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Gig Bag decision- long post alert but please help!

M

mrufino1

Aug 2, 2005
2,077
1,137
Nutley, NJ
#1
Hi, I am looking for a new gig bag, having just sold mine on here. I play 2-4 times per week and like to one-trip it into the gig, with my bass on my back, head and cab on a hand truck, and anything else I can hang on it! I also carry a folding manhasset music stand (picture your standard black manhasset but with tripod legs, and it all comes apart and fits in its own bag, which has now sadly seen better days...If I could fit this in a gig bag it would be a bonus but not essential)

I am considering 3 options, will hold a jazz bass most of the time, occasionally a yamaha 5 string (bbn405? something like that- it is their inexpensive passive 5 string) or a Ken Smith 6 string (although that has a body glove bag already that is nice). My options are:
Incase slimbag- I like the laptop compartment, which could be very useful, but I am concerned that it is reported to be rather heavy. I do want the backpack system type straps, which is why I don't want the sadowsky portabag. I also like the look of the neck support, and the pockets that go with it.

Protec Contego- this case looks really nice, would the front compartment hold my laptop if needed? I sometimes need it at gigs, but not all the time. I could put my laptop (IBM 14") in a sleeve if it did fit in there. Even if not, I could carry it in my regular laptop bag, ewhich isn't that big. The contego looks like it is lighter than the slimbag but still constructed really well with the same semi-rigid protection

Incase Tourbag (one for sale on this board- hope talking about it here doesn't violate any rules, I just want to make the best decision- I haven't bought a bag in over 10 years and would like that to remain the same!)- This looks like it holds everything you could ever want to bring to a gig and I have read good things, but my only concern is what about the times when I don't want to bring everything I own?

So, from owners of any (or all, even better) of these, what advice would you give as far as bags? Pricewise, the contego fits the bidget best but I can stretch to get the incase if they best serve my needs. Who needs lunch this month anyway! I have searched for all of these and seen just about everything that is written, but still am not quite sure. I wish there was a store locally that I could just try all of them side by side, but since there isn't, I just wanted some other people's thoughts. Thanks!
 
#3
I looked at the incase bags when I was after a double bass gig bag (one that hold 2 basses, not an upright bass!). Whilst it looked very good, I think the pricing is way over the top.

I don't drive, so I have to carry as much stuff as possible bar my cab in one trip too.

I eventually found an ibanez double bag that is in my eyes just as good for much less money. Well padded, to ensure good protection, backpack system shoulder straps, velcro neck fastening straps, huge front pocket and the best bit, pull out stand and wheels! This thing actually stands upright on it's own! Gig bags can get heavy as the last poster pointed out, and carrying 2 basses in one bag makes wheels a must have.

I also have a Ritter gig bag that I used to use a lot. I went for one of the top of the line ones (RG7000 chromapak I think), which has extra thick 40mm padding, loads of pockets, proper ergonomic adjustable, backpack system with belt, and can really stand up to a lot of abuse. I highly recomment checking them out.

But all said and done, if you really want the ultimate in protection, you really need to get a metal flightcase! No gigbag can offer that level of protection.

Also, from a health point of view, I don't know if you have the same circumstances as me, but if you don't need to move everything in one trip, don't. There's no point in risking injury by trying to carry and move too much at once if you don't have to. My cab lives at my drummers house, so all I have to take to rehearsals is by bass, LMII head and small effect unit, plus cables. I consciously downscaled to small lightweight gear because of this.
 
#5
I have been trying to find someplace that has ritter bags in the US but have not been successful (except for the low end ones, which is not what I am looking for). I don't need a flight case, that's for sure. Never heard of the ibanez bag- do you have a model number or anything?

ga_edwards said:
I looked at the incase bags when I was after a double bass gig bag (one that hold 2 basses, not an upright bass!). Whilst it looked very good, I think the pricing is way over the top.

I don't drive, so I have to carry as much stuff as possible bar my cab in one trip too.

I eventually found an ibanez double bag that is in my eyes just as good for much less money. Well padded, to ensure good protection, backpack system shoulder straps, velcro neck fastening straps, huge front pocket and the best bit, pull out stand and wheels! This thing actually stands upright on it's own! Gig bags can get heavy as the last poster pointed out, and carrying 2 basses in one bag makes wheels a must have.

I also have a Ritter gig bag that I used to use a lot. I went for one of the top of the line ones (RG7000 chromapak I think), which has extra thick 40mm padding, loads of pockets, proper ergonomic adjustable, backpack system with belt, and can really stand up to a lot of abuse. I highly recomment checking them out.

But all said and done, if you really want the ultimate in protection, you really need to get a metal flightcase! No gigbag can offer that level of protection.

Also, from a health point of view, I don't know if you have the same circumstances as me, but if you don't need to move everything in one trip, don't. There's no point in risking injury by trying to carry and move too much at once if you don't have to. My cab lives at my drummers house, so all I have to take to rehearsals is by bass, LMII head and small effect unit, plus cables. I consciously downscaled to small lightweight gear because of this.
Click to expand...
 
#6
Depending on how much junk you're looking to shove into the gig bag pocket, the LowEnd bags might work really well for you. I've been using a LE bag for ERB's .... has a nice sized front pouch and offers a lot of protection.

These things aren't cheap but they offer tremendous protection and are amazingly durable. Try contacting Brian at LowEnd and see what he's got, I believe that he was having some supplier issues for a while but I don't know if that's been straightened out or not.

BTW, I'm originally a born and bred Nutley-ite .... still have a lot of family that lives there ....... :cool:
 
#10
AAAAA! I ask for help choosing between 3 bags and now I have to choose between 6!!!!;)
Thanks for all the suggestions. That probag looks really well built, and I remember seeing your thread and pictures of it, but I think I really want something with backback straps. I am borrowing a ken smith from someone and he has the body glove bag for it, which I really like but I just want a hair more pocket space. But I like the way the gig bag rides up high with the backpack system. I used to have a tuxedo bag for my upright which had backpack straps, so ducking through doorways is nothing new! So, if you had to choose between the contego, the slimbag, or the tourbag, which would you choose?
Here are my thoughts, based on reading and pictures, so please confirm with real world experience:
contego: looks well built, comfortable, protective, has good pockets (but not for a laptop, so when I needed to bring it I would have to continue to bring it seperately), best price...
slimbag: again, well built, but appears to be heavy, laptop compartment and other storage is really nice, still small enough to fit in a packed car
tourbag: laptop bag detaches, which would be useful for the car (when I am a passenger I use it), if I need to take a lighter load I can leave the pack at home

In my head, I am leaning towards the contego because of price, but I don't want to buy twice, so i am being careful, but maybe there is a reason I loved the incase on first look.

Thanks for all of your help so far!
 
#11
mrufino1 said:
That probag looks really well built, and I remember seeing your thread and pictures of it, but I think I really want something with backback straps.
Click to expand...

like these?

probag_leather_double_bass_bag%20013.jpg


probag_leather_double_bass_bag%20034.jpg
 
#17
I use a Roadrunner bag I got from GC... The one with the backpack attached to the front. For about $60, it is an awesome bag, tough & thick padding, heavy-duty zipper, nice comfy shoulder straps & it even has a padding for your lower back. Storage-wise, as I said you have a backpack in front which can zip off if you don't need it, a small tube-shaped pouch about halfway up (fits my fast fret and earplug case), and a more firm compartment in front of the headstock for protection.

It's a great value for a great gig bag... The only downside is it's a little cumbersome to carry around when full because the backpack sticks out, or when empty it's almost too much gig bag just for a bass, strap & cable (if you ever just bring those), but then when you unzip the backpack you don't really have any large pockets left.

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#20
mrufino1 said:
I have been trying to find someplace that has ritter bags in the US but have not been successful (except for the low end ones, which is not what I am looking for). I don't need a flight case, that's for sure. Never heard of the ibanez bag- do you have a model number or anything?
Click to expand...

Link to the Ibanez bags:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Looking at your later posts though, you may find the shoulder straps a bit on the weak side if this is a major feature you're after. They aren't bad at all, but not as good as Ritter. But it's not an issue for me really, once you get 2 basses and other bits in there it's too heavy to carry on your back far. Anyway, that's what the wheels are for :)

If you really like the proper backpack system, you really can't go wrong with the Ritter's though. The straps are properly padded and shaped, with full adjustment, belt, and padded back section. They also sit higher on your back when strapped on, unlike cheaper cases that constantly bang against the back of your thighs.
 

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