DB Choosing the right sized bag for my bass?

[Ed S]

My mediocre lightweight bag crapped out, so I need to buy a new one. I've been following along the discussion in the best bag thread. So I measured my bag, checked out Mooradian, Bobelock, Messina, Tuffbag, Tonarelli, and Cronkhite, and my head started to spin.

My big bass is an Upton Bohemian 7/8 hybrid flatback.
21.5" upper bout
28" lower bout
72-73" overall length
45.5" body length

Forget price, I'm just trying to figure out which bag comes the CLOSEST to being a good fit.

Oh yeah, my other bass is an Engle 3/4 ply. I'll be using the same bag for both basses, and I'd just as soon have a bag that the Engle won't be completely swimming in.

Price really doesn't matter TOO much, but if I can avoid it, I'd just as soon not piss away hundreds of $ - unless doing so gets me a clearly superior product.

So I was hoping some of you might have suggestions/experiences as to which measurements were the most important in bass bag sizing, which brands tend to run large/small, which dimensions on which bags might be adjustable - that sort of thing.

I guess I could go with a Messina custom for around $700 - but I'm not sure what the lead time is, and whether I could duct tape together my old bag for that long. Especially when, at $325 the Bobelock 7/8 - or possibly even the 3/4 - seems a pretty close fit. And the Tuffbag and Tonarelli look pretty good for under $500...

 

[Ed S]

I guess I ouhghtn't expect you all to do my comparison shopping for me!

Made a freaking spreadsheet, and so far Bobelock (not sure whether the 3/4 or 7/8 size) and the Tuff bag seem the front runners.

I'll make some calls tomorrow to get some specific info. Prices around $325 and $500 shipped are doable.

Some bags have one crazy measurment. Like the Tonarelli 7/8 shows a length of 81.25"! Is that for some huge C-extension or something?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

…

Some bags have one crazy measurment. Like the Tonarelli 7/8 shows a length of 81.25"! Is that for some huge C-extension or something?

Or a 5-string which has a longer pegbox.
My 4/4 or 7/8 5-string is about 2 meters long which is not far from 81”.

 

[Ron Lacey]

I had the same question a while back and got a similar response. I suspect it’s because most of us buy a bag every few decades and just don’t have much current info. I wound up with a Tuff Bag for my 3/4 Upton hybrid and it fits great. The lower bout dimensions were a hair larger than the bag but the bag had more depth than the bass needed, so it fit.

 

[Ed S]

Thx. I think either option would be fine for me. I was planning on taking more accurate measurements and making some phone calls today. In the other thread someone mentioned the Messina zipper possibly scratching. Which would not seem a good thing. And I just am not sure what about the Messina warrants an extra $150 over the Tuff Bag and $300 over the Bobelock? (I'm not going to be doing any heavy duty touring or anything.)

The Bobelock and the Tuff Bags look like such fine options. I'm not trying to cheap out, but my good bass is pretty nice but not some rare antique. I'm wondering what folk perceive they are getting from a Messina/Mooradian/Chronhite that justifies the extra couple hundo$?

The Tonarelli would be an option - if I wanted a color. But that 81.25" overall length kinda puts me off. I guess if I wanted a color, I coul dget a blue Tuff Bag...

Like you said, I hope not to have to go through this process for several years, so I want to make a choice I'll be happy with. Thx for the feedback.
One thing that I have periodically wondered is why bass cases do not have some sort of closure to reinforce/take pressure off of the long zipper. ISTM that the long zipper bears a considerable strain - and is a potential failure point, both around the endpin and on the lower bout. I'm no engineer, but I would think some sort of strap/snap in those areas might relieve some of this stress...

 

[John Chambliss]

The Bobelock 3/4 is actually fairly large. I can fit my Krutz 7/8 in it although it wants to roll toward the bridge side. Consequently I carry it in a thinner and longer (4/4?) bag that came with the Krutz.

 

[salcott]

My experience with bass bags goes back to heavy cloth with flannel lining, followed by vinyl with foam. I couldn't afford a Joe's house of Sandals bag in those days, and the weight of the ones I checked out would have made one impractical for a carless NYer. I had a couple of Mooradians, and they were great-good padding, sturdy, alight, and with handles in all the right places. I had one Bobelock, and it fit well and had plenty of protection, but the most important handle was too low to be useful. My first Messina was a definite step up. It is a perfect fit, which makes the bass easier to maneuver, and the fact that I was able to get handles/straps exactly where I wanted them for my stair climbing and Bass Buggie methods makes it even easier. When I got a second bass, it was Messina all the way.