Gig bag zipper repair/replacement

[IvanMike]

here's an odd question.

25+ years ago I bought the best gig bag i have ever seen. I think the company (under cover) is OOB, but it is a cordoura bag that is very padded and has suede inside with an extra piece for the headstock/tuners. After perfoming reliably since then (and being home to many basses) the zipper has bought it, doing the classic opening behind where you zip it.

I haven't seen it's equal, and was wondering where to repair or replace the zipper (as well as getting a hole in the front bag for cords etc sewn)

any thoughts? I'd prefer to bring it someplace local.

edit - wow i guess they are still in biz now that i look around, but i prefer to have this one repaired.

[BassmanSBK]

Go to a luggage repair shop.

[yellofury]

asian redneck solution:

paperclip and duct tape wrapped around it to make a zipperhead

I did it on a busted up Rockbag that a trade bass was shipped in

[T-Bird]

Hi.

+1 for a luggage repair shop.

You'll probably wince when they tell the price though.

If the zipper hooks/cogs themselves are worn, the zipper is obviously toast, but I have succesfully replaced badly worn sliders to bring old zippers back to life. Those have been brass/brass or brass/aluminium ones though.

Do lubricate the zipper every once and a while, lasts a great deal longer if you do.

Originally Posted by yellofury

asian redneck solution:

paperclip and duct tape wrapped around it to make a zipperhead

I did it on a busted up Rockbag that a trade bass was shipped in

Perhaps it's the language barrier, but I fail to see how that helps in a situation like this.

Regards
Sam

[lazerbrains]

Go to an upholstery shop for repair - they should be able to do it cheaply and easily - they will charge less than a luggage repair place.

[yellofury]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

+1 for a luggage repair shop.

You'll probably wince when they tell the price though.

If the zipper hooks/cogs themselves are worn, the zipper is obviously toast, but I have succesfully replaced badly worn sliders to bring old zippers back to life. Those have been brass/brass or brass/aluminium ones though.

Do lubricate the zipper every once and a while, lasts a great deal longer if you do.






Perhaps it's the language barrier, but I fail to see how that helps in a situation like this.

Regards
Sam

I wasnt being serious .. No language barrier since I was raised in the States. I think its pretty obvious go to a luggage repair shop or find someone who is handy with a sewing machine

[Eric Moesle]

I had this exact same problem recently (perhaps even the same bag, mine's a double).

I took it to 5 different places, nobody had a zipper large enough to replace it with. I found the exact zipper online, ordered it in a 2 yard length (longer than it needs to be) with a few "stops" for it, and when it arrives I'll drop it off at a small local uphostery shop that said they'd do it, cheaply, if I could find the zipper.

The site I ordered from: Heavy Duty Zippers Zipper Tape

[elgecko]

If it's the slider, you can sometimes buy a little extra life by GINGERLY squeezing the pull together with long-nosed pliers. If you do it too tight, it won't move and you'll have to pry it back apart a bit. If that doesn't work, a new slider should work and you can do it yourself. Zipper Rescue - ZRK Enterprises

If the teeth are worn or missing, then the zipper is toast and will have to be replaced as mentioned above. Also mentioned above, keep your zipper lubed.

[calshands]

You can also check out your neighborhood backpack shop. They often know some guy who does cordura repairs. If you live near the coast, sailors often have a machine that can do the job, too.

[IvanMike]

cool - thanks for all the replies. I'm glad to see the company is still in business - what a great product! I only hope they are still as good. I just realized that I bought mine in 1984 - not a bad run. Thing is - outside of the zipper failure it's still in top shape. I trust it to bang around my vintage tobias in and never worry about damage.

[dmonroe]

A luggage or upholstery shop can do it but there is one other place that can do it tahy should be a bit cheaper. A good shoe repair shop can do it and should cost a little less as well.