Musicman no longer including hardshell cases?

[mcnach]

Totally my mistake, but I’ve never dropped a bass out onto an asphalt parking lot using a hardshell case.

If you haven't had equipment dropping from a van/truck at some point... you're not gigging enough

 

[mcnach]

Question for the gig bag people: If you’ve ever put your bass into the band equipment trailer for a 150 mile trip home, do you feel it’s 100% safe amongst trap cases, speaker cabinets, racks, and drum cases?

Each type of case has its uses. I use both hard cases and gig bags, depending on the situation. I prefer to choose my case/bag 'though, which is why I prefer to buy a bass without a case, I'll get the one I want myself.

Going back to your question, no, in the situation you describe I'd generally use hard cases (amplifier, basses, fx). If I am not going to be taking care of my gear personally then hard cases all the way. Otherwise, gigbags generally (Fusion F1 these days, something that offers a great deal of protection not a dust cover).
One of the bands I travelled a lot with, we had a 17 seater minibus converted into a carrier for people (8 seats) and gear. Packing/unpacking was a bit of a Tetris game, and we did it ourselves, meaning we ensure everything was secured and would not move. I would take my Fusion F1 gigbag usually with this band: it stayed with me until almost everything was loaded, then I'd place my bass somewhere safe.
For the vast majority of my gigs, I drive myself, so again the Fusion F1 is what I tend to use there. It makes it possible for me to carry all my stuff in one go, so it's safer/convenient.

There's no one size fits all I think. Different situations and different risk perception and preferences call for different solutions.
I just don't like EBMM's new solution, that I would still have to pay for if I wanted a new MusicMan bass, that's my main 'issue' here. I use quotes because I'm not looking to buy another bass right now, so it really isn't an issue this minute for me.

 

[Bonafide]

I hope Fender doesn’t follow suit, I’m a big fan of the US Fender (and Musicman) hard cases.

Agreed, though only because the Fender cases are excellent. The modern USA Fender cases are genuinely very nice quality, plush interior, rubberized feeling outer material, semi-flight case durability, comfortable handle etc. The USA MM cases are thin, warp easy, twist easily, corners crack within a few years in any real weather, latches don't line up etc. Similar low quality plastic, thin aluminum to the modern Ric cases. Even lower quality than Fender had in the late 80's.

 

[Confunk]

After looking at the specs & the video, IMO the new EBMM Mono gig bags look very nice; much more so than my "Vintage " MM gig bag that has taken good care of my Bongo through many load-ins & outs. Yeh, its' worked out fine, thanks.. (BTW... it came with a totally cool tan alligator case from MusicMan, which pretty much gathers dust...)

I propose that if Mr. Sterling Ball & sons want to stop the hate & discord from those who fear that if they put their bass in a gig bag, it could get hit by a comet-They simply continue to offer their SKB-type HSC (or G&G as my MM HSC case is) as an aftermarket accessory. That way, if you want one, you got one!

 

[Windreaper]

Question for the gig bag people: If you’ve ever put your bass into the band equipment trailer for a 150 mile trip home, do you feel it’s 100% safe amongst trap cases, speaker cabinets, racks, and drum cases?

That would depend on how well the gear was secured, and who handles the gear, but generally I'd want a proper road case that wouldn't get crushed by heavier items. In my experience, other people are perfectly happy piling heavy cases on top of your soft bags.

The cheap ABS cases that come with instruments aren't suitable for this purpose either, and aren't road worthy in general. They will crack from impact, especially around the metal parts, and tend to eventually warp. Only good for shipping and storage. Wouldn't use them in any situation I wouldn't use my Reunion Blues bags.

 

[Cory rich40]

And if you order one of the basses online, you will need that hard shell for when UPS or Fed Ex tosses it around on the truck carelessly. EVERY musical item I have ordered online has had the box to be fairly damaged. It’s been a miracle the items were not broken. But most of them were packed as a box within a box. I guess they know what can happen on the back of those delivery trucks

 

[jd56hawk]

I use (and prefer) Mono cases to “hardshell” cases.

Yes, I have an original Gruv Gear GigBlade and a Gator Pro Go.
I always go with the GigBlade.
I don't mind being in the minority.

 

[Pacman]

I'd have to assume those claiming they won't buy now have never owned a Mono hybrid bag/case.

As I said earlier in the thread, my Mono bag's main zipper failed, and the zipper is not covered under warranty. Now, this won't sway me from buying a EBMM, but it will 100% certain sway me from ever buying a Mono bag again. A gig bag without a zipper is no protection at all.

 

[Hot Rats]

And if you order one of the basses online, you will need that hard shell for when UPS or Fed Ex tosses it around on the truck carelessly. EVERY musical item I have ordered online has had the box to be fairly damaged. It’s been a miracle the items were not broken. But most of them were packed as a box within a box. I guess they know what can happen on the back of those delivery trucks

No kidding. I once got a bass delivered and there was a huge boot mark right in the middle of the box. Must have been size 11 or 12 at least.....

 

[roccobass]

@EitherOr
I fully agree on having a hard case after spending that much on a bass. Maybe EB should make it an Either/Or option and adjust the price accordingly.

@ModuMan
But personally, I do like Mono products. I have two Sleeves which I also use for gigs and practices. The hard cases are for storage and if I’m moving.

 

[80jazz]

@EitherOr
I fully agree on having a hard case after spending that much on a bass. Maybe EB should make it an Either/Or option and adjust the price accordingly.

That is what I think should happen.

Trouble is, I am not a soon-to-be customer. Ergo, I am not their target for this product.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

Each type of case has its uses. I use both hard cases and gig bags, depending on the situation. I prefer to choose my case/bag 'though, which is why I prefer to buy a bass without a case, I'll get the one I want myself.

Going back to your question, no, in the situation you describe I'd generally use hard cases (amplifier, basses, fx). If I am not going to be taking care of my gear personally then hard cases all the way. Otherwise, gigbags generally (Fusion F1 these days, something that offers a great deal of protection not a dust cover).
One of the bands I travelled a lot with, we had a 17 seater minibus converted into a carrier for people (8 seats) and gear. Packing/unpacking was a bit of a Tetris game, and we did it ourselves, meaning we ensure everything was secured and would not move. I would take my Fusion F1 gigbag usually with this band: it stayed with me until almost everything was loaded, then I'd place my bass somewhere safe.
For the vast majority of my gigs, I drive myself, so again the Fusion F1 is what I tend to use there. It makes it possible for me to carry all my stuff in one go, so it's safer/convenient.

There's no one size fits all I think. Different situations and different risk perception and preferences call for different solutions.
I just don't like EBMM's new solution, that I would still have to pay for if I wanted a new MusicMan bass, that's my main 'issue' here. I use quotes because I'm not looking to buy another bass right now, so it really isn't an issue this minute for me.

That would depend on how well the gear was secured, and who handles the gear, but generally I'd want a proper road case that wouldn't get crushed by heavier items. In my experience, other people are perfectly happy piling heavy cases on top of your soft bags.

The cheap ABS cases that come with instruments aren't suitable for this purpose either, and aren't road worthy in general. They will crack from impact, especially around the metal parts, and tend to eventually warp. Only good for shipping and storage. Wouldn't use them in any situation I wouldn't use my Reunion Blues bags.

Strongly agree with both of these - we can make the choice to use the right gear for the right circumstances, and aren’t locked in to one or the other. If I’m taking public transport (which I mostly do), it’s gig bag time. If it’s going in a van, trailer, or aeroplane, it goes in a Hiscox liteflite case. I’d have a hard time trusting most other cases in these situations.

 

[Jim C]

I never use hard cases and do use the original Mono bag.
But I can't help wondering if this was a way to add maybe $100 more profit per bass.
They could still offer the hard cases as an option.

 

[jerry]

I think that's an awesome idea, especially with Mono gig-bags, I given away so many hard cases.

 

[FLStudiobassist]

Agreed, though only because the Fender cases are excellent. The modern USA Fender cases are genuinely very nice quality, plush interior, rubberized feeling outer material, semi-flight case durability, comfortable handle etc. The USA MM cases are thin, warp easy, twist easily, corners crack within a few years in any real weather, latches don't line up etc. Similar low quality plastic, thin aluminum to the modern Ric cases. Even lower quality than Fender had in the late 80's.

I've never heard of a MusicMan case warping or twisting easily. I had one for ten years without more than the average scratch and know plenty of people that are really happy with theirs. Did you have a bad experience? Because Music Man cases are regarded to be some of the best cases to come with production bass guitars.

 

[Wood and Wire]

Great! How much has EBMM reduced the prices on their instruments to reflect no hard case? I really want to know so I can cash in on the savings.

It's not going to be about reducing the price for the customer ; it's going to be about delaying passing on cost increases to the customer.

We have absolutely no idea of the terms / duration of the contract between EBMM, and their HSC supplier. And we have no idea if that supplier is being crippled by increased manufacturing costs, delays etc.

What we do know is that HSCs are big, bulky, and heavy.

If you're shipping pallets of guitars all over the world, from California, those HSCs are killing your already right margins.

So you can pass that cost (and the increases) on to the customer, or you can counter those increases by reducing the bulk, and fitting additional saleable units in the pallet.

Eventually costs will increase further, and the customer will feel it, but this move delays that, and who knows, in 5 years time they may decide to go back to including an HSC as standard (personally, I hope so).





OT :

BTW, Aussie TB members - isn't an HSC a school exam?

 

[Bonafide]

I've never heard of a MusicMan case warping or twisting easily.

You have now

Did you have a bad experience?

Yep, 3 out of 10. Various age and road times. I find them clumsy when they work. And with respect to the MM basses, of which I am a big fan and long-time player, if that is considered 'best in modern production' I am grateful for the switch to Mono.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

And if you order one of the basses online, you will need that hard shell for when UPS or Fed Ex tosses it around on the truck carelessly. EVERY musical item I have ordered online has had the box to be fairly damaged. It’s been a miracle the items were not broken. But most of them were packed as a box within a box. I guess they know what can happen on the back of those delivery trucks

I've purchased 12 basses and guitars online, and while boxes might have been scraped up, every one arrived in perfect condition in factory packing, which was then overpacked.

It's worth noting that instruments are shipped to retailers the same way, and good packaging is designed to take the blows and protect the contents. Short of a shipper folding the box in half, the foam cradles most guitar manufacturers use inside a box do a really good job keeping the contents safe.

I bought an FMT Tele and matching Fender hard case from Sweetwater, and they were shipped separately.

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

Arent cases usually an option that’s thrown in by where you buy your bass from? The value jump of “with original hard shell case” is like 200 dollars unless the instrument is really really really old, which is close to the price of any old hard shell case

 

[Jim C]

It's not going to be about reducing the price for the customer ; it's going to be about delaying passing on cost increases to the customer.

Clearly they aren't going to lower retail prices but it certainly reduces cost of goods made by using a less expensive case to manufacture.
Is it me or have Stingray Specials increased $400 since early December? A new Special now sells for $2,700 at some shops on Reverb.
Sandberg easily undersells them on price for an equally pro instrument.
The Stingray neck fits my hand like no other though.