my makeup bag

. But seriously thanks for all the info fellow wimps.

M0ses · #11 04-03-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefenator

I've been a gig bag guy forever. For load-in, for me, it's all about the shoulder strap. Never had a bass damaged in a bag, yet.

Spare yourself the angst & expense of buying a new one every 1000 calls (or less) and check this guy's stuff out:

http://www.glenncronkhite.com/index.html

The two sparse pages on that guy's site are very intriguing. Where can more information be found?

Vic Winters · #12 04-03-2010, 09:38 AM

For me it's a gig bag for practice, or going over someone's house to jam. But for gigs I always bring my basses in hard cases.

BluesWalker · #13 04-03-2010, 09:42 AM

I always use a gig bag, never a hard case. I never had a problem. Gig bags are nice because of the extra compartments inside out where you can store cables, extra strings, batteries, tools, straps, etc.

pasta4lnch · #14 04-03-2010, 09:47 AM

been using my mooridian bag for 2 years now. I'm fairly careful of where my bass is and banging into things so it's been good so far ::knock knock:: hard cases are def better, but much more of a pain imo

w/ the bass on my back, my cab, amp etc strapped on a dolly I have everything in one trip w/ a spare hand to open the door . . .

Yango · #15 04-03-2010, 09:56 AM

Check out the CM19L, made by Levy's. I've used mine for about 10 years without a problem. It's padded well, and built to last.

Although, lately I have had my eye on the iGig products--there's more pocket space on their gigbags... they look very nice too.

http://www.levysleathers.com/product...Gig-Bags-CM19L

Badong · #16 04-03-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefenator

I've been a gig bag guy forever. For load-in, for me, it's all about the shoulder strap. Never had a bass damaged in a bag, yet.

Spare yourself the angst & expense of buying a new one every 1000 calls (or less) and check this guy's stuff out:

http://www.glenncronkhite.com/index.html

Man, that guy designed the old Reunion Blues stuff which I loved for my URB. That was the best case ever! Too bad it wouldn't fit my 7/8 size Pollmann. Now I have a crappy Mooradian

Jefenator · #17 04-03-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0ses

The two sparse pages on that guy's site are very intriguing. Where can more information be found?

He used to run Reunion Blues and is carrying on the tradition (even does repairs on old RB stuff now that they don't

). I have 2 older RB bags and they are heirloom quality. Seriously: after 10 years, the straps on the older bag aren't even beginning to wear. Leather/canvas/brass... this guy isn't fooling around.

Maybe he can e-mail you some pix so you can see what he's all about. (Or I'll post some soon.)

IME the cordura nylon holds up great and is considerably less expensive than leather.

M0ses · #18 04-03-2010, 10:12 AM

Is the only way to get more info / buy cases to contact him? I'm not in a position to buy now, but I'm definitely interested in learning more.

stratovani · #19 04-03-2010, 10:16 AM

I use a gig bag for my P-Bass, and a hard case for my Hofner Icon. I figure the P can withstand just about anything short of a multicar pileup on the Interstate, whereas the Hofner being a hollowbody needs the extra protection only a hard case can provide.

T-Bird · #20 04-03-2010, 10:19 AM

Hi.

I'm a hard case guy. To the bone.

ATA style is the best, the standard "hard cardboard" comes as a close second.

The only time I can consider a gig bag is if I take my bike to the rehearsal instead of the van.

As a matter of a fact I've "forced" both of the guitarists in the band I've been playing with to buy hard cases for the gigs. Being the nice guy I am

, I've lent them my spare cases for the gigs they didn't have their own.

In a cramped van, nothing spells trouble faster than loose instruments in gig bags.

The first snapped neck or cracked headstock will be a hard wake up for decent carrying thingamajingies

.

Regards
Sam