How important is having the original hardshell case to you?

[MultiScaleMale]

I hate hard cases and prefer gig bags. In the case of a vintage instrument, I would prefer that it come with the original case, but it wouldn’t be a deal breaker. I would expect the price to be lower than the same instrument with original case.

 

[Paulabass]

If I'm buying a USED bass, I kinda expect the proprietary case, if it belongs to one, like a MM, or something with a logo. What the hell happened to the original case?
With vintage, the case has usually been missing for years. Factor that into the price.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

A buddy of mine recently passed up a vintage P Bass that was, in his words, one of the best basses he’s ever played because it didn’t include the original hardshell case and that was the big dealbreaker for him.

His choice at the end of the day, but I think he’ll regret it. I feel like if it played and felt how I wanted I could get a new hardshell case from Fender. Thoughts? Do you feel the same way Is it a resale value thing for you? An authenticity thing?

Collectors are a race unto themselves...

 

[Gaolee]

As long as it has a case, that's all I want.

 

[spufman]

I just want a solid case that supports and fits the particular instrument well, and doesn't stink. I certainly wouldn't pass on an otherwise sweet bass because it didn't have the ohsc, there are plenty of great options.

 

[InhumanResource]

A buddy of mine recently passed up a vintage P Bass that was, in his words, one of the best basses he’s ever played because it didn’t include the original hardshell case and that was the big dealbreaker for him.

His choice at the end of the day, but I think he’ll regret it. I feel like if it played and felt how I wanted I could get a new hardshell case from Fender. Thoughts? Do you feel the same way Is it a resale value thing for you? An authenticity thing?

Zero. I finally got my first hard case last year and it sits in the guest room. All it did was make it harder to put in the car.

 

[bolophonic]

A buddy of mine recently passed up a vintage P Bass that was, in his words, one of the best basses he’s ever played because it didn’t include the original hardshell case and that was the big dealbreaker for him.

His choice at the end of the day, but I think he’ll regret it. I feel like if it played and felt how I wanted I could get a new hardshell case from Fender. Thoughts? Do you feel the same way Is it a resale value thing for you? An authenticity thing?

I have a vintage Fender case laying around in my shop. I’d probably give it away in exchange for a firm handshake. They are cool-looking, but they are heavy, bulky, and lightly protective.

 

[electracoyote]

I can see some collectors considering OHC a bonus, but let's face it, after 50+ years of sometimes very hard use, the OHSC of a vintage bass is often beat to death or MIA. Even collectors know and accept this.

From the perspective of a more practical utilitarian player, I wouldn't put that much emphasis on it. If the bass was a player and in good shape, I'd be just as interested.

I can think of a couple of basses that, because of their size and shape, the OHSC might have more significance, like my Peavey Cirrus basses. The old T-40 has that quirky molded plastic long gun case, so it might command more attention with OHSC. But a standard P or J shape? It wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me.

 

[SLO Surfer]

The only reason I like to have an OHSC is for if/when I try to sell a bass and some dude might walk away from the sale if I don’t have it.

 

[rmayer]

I too am a fan of gig bags so a hardshell case isn't that important to me. If he was buying a bass to play, and it was "one of the best basses he's ever played", then I think he was foolish not to buy it. On the other hand, if he was buying it as a collector's item, then the original case might be important. Personally, I usually sell the hard cases that come with basses that I buy. The only bass I keep in it's original hard case is my Fodera because, hey it's a Fodera.

 

[StatesideRambler]

OP's buddy is a collector, not a player. Good, because that "one of the best basses" will have a chance to be bought by someone who'll appreciate it by playing it.

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

As long as it doesn't have velcro on it, I'm fine

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I have a vintage Fender case laying around in my shop. I’d probably give it away in exchange for a firm handshake. They are cool-looking, but they are heavy, bulky, and lightly protective.

You can sell them for a couple hundred.

 

[JakobT]

Not at all important.

 

[MotorCityMinion]

"The only bass I keep in it's original hard case is my Fodera because, hey it's a Fodera."

For the kind of money people put out for these basses, I'd expect a better fitting form in the case.

 

[Waytootrue]

Personally, the original case doesn't mean anything to me, but if its a difference between any HSC or a gig bag that might sway my mind.

 

[bassestkkm]

A buddy of mine recently passed up a vintage P Bass that was, in his words, one of the best basses he’s ever played because it didn’t include the original hardshell case and that was the big dealbreaker for him.

His choice at the end of the day, but I think he’ll regret it. I feel like if it played and felt how I wanted I could get a new hardshell case from Fender. Thoughts? Do you feel the same way Is it a resale value thing for you? An authenticity thing?

Most people who ask for a case never use it anyways, so I’m in the other boat. I have a case and all my basses share it equally depending on where we go. Lol

 

[saabfender]

I don’t use gig bags for guitars. If I get a guitar without a HSC, I buy one right away. If it comes with a gig bag, I’ll peddle it or toss it if it’s disgusting. No use for those things.

Similarly, I do figure the price of a proper (no butthurt please) case into the transaction and will bargain as if it should have one.

My preference is partially from playing band instruments earlier on.

 

[Gaolee]

Here's how much I know about original cases. I got my EB-2 in 1983. It wasn't exactly vintage at the time, and it didn't have a case, gig bag, or anything else. I was living in NYC at the time, and rode home on the subway, up the 1 train from 14th to 103rd, with the bass. Not even a garbage bag. It lived in a closet like that when I wasn't playing it for about a year. Eventually, I got a gig bag for it, but never thought about it much. Gigs, a cross country move, having a kid, not playing it, having the kid "borrow" it on occasion, and all that with just the gig bag. I wasn't aware that Gibson necks were fragile. It never broke, probably because I was just stupid lucky. About ten years ago, I started playing a lot again. It was the only bass I owned, and it had a gig bag. I threw it into the back of the van along with everything else on a regular basis. Eventually, I figured out that it was kinda, sorta vintage and that I might take a little bit better care of it if I was smart. So, I finally got a case instead of hauling it around in a gig bag, in the rain, in the snow, and everything else.

It's semi-retired now, but it didn't have its original case at any time since I have had it. I feel pretty much the same way about everything else I own. Some have original cases, but I tend to swap 'em around a bit, just because whatever comes to hand and fit is just fine.

 

[40Hz]

I’d view getting an instrument with any hardshell case that fit it a plus. But not a major selling point - and definitely not a dealbreaker.

Most of what I’m interested in buying isn’t going to come with an OE case anyway. So if I insisted on having one I’d own far fewer of the basses I’ve always wanted than I currently do.

tl:dr - Nice to have but don’t really care.