I just got my Vertigo today for my new Spector bass, i didn't get the bass yet so i didn't use the bag yet. Has Mono solved this problem yet ?
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MONO Case - Caused Black Stain -
- Thread starter FunkyThing
- Start date
I'll just put a rag in between the pad and guitar then i guess.
It's a shame though, for a €250 bag.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
Yes. It's been a while since I read through this thread but if I remember correctly the OP left his bass in the MONO bag full-time, it wasn't just used to carry the bass from place to place. I recently bought an M80 dual bass case and I am not that worried about putting my nitro Fender into it since my bass doesn't reside in the case full-time.
I'm sorry for the OP, but I can't really see that Mono is in the wrong here. The bag is meant for transport, not storage, so the OP used it for another purpose than it was intended for. In any case, this is consequential damage, and just about any warranty from any US company I've seen, including Mono's, excludes that kind of damage. If the bag is used for transport, the bass will be fine.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
I don't know if I agree with that. I think plenty of people leave their basses in cases so why should a gig bag be expected to be any different? I think MONO could do a better job of warning people that this bag causes stains if it remains in contact too long. It's not like Fender is a small-time builder or anything so if it isn't totally safe with their nitro it shouldn't be considered safe with most nitro finishes.
I agree that they could be clearer about it (if it is, in fact still the case - I have only heard of this problem with some of the earlier models, and seem to recall that it's since been corrected), however, that's not what I was talking about. It's still consequential damage, and I don't know any company that has a warranty that doesn't exclude that, unless prohibited by law. Mono are quite clear about the fact that their warranty doesn't cover damage to equipment under any circumstances. It would be nice if it did, but it would be VERY unusual, and there is really no reason for anyone to expect it.
For what it's worth, I've always found Mono customer service to be prompt and courteous, and in my experience they have always gone the extra mile on warranty issues. The problem is that this isn't one.
It will only take one night of coming home late from a gig and being too tired to unpack the bass for the stains to damage my instrument. Regardless of the warranty issue, I won't put my equipment into a container that has a reputation of damaging equipment it is designed to carry. That they refuse to stand behind their product just compounds the issue.
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
I think we're on the same page. I also don't think they're financially on the hook for the OP's damage. I also would bet they have a great legal team that ensures they cannot be responsible for "all finishes" (including those from the #1 manufacturer).
Nitro lacquer finish. Right there, you don't put the instrument in ANY gigbag. It will stain. Period. I don't care what the maker says or the instrument builder says, it will stain. Seen it happen way too many times to believe any other result could be possible.
And yeah, I see the stain and the only way to get it out is to go down to the wood and refinish the entire neck. Which MONO does not cover and does not have to. It's gonna be expensive.
Please. They work in the MI industry. They don't have a legal team. They probably are getting the cheapest guy in town, because manufacturing at the level they're doing is not a huge money-making venture. When they get as big as Fender then they might have a staff lawyer. But even Fender doesn't have a "legal team", just a lawyer and some paralegals.
And yeah, I see the stain and the only way to get it out is to go down to the wood and refinish the entire neck. Which MONO does not cover and does not have to. It's gonna be expensive.
Please. They work in the MI industry. They don't have a legal team. They probably are getting the cheapest guy in town, because manufacturing at the level they're doing is not a huge money-making venture. When they get as big as Fender then they might have a staff lawyer. But even Fender doesn't have a "legal team", just a lawyer and some paralegals.
Just had this happen to me...I emailed Mono but doubt anything will come of it. $3000 bass has discoloring on the back of the neck now. Definitely never would have thought that would happen with a high end gig bag. I've been using the Vertigo for years with no issue (even with my vintage jazz bass). Must just be something in certain finishes, but it sucks. Wish I had seen this thread a few months ago...
I'm an m80 owner, never noticed any discoloration, and the pics you show are hardly worth crying about. Seems like mojo to me.
I believe the problem was mainly with the Vertigo cases if I'm not mistaken (and could be corrected now). On my bass it's not horrible either but mojo doesn't happen in 2 months of owning a bass. Like I said, I have used the case for years with no issues but something in the finish on the neck of my Nordy didn't play well with the Vertigo. My bass isn't ruined or anything, I'm just annoyed that the thing I bought to protect it ended up causing damage. I now have to either buy a new bag (which isn't cheap) or line my bag with an old t-shirt to make sure it doesn't do more damage (which just seems ridiculous to need to do on a $200+ bag).
In any event, I know I'm reviving an old thread and i'm not the original poster, just wanted to mention that it happened to me as well.
I use a Mono Vertigo to transport and store my nitro finished Fender and have had zero problems. It is definitely unfortunate that this happened but if I was Mono I don't think I would put a disclaimer up either. The minute they say that it might stain your neck finish is the minute everyone stops buying that case. Kind of risky for a problem that would I bet effects a very, very small percentage of basses.
I don't say these things to undermine how crappy it is that this happened to your bass, because I'd be pissed too.
I don't say these things to undermine how crappy it is that this happened to your bass, because I'd be pissed too.
Damn - glad that this thread resurfaced. I was thinking of getting a Vertigo in the next couple of months, but now I am really concerned. Never knew about this issue.
No offense, but a bass worth that much should be hauled around in a case. Period. You knew there was a problem and still bought the bag, shame on you. A custom hardshell would have been the way to go. Only bass input in a gig bag is my gretsch, it's worth $100. Everything else has its own case
A high end product should have no problem at all in its expected lifetime. Is there any gigbag more expensive than Mono? Is there any gigbag having the same problem? No and no, I think. I was considering a purchase.. not after this thread.
I haul all my high end basses around in high end gig bags...and many high end bass come in gig bags. I know it apparently wasn't an issue with most basses (my '74 jazz included), but I think it's pretty reasonable to assume that a bag won't damage the finish of my bass. If you are putting your bass in your car and driving to a gig or church (this is where I play bass most of the time), there is no need for a hard case IMO.
