Is It Just Me?

[ThinCrappyTone]

I guess the way I see it is, no matter what era the instrument was purchased, if the case is/was "included" in the price, they're still charging for it. It's not like the manufacturer is/was ever throwing it in for free.

From what I've seen, manufacturers consider the entire bill of materials when setting price. "Comes with free case" just means they raised the price to cover it. So, it's a matter of picking your poison: $1,000 bass without a case or $1,100 bass with case "included".

Maybe there's more to it than that in some cases (pun intended), but that's how I see it.

 

[sxaxsx]

Coupla years ago I asked about the case for a used Guild at my local GC. The berk said they just toss cases. At first I was "***?" and then realized a) used cases just take up real estate and b) new cases = revenue.

So you're saying if we need a hard shell case we should just start dumpster diving guitar shops?
Maybe call a used guitar shop give them your name and number and tell them to call you when they get a hard shell. They might not want to store them but if they know they can make a quick couple bucks with one phone call.

 

[ole Jason]

I'm glad they don't come with hard cases anymore, can't stand dealing with them. High quality gig bags are better in every way unless you're flying IMO.

 

[TrevorG]

I wonder if cases are used as much as they were, say, 30 years ago.

Speaking just for myself, I've been gigging with basses in only gig bags for the last 25 years or so.

I have about four hard cases that look brand new and one tired, old Ritter gig bag that has paid for itself a thousand times. Only time the hard cases get used is when I’m moving house!

 

[hennessybass]

I have about four hard cases that look brand new and one tired, old Ritter gig bag that has paid for itself a thousand times. Only time the hard cases get used is when I’m moving house!

Same!

 

[dkelley]

So you're saying if we need a hard shell case we should just start dumpster diving guitar shops?
Maybe call a used guitar shop give them your name and number and tell them to call you when they get a hard shell. They might not want to store them but if they know they can make a quick couple bucks with one phone call.

yea man, that's what I'm getting out of this.

If you're into hard shell cases, or maybe even used gig bags.... time to check behind the big box guitar stores!

 

[Biggbass]

I have enough cases. A good gig bag is fine with me.

 

[Eric Moesle]

Every new bass I buy that comes with a hard case: the hard case is stored in the basement and remains unused until such time as I decide to sell the bass. I have a rack full of basses, and 4 gig bags that house whichever ones I take to gigs. I really don't want to purchase hard cases as an unavoidable option.

 

[filwitheneff]

I would rather the hard case be "optional" with the purchase of a new instrument as opposed to a mandatory up-charge. I just use hard cases for home storage, and I can get a few different options for under $100.

3 years ago, I would've insisted on a hard case. But I have since discovered the Mono Vertigo. No more lugging around that big, bulky, heavy hard case. I'll save the hard case for touring (which I don't actually do).

 

[MultiScaleMale]

A $1000 bass is now a mid-range price point.

 

[bobba66]

Get off my lawn!

 

[hennessybass]

I'll save the hard case for touring (which I don't actually do).

I always used a hard case when on the road - if the bass was riding in a trailer (or van). But I have a SKB case for that, and don't use the HSC that came with my bass.

 

[Jim Carr]

...you could work 5-6 nights a week earning a respectable living with a full sized band. Musicians could own homes and afford to go to the dentist...

I was earning $100 to $80 a night 4 or 5 nights a week in the late 60's and early 70's, playing rock covers in bars full of young people, drinking beer, dancing, and otherwise "interacting." Bars were where people met to "socialize" elsewhere well into the night. I guess it's still so, but looking back 50 years, there was no internet or cellphones, or even answering machines or email.

People met face to face, called each other repeatedly, and sent letters or post cards via the US Post Office. Seems antique, doesn't it? Jeez, I am old. However, the alternative is less attractive.

 

[Jim Carr]

I don't have room for storing cases anymore. Heck, I barely have room for storing gig bags...

These are familiar problems. Maybe we have too many basses?

I remember when I got my Guild Starfire in 1967. It was to replace my Japanese Kingston. The following Fall, I left for college, and while I was gone, my Father suggested we sell it. "Who can use two basses?" he asked. Seemed reasonable, so I said OK. He sold it for $45. Same pattern repeated when I got a P-bass in trade for a Dual showman. Who needs two basses? Starfire went for $145 in 1969.

Now, I'm not sure if I have 13 or 14, not counting uprights.

 

[Jeff Hughes]

I wonder if it has something to do with the fact that guitar manufacturers probably don’t manufacture the cases also. Some of the TKL hard cases are very expensive on their own.

 

[DeliriumTremens]

They toss the gig-bags & soft-cases for new mid-level stuff when they put it on display in the showroom, but I've seen them retaining the ones for pre-owned stuff they buy in. It's easier to sell pre-owned gear WITH a case.
Someone will post immediately after me that they do NOT toss the gig-bags & soft-cases for new showroom instruments, but my personal experience at buying showroom instruments that came with a soft-cases or gig-bags tells me the truth.

My personal experience of working at GC for three years tells me your “truth” is in fact false.

 

[BassBrass]

I bought a EBMM Stingray brand new with hard case in 1994 for $600. Today that bass sells for twice that amount on the used market and for $2200 brand new. Adjusted only for inflation, that bass should cost a little over $1000 today brand new, so there are other market forces at work.

the EBMM bubble. Lots of Made in America products are now marketed as special value, and cases, like luggage, aren't being made here anymore. I bet Elkhart Indiana had a case factory for all them band instruments.

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

I agree... A $900 + bass should come with a Case or a Premium gig bag. Premium meaning, you can't feel the instrument through the bag. I use a gig bag 95% of the time. I take a hard case if I am doing a gig that requires Bus or van travel and there are other knuckheads that don't care about their stuff on the gig. I'll take my Gator, Waterproof, ATA case, it I know I'll have to check it at the airline. I am also inclined to take a case, if there's the possibility of slick snow, or ice being on the ground. That way, if I accidentally hit the deck, I can worry less about the case hitting the ground, or me falling on it

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I bought a EBMM Stingray brand new with hard case in 1994 for $600. Today that bass sells for twice that amount on the used market and for $2200 brand new. Adjusted only for inflation, that bass should cost a little over $1000 today brand new, so there are other market forces at work.

Which Stingray did you get new in '94 for $600?

 

[HardNHeavy]

my MIA P bass i bought in the 80's and MIM Jazz i bought in 07 came with hardshell cases, not that i use them much, except for storage or long distance travel...But i'm glad they came with them, even tho i use gig-bags now.