Good Value for Hardshell P-Bass Case?

jasper76 · #1 03-24-2011, 12:03 PM

Hi all. First post here at TalkBass. I hope this topic fits in this forum section. I couldn't find another forum that dealt with cases.

SHORT STORY: I got a new P-Bass with a dreaded gig-bag, and wonder if there are any good values on hard-shell cases out there that will for-sure, 100% absolutely, positively fit a P-Bass. The closest music stores to me have a couple really nice cases, but they start around $150, and I'm looking for something a easier on the wallet. I'm nervous about buying on the internet just due to whether my P-Bass will actually fit in the case. Any recommendations?

LONG STORY: I am new to this site, and for the most part new to bass playing. I fiddled with it a little about a decade ago, but have mostly been a guitar and mandolin player.

Some friends recently had a band explosion, and needed a bass player quickly. I thought it would be fun, so I bought one of those Squire starter kits thinking I could make my money back on it quick through gigs, just wire it into the band's PA, and that I wouldn't need a fancier bass because it would be a short-lived thing.

Anyway, once we started rehearsing, I got the bass bug big time. When we played the first gig I got hooked. Love thumping that groove down. So much fun!

GAS kicked in very quickly. I traded a much-neglected mando for an Acoustic B450 combo, which gives me all the juice I need for the gigs we are playing. I also got a very sweet sounding/playing Fender American Special P-Bass at a great price (at least relative to internet listings for GC and MF).

Thing about these new Fender Specials is that they come with the friggin gig-bag (WEAK Fender, WEAK, oh so WEAK!). I don't want some drunken crackhead barfly wrecking my machine. All the hardshell cases in my area that fit are too costly ~ $150.

Are there any good values for a hardshell case that will definitely fit a Fender P?

BassMan4Him · #2 03-24-2011, 12:10 PM

I hope I link this right:
Tkl Hardshell ABS Universal Universal Bass Guitar Case

I have this case and its very sturdy an fits every bass I've ever owned including a few P's. Its good for the money. Really solid and durable. Hope i helped..

**Mark Wilson** · #3 03-24-2011, 12:12 PM

I'll let it slide, but this should belong in Misc.

**Mark Wilson** · #4 03-24-2011, 12:13 PM

Actually... nah.
moved to misc

BigOldHarry · #5 03-24-2011, 12:14 PM

Hmmmm...

What's wrong with gig bags?

I've been using them for 20 years, have yet to damage a bass in one.

That said, I do use a GOOD gig bag - not one of those $29 specials...

Hardshell cases are a PITA to schlep.

BassMan4Him · #6 03-24-2011, 12:16 PM

Also, try the search engine..

DRafalske · #7 03-24-2011, 12:18 PM

Have you considered a polyfoam case? They're light, offer good protection, and can be had for less than $100.
My only first hand experience with hardshells is the SKB-44 I put my P-Bass in. I think it cost me about $130.

D

jasper76 · #8 03-24-2011, 01:10 PM

Thanks for the feedback, and sorry I hit the wrong forum, Mark. Wasnt sure where to post.

Bassman: thanks for the lead! The price is definitelty in the right locale. P.S. I did a search on this site, but only now saw the Advanced Search option that lets you search by Topic only. Before that, I got a million topic results for "case" that had nothing to do with cases.

Harry, nothing wrong with a gig-bag to me except a lack of protection, at least a perceived as such by me. About 10 or so years ago, I was playing a bar gig, and while we were setting up, the other guitarist had an old telecaster in a gig bag, and a rather large rather drunken man fell right into it, and literally destroyed his guitar.

The traumatic memory of that poor guitar, broken in so many places, coming out of that gig-bag has stuck with me since. Hardshell all the way for this guy. Call me paranoid.

DRaf, I've never really seen a polyfoam case up close, or knew someone personally who had one. Are they as protective as a hardshell? Something inbetween a gig-bag and a hardshell protection-wise?

jumbodbassman · #9 03-24-2011, 01:17 PM

these are really pretty good and not heavy....MBT polyfoam....

MBT Polyfoam Padded Electric Bass Guitar Case - eBay (item 110489127527 end time Mar-28-11 15:47:12 PDT)

stflbn · #10 03-24-2011, 01:22 PM

Unless touring, or others handling my gear, I always prefer a gig bag of some kind to a hard case. Not as bulky, not as heavy, more convenient, etc.

JoeVictim · #11 03-24-2011, 01:31 PM

rondomusic.com has good deals on cases.

jlane72t · #12 03-24-2011, 01:37 PM

I can't absolutely positively guarantee that it will fit a Precision from personal experience, but I've been really happy with the $79 "Musician's Gear" cases I've bought on Amazon....fits my Jazz Bass with a Precision neck just fine.

That said, unless I know I'm in for rough circumstances it usually sits in my closet while the gig bag does the heavy lifting.