MONO Bass Sleeve 2.0

[JakobT]

MONO has just introduced the Bass Sleeve 2.0. The design is basically the same svelte top-loading case as before, but in three new colours, so you can carry your bass in style: Burnt Orange, Moonliight Blue and Amazon Green. They’ve also redesigned the outer pocket, which some people had issues with. I used to own the original version, and was very happy with that, but this looks even better.

 

[Gopherbassist]

Love the orange. How much are they?

 

[JakobT]

Love the orange. How much are they?

They retail for about $180, so more or less the same price as the previous version.

 

[PCR]

I like this version much better. I had the 1.0 and hated the flap over the zipper pocket and the handle being on the right side.
Minor annoyances, but ended up selling it and buying a Vertigo.
I'll try the 2.0. I've always liked how thin and protective the Sleeve was for grab-and-go gig bag.

 

[Passinwind]

MONO has just introduced the Bass Sleeve 2.0. The design is basically the same svelte top-loading case as before, but in three new colours, so you can carry your bass in style: Burnt Orange, Moonliight Blue and Amazon Green. They’ve also redesigned the outer pocket, which some people had issues with. I used to own the original version, and was very happy with that, but this looks even better.

View attachment 7080618

Really nice looking, do you think they'll accommodate large angled headstock better than the Vertigo? I had to turn down a free Vertigo because it just didn't fit the basses I needed it to.

 

[JakobT]

Really nice looking, do you think they'll accommodate large angled headstock better than the Vertigo? I had to turn down a free Vertigo because it just didn't fit the basses I needed it to.

I believe Mono doesn’t recommend the Bass Sleeve for basses with angled headstocks. The Headlock system on the Sleeve is shallower than that of the Vertigo, so if the bass doesn’t fit in a Vertigo, it certainly won’t fit in a Bass Sleeve, IMO.

 

[Passinwind]

I believe Mono doesn’t recommend the Bass Sleeve for basses with angled headstocks. The Headlock system on the Sleeve is shallower than that of the Vertigo, so if the bass doesn’t fit in a Vertigo, it certainly won’t fit in a Bass Sleeve, IMO.

Thanks, I kind of figured as much. So no soup for me!

 

[Fun Size Nick]

As a current bass sleeve user, I’m keen to see it in the flesh. In theory I like the idea of not having the flap, though I did always feel a bit more confident with the zip being on the side when caught in the rain. Mostly I just hope that they’ve kept the dimensions of the pocket - the sleeve has easily the largest pocket of any gig bag I’ve seen and I’d hate it if they made it any smaller! I love having one big pocket vs several small pockets - I regularly fit a pedaltrain nano in mine, with several cables, a big padded strap, an IEM case, an iPad, and a tablet holder! Fantastic for a no-hand-carry public transport commute.

 

[LowEndOperative]

I have the 2.0 in “inconspicuous” black, the sleeve redesign is great but because I’ll probably never use the shoulder straps I’m looking for a way to keep them from flapping during use.

 

[roccobass]

I dig the basic black color. I have two of the originals. They're tough, they look good and easy to carry.
I also am grooving on the re-designed outer pocket using a zipper . That hook on the originals is a real PIA, but it wasn't a deal killer. I like the Mono Sleeve. I tried the other "upgraded" Mono bass cases and I didn't like them.

 

[JakobT]

As a current bass sleeve user, I’m keen to see it in the flesh. In theory I like the idea of not having the flap, though I did always feel a bit more confident with the zip being on the side when caught in the rain. Mostly I just hope that they’ve kept the dimensions of the pocket - the sleeve has easily the largest pocket of any gig bag I’ve seen and I’d hate it if they made it any smaller! I love having one big pocket vs several small pockets - I regularly fit a pedaltrain nano in mine, with several cables, a big padded strap, an IEM case, an iPad, and a tablet holder! Fantastic for a no-hand-carry public transport commute.

To the naked eye at least, it doesn’t seem like they’ve changed the height and width of the pocket much. The zipper has moved to the top and the flap is gone, though it does seem like the pocket tapers off toward the edge of the bag, so possibly a very little storage space is lost because of that.

 

[Bass Boy]

I have a version one bass and guitar sleeve. I just received a ver 2 guitar sleeve in green.

The pocket is a little smaller. The slim black “subway” handle at the back above the shoulder straps has been replaced with a thicker colour coordinated handle. I missed it the first time looking at the bag.
The side handle is on the opposite side as well

My grey version 1 fits my JMJ mustang. I haven’t tried yet in the ver 2.

 

[andare]

So the only pocket is a tad smaller now? And would it have killed them to add a second pocket at the top for cables and stuff?
Gig bags should be functional, not glamorous. I understand these are supposed to be as thin as possible but their other bags also lack a second pocket.

I carry 3 cables, one of them is coiled. I also have a headstock tuner for just in case, a capo etc. Most of these items can fit in a second pocket, leaving the main one for charts, stand and a spare strap.

I'd love to give Mono my money but it looks like I'm not one of their target customers.

 

[Bass Boy]

I have a version one bass and guitar sleeve. I just received a ver 2 guitar sleeve in green.

The pocket is a little smaller. The slim black “subway” handle at the back above the shoulder straps has been replaced with a thicker colour coordinated handle. I missed it the first time looking at the bag.
The side handle is on the opposite side as well

My grey version 1 fits my JMJ mustang. I haven’t tried yet in the ver 2.

So the only pocket is a tad smaller now? And would it have killed them to add a second pocket at the top for cables and stuff?
Gig bags should be functional, not glamorous. I understand these are supposed to be as thin as possible but their other bags also lack a second pocket.

I carry 3 cables, one of them is coiled. I also have a headstock tuner for just in case, a capo etc. Most of these items can fit in a second pocket, leaving the main one for charts, stand and a spare strap.

I'd love to give Mono my money but it looks like I'm not one of their target customers.

compared to my ver one guitar bag the pocket is about half an inch shorter on one side but almost an inch longer on the other. Definitely not a deal breaker.

My mystang JMJ does not fit in the new bag. It seems to be about 2/3rds of a cm shorter. (I had to try three of the ver 1 bags to find one that fit my JMJ)

 

[climber]

Love to get one, but I live in New England and need the boot!

 

[Bass Boy]

Love to get one, but I live in New England and need the boot!

In the winter my vertigos get waaaay more use here in Montreal if I am taking the metro.

 

[JakobT]

So the only pocket is a tad smaller now? And would it have killed them to add a second pocket at the top for cables and stuff?
Gig bags should be functional, not glamorous. I understand these are supposed to be as thin as possible but their other bags also lack a second pocket.

I carry 3 cables, one of them is coiled. I also have a headstock tuner for just in case, a capo etc. Most of these items can fit in a second pocket, leaving the main one for charts, stand and a spare strap.

I'd love to give Mono my money but it looks like I'm not one of their target customers.

No, it wouldn’t have killed Mono to add a second pocket, but it would be a very poor design decision, seeing that the bag opens from the top. With a traditional bag a top pocket will stay in place when the bag is opened. Not so with a top-loading bag. As soon as the zipper is opened, the front flap will be pulled down by the weight of the pocket and its contents, and the pocket will turn upside down. Not very practical. In addition, the front flap is meant to be flexible in order to open fully, and a pocket would interfere with that.

The Sleeve 2.0 still has one of the largest pockets on any gig bag out there, but there are plenty of other options out there if you feel it’s insufficient.

 

[Bob_Ross]

With a traditional bag a top pocket will stay in place when the bag is opened. Not so with a top-loading bag. As soon as the zipper is opened, the front flap will be pulled down by the weight of the pocket and its contents, and the pocket will turn upside down.

Eh... I think you may be clutching at straws. I don't know how much flimsier the top of a Sleeve is than the top of a Vertigo, but unless I put a >12lb brick in the (hypothetical) top pocket of a Vertigo it's not going anywhere when opened. And since typically the contents of a top pocket are a tuner, a cellphone, a set of keys, maybe a ~6" patch cable, I just don't see how that's going to weigh down the top flap of a gig bag such that it flops over.

Then again, if the Sleeve top is really flimsy, then I'm wrong...and Mono was smart not to include a top pocket.

But I do miss the top pocket. The one on my M80 -- and on every other gig bag I own that has one -- gets used all the time.

 

[JakobT]

Eh... I think you may be clutching at straws. I don't know how much flimsier the top of a Sleeve is than the top of a Vertigo, but unless I put a >12lb brick in the (hypothetical) top pocket of a Vertigo it's not going anywhere when opened. And since typically the contents of a top pocket are a tuner, a cellphone, a set of keys, maybe a ~6" patch cable, I just don't see how that's going to weigh down the top flap of a gig bag such that it flops over.

Then again, if the Sleeve top is really flimsy, then I'm wrong...and Mono was smart not to include a top pocket.

But I do miss the top pocket. The one on my M80 -- and on every other gig bag I own that has one -- gets used all the time.

Not at all. But if you’re referring to the so-called «hidden» top pocket, that’s different, of course. In fact the extremely pricey Vertigo Ultra does sport this pocket.

However, you wrote the following:
«I carry 3 cables, one of them is coiled. I also have a headstock tuner for just in case, a capo etc. Most of these items can fit in a second pocket, leaving the main one for charts, stand and a spare strap.»

The hidden pocket could not possibly accommodate all these items, so I assumed you were talking about a larger pocket sewn on the outside, like many gig bags have, which would not have been a good idea for this design, IMHO.

That said, I don’t find the hidden pocket on my M80 particularily useful, and could easily do without it, but that’s just me. If I need extra storage on my Vertigo or M80 I strap on a Guitar Tick, which gives me all the storage I could want.

However, the Sleeve does not have the option of a Tick or a hidden pocket, presumably because it it’s meant to be smaller, simpler and less expensive than Mono’s other offerings.
I still maintain that it’s got ample storage compared to most gig bags.

 

[Bob_Ross]

if you’re referring to the so-called «hidden» top pocket, that’s different, of course.

However, you wrote the following:
«I carry 3 cables, one of them is coiled. I also have a headstock tuner for just in case, a capo etc. Most of these items can fit in a second pocket, leaving the main one for charts, stand and a spare strap.»

I have no idea what the "<<hidden>> top pocket" refers to; I'm talking about the small zippered compartment that many gig bags have up near the top of the headstock area. My M80 Dual has one. My ProTec Contego has one. My no-name gig bag has one. (My Vertigo does not.)

And it wasn't me who wrote "I carry 3 cables, one of them is coiled..." but I still don't see why 3 cables, a tuner, and a capo would amount to so much weight that it would cause the top of any gig bag to flop over: If those cables were long and/or heavy enough to be substantial they'd be too large to fit in any of those small zippered compartments up near the top of the headstock area!