Is the hard case on the way out?

Warpeg · #1 01-06-2010, 07:05 AM

Maybe I'm looking at the market wrong, but it seems like it is slowly becoming more standard for basses to come with gig bags rather than traditional hard cases. At first, the mid- and high-end basses (and guitars) almost always came with a good, sturdy, wood-based hard case. Then the roto-mold plastic hard cases came out we started seeing gig bags come with the mid-end instruments. Now, it is common to see even $3000+ instruments coming out of the factory with a chintzy gig bag (e.g. Warwick, Spector, etc.).

IME, there are some pretty nice gig bags out there. Some are pretty protective, attractive, and lightweight. However, how many of us would trust their $3000 investments in .5" of foam and canvas, as opposed to a hard and form-fitting hard case?

In terms of cost to manufacturer, I do not know what is generally more expensive to make: a hard case or a gig bag. I would assume a gig bag is cheaper to create. Perhaps this is the basis of the trend?

What are your opinions? Do you think the hard case will eventually go the way of the dinosaur? Maybe the hard case will just become an upgrade option from the factory? Will the gig bag become just a phase?

**jmattbassplaya** · #2 01-06-2010, 07:11 AM

I think once enough people start demanding a refund for their $4,000 nt warwicks that broke in transit they'll get the idea. I don't know how often cases like this happen, and a definitely am not singling out Warwick, but I think it's ridiculos, stupid, and completely driven by greed... But who knows?

GC4 · #3 01-06-2010, 07:11 AM

I'm not sure if it is on the way out, but I would suspect not. All of Fenders American made basses still come with hard cases I'm pretty sure. If I'm going to be buying a bass that is $1000+, I would hope that the company would throw in a case that can protect the thing. Pretty chintzy of a company to not include one at that point.

Alexander · #4 01-06-2010, 07:28 AM

Seems to me that there are a lot of "middle of the road" solutions out there now, that I really like. My Sadowsky NYC came with a Portabag (hardshell case was also an option). I don't ever carry hard cases to gigs, but I couldn't imagine carrying a REALLY nice bass around in a gig bag, either. The Portabag is awesome - the form factor of a really nice gig bag with protection that is more like a case. Works really well for me. I know there are a lot of "3rd party" bags that are similar also - for me, that's where its at...

bassdaddyfive · #5 01-06-2010, 07:36 AM

I's done to reduce cost, and to sell the hard case seperate to increase profit. I like the idea of picking my own style and color hard case. I think there is a huge market out there for upscale hard cases and fancy gigbags...I'm looking in to it myself.

MNAirHead · #6 01-06-2010, 07:36 AM

Folks don't want to pay for one.

ONLY damage I've had is with gig bags.

T

Hoover · #7 01-06-2010, 07:41 AM

I think the traditional rectangular thin plywood hardshell case that used to come standard w/ a Fender et al (or "standard" but with a $79 upcharge) is of limited use: It doesn't offer the convenience of a gig bag, nor the protection of a heavy-duty flight case, nor in fact any more protection than a hybrid solution (Sadowsky PortaBag, Protec Contego, etc) which trumps it in terms of portability.

There's this really narrow window of usability that it seems optimized for: musicians who personally carry their instrument to/from the vehicle, but then load it in alongside lots of other bigger heavier gear. If you're just the slightest bit more discriminating about how/where your bass gets loaded, a modern non-chintzy gigbag or hybrid case offers sufficent protection. Conversely, if you've got roadies or airline baggage attendents handling your gear you do so at your own risk if you're not using ATA-level protection.

So it wouldn't surprise -- or bother -- me at all to see the traditional rectangular hardshell case go by the wayside.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #8 01-06-2010, 07:42 AM

Softshell cases and gig bag/softshell hybrids are certainly becoming a lot more popular, but harshells will always have a place. Not everyone can afford flight cases, but they still need hardshell protection if they're in a mini-tour-in-a-van situation. I like the hybrid gig bags a lot myself now. Most can protect as well as a hardcase in every situation except stabbing- good shock absorption will keep any dings away.

BZadlo · #9 01-06-2010, 07:48 AM

I don't really care because the cases that most basses come with are usually pretty cheesy (hard or soft). Unless the hard case was custom made for the instrument, I think it's much safer in ANY gig bag.
Cheap hard cases give the user a false sense of security.
Plus, it's pretty hard to get to a gig using public transportation using a hard case. Just not an option for may people.

Blake Bass · #10 01-06-2010, 07:53 AM

I haven't used a regular hardshell case in years..I prefer the lightweight of a gig bag, and I like being able to throw the bass over my shoulder so I can carry a couple of things at once. I have never sustained any damage to a bass that I have carried in a gig bag. When I bought my Sadowsky I had the choice of a gig bag, porta bag/hybrid, or traditional HSC..I chose the porta bag, it combines the protection of a HSC with the portability of gig bag!

electracoyote · #11 01-06-2010, 07:54 AM

I've noticed this trend too, and I think it blows. Quality hardshell prices have skyrocketed, and it's ridiculous IMHO. Rather than incur the additional cost and pass it on to the consumer, bass manufacturers just go with the cheap gig bag. One good bump, and something is bent, dented, or busted. I want decent protection for even my modestly priced basses, and a gig bag just doesn't cut it (although the hybrids made with stiff styrofoam are decent). Interesting to note that when you buy a bass or guitar from Rondo or Guitarfetish, they offer a decent wood-based hardshell case upgrade for around $50.00. That seems fair.

Fullmetal · #12 01-06-2010, 08:00 AM

Ok, so I do like the protection you get from hardcases, and I would rather all my basses came in hardcases but I find that gigbags are much easier to carry. I like being able to carry my bass on my back, cos I find with hardcases it's quite difficult getting into venues that may have a narrow staircase. Maybe it's just me being picky.

I wish for the best of both worlds. Where possible, I will order a bass with a hardcase, and then swap it for a gigbag. I find it much more comfortable.

Just my $0.02

**jmattbassplaya** · #13 01-06-2010, 08:08 AM

I don't think anyone denies the convenience of gig bags, but wouldn't you guys want to know the bass you just spent thousands on is at least somewhat protected while in transit?

()smoke() · #14 01-06-2010, 08:19 AM

my bass stays close to me, and thus is more protected that way...the gig bag allows me to keep it close to me, and reminds me not to simply stack it along with other gear, etc...

at the end of the day, it's an instrument to make music and a good gig bag protects it well enough for me...note that i don't or wouldn't trust others to move it for me without an ATA hardshell...

hardshells are just too large and unwieldly to carry around town for gigs/rehearsals ime....edit: my bass shipped in a hardshell, which i still have but don't carry around

Warpeg · #15 01-06-2010, 08:23 AM

My big beef with gig bags is in the science of it. With a hard case, the instrument is kept intact and unstressed via the permanent, hardened structure of the case's shell. Common pressures applied to the case (amps and cabs pushed against it, short drops/falls, drunk groupie dancing on the case, etc) are withstood from the case's shell material and not the instrument's structure. In the case of a gig bag, most resistance to common pressures is dependent on the instrument's stiffness and structure...the gig bag really just serves as a way to protect the instrument from scratches. The hybrid idea is nice, though...it's basically a hard case anyway.

Btw:
1. A gig bag and a hard case are not too different in size once the instrument is enclosed. There is a notable difference in weight, but not that much to be concerned about unless you have back issues or are somewhat of a physically weak person.
2. Putting a gig bag on your back can be convenient, but carrying a case by hand is not the end of the world either
3. Gig bags create the illusion of having more storage space...but that space is created by making the overall size of the bag larger than a standard hard case...physics proves this point.

rappa29 · #16 01-06-2010, 08:36 AM

I use both. If I have a full load in my CRV (bass rig, keyboard rig, monitors, stands, drums, etc) I use my hardcases.

It's typical for us to caravan to gigs so I'm always loading more than just my personal rigs\gear. If you've ever loaded drum hardware with your bass gear, then you'd always use your hard cases. That stuff ALWAYS finds a way to shift and end up laying on my bass case! Same thing with my keys. Nothing like a 50lb keyboard tipping over and landing on my bass case while making a turn!

If I'm just loading my bass gear and nothing else, I may just use my gig bag.

But more times than not, I use my cases. They came with my basses so I use them.

I've seen enough damage done to guitars, saxes, keyboards, congas, etc that were traveling with other random gear to risk using softcases in those situations for my basses or keyboards.

Also, I like the protection of hard cases when just hanging out at the gig. For example if we're on a multiband gig and I'm waiting to play or hanging out after the gig before loading out. Harder for someone to steal my bass carrying my hardcase through a crowded bar. Still possible, of course, but IMHO not as easy as a gig bag. In addition, it's protection from the drunken masses.

Of course if I lived in a metro area where I didn't have my own transportation, then a gig bag would definitely be the only way to go. People would've kicked my @## in Boston if I was getting on the T and bumping them with my hard cases!

PlanetEarth · #17 01-06-2010, 08:39 AM

Seems a company like SKB has a great opportunity here to fill a niche using the same molded plastics they use for equipment cases. Form fitting cases with all the perks of the soft case (i.e. shoulder harnesses, etc.).

I used a soft case for a bit when I was living in NYC, impossible to get around without it, but I built a wire metal frame for added support inside of it, still not as good as a hard-case but at least it offered a little more protection from bumps in the subway etc.

$0.02

-PE

rappa29 · #18 01-06-2010, 08:55 AM

Question to those that use gigbags and gig regularly. Do you use more than 1 bass on your gig (i.e. fretless, 4,5,6,7,8 string, backup). How do you carry those?

Do you carry 2 gigbags or use one of gigbags that carry 2 basses?

That's another vote for the convenience of gigbags.

I bring 2 basses to gigs (4 and 5 string) and still use my hsc, but might consider getting a dual carry gigbag if I'm just bringing basses to a recording session.

plankspanker13 · #19 01-06-2010, 09:00 AM

I like my RoadRunner hybrid when I have to carry more amplification. If it's just my little mini-rig of doom, then I will go with the gig bag. Most of my gigs are of the multi-set variety, so having a stand is important for the breaks.

()smoke() · #20 01-06-2010, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rappa29

Question to those that use gigbags and gig regularly. Do you use more than 1 bass on your gig (i.e. fretless, 4,5,6,7,8 string, backup). How do you carry those?

Do you carry 2 gigbags or use one of gigbags that carry 2 basses?

That's another vote for the convenience of gigbags.

I bring 2 basses to gigs (4 and 5 string) and still use my hsc, but might consider getting a dual carry gigbag if I'm just bringing basses to a recording session.

i use a double gig bag...and if i'm only using one bass, i still use the double bag, works great