I've got a Gator Progo double bag. I'm confident that it will protect the contents just fine for my needs. Allows me to bring 2 basses or use the other compartment for storage. Plus, it also protects things on the outside like the car interior or other things the inevitably get bumped into.
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Gig Bag or HSC
- Thread starter bogie1519
- Start date
I switched to a bag about a year ago. I'm careful with my gear and I'm always the one that handles it. One of the reasons I tried bags out was for the ease of set up. It's a PIA having to lay a hard case on the floor to get your stuff out and there's not always space enough for that. With the bag, I can keep it upright and pull everything I need out of it. Not to mention it can free up both of my hands to load in/out. I bought myself this for Christmas. It's an amazing bag.
What's gonna happen? probably nothing.
What makes my life easier at the beginning and end of every night? Gig bag with straps.
Just don't cheap out. Get something that will protect from a fall.
What makes my life easier at the beginning and end of every night? Gig bag with straps.
Just don't cheap out. Get something that will protect from a fall.
I've used Mono cases for my basses for quite a few years - - I use it instead of the hard-shell cases that came with the basses! The Mono is lighter, smaller and much easier to carry than any case. There has been no damage or disruption to the stability of my instruments. Here you go: Vertigo Bass Guitar Case, Black
It depends.
For most situations I use a gig bag, but a really tough one. Mine is a Fusion F1 that cost me more than many hard cases. It has a thick protective layer, lots of storage, very comfortable to carry (designed much like a high end backpack). It's not small, it's not very light (for a bag), but it allows me to carry my bass and accessories easily anywhere and the bass is well protected from anything except heavy equipment being dropped on it, I guess.
There are sometimes 'though where I use a tough hard case. For example, if the bass is going to be bundled in the back of a truck with the rest of the equipment, I prefer a hard case. But I try to carry the bass myself if at all possible.
Hard cases are good to protect the bass against something falling on it, but many are not very good... unless there is some kind of absorbent material that takes the impact, a bass will suffer the same deceleration inside a case than outside, and it's only protected against the direct surface contact. You can easily damage a bass in those cases, and a thick padded gigbag will actually fare better. Think of helmets (or car bumpers). We do not use hard metal helmets: they may not get pierced, but fall on your head and all the energy of the impact will get to your head and neck regardless. We use helmets that get deformed upon impact. They are designed to absorb a lot of the energy (while getting deformed) so that our precious little heads don't get as much of a hit. That's why they need to be replaced after having been in an accident. A thick padded gigbag is a bit like a modern helmet in that respect (not as good, 'though).
I have a hard case for my Jazz Bass but only a gig bag for my 5-string. I could use the gig bag for my Jazz, but why? The hard case provides far better protection and since I've only owned two basses since 1966 (three if you count the POS bass I bought in 1965) I tend to hang on to them for a good long while and I need that protection. I bought my current Jazz in 1985, so that's 35-years ago and it's still in great shape.
The Fender hard case that came with my '82/'83 MIA Jazz has a nylon molded outer shell with interior foam sculpting to hold the bass in place securely. The foam is covered with some nice black plush material similar to what you find in the luggage-style Fender cases inside. It's worked well protecting my bass for 35 years. However, the outer nylon skin has separated from the foam on the top middle of the case, which makes it look like it's bulging out. And one of the legs on the spine edge of the case broke off last year, revealing the underlying white high-density foam in about a 1½" circle. So I wanted a new case.
Ideally, I would have the same case that my 1965 Jazz bass came with when I bought it in 1966. I had the black case with the orange plush interior. But buying one of those actual Fender cases is about $200. So I put one on my wish list for Christmas. Well, Santa must have been confused because he brought me a molded case instead of the luggage style case. Ended up sending the very nice Gator molded bass case back and getting their luggage style case.
Their luggage-style hardcase is very nice and the one I got is black with the black plush interior. It's heavier than the case that came with my '65 jazz and the corners of the case are pretty square as opposed to the rounded corners of the Fender Deluxe case. Still, everything looks good and works well and the interior compartment with the leather-pull lid storage compartment has more than enough room for my needs.
My gig bag works fine for my much less expensive and much more easily replaceable 5-string, plus it has backpack straps so I can carry it on my back. That is handy for load-in and load-out because I can put it on my back and carry my Jazz in at the same time. But like I said it just doesn't offer the protection that the hard case does, and I'm not walking a mile in and out, so the hard case is the answer for my Jazz - no question.
There are lots of other threads on this you can peruse. Modern hard-shell gig bags are the best of both worlds IMO (mine is a Protec Contego). I keep it fully stocked with supplies and I swap out the bass du jour for gigging (remember gigging? 
. Nonetheless, I still like having the original hard shell case when I acquire a bass. I keep them packed away and use them for storing unused basses. They only come out if a bass is sold. Assuming a tight fit and good latching, hey are still the best packing medium.
. Nonetheless, I still like having the original hard shell case when I acquire a bass. I keep them packed away and use them for storing unused basses. They only come out if a bass is sold. Assuming a tight fit and good latching, hey are still the best packing medium.
@klejst I couldn't have said it better. To me it's passive aggressive. If you people who are being snarky want to be confrontational order a pizza and punch the delivery guy in the face when you open the door!
I too have gone back and forth over this issue over the years, and like @klejst I have changed from gig bag to hsc and back again. Now I'm leaning towards lightweight cases that are pretty durable.
I use a Mono Vertigo for gigs and rehearsals. HSC for home storage and back-of-the-truck transporting.
For what its worth: very expensive signature 6-string bass came with hard case - kept in hard case. Cheapo active fretless 4-string used most often but carried to and from (gigs/rehearsals), and very fortunate in that it fits into a a thin padded soft case within a thick padded soft case! Guitar on my back, lightweight combo in one hand,
music stand, extension cable, dots, pad, etc in bag in the other hand.
music stand, extension cable, dots, pad, etc in bag in the other hand.
I guess I am "Old School". I prefer a hard shell case. I have never owned a gig bag. When I ordered my Mike Lull M5V I was offered a gig bag, but in my mind (and it suffers from age) I couldn't see spending that much money on a bass and it get a neck broken, etc. Again, I know I am probably in the minority here but I sleep better at night!!! 
I've used both at different times over the years. Never had a problem either way.
Right now I'm on a gig bag - the older Mono bag.
If I was getting in a van / trailer with a band, and hitting the road, I would probably go back to the hard case. But for local stuff, the bag works great.
Right now I'm on a gig bag - the older Mono bag.
If I was getting in a van / trailer with a band, and hitting the road, I would probably go back to the hard case. But for local stuff, the bag works great.
I was using a Mono double case for years while touring and just went to a Blues Reunion Aero cases , they are less bulky than the Mono's and IMO give more protection. They are a cross between a gig bag and hardshell case , they have less storage pockets than a gig bag however.
Always the case.
I have a nice gig bag, but always forget to use it. Maybe I'll remember next time. For most of my gigs the gig bag would probably be easier, to haul and find a place to put it etc. Not quite as safe if something heavy falls on it, but for most little bangs etc. it would be just as good.
I just always forget about the gig bag......
I have a nice gig bag, but always forget to use it. Maybe I'll remember next time. For most of my gigs the gig bag would probably be easier, to haul and find a place to put it etc. Not quite as safe if something heavy falls on it, but for most little bangs etc. it would be just as good.
I just always forget about the gig bag......
All of my instruments are in a hardshell case at all times unless they're being played, looked at, worked on, shown off, etc. Even back when I played upright, I had a hardshell for it (those are really easy to find and reasonably priced, by the way, haha!). I'm hard on stuff, if said stuff is remotely fragile, I absolutely have to protect it thoroughly, or I'll definitely destroy it. Most sensible human beings don't have to take the kind of precautions I do.
