Gig Bag or HSC

[Malak the Mad]

I don't gig, but I have taken a bass with me on long road-trips in a Rav4 stuffed with all sorts of cargo that could shift a little bit with a hard turn. I've found the best option is, in a manner of speaking, to split the difference by way of an SKB Universal Shaped Soft Case.

It's got a lot going for it…a polyfoam shell, backpack-style straps, an interior compartment and two pouches on the exterior. The polyfoam body and cutout shape helps keep the weight down and takes up less space.

Best of all, it doesn't cost a fortune. Normally, it's about $125 at Guitar Center, but right now they're having a 15%-off sale which would bring it down to about $107.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/SKB/Un...e-1274115027228.gc?rNtt=skb bass case&index=2

 

[Plectrum72]

Mono dual bass bag. Haven't found a hard case that can compete. Nobody else loads in/out my basses and my basses don't ride in the gear trailer. If others handled my basses or they road in the trailer (or airplane), then flight case. Standard HSCs are crap for protection when compared to a proper flight case.

Edited to say: Exception to the rule is my Tbird. Only thing it will fit in is the HSC designed for it.

 

[Artman]

For practice and small gigs, my ‘82 Pedulla travels in a thickly padded Pedulla branded Reunion Blues gig bag/soft case that I was fortunate to obtain from Pedulla about a month after they closed doors for good. (They also sent me a t-shirt and some stickers). For larger venues or gigs requiring more extensive travel, it travels within it’s original super heavy duty, bulky, aluminum/plywood/laminate/foam Calzone flight case.
My other basses can be easily replaced, so it’s always a gig bag for them.
Gig bags are just more comfortable and convenient.

 

[Jephmo]

Gig bag for sure but I only use something well made like the Mono cases. I have to walk 3 blocks and climb 4 flights of stairs just to get from my apartment to my car to get to practice/gig.

 

[DWBass]

Gig bag. I haven't used a HSC in decades!

 

[Smooth_bass88]

We prefer gig bags so we can roll everything in one trip. Makes it easier at the end of the gig too.

 

[SJan3]

When you go to a gig or practice. Do you use your gig bag or HSC. Guess I'm wondering if you trust the gig bag.

Gig bag. Easy to throw over my shoulder. Hard case only if travel is required.

 

[packhowitzer]

I have 5 basses and 8 containers to put them in. If I'm gigging and otherwise schlepping gear- then it's a HSC pretty much always. If I'm going someplace easy with no load in - like my current gig in a weekly P&W band - then it's gig bag all the way.

I use the correct container given the likely circumstances. I understand that not everyone can have more storage options than they have instruments. If that was the situation for me and I could only have one - I suppose I would reluctantly choose a HSC. But I would grumble about it all the time.

 

[lermgalieu]

I use a good beefy gig bag. Used to only bring hard case, but all my gigs these days are local and I often have to do a bit of a schlep, so being able to put my bass on my back is key.

 

[murph7489]

Kiesel uses soft gig bag cases but they are really nice. I heard a story that a guy had a couple guitars in his trunk and had an accident in his car...one was in a hard shell case and the other was a kiesel in their soft gig bags..the one in the hard shell case was destroyed...but the kiesel didn't have a scratch on it...hard to believe but I guess they are pretty solid..maybe someone with the new kiesel cases can chime in on that..

 

[Element Zero]

Reunion Blues Continental.

 

[InhumanResource]

When you go to a gig or practice. Do you use your gig bag or HSC. Guess I'm wondering if you trust the gig bag.

Gig bag for about 20 years now.

 

[74hc]

My answer to the last question on this is still applicable.

 

[The Mogpipe]

When you go to a gig or practice. Do you use your gig bag or HSC. Guess I'm wondering if you trust the gig bag.

HSC for all my basses. Maximum protection for the ones you love.
Shoulder straps, yeah, for my golf bag!

 

[overit]

Bag. I trust both my Reunion Blues Continental and my RBX Double.

A poll would likely get you more answers.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I love my bass too much to NOT have it in a hard case. I've seen too many guitars and basses damaged in gig bags. Pretty hard to break a neck or crack a body in a hard case.

 

[bigswifty1]

If I'm doing my own transport and lug then mono sleeve. If my gear is going in the back of the truck and lugged by others then hardshell. Not because it protects better but because it stacks and loads easier.

 

[bogie1519]

Never ceases to amaze...love how people spend enough time to call out a poster for posting a thread about something that has been asked before but also provide no helpful responses. So what if it's been asked. Different people respond and perhaps views change on the matter.

I always go with HSC's for my basses. Better protection when transporting. Perhaps something a little more breathable if they are going to be stationary at home.

Thank you for your thoughtful opinion.
Didn't expect to be burned on this topic

 

[Tony In Philly]

I don't wish for speaker cabinet in my Jeep to roll over on a bass in a gig bag. I also don't wish for one of my band members to stumble over a gig bag during a frantic load in. I thing a hard shell case provides much better protection for these types of typical gig mishaps.

 

[bassbrad]

For most practices, sessions and local gigs I use gig bags for convenience I have a double and a single bag I use the most for that. If I am traveling out of town, with other musicians or someone else will be handling my instruments then hard cases for sure. My ABGs always travel in hard cases because they are too delicate otherwise.