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Hard cases vs. Gig bags... What do you own and what do you take to gigs/rehersals?

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [BG]' started by Baird6869, Dec 13, 2014.

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  1. Dec 13, 2014 #1
    Baird6869

    Baird6869 Supporting Member

    Feb 16, 2007
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    I have a pile of quality hard cases that are hidden away and only get pulled out when I sell a bass or have a rare travel gig that involves flying.

    I have a few Fender hard cases that are functional but bulky and fairly heavy. My 2 Fodera Custom cases are likely as high end a case one can buy but they are insanely heavy.

    Cases are great but I take two basses to all gigs and most rehersals... I am not into carrying two heavy hard cases along with cabs, amp, etc. Too heavy, adds another trip from the car and they are a pain in the a$$ to store at gigs. I can throw my gig bag behind (or lean against) my amp and not worry about it falling over and breaking something.

    For gig bags...

    I have a double FBass bag that is beautiful and brand new but bulky and heavy. It is very well built, has good storage space and nearly indestructible. These are only $180 new which is crazy cheap for a quality bag that holds two basses. Likely rugged enough to check as baggage with an airline. Only had this one for a few months.

    My double Levy's bag is lighter, not as big as the FBass bag, a bit flimsy and doesn't have a ton of storage. These are around $300 new. I have used this heavily for the last 5 years on hundreds of gigs and it has held up well.

    My wife recently bought me a Mono M80 single bag which I just love. It is insanely light, has lots of storage space and isn't bulky at all compared to most other brands. Very cool looking as well and the optional Tick storage bag is a neat option. Best bag I own, but over $200 new isn't cheap. Was an early Christmas gift and has only been out of the house once. Keeper for sure.

    I am considering a double Mono ($300 new) to replace the F bass and Levy's bags due to weight and storage space.

    I also have a Protec Contego bag coming with my January ETA Valenti Jazz 5er build. These are also great bags and inexpensive at just over $100 new. I owned one with my Rob Allen bass and they are almost in the same league as Mono, but at almost 1/2 the price.

    In any case, I only bring gig bags to gigs/rehearsals. Almost always a double bag.

    What about you?
     
  2. Dec 13, 2014 #2
    snyderz

    snyderz

    Aug 20, 2000
    AZ mountains
    Hard cases only. I don't mind lugging them, and have never felt comfortable about the protection of a soft case.
     
    pjbassist, Jay Mastro, CfoScoop and 6 others like this.
  3. Dec 13, 2014 #3
    Tagruvto

    Tagruvto

    Nov 2, 2011
    Same story. I switched to gig bags years ago and never looked back, I keep a flight case in the garage and some hard shells in the closet, but they are rarely needed.
     
  4. Dec 13, 2014 #4
    Dave W

    Dave W Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2007
    Westchester, NY
    I too almost always bring a double bag. I use a Mono M80 that I love. I also have a Vertigo that gets used when I only bring one bass.

    In before the whole "gig bags are as protective as a garbage bag" crap
     
  5. Dec 13, 2014 #5
    Humbled

    Humbled Inactive

    Jul 28, 2013
    East of the Sun, West of the Moon.
    I keep an oversized center-pocket hardcase that any of my basses will fit in, and the original factory cases are stored on a pallet rack with all the original "stuff" inside, including a copy of the sales receipt from when I purchased the instrument.

    The idea is that the original cases remain "as new", and the "duty case" is (1) configured as I like it, (2) has all the right tools and spares inside it without me having to inventory it, no matter which bass I'm taking, and (3) When my "duty case" gets damaged beyond further use, I replace it and toss it in the trash with no regrets.
     
    nuhckes8 likes this.
  6. Dec 13, 2014 #6
    Baird6869

    Baird6869 Supporting Member

    Feb 16, 2007
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    The ability for me to wear two basses in a bag backpack style, my amp in a soft case over my shoulder and a 210 NEO cab in each hand allows me to be set up and a beer in my hand before the guitarist finishes his third trip from the car. :bassist:
     
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  7. Dec 13, 2014 #7
    Dan Knowlton

    Dan Knowlton Sometimes you're the dog, sometimes the tree Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 3, 2000
    Palm Coast, FL
    I have a couple of NICE Levy's Leather gig bags that get 75% of the use. I do have the Regenerate in a ProTec and that is a nice "hard" gig bag.

    The Levy's are a LM19 and a "box construction" single gig bag that is similar to a LM51. The only thing I wish was better was their use of woven cotton straps - strong but they feel a bit narrow. They certainly protect the bass better than other gig bags, though and that is the important part.

    Dan
     
  8. Dec 13, 2014 #8
    hdracer

    hdracer

    Feb 15, 2009
    Elk River, MN.
    Quality gig bags for me.
    The only time I put a bass in a hard case is when I am shipping it to it's new owner.
     
    The_Lucek likes this.
  9. Dec 13, 2014 #9
    Redrama

    Redrama Guest

    Apr 19, 2013
    Only hard cases, I don't trust gig-bags.
     
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  10. Dec 13, 2014 #10
    Neil2094

    Neil2094

    Mar 24, 2014
    The mono m80 dual bag is one of the best investments I've made, I'm on the third floor of my building. Being able to carry everything down in one go is awesome.
    I don't turn up to the gig completely shagged out just from carrying stuff.
     
    JIO likes this.
  11. Dec 13, 2014 #11
    JACink

    JACink

    Mar 9, 2011
    Spain
    I usually only take one bass to rehearsal, so I have one hard case that all my basses fit in ready to go, with any tools I may need and a spare tuner, batteries etc. in it.

    I have a bunch of gig bags, none of which are high quality, sitting in a box in my storage room.

    I try to keep a rig at rehearsal, but when I do go to some other place to rehearse or jam, I carry the bass in one hand and the combo in the other, with all the rest of bits (such as B3, cables etc.) in a back pack with my laptop.

    For gigs, I get help from the rest of the group or crew.

    It's not that I don't trust gig bags, I just don't have a decent one, every time I see the price of a good one, I realise that it is usually more than 50% of the price of something on my GAS list!
     
  12. Dec 13, 2014 #12
    Linnin

    Linnin

    Jul 19, 2012
    Linningrad, Earth
    Hard
     
  13. Dec 13, 2014 #13
    dls119

    dls119

    Jun 27, 2013
    Northern Virginia
    Hardshell - home storage
    Gigbag (high quality) - everything else
     
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2014
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  14. Dec 13, 2014 #14
    nostatic

    nostatic

    Jun 18, 2004
    central coast
    Endorsing Artist: FEA Labs
    Over 500 gigs in the past 5 years. Almost all of them I took two basses (usually fretted and fretless). I did not use a case on a single gig. As is zero. No damage to any instruments. Almost always a Mono M80 dual.

    That said I carry/load my own gear in my own vehicle. If I was in a band van and someone else was throwing my stuff I might have an alternate plan. But even when I have help hauling at a show, *no one* carries my basses other than me. They also never leave my sight, and I don't drink when I play. Ymmv.
     
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  15. Dec 13, 2014 #15
    2saddleslab

    2saddleslab Supporting Member

    May 30, 2003
    Kentucky
    ^This.
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2014
    Madwatch likes this.
  16. Dec 13, 2014 #16
    wvbass

    wvbass Supporting Member

    Mar 1, 2004
    West Virginia
    I'm not doing any "big" gigs. I transport my basses in the backseat of my car. I generally handle all of my personal load in and load out. I use gig bags. I have two Contegos that I like, but that means two trips. I have a few soft gig bags that I use regularly.

    If my basses are going to be transported by someone else, they go in a hard case. If they go in the truck with the band equipment, they go in a hard case. If I take out my Thunderbirds, they go in a hard case.

    I am considering a double gig bag, but the decent ones are pricey. It isn't a question of what I can afford, it is a question of what it is worth to me.
     
  17. Dec 13, 2014 #17
    rujulian

    rujulian Guest

    Apr 24, 2014
    I love my Mono M80...
     
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  18. Dec 13, 2014 #18
    friendlybass

    friendlybass Guest

    Jul 19, 2012
    Colorado
    Hardcases for long term storage, reunion blues for hauling.
     
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  19. Dec 13, 2014 #19
    Chili Bo Billy

    Chili Bo Billy

    Feb 15, 2008
    Barrie, On. Canada
    Gig bags/ levy and road runner. The Levy bag starting to show wear, i've had it 23years. Road Runner gig bag for 2 years, lots of space for storage, but heavy.
    Other cheap gig bags.
     
  20. Dec 13, 2014 #20
    The Bass Clef

    The Bass Clef is modulating in time. Gold Supporting Member

    Nov 17, 2010
    Southern California
    I have an iGig G515 bag and I love it. Micro head fits in the big pocket, cords and pedals in the next biggest, and tuner, strap, batteries, fuses, etc.. in the smaller pockets. Throw the bag over my shoulder, and a 2x10 in each hand.. one shot from the car!
     
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