recommend "micro amp-friendly" gig bags

[lmichaels]

Hi everyone

I just got myself a micro amp (GB shuttle 6.0). Big part of its appeal is the portability: I want to throw it in my gig bag together with my bass and just carry a cab. I do not want to carry a third, separate volume (ie, a separate amp bag) since I always take public transportation and also to avoid misplacing such an expensive, small "package".

I know that gig bags have been discussed to death here on TB, but I am wondering if someone could recommend a decent one that

1. has a protective, padded pocket for a micro amp
2. is on the lighter/simpler side, rather than the fancy, space-age kind (iGig, Mono, Incase, etc), which I find total overkill to carry my bass on me

For what it is worth, I have a cheap bass (Peavey BXP 5-string) and have been using the "top-of-the-line" padded Kaces gig bag (roughly $40 or so) very happily. The only issue is its external pocket (where I could fit the GB Shuttle) is not padded and leaves my new, expensive amp totally exposed to bumps and other damage, while adequately protecting my bass (that cost a third of the amp's price... ).

Any advice on how to keep my most expensive piece of gear in one piece while conveniently carrying it would be most welcome.

thanks!
~louie

[bassmanbiff]

laptop bags work great for this.

[lmichaels]

hi bassmanbiff

thanks! however i would prefer if i could find a gig bag where i could stash both my bass as well as my micro amp.

any tips?

thanks!

~l

[PolkaHero]

I ended up buying a Fender Deluxe Double Gig Bag. Although my Markbass LMII will fit into the front pocket, it's not padded so I put it in one of the bass compartments. Only cost $35 and haven't had any issues so far. Plus it has good backpack straps and plenty of pockets for storage.

[pasta4lnch]

I dunno how big the shuttle is, but the pocket on my mooridian is pretty big. it's not totally padded but nothing a towel can't fix. . .

fwiw I loaded up my gig bag when I 1st got it and now favor a few bags. . . it was just too heavy and cumbersome.

[lmichaels]

Originally Posted by PolkaHero

I ended up buying a Fender Deluxe Double Gig Bag. Although my Markbass LMII will fit into the front pocket, it's not padded so I put it in one of the bass compartments. Only cost $35 and haven't had any issues so far. Plus it has good backpack straps and plenty of pockets for storage.

PolkaHero, that a practical and very cool idea. Hadn't crossed my mind. Have you been using it for a while or is it a new setup for you?

Also, I compared the dimensions and your LMII is almost exactly the same size as my shuttle. Does it fit well in the 2nd bass compartment or (with its 2.8" height, a good bit more than a regular instrument body) bulge noticeably?

thanks!
~l

[lmichaels]

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

I dunno how big the shuttle is, but the pocket on my mooridian is pretty big. it's not totally padded but nothing a towel can't fix. . .

fwiw I loaded up my gig bag when I 1st got it and now favor a few bags. . . it was just too heavy and cumbersome.

hi pasta4inch -

i also thought of going the "add my own padding way" (using the bag i already have and like, the kaces), but then thought that i would have it all "upside down": most valuable item protected by a towel, and my easier-to-replace bass safely inside all that padding.

weight-wise, i like this peavey precisely because it is absurdly light, so I won't mind adding those <4 pounds of the shuttle.

cheers!
~l

[lmichaels]

if anybody else has experiences they want to share about safely carrying a small amp in their bass gig bag, please go ahead! : )

thanks!
~l

[PolkaHero]

Originally Posted by lmichaels

PolkaHero, that a practical and very cool idea. Hadn't crossed my mind. Have you been using it for a while or is it a new setup for you?

Also, I compared the dimensions and your LMII is almost exactly the same size as my shuttle. Does it fit well in the 2nd bass compartment or (with its 2.8" height, a good bit more than a regular instrument body) bulge noticeably?

thanks!
~l

This is actually the second Fender gig bag I've done this with. The older model I was using didn't have very good backpack straps and didn't have as much pocket space. Fender has definitely improved their bags in that respect. Plus it was starting to wear through on the bottom. These bags aren't built as well as some of the more expensive models, but if I can get several years out of one that's good enough for my needs. The Markbass fits well, no noticeable bulge. This also allows me to carry my music binder in the large front pocket even though the Markbass would fit.

[lmichaels]

Originally Posted by PolkaHero

This is actually the second Fender gig bag I've done this with. The older model I was using didn't have very good backpack straps and didn't have as much pocket space. Fender has definitely improved their bags in that respect. Plus it was starting to wear through on the bottom. These bags aren't built as well as some of the more expensive models, but if I can get several years out of one that's good enough for my needs. The Markbass fits well, no noticeable bulge. This also allows me to carry my music binder in the large front pocket even though the Markbass would fit.

thank you so much for sharing your experiences, i think i am going to order one of these and give your method a try.