Hard case or gig bag for a hollowbody bass?

I'd go with a hardshell case, less chance of getting smooshed. Go to a local music store or pawn and look around... Good luck!!!

 

I'd go with a hard case. Years ago I was lucky enough to find a hard case that fit my Hofner Icon perfectly.

 

I carry my hollowbodies in a gig bag, too. Not like I'm bashing them around in the back of semis or trailers.

 

A hollowbody will be more sensitive to seasonal changes, so I'd personally prefer a good-fitting hard case that holds the neck how it should be held. Better at holding a more consistent humidity level in my experience. For storage, anyway.

That's a very cool bass.

 

Calton Cases ftw!

 

I'm probably the worst kind of bass owner. They all sit on their stands whether they get played or not. Going from home to rehearsal (starting again today, Woot!) there's a gig bag for every bass. The bags rock because I can back-pack in with a bass, a combo in each hand and a small pedalboard + accessories over one shoulder in another bag. I just prefer the top image:

 

I prefer to have a hardcase for all of my basses because I want it but, honestly, I use gig bags to carry them around for rehearsals gigs, and jam sessions. I have a few different kinds of bags but they're better bags that have reputations for offering good protection (Reunion Blues, Access, ProTec, Mono...) and I find them more convenient than hard cases.

That being said, my Ibanez AGB-205 didn't come with a case or a bag (bought it used). I'm the only one who carries my equipment and I treat it carefully but, in the case of a semi hollow, I wanted the protection of a hard case. So I bought the matching Ibanez hard case for it.

That might not sound consistent and it might not make sense, but that's what I wanted for that bass.


Congrats on the beautiful new bass!

 

OP, I don't have any advice for you. I'm just jealous of your pretty bass. But that bridge setup is a bit weird...??

 

No, I'm referring to the bridge saddles. The thicker strings are shorter than the thinner ones, which usually makes for incorrect intonation. But if you say it's dead-on, then I'm fine with it.

 

I ALWAYS go hard case. I have had nothing but success with Sweetwater. Describe your bass, exact model and all and I would bet they have one that works nicely. Don't think I've ever seen a hollow body electric bass like that...Bet that sounds gorgeous!

 

When I had my 1967 Rickenbacker 4005WB, it came in its original HSC, and that is what it usually stayed in, until I got my first Rick Turner RB5-FL which came with a really nice Kaces III gig bag. Depending on the gig I would use either the HSC or the Kaces III. I no longer own the Rick, nor, either of the two Rick Turner basses any longer (I also had a RB4-FL), but the Kaces III is so nice I am hanging onto it.

Check out Ameritage cases. I had two of them, custom fitted to the two Rick Turner basses.

 

I hope the original poster found something suitable but I wanted to add to this thread for future readers. Finding a case for a Semi-Hollow bass is actually quite a wild goose chase. I was looking for something for my new Aria TAB TR-1 Bass:

So this is a long scale bass (many other semi-hollows are short-scale) and I didn't want to gamble that it would fit in a hard case for another bass brand, but there are a few out there:

Guild Deluxe Electric Case for Starfire Bass - Black/Blue

Gretsch G6297 Long Scale Hollowbody Bass Case

Epiphone EJCCS Jack Casady Bass Guitar Case

If you're going with a hard case just be sure to measure carefully.

Buying a gig bag for a standard ACOUSTIC bass could be a low-cost solution but since it will be much deeper there will be too much room for it fit well.

Fortunately there is a great option for a softcase. Rockcase (Warwick) makes two bags designed for semi-hollow basses. However, this brand is not easy to find in the US. But I can highly recommend ordering from Thomann, even if you live in the US. The shipping from Europe is express air and I have always received my orders from them within 3-7 days.

The standard gigbag will run you about $95 INCLUDING shipping:

https://www.thomannmusic.com/rockbag_hollowbody_bass_gig_bag.htm

These are above average quality for a gigbag.

But there is a much better option which is the STARLINE premium bag (very comparable to the Gator ProGo Deluxe series and offering much better protection than a standard bag):

https://www.thomannmusic.com/rockbag_starline_hollowbody_e_bass_bag.htm

This will set you back about $162 INCLUDING shipping.

It's a fantastic case and I highly recommend it.

I hope this helps.Semi-Hollow basses are really awesome and every bassist should try one!