How do you protect your bass?

[totallyfrozen]

For years, I had been toting around a low-priced but decent quality Peavey bass in a gig bag. Yeah, I know it's a "sin" but I actually was using the gig bag to transport the thing around to play out.

I recently decided that since my cheap-o bass was actually decent and in near new condition still (I'm one of those dudes who babies his stuff) I should get a hard case for it. So I bought one of the tweed Musician's Gear Deluxe Bass Case. When it arrived I was pretty disappointed. It was dirty and had some minor damage and some contruction residue (glue and dust) on it. Because of the minor damage--a long scratch/snag on one side--I called the MF to return it. Deal is, that it's as cheap as a gig bag already and I used a member discount so I was getting it very cheaply. MF offered me a partial refund to get me to keep it (shipping back was too expensive for this thing). In the end I got a tweed hard case for under $40. Can't really complain about that. I mean the thing is sturdy and the latches/lock work, the instrument is snug, the cover fits well and seals snugly, and there is HUGE storage in this thing.

My Fender Strat has it's factory Fender moulded case made by SKB and it's a piece of junk! 2 of the 3 latches have broken off of it and the storage is small. Time for an upgrade on that one.

So what do you use to store and protect your gear?

Suggestions?
Warnings?

Pics would be cool too...especially if you made something yourself!

(I put this in Misc. but if it should be in Hardware, I suppose the mods will move it.)

[pasta4lnch]

I use a mooridian bag. before that, I used the Fender case and didnt have issues but the latches were a bit of a pain.

ideally a good hard case is the way, but a gig bag, w/ a little diligence is just too friggin convenient . . . my gig last night was proof - had to park a few blocks away from the venue. I was able to take my cab (112), charts, stands, cable bag ans fan on my small dolly, my head (lmii) in my other hand and my bass on my back no prob - one trip!

[CrispyDelicious]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Gun case.

Not perfectly balanced, but it can take a beating like none other. IIRC this one cost about $100 USD.

[pasta4lnch]

$100? wow, I'll have to find me a gun store!! (you think the guys selling guns on the streets here in Queens stock these? )

[MNAirHead]

I'm a bass protection freak..

I have a rack made away from drastic temp/humidty changes.. all of them go into hard cases and are stored vertically

When gigging.. Igig backpack bag... amp on a dolly.. all gear in gig bags...

I never use a stand as have had damage.

[CrispyDelicious]

Yeah, I've had terrible experiences with 'quality' hard cases in the past- even my Fender custom shop came in a pristine-looking fender case that broke down within months. That gun case has been through hell and all it has are some dents are scratches.

-The hinge runs the entire length of the case
-it has 2 clasps and 2 locking clasps
-3 layers of foam the centre layer is removable, and cut to the exact shape of the bass body

[4001]

DO NOT TOUCH!

[VanillaThundah]

Yeah that gun case idea is a pretty solid one, might get one for myself!

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by CrispyDelicious

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Gun case...

Cool thing about is when you show up, people expect to be blown away!

But wouldn't it now be an "axe case"?

[DavidLopezJr]

Gun case? I'm a minor and have no idea where to go to get one. Guessing gun store? ha

[totallyfrozen]

Originally Posted by DavidLopezJr

Gun case? I'm a minor and have no idea where to go to get one. Guessing gun store? ha

You can get a gun case at Wal-Mart. You don't have to be 18 to buy a gun case cuz they don't sell them with a gun inside.

[CrispyDelicious]

Originally Posted by DavidLopezJr

Gun case? I'm a minor and have no idea where to go to get one. Guessing gun store? ha

I have no idea The luthier who made my bass picked it up somewhere in the southern US while he was working his 'day job' (trucker).

[Hoover]

I keep all my basses in decent quality gig bags, standing up vertically in a closet in my apartment...except for the one that I leave at the rehearsal studio; that one lives in a Fender-style plywood hardshell case stored on a shelf 4' off the ground.

When transporting them, they all travel in one of those aforementioned gig bags...unless someone else besides me is going to be handling them. The minute I find out that I won't be responsible for my instruments' transport, they come out of the gig bag and go into an Anvil ATA-series flight case.

[MatticusMania]

I patrol the perimeter of my house with a Louisville Slugger.

[bassgod94]

hard shell case for my Jay Turser violin body bass, fits nice and tight in the fabric lined case and only cost me $50

[Mekanamom]

My short scale Mustang fits perfectly in the short scale hard case from Rondo. $49 + shipping.

I've only had it about 6 months... but so far so good. The bass fits in there snugly. Latches seem solid.

[plangentmusic]

If you use a gig bag and keep it nearby, nothing will happen to it. It's when it's out of your sight that bad stuff happens. Most anyone who gigs a lot will tire of carrying a hard case.

[Munjibunga]

In Case double bag. Even the Fodera rides around in it.

[Chowowbus]

I have a Gator hardshell or my G&L softshell, I switch between the two depending on what I am doing.
While my two battle babies are at home, they each sit in these pos cheapie tri-pod stands that need to be replaced.
I have yet to find a stand I like yet...

[Spraeg]

I have the OHSC for my Carvin, an SKB Flight Case for my Schecter, and a cheapo Gig Bag for my Dean, which lives on a wall hanger in my room. I've been happy with my SKB, had it for about a year and a half, with no complaints. The latches have plastic housings, but I've knocked the case around plenty with no issues and no damage to the contents, plus it has plenty of storage for cables, strap, etc...