Are Gig Bags Safe?

[Moofknock]

Moofknock here!

As much as I love my case [This invalid link has been removed]

It's kinda too big for me to take it to my classes. I've been thinking about gig bags but They seem so flimsy. Are they actually good for taking them out for a short time? Are they safe?

Any recommendations?

 

[ModuMan]

Are they safe?

Oh, they're perfectly safe. It's your bass that's in trouble. /Hitchhiker'd


Gig bags are fine for carrying around and mild car trips. Any serious travel where it will get banged around and you will probably want a hard case.

 

[yellofury]

I feel mine are safe but they are only going for a trip from my house to church
I use a World Tour double bass deluxe gig bag

heres a good compromise if your bass will fit:
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[Marginal Tom]

A good (but expensive) gig bag is about as safe as a hardshell case. A decent (mid-priced) gig bag will protect your bass under normal circumstances. A cheap one will probably keep your bass dry, and should keep all of the pieces of your bass in one place if you have an accident.

 

[stevethebassguy]

i fly with my Mono bags....and have yet to have a problem.....however i always do a gate check, and never travel with anything of high value....but day to day...I carry a 67 P-bass around in it all the time...

 

[throbgod13]

it depends on the gig bag.. a cheapo is about as safe as carrying it around on it's strap.. a nice bag, can protect it from light bumps and scuffs.. but, it's just not a hard shell case..

if you learn to have the attitude that the bag is there for convenience of carry, and not for protection, you're one step ahead.. if you bump into things and are generally not careful with your bass.. get a light hard shell..

if you're going to get a gig bag, look at the iGig bags, Incase bags and the Mono bags.. none of these are cheap.. in fact, are more expensive than the average SKB case.. SKB has the "Freedom" models which are basically 80 bucks.. decent protection, light weight, typical SKB.. the interior stinks like the older factory Ibanez cases..

choices.. choices..

 

[elgecko]

It depends. The cheapest ones will protect your bass from getting dirty. The better ones will provide far more protection. If you wanna buy your last gig bag, look into this guy's work.

glenn cronkhite custom cases

 

[DylanB]

I use one of these: Invalid Link Removed

I throw it in the back of the van all the time and it's fine. I try and make sure it's always at the top, but it's semi-hard so it can withstand quite a lot of bumps/bad driving.

 

[Kipaste]

Only reason I'd use a hardshell is for shipping or extensive travel.
I've been carrying my basses in gig bags for fifteen years and never had a problem. They will protect from small bumps and such, but naturally they won't take any abuse. As long as you get a decent quality one and don't throw it around, you'll be fine.

 

[phatbass]

If I'm the ONLY one who's gonna be carrying/loading it, I'm perfectly happy with gig bags and prefer them to hardcases from a space perspective. If ANYONE else is gonna be involved in the transportation, it's hardcase time...

 

[carlos840]

If you spend the money you can get a gig back that will offer all the protection you need for everyday carrying!
I probably wouldnt go on a tour with roadies with one but if im doing unloading/loading i dont mind!

IMO the best fabric gig bags are the MONO ones, the best leather ones are Harvest (harvest Leather, made in Germany) they are a lot tougher than even the most expensive Levy's...

 

[MegaSwing]

The main thing a HSC protects against is a high-velocity impact. Most instruments never even come close to an event like that. Seems to me an instrument is in more danger out in the open than inside ANY case. Moreover, solid-body instruments by nature are nearly indestructible. After years and years of resisting gig bags, now I use nothing else. (Double bags are awesome.) The convenience factor is indisputable. Gig bags are just easier to load, unload, maneuver, and stow, especially in tight quarters.

 

[IngerAlb]

Depends on the gig bag; most will protect your bass when traveling from one location to another, but some can withstand a lot of abuse I had a Roadrunner gigbag and that thing took a lot of punishment - at one time it was inside the truck that carried all the stuff for the tour and a heavy stage prop fell over it (someone shovelled it in there without too much thinking...); when we opened the back of the truck, it looked like the headstock was broken in 2, judging by how the gig bag was hanging over a bunch of boxes...much to my surprise, the bass was ok Sadly after 5 years the zipper broke off...so I don't have it anymore.

 

[dalkowski]

There's no substitute for a hard case. I tote my 77 P around town in a Fender gig bag, but it never leaves my side (it even rides shotgun, usually). But if it travels in a van with everyone else's gear and the chance of other apes handling it, it goes in a hard case.

 

[ondaone]

I just recently switched back to a gig bag, LOVE IT...

I can just throw it on my shoulder wheel my amp in and away we go. I have a fender gig bag, the one that come with the MIM stuff, good bag, picked it up used for 15 bucks, it was brand new the guy just prefered HSC.

HSC are nice but bulky and I have put more dings in my walls than I ever have dings in a bass.

like the general overveiw though if I am going on a road trip to a gig I throw it in the HSC , just make me feel better when I am a couple hours away from a third bass back up goes in the gig bag though ....one is none right...

cya
jim

 

[JoeyZ]

The HSC putting dings in your walls is the exact reason you have it in the HSC in the first place.. So those dings don't end up on your bass..

Like most are saying, if I'm going to practice it goes in a gigbag. I ride my bike to practice, and it'd not be ideal to try to be carrying a HSC..
If I'm going to a show, definitely without a doubt I'm bringing it in a HSC.

 

[davidjbass]

I have been using gig bags for years. I use Mooradian ones. I have never had any damage to any of my basses from using them. Oh course if you chuck them into a van or a trailer with all kinds of amps and speakers you might be taking your chances. But as long as you set the bag down easy and don't lay anything heavy on top it your bass should be safe. I can never go back to hauling any of my basses in thier cases again. To big and to heavy.

 

[electracoyote]

I think if you are very careful with your bass, a gig bag might suffice. However, the true "bags" are not designed for anything beyond keeping the bass free from dust and scratches. Now, there are hybrid "bags" which incorporate stiff styrofoam, and that might actually prevent a blow from doing damage.

I always play it safe and use a decent hardshell. I've seen the result of gig bag injuries too many times--not pretty.

 

[LennyPenny]

I have two bags: Ritter (don't know the model) which has fairly thick padding and flimsy Fender bag. The Ritter feels really solid when my guitar is in it; Fender feels very "loose" and floppy, even with a guitar in it. Wouldn't trust the Fender one unless I kept it by side at all times.

I don't plan on buying a case until I have to move it around a lot with, which I don't at the moment, beside the occasional trip to my local music store. Since I don't have a car, a bag makes more sense for ease of transportation.

 

[Sleeq]

I have a vintage style Fender hardcase, and for me it's a bother to have it always.

I use a Fender deluxe gig bag and it does the job, even on flights.

I don't trust airlines to check my bass in a hardcase and have it end up somewhere in Albuquerque.