Incase Dub Bag vs. Lowend Double Gig Bag

[vision]

I need to bring two basses to some gigs coming up, so I'm goign to get a double gig bag to carry them. I am currently considering the Incase Dub bag, and the Lowend leather double gig bags. I like the hybrid nature of the Incase (my single bag of choice is the similar Sadowsky Portabag), but I also like the fact that the Lowend bag has dual zippers so I can unzip the axe of my choice.

Has anyone seen both of these bags in person? Is there another high quality double bag out there that I'm forgetting? Any comments will be helpful.

[KJung]

Hey Jason!

Both great bags. The InCase DUB back is very well made, but it's a horse... quite heavy, big, and it has some design problems. There is only a single zipper, and you need to lay the back flat to take the basses out. If you want to use the 'bottom' bass, you have to take the top one out first.

Steve has one of the Low End leathers, and it's quite nice, so between those two, I like the Low End.

I have a Fodera double bag (I'm sure it's made by somebody else). It has two completely separate zipper pockets, lot's of padding, very lightweight, and lot's of external pocket space. It's the best double bag I've experienced... except... a full size J bass is a little snug in the length. However, it's the same size as your Reunion Blues bag, so a J will fit.

[CraigG]

I just purchased a Gator Deluxe Slinger Double Bass Gig Bag. Very nice, well designed gig bag for only $100. Musicians Friend has them.

Craig

[vision]

Originally Posted by KJung

There is only a single zipper, and you need to lay the back flat to take the basses out. If you want to use the 'bottom' bass, you have to take the top one out first.

Yep, that's my problem with the Dub, it looks really awkward to take the basses out. I also don't like that little divider between the basses...the Lowend is basically like two separate gigbags stitched together, so it's easy to take one or the other out.

[vision]

We need an accessory forum here for topics like this...there realy isn't a good place to talk about gig bags or tuners or hardware.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by vision

We need an accessory forum here for topics like this...there realy isn't a good place to talk about gig bags or tuners or hardware.

Good point.


I voted for the Incase Dub-Bag. I really love my Slimbag. I've never really been one for gig bags before, as I just don't trust them for protection. But when I got turned onto the InCase stuff, that all changed. I know that the slimbag is heavier than the similar portabag, but it isn't that bad. I also understand that two basses together (about 20lbs) inside an DubBag (approx 15 lbs) could be a little much for the shoulder, but are you planning on carrying it long distances?

Also, do you ever plan on using a double bag and not taking the both out of it? If it was me, and I felt I needed a double bag, I wouldn't hesitate to get the InCase Dub-Bag.

[vision]

Originally Posted by xgabriele

I voted for the Incase Dub-Bag. I really love my Slimbag. I've never really been one for gig bags before, as I just don't trust them for protection. But when I got turned onto the InCase stuff, that all changed.

Yep, that's why I got my Portabag, to have more protection than a standard gig bag.

Also, do you ever plan on using a double bag and not taking the both out of it?

Yes, actually. I don't want to have to take both basses out, I'll leave one in the bag most of the time. If I'm bringing both basses to a gig, that's usually because I'm playing different types of music in the different sets. For example, I may be playing a jazz type set starting the evening out and then doing a couple dance/funk sets later. I'll switch basses in between sets.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by vision

Yep, that's why I got my Portabag, to have more protection than a standard gig bag.



Yes, actually. I don't want to have to take both basses out, I'll leave one in the bag most of the time. If I'm bringing both basses to a gig, that's usually because I'm playing different types of music in the different sets. For example, I may be playing a jazz type set starting the evening out and then doing a couple dance/funk sets later. I'll switch basses in between sets.

Ah, makes sense. Though I'm sure the Low End double bag is very nice, it just wouldn't be the bag I would choose for myself. I don't really see the InCase Dub Bag as being that much of a hassle to just move one bass out of the way to get at the other, and I would rather have the rigid protection it has.

[burk48237]

Here's a great review of the Low end from Wilbey. I love mine, and I'm with KJung, while I love the Sadowsky porta bag, the incase double is almost too big. Might as well just get a double flight case.


LowEnd double leather gig bag! (kind of a review, with pics)

[vision]

Originally Posted by burk48237

while I love the Sadowsky porta bag, the incase double is almost too big. Might as well just get a double flight case.

Yep...that Incase Dub is HUGE. It looks like a cello case or something. I'm pretty sure that I'll be going with the Lowend bag.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by burk48237

Here's a great review of the Low end from Wilbey. I love mine, and I'm with KJung, while I love the Sadowsky porta bag, the incase double is almost too big. Might as well just get a double flight case.


LowEnd double leather gig bag! (kind of a review, with pics)

Great review with lots of pics! It looks like the Low End bag is really very nice! I don't think you would be dissapointed with that at all.

[pointbass]

My Incase Dub was snatched at a festival we were playing about 2 years ago (luckily no basses were in the bag) and I was forced into getting the Gator Double as a temporary solution. After just a couple of gigs with the Gator (two zippers, two separate compartments) I had zero desire to go back to the Incase.

I'm old, and I hated having to lay that Incase bag flat just to get basses out ... too much bending for my old knees . The quality of the Incase is much higher than the Gator, but the Gator isn't bad. Nearly two years of steady gigging, carrying two ERB's (a 7 & a 6) and the Gator is still in great condition.

I recently picked up a LowEnd single bag used from a TBer and it is the finest gig bag I have ever owned. When it's time to replace the Gator I'll be getting a LE double bag .... sure, it's expensive but it is extraordinarily well constructed.

But really, I don't miss the Incase Dub at all .... that bag design is not old-man user friendly ....

[Gard]

I'll throw a spanner into the works now...

...I've got an Undercover double, and it's bulletproof. It only has one zipper, but it's designed so that you can take either bass out seperately, and you don't need to lay the bag down to take a bass out.

The Fodera bag that KJung mentioned is a TKL version of the Undercover and it's excellent (I know this because the Roscoe double bag is too! ) as well.

[vision]

Originally Posted by pointbass

and I hated having to lay that Incase bag flat just to get basses out

This is also what I'm thinking. With the Incase Slim single bag and the Sadowsky Portabag it isn't a problem, you can easily take your bass out in any position. But that Dub bag looks like it would be such a chore having to fint a large enough flat surface to lay it on, then unzip it and have to remove both basses...

I'm going with the Lowend! The quality of construction and thickness of the padding makes me feel better about it as a traditional gig bag instead of hybrid design.

[vision]

Well, I'm back at square one because the Low End bags currently have a 10-12 week wait time and I'll need a double bag before that...

I may check out the Undercover bags.

[jasonbraatz]

Originally Posted by Gard

I'll throw a spanner into the works now...

...I've got an Undercover double, and it's bulletproof. It only has one zipper, but it's designed so that you can take either bass out seperately, and you don't need to lay the bag down to take a bass out.

The Fodera bag that KJung mentioned is a TKL version of the Undercover and it's excellent (I know this because the Roscoe double bag is too! ) as well.

I had a Lakland-branded Undercover for a few years and HATED it. HATED. The case itself was fine. It had plenty of padding and I never concerned myself throwing it in the back of a loaded trailer. My issue was with the straps and the pads for the straps. They would continuously twist and bunch inside the pads making it really, really uncomfortable to wear backpack style. I did not know pain until I had to walk from one end of O'Hare to the other with that beast on my back. Also, it was too small for a 4 string Fender. What's up with that?

Right now I'm rocking the Incase Dub, and like it a lot more. Yes, I look like I have a rocket booster on my back when it's worn backpack style. It's freaking gigantic. Yes, it's kind of heavy. Yes it's a little awkward to get the bottom bass out when it's not lying flat (but it's doable.) The protection is outstanding, it's built beautifully, and most importantly it is really comfortable to wear backpack style. The straps are built like a really good camping backpack - fantastic padded straps THAT CAN'T TWIST, padded belt strap, chest strap, and a very well padded back brace. It's heavy and it's tall, but I'd rather walk around with this thing on my back than any other.

[pointbass]

Yeah, I can see that point of view Jason ^^^^^ ... Especially if your gigs require a bunch of travel, that Incase does have very good backpack components .... far better than anything else I've ever owned. Except for the double-bass-stack thing, it's a quality bag, for sure ...

The Gator strap system is kinda funky, as are the handles (too thin to handle the weight IMO). The gig bag itself is fine on the Gator, but the straps and handles are not equal to the quality of the bag.

[vision]

Originally Posted by jasonbraatz

I had a Lakland-branded Undercover for a few years and HATED it. HATED. The case itself was fine. It had plenty of padding and I never concerned myself throwing it in the back of a loaded trailer. My issue was with the straps and the pads for the straps. They would continuously twist and bunch inside the pads making it really, really uncomfortable to wear backpack style. I did not know pain until I had to walk from one end of O'Hare to the other with that beast on my back. Also, it was too small for a 4 string Fender. What's up with that?

Right now I'm rocking the Incase Dub, and like it a lot more. Yes, I look like I have a rocket booster on my back when it's worn backpack style. It's freaking gigantic. Yes, it's kind of heavy. Yes it's a little awkward to get the bottom bass out when it's not lying flat (but it's doable.) The protection is outstanding, it's built beautifully, and most importantly it is really comfortable to wear backpack style. The straps are built like a really good camping backpack - fantastic padded straps THAT CAN'T TWIST, padded belt strap, chest strap, and a very well padded back brace. It's heavy and it's tall, but I'd rather walk around with this thing on my back than any other.

That sounds good, it's nice that you can actually use it on your back. Maybe I'll get one of those and if I eventually don't like it switch to the Low End.

I checked with Glenn Cronkhite about a custom double bag, but his are really expensive ($375) and don't really meet my design goals since they have single zippers.

[Tony G]

Originally Posted by vision

Well, I'm back at square one because the Low End bags currently have a 10-12 week wait time and I'll need a double bag before that...

I may check out the Undercover bags.

Well, I suggest then that you buy the InCase Dub Bag, and if you don't like it, sell it to me at a great discounted price.

[vision]

Originally Posted by xgabriele

Well, I suggest then that you buy the InCase Dub Bag, and if you don't like it, sell it to me at a great discounted price.