Softcase/Gigbag/something inbetween.

Thunder_Fingers · #1 11-06-2006, 06:41 AM

So, i need a little help.
I want a gigbag, but a realy, realy solid one, but not anything with wooden plates in it(atleast not in the back)

What i want:
*Solid Gig bag/can be a softcase, but have to be same size as a gig bag so i can fit it on the bus in the rush hour with out people looking at me like i was the devil or something....
*if its not shaped like a standard gigbag, it should be shaped something like the Incase Slimbag or the ProTec Contego.
*Much room for pedals, cables, strings and such.
*Have to be comfortable to carry, i used to own a ritter softcase, exelent fit and everything, but the wooden plate in the back killed my back.

so far on my list i have:
* ProTec Contego Bass
* Incase Slimbag(realy to expensive, but i should be able to aford it..)
*Undercover Single gigbag, heard great stuff about it, and its what Fodera use for their basses, so it cant be bad.

Anyone got some ideas? The bass i want to protect is a Warwick Streamer LX4.. it aint "Much" but i realy love that bass..

P.S:
Anyone know about anyone who make custom gigbags?

KJung · #2 11-06-2006, 07:04 AM

I'm not familiar with the Pro Tec bag you mention.

I have a Fodera double bag that I assume is the same as the Undercover model. It's probably the best 'traditional' bag out there.... extremely lightweight, plenty of pocket space, and thick padding, including side walls... much more protection than most standard bags, and really lightweight. Very good quality. The only downside is that, with the Fodera model at least, it's a little too short to use easily with a full size J Bass type instrument.

The In Case Slim Bag is awesome, but as I've posted before, the change in design from the original is a slight negative to me... they how have the very cumbersom backpack style straps like the Dub bag. If you use a single strap, they work OK.

If you can spend the dollars for the In Case, I would recommend considering the new Sadowsky Porta-Bag, that looks very similar to the original In Case Slim Bag.

K

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #3 11-06-2006, 10:45 AM

The modern Fodera bags are the Estrella-made ones.

Tribal Planet and Body Glove both make gigbags that have a softshell-like wall around the whole gigbag. Access Bags has a Stage 5 model that is apparently the same thing, although they are only available at dealers of Access Bags, and they only allow smaller independant dealers to carry them.

Road Runner also has a new softshell/gigbag combo, but last I checked they were only available at GC stores....GC online only had the standard Road Runner bags.

KJung · #4 11-06-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

The modern Fodera bags are the Estrella-made ones.

I seem to remember that now, and mine does look a little more 'substantial' than the older models/Undercover. That being said, it's a GREAT bag... featherweight and very strong while still being a traditional 'soft' bag... nice. I assume you could buy one directly from Estrella for less $ than with the Fodera badging?

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #5 11-06-2006, 11:03 AM

No idea- I tried emailing them once with no response....they're probably a call-in only sort of place.

The Low End gig bags aren't the foam-style soft case gig bags, but damned if that leather and super-thick padding doesn't make the bag very stiff and sturdy- I love mine. The folks who make them also do custom orders apparently (TB's Lokire is getting a custom one for his 30' Kinal Kompact). There's another custom maker in Colorado that I can't recall the name of at the moment- they used to be American Cases or something like that.

KJung · #6 11-06-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

No idea- I tried emailing them once with no response....they're probably a call-in only sort of place.

The Low End gig bags aren't the foam-style soft case gig bags, but damned if that leather and super-thick padding doesn't make the bag very stiff and sturdy- I love mine. The folks who make them also do custom orders apparently (TB's Lokire is getting a custom one for his 30' Kinal Kompact). There's another custom maker in Colorado that I can't recall the name of at the moment- they used to be American Cases or something like that.

+1 on the Low End bags also. I got to check out Burke's double, and it's very nice... very well made, lot's of padding, maybe a little heavy (probably due to the leather), but not bad, and a GREAT price/value.

Craig Garfinkel · #7 11-06-2006, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

If you can spend the dollars for the In Case, I would recommend considering the new Sadowsky Porta-Bag, that looks very similar to the original In Case Slim Bag.

K

I've been pondering getting one of these too. What I didn't like about the "old" InCase Slim Bag was that it was too much case and not enough gigbag, if you can dig it. It looks like Roger's bag is more gigbag than case, but with greater protection. Roger's bag is several pounds lighter than the new InCase Slim Bags...which was my other gripe about the InCase. Too heavy for a "gigbag".

KJung · #8 11-06-2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Garfinkel

I've been pondering getting one of these too. What I didn't like about the "old" InCase Slim Bag was that it was too much case and not enough gigbag, if you can dig it. It looks like Roger's bag is more gigbag than case, but with greater protection. Roger's bag is several pounds lighter than the new InCase Slim Bags...which was my other gripe about the InCase. Too heavy for a "gigbag".

I hear what you are saying there. It didn't bother me much, since the original stap system on the original Slim Bag made it very comfortable to carry, and the storage was just unreal... EVERYTHING fit in the large front compartment. However, I agree with you that they are quite heavy. The DUB bag is so heavy as to be unuseable IME.

However, it is a little like those Zero G cases that Sadowsky and MTD use... more case than bag. Interestingly, if they modified those Zero G cases so that they had decent quality straps, those would be GREAT.... massive protection... just like a case, lighter than most gig bags, tons of storage. As they are now though, the straps are pretty useless.

Thunder_Fingers · #9 11-06-2006, 01:43 PM

Contacted the norwegian dealer about the sadowsky bag/case/thingy, ill expect to get a response tomorrow or so, it looked realy good,and roger is known for quality. though i would have liked it to have that "backpack" piece as the incase bags.

hmm.. thoose who made custom gigbags i might have to contact when i get my big explorer bass

sasred · #10 11-06-2006, 07:28 PM

Pitch in for the Body Glove bag. I love mine. Lots of storage (though pedals might be pushing it, you'd get cables and strings in no problem though), and three different ways to carry it--I usually use the backpack option. Just duck when you're coming up on a doorway.

tommixx · #11 11-06-2006, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunder_Fingers

Contacted the norwegian dealer about the sadowsky bag/case/thingy, ill expect to get a response tomorrow or so, it looked realy good,and roger is known for quality. though i would have liked it to have that "backpack" piece as the incase bags.

hmm.. thoose who made custom gigbags i might have to contact when i get my big explorer bass

I have one of the Sadowsky bags and have or have had all of the others mentioned and a few others that haven't been mentioned! I LOVE the Sadowsky design...it actually does have the backpack feature, you just leave it as delivered or take off one of the shoulder straps (on the side of YOUR choice) and bam! A single shoulder carry...really clever design...I have more stuff in it than I use to keep in my Incase (I had both the old and newer designs and preferred the original as well) and it is much lighter even with the addtional items! I have learned that if it has Sadowsky written on it somewhere the quality is definitely gonn be there!!! I HIGHLY recommend the Sadowsky....Good Luck!

Peace,

T

Nick Ioannucci · #12 11-07-2006, 09:46 AM

how much room does the pro tec have inside for cables and such? i have a protec bag for my upright and if i cleaned it you would think its brand new, when in fact its 3 years old, incredibly durable. i was going to get an access stage 5, but the protec peaks my interest, as it is the same price(about 100 give or take a few bucks). they both seem to have all of the same protection features, padding and pvc reinforcement, but the acces has a strap and whatever pocket, as well as a small detatchable backpack that seems to be able to hold ALOT of stuff. the protec doesnt seem to have as much storage. any one have any experience with that bag? i want as nice of a bag as i can get for 100 bucks or less, i cant see spending close to 200 for the low end bag, as beautiful as it is when it just doesnt have enough storage to warant the price. and then the incase, well i feel like that is a waste as either of the 2 bags im looking at should work just as well.