going on a lil tour. have questions

varunkapahi · #1 10-20-2008, 12:22 PM

hey all, on friday i am leaving with my band on a little trip to the part of my country (its two cities - four gigs). we'd be traveling by train and then cabs once we are there. now should i be carrying my bass in my gig bag or this cheap ass hard shell i have got? images-

if i go for the gig bag then it would be easy to lug around with my other bags..... on the other hand the hard case would be no doubt a little pita to carry around. i don't really know what the situation could be like really, not even if this hard shell would really protect my bass or not?

of course i would not be throwing around my bass anyhow, so please advise. and sorry no carrots (this is a very serious issue, i love my bass) also the gig bag is also nothing strong. it is not a soft shell case at all, its kinda padded though. btw, i also have a pedal board which is along a flight case. i have two hands and a back to carry all i can. so i'd be pretty loaded. its a 10day tour

varunkapahi · #2 10-20-2008, 12:28 PM

and yes i would need to get some latches fixed to the hard case if plan to take it

Darkstrike · #3 10-20-2008, 12:31 PM

Gigbag, and put that into the case.

makaky · #4 10-20-2008, 12:32 PM

Both!!

On the road, use the hard case.

Inside, use the gig bag.

Dont leave your bass in the van

varunkapahi · #5 10-20-2008, 12:48 PM

thanks.... keep it coming!

SteveC · #6 10-20-2008, 12:56 PM

If you are always going to be in charge of/handling your bass, than gig bag.

varunkapahi · #7 10-20-2008, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

If you are always going to be in charge of/handling your bass, than gig bag.

yes its going to be me only.

coolrunner989 · #8 10-20-2008, 01:03 PM

i wouldnt use a case that wasnt molded to fit the bass pretty tightly - it seems like you'd be knocking it around on purpose if you put a bass in that thing with all the extra space in there. Gig bag then.
Gig bags also save space in the van, and weight in load ins/outs

varunkapahi · #9 10-20-2008, 01:24 PM

i liked darkstrike's idea i'd pack the bass in the gig bag and that then into the hardcase and stuff around to make sure it doesnt get knocked around inside

Dkerwood · #10 10-20-2008, 01:41 PM

Man, if you're just riding the train and then taking cabs and will have the axe with you at all times, I'd just use the gig bag. No sense in using the heavier case if you're not even going to be tossing it into a van or something.

DudeistMonk · #11 10-20-2008, 01:42 PM

that hard case looks like it would just transfer impact directly to your bass...I say use both if you can, if not go gig bag, or pad that thing with some packing foam or something.

RCCollins · #12 10-20-2008, 01:43 PM

Safety first. Fix the hinges, get some cushions to keep your bass in place, and use the hardcase. If it gets scraped up, it was cheap, and it protected your bass.

StyleOverShow · #13 10-20-2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dkerwood

Man, if you're just riding the train and then taking cabs and will have the axe with you at all times, I'd just use the gig bag. No sense in using the heavier case if you're not even going to be tossing it into a van or something.

Have to agree with the portability of the gig bag and that case doesn't look too strong at all, however, the gig bag won't protect it against scrapes and crushes, however unintentional but always seem to happen on the road, like that poor case. Use bungees on the case at least!

Good luck and enjoy your tour. Namaste

varunkapahi · #14 10-20-2008, 02:06 PM

Namaste!
thanks for all the replies so far. i still have a couple of days, would talk to the band members too. both the guitarists in the band have solid hard cases though

AlembicPlayer · #15 10-20-2008, 02:12 PM

depends on the bass..
if it's the fender squire in the photo...then gig bag!

velvetphil · #16 10-20-2008, 02:17 PM

Gig bag. I just went on a ten day tour in a van with a crapload of other stuff, and the gig bag did fine. A good, VERY PADDED one, mind you, like a Levy's or an Incase, would be better than the hard case. Lighter too. No reason to bring both.

Lazylion · #17 10-21-2008, 10:50 AM

I voted hard case. But is there any way you could buy a better one before you go? If that's not an option, pack your undies in there with your bass.

Here's a trick I learned long ago from a guitarist who was a member of the Wrecking Crew in L.A. Get an old inner tube from a tire store (if you can still find inner tubes...?). Cut cross-sections out of it, like a giant rubber band. Stretch the bands over the end of the case, and position them right over the latches. This will keep the case closed, and protect the latches too. And they can't come unhooked, like a bungee might. Works best on rectangular cases, I'm not sure about that case you have there. This is a great idea for airline travel, I've used them several times, they work!

ashtray · #18 10-21-2008, 11:09 AM

I'd go with the gig bag, if it is decent enough to protect it from bumping in to things.

Seeing how you are in India, and will be traveling by cab to different places - and I'm not sure how big the trunks are for all your stuff - it would be much easier to hold the bass at all times. Also, the gig bag allows you to carry the rest of your stuff much easier.

And yes - a bad hardcase is no friend at all. I've seen cases open up while carrying them and the instrument just falls right out on to the ground. Ka-thunk!

varunkapahi · #19 10-22-2008, 12:12 PM

my bass got knicked and dented yesterday. leaving for the tour in 36 hours and to make matters worse there is a used hard case going for sale i my city but I JUST DON'T HAVE NO MONEY AT ALL

JustOpenYourMind · #20 10-22-2008, 12:20 PM

Man, a hardcase is the only option, doing gigs with a gigbag is just like driving without your safety belt, sure a lot of people will tell you they use a gigbag and nothing ever happens, the day something big and heavy falls on your bass or when somebody smacks it hard with something you'll be happy if it's in a hardshell case and sorry if it's in a gigbag.