Advice: Fender Vintage Case or SKB?

ghostsontheroad · #1 12-30-2010, 09:51 AM

I need a little advice here...I have a pretty nice bass. It's a '72 P-bass that came in the Orange lined, black Fender with white piping case. The case is really cool, but it seems my SKB hardshell would possibly be better at protecting my vintage bass. I know that people really want the vintage fender cases... I guess I just want to know how many people rely on their vintage cases and how many say, "Upgrade!"
Reasons?

Thanks!

M.R. Ogle · #2 12-30-2010, 10:03 AM

Keep the original case. It's protected the bass for several decades now just fine. It's part of the authentic coolness of your instrument.

UNLESS... You're going to be extensively touring, gigging, loading in and out with it, enough that you might crunch it up. Then get a Road case or an SKB, beat the crap outa that instead.

(I have a road case that my vintage tweed Fender case totally fits INSIDE, BTW)

JGR · #3 12-30-2010, 10:06 AM

The SKB cases seem nice, but I'm not sure they are that durable. I just had a bass shipped to me in one (case was new from GC), and the side had a big crack in it. Box did not show any signs of abuse. I would stick with wood cases.

ghostsontheroad · #4 12-30-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.R. Ogle

Keep the original case. It's protected the bass for several decades now just fine. It's part of the authentic coolness of your instrument.

UNLESS... You're going to be extensively touring, gigging, loading in and out with it, enough that you might crunch it up. Then get a Road case or an SKB, beat the crap outa that instead.

(I have a road case that my vintage tweed Fender case totally fits INSIDE, BTW)

Well, We play a few shows a month and are booking weekend tours, it is my main bass...I definitely take the case out all the time.

tkcthulu · #5 12-30-2010, 10:10 AM

SKB cases are just badass

Caca de Kick · #6 12-30-2010, 10:19 AM

What I do is store my vintage cases in the attic, and buy new tolex or tweed cases to gig my basses with.

StuartV · #7 12-30-2010, 10:45 AM

If you're always going to be the only one to handle your case, then rock it. If you're ever going to have other people grabbing it and carrying it out to the van and loading it for you (etc.), get an SKB hardshell. Nobody else is going to put the same effort into making sure your vintage case doesn't get the tolex ripped, or handles or latches broken, like you will.

ghostsontheroad · #8 12-30-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuartV

making sure your vintage case doesn't get the tolex ripped, or handles or latches broken, like you will.

I'm not worried at all about the condition of the case. I'm worried about the condition of the bass. I'm just wondering which case would protect the bass more...is the SKB hardshell more resistant to temperature changes? Is it a better shock absorber than the Vintage Fender cases?

GreggBummer · #9 12-30-2010, 10:49 AM

I have an SKB case that has moved a bass from Europe to the United States. The bass and case have criss crossed the continental US several times. It has been sat on, dropped, and abused. It is U-G-L-Y.

Not a scratch on the bass.

bassbully · #10 12-30-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

What I do is store my vintage cases in the attic, and buy new tolex or tweed cases to gig my basses with.

Yup..me too. My 70's case is in good shape but the handle is falling apart. I also feel the newer cases today protect the basses better. Put it away and buy a new case for gigs etc.

ghostsontheroad · #11 12-30-2010, 10:52 AM

decisions...decisions.

2-Sticks · #12 12-30-2010, 10:55 AM

Personally....I would store the vintage case, and grab a new style case like the SKB.

I have an old vintage tweed Fender case that came with my 79 P, I don't know if it's the original or not....but thats what I recieved it in. That case would not handle the rigors of the road.....not even a casual tour.

My SKB has been through h*ll and back, and shows it......but my basses don't!

C.Linton · #13 12-30-2010, 11:21 AM

My friend has a '72 Strat he bought new, and some years ago after a gig and he and his band mates were loading up the station wagon to go, the bass Player forgot about my friend's Strat that was sitting at the back of the car waiting to be laoded in, and he backed up right over it. The old style case (I believe it was the OHSC that came with the Strat) was demolished, but the guitar was remarkably unscathed.
I guess you could say it acted like a sacrificial "crumple zone" on a car.

ghostsontheroad · #14 01-02-2011, 04:16 AM

Do you think the older cases are less resistant to temperature change than the new ones?

Tusec · #15 01-02-2011, 06:06 AM

By resistant to temperature change do you mean how well insulated they are? I'm going to say they're in the same ballpark but more importantly that neither will keep your bass from reaching whatever the ambient temperature is over an extended period of time. IOW, if you put your bass in the unheated trunk of your car or belly of a Greyhound bus, your bass is going to be cold in probably less than an hour regardless of the case.

In terms of exactly how long it takes to reach ambient, I guess it comes down to thick plywood with fairly thin padding versus thin plastic with fairly thick padding. I'm not sure who wins that one.

Slowgypsy · #16 01-02-2011, 06:59 AM

Both my Fenders... AV62RI & MIA P... travel only their G & G cases. Those cases have been tossed about plenty, and they do look like they've been used, but structurally they're still doing their job, which is protect the instruments inside. I also had a case cover made that I use when I have to airline check the cases... it's just added insurance that the latches don't accidentally open, etc. I like these cases so much that my newest main player... old fretless Stingray... that I had G & G make it a case. The other reason I like these cases is, I don't like to take my shoulder strap off, I like to leave it on the instrument. And the newer "foam fit all around" cases don't really let me do that nearly as easy as the vintage style cases. There's probably a lot to say about cases using newer technologies, but I think there's a reason G & G has been around as long as it has. Just my $.02

ghostsontheroad · #17 01-02-2011, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

Both my Fenders... AV62RI & MIA P... travel only their G & G cases.

Are G & G cases comparable to the 1970's fender Orange lined, Black Cases?

dogofgod · #18 01-02-2011, 11:15 AM

http://www.gatorcases.com/Default.as...atalogID=11131

This is what I use. It's from Gator Cases and it works really well. It will also hold a few boss pedals within its deep cavities as well.

Pilgrim · #19 01-02-2011, 11:40 AM

I have a '63 P and to me, the original case is fairly fragile. I use it, but I'm the only one who ever touches it. If in doubt, I use a molded TKL case that I also have - it fits my P, my J and my Schecter so it's really handy. I wouldn't use the original case extensively - it's part of the value of the instrument.

Slowgypsy · #20 01-02-2011, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostsontheroad

Are G & G cases comparable to the 1970's fender Orange lined, Black Cases?

G & G is who makes those cases for Fender. Old company based in LA. Cases are hand made, to order. And surprising inexpensive for what they are. I use mine, and before the advent of molded plastic cases, this is what the touring pros used. But there's probably a lot to be said for the new technology. Just my $.02