The hard case which came with my G&L is very nice. It's stiffer than the average cheapo hard case, with lots of padding, and a thick and soft furry liner. If the bass is not being played, it resides in the case.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The hard case which came with my G&L is very nice. It's stiffer than the average cheapo hard case, with lots of padding, and a thick and soft furry liner. If the bass is not being played, it resides in the case.
Not a touring musician but owner of a couple high end basses. My Shark bass will not fit in any commercially made case. i wish I could get a Mono type gig bag for it because the empty flight cs from germany weighs 43 lbs empty. Anyone know of gig bag that is 4" longer then a Mono? The only cases/bags out there are 88 key Kepboard cases and they are not contoured for a bass!!
Attachments
Hey, don't get me wrong - I've tried hard cases that are very sturdy, and provide lots of protection. But I do think they're too heavy-duty for general use around town, and if you're gonna chuck something into a plane's cargo bay or a container, it doesn't hurt to get all the protection you can. Also, like I said, a lot of my case choice is dictated by my need to always have 2 basses, and I've never seen a 'double hard case' that seems very sturdy (Rockcase make one, but it's like their regular hard cases in the sense that the walls are quite thin and not well padded).The hard case which came with my G&L is very nice. It's stiffer than the average cheapo hard case, with lots of padding, and a thick and soft furry liner. If the bass is not being played, it resides in the case.
Now, if SKB made a double version of their wonderful SKB-44 hard cases, I'd be all over it....
Some people like cases specifically made for their bass, some people like PVC cases that several different basses can fit in (other than Thunderbirds, etc) and some people like deluxe gig bags like the Gator Pro Go (even an Epiphone Thunderbird Pro IV fits inside) or the Mono (I don't think my Pro IV fits!) and the new, Gruv Gear GigBlade.
Strange, isn't it, that different people prefer different solutions to the same problem?
Strange, isn't it, that different people prefer different solutions to the same problem?
I used my hard cases religiously until I took up DB seriously in the 1990s. Since hard cases for DB don't really exist, I started using a nice Mooradian bag and got to thinking that if I trusted my DB in a bag why not a BG?
I still prefer a hard case when I'm buying a bass, it's weird that most of the high-end brands come only with bags. If I'm paying $3000+ I'd like a real case, please, especially since the best gig bags cost as much (or more) as a hard shell anyway.
Anvil style light cases are nice if you're flying or doing serious touring, a total PITA otherwise for obvious reasons. I like the current Fender (probably made by SKB) TSA approved cases, much lighter but rugged enough to fly with if you need to.
I still prefer a hard case when I'm buying a bass, it's weird that most of the high-end brands come only with bags. If I'm paying $3000+ I'd like a real case, please, especially since the best gig bags cost as much (or more) as a hard shell anyway.
Anvil style light cases are nice if you're flying or doing serious touring, a total PITA otherwise for obvious reasons. I like the current Fender (probably made by SKB) TSA approved cases, much lighter but rugged enough to fly with if you need to.
Hard cases aren't non essential at all. Yes a flight case is more protective than a hard case, but there are times you might want more protection than a gig bag, but a flight case is overkill. They are really heavy and bulky. I have one, but have never had it out of the house. If I'm not going to be personally carrying my bass, it goes into a hard case.
LOL, that's why I never order anything that can't fit in a regular gig bag. A really long time ago I was in a band and the drummer's brother had a Washburn Dimebag guitar. The hard case was substantially heavier than my bass hard cases, as well as a few inches longer and wider.
Yeah but then someone else would have my bass!!! The case is amazing....when I walk into a store with it people follow mw around until I open it.
Solid-body basses and guitars are largely indestructible by nature. What is a HSC going to protect them from anyway, getting run over by a truck, a ten-foot fall? Prolly not.
I've actually seen guitars fall from playing position to a concrete floor and emerge without a scratch. With reasonable care, a well-made bag is more than enough. I don't need any extra bulk. I have plenty already.
Gig bags also allow for better and more varied storage and portage of accessories than a hard case could ever dream of without becoming the size of a foot locker. I carry a small amp head in mine.
I've actually seen guitars fall from playing position to a concrete floor and emerge without a scratch. With reasonable care, a well-made bag is more than enough. I don't need any extra bulk. I have plenty already.
Gig bags also allow for better and more varied storage and portage of accessories than a hard case could ever dream of without becoming the size of a foot locker. I carry a small amp head in mine.
Last edited:
I'm a firm believer in hard cases - not necessarily flight cases(although I think there is definitely a time and situation for these). "Stuff" happens - no matter how careful you are and gig bags just don't cut it(Mono type bags, excluded).
I'm just amazed that anyone would be stupid enough to stack anything on a gig bag, particularly guitarists using hard cases.
The cardboard box my Squier came in isn't much use. Doesn't even have a handle. I think I'll throw it in the garbage.
Yeah...easier than a gig bag to get your bass in and out of, etc. Nice and light and fairly affordable. Also comes with a strap that will allow for over the shoulder carrying. Perfect for your average casual gig where only you are handling your axe.
Invalid Link Removed
Hard cases are cool! There's nothing like opening one up and wafting lemon oil or whatever (as long as the cat never found it). I keep them stored away and put the bass in them when not in use, and use high-quality gig bags (Reunion Blues single and double) for all local work. They do make a decent primary shipping container, as long as you don't rely solely on them to protect the instrument. Sure, it's a small extra expense, but I hope they don't go away - they're cool!
A flight case IS a hard case, just with more reinforcement. I still think there is still relevance for the hard case, and different players will need more protection than others. I haven't checked, but i assume a flight case would cost more than a run of the mill hard case. Why spend extra if you dont need that much protection?
I put my own gear into my own car. I use both hard cases and gig-bags. If I want superior protection, I use the case that came with my 2015 Precision. Great case. I'm not taking my bass into battle or on a cross-country trek. I am just transporting it to and from my car.
