SKB Rectangular Electric Bass Soft Case?

Orpheus55 · #1 06-12-2010, 02:26 PM

Not to reopen the hardshell vs. gigbag controversy (I travel locally only, bass in the front seat), but I'm wondering if anyone out there has used one of the newer SKB hybrid bags (http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ase?sku=502468). I have a very nice Wolfpak for about the same price, but SKB's rep is a good one, and I'm thinking of getting this for my Classic 70s J. Any opinions?

Orpheus55 · #2 06-16-2010, 10:58 AM

These are apparently very new, as there are no reviews on them anywhere; wondering if the SKB lifetime warranty applies. Anyway, I will post a mini-review when it arrives, as I am sure this item would be of interest for those who want more than a bag but less weight than a hardshell.

grifff · #3 06-16-2010, 11:07 AM

I think I have one of the same sort of case but from a different brand. I like it because it offers a whole lot more protection than a gig bag but doesn't add a huge amount of weight like a hardshell. If it's anything like the one I have I think you will love it. I'm careful with my instruments and a soft case is probably all the protection that I will ever need.

cwop · #4 06-16-2010, 11:26 AM

I also have one similar.....looks the same but has a
Peavey tag on it. Got it from a local music store in
Kansas for about $55.00 as I recall. It is very light
weight and has room for cords and tuners and stuff.
Really like mine.

FunkMetalBass · #5 06-16-2010, 12:14 PM

I see that Guitar Center carries the Roadrunner brand of these suitcase luggage-style cases.

IMO, if it doesn't take up less room than my current hard cases, I don't have any reason to justify lower weight for my cases. I can only carry two hard cases at a time anyway.

I'll stick with the hard cases.

rmars · #6 10-13-2010, 09:32 PM

Bought one of these (1SKB-SC44) in March and it's already pretty much shot.

In August the screws came out of all three hinges. Upon inspection I found they randomly used different sized screws. I would assume they stripped holes out when they assembled it and replace the stripped ones with larger screws. To attach the cheap hinges to the wooden support inside they used primarily machine screws vs. wood screws.

To be fair I contacted SKB and they were willing to warranty it but I wasn't willing to spend $35.00 to ship back a case that cost $79.00 and was defective because of poor assembly. SKB did finally agree to send a call tag but by that point I had repaired it myself to use for gigs that week.

Today the fabric lid straps got stuck in the zipper for the millionth time and while trying to get it unstuck the zipper seam started to rip away from the case. The zipper it's self seems on it's last leg.

While I have owned and enjoyed many SKB racks and cases I just can't recommend this case as there are just too many design flaws.

For the record it was barely used the first few month has been used about 3 times a week from June till now. Maybe I expect to much and was being cheap not going with a higher end case like a Mono or a IGig but because is said SKB I assumed it would be quality.

throbgod13 · #7 10-13-2010, 09:44 PM

you would be better off with a good quality gigbag, rather than one of those.. for about 20 bucks more you could get a hardshell SKB Freedom case.. the cheaper SKB line..

they are actually more trouble than a hardshell.. at least the hardshell can take impacts and opens/closes without wrestling the zipper..

i have a similar case for my Conklin GT7.. it's one of the worse cases i've ever owned..

bassbenj · #8 10-13-2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by throbgod13

you would be better off with a good quality gigbag, rather than one of those.. for about 20 bucks more you could get a hardshell SKB Freedom case.. the cheaper SKB line..

they are actually more trouble than a hardshell.. at least the hardshell can take impacts and opens/closes without wrestling the zipper..

i have a similar case for my Conklin GT7.. it's one of the worse cases i've ever owned..

Totally agree. I've got the same Conklin case... and of gig bag, this one and hard shell, this one gets last place. Big hassle to open and close, better protection than a gig bag but still not as great as hard case. Personally I'm a throw all the crap in the back of the van or pickup kind of guy so hard cases are important to me. These things seemed like a nice light alternative to schlepping a hard case around, but once you start to use it in a practical situation, you see it's not as nice as you thought.