NBD - A bit miffed

[BAG]

It's the current trend. People don't want/use hard cases anyway; even EBMM now come with a gigbag and not a hard case.

Uhhhh I'd have to humbly and respectfully disagree with you both from my own personal preference and based on the vast majority of players in touring bands I've met when I've played shows over the last couple decades - unless they are a new band / player. Lugging gear* - particularly in vans / trailers - knocks stuff around and gig bags do not provide adequate protection. If you meant "people who aren't regularly gigging don't want/use hard cases..." then I have no perspective on that. Meanwhile I'm over here trying to figure out the most cost effective flight style case.

Not all soft cases are crap and not all hard cases are good.

From my experience a good modern heavily padded gig bag like the Gator Pro Go are better than 90-95% of hard cases I've ever used or seen for protecting your bass. It's only when you get into the very high-end (and expensive) flight cases that you get better protection these days. A cheaper hard case (and even some generic and expensive ones) that fall can still damage the bass inside it as they rarely lock the bass down properly inside. And a teeny tiny bit of commonsense when packing a van or truck suggests putting the soft cases on the very top of the pack.

I've got no affiliation to Gator. Just want to try and do my bit in changing the notion that gig bags don't protect your bass.
I'd like to see how even some expensive hard cases would fare when treated like this......

 

[Zak TMD]

I meant people who are gigging locally. I don't know anyone around here who wants to carry a hard case to a show, and I play with a lot of people. Everyone walks in with a gig bag.

If you're traveling and packing a lot of gear haphazardly into a trailer or a truck for travel then, yes, you need one. That doesn't describe the majority of people who purchase instruments, though. But yes, some folks do need them.

Most of the shows I play either we're touring and/or there's at least one other touring band on the bill, the bands typically show up together in a single vehicle, etc. Obs this doesn't always apply to newish bands or 100% hobbyist bands that are local support, unless they are gearheads / used to tour heavily.

Personally, we don't pack the van haphazardly, and do our best to avoid shifting gear, but things happen. I've been grateful for my SKBs a few times - once a case even got cracked, but the bass itself was fine. Force enough to crack the case = force enough to crack a neck or something else horrific haha.

 

[Zak TMD]

Not all soft cases are crap and not all hard cases are good.

From my experience a good modern heavily padded gig bag like the Gator Pro Go are better than 90-95% of hard cases I've ever used or seen for protecting your bass. It's only when you get into the very high-end (and expensive) flight cases that you get better protection these days. A cheaper hard case (and even some generic and expensive ones) that fall can still damage the bass inside it as they rarely lock the bass down properly inside. And a teeny tiny bit of commonsense when packing a van or truck suggests putting the soft cases on the very top of the pack.

I've got no affiliation to Gator. Just want to try and do my bit in changing the notion that gig bags don't protect your bass.
I'd like to see how even some expensive hard cases would fare when treated like this......

I love when the guy throws the bag at the other guy and he's like "OH NO" and dips out.

 

[StereoPlayer]

I meant people who are gigging locally. I don't know anyone around here who wants to carry a hard case to a show, and I play with a lot of people. Everyone walks in with a gig bag.

If you're traveling and packing a lot of gear haphazardly into a trailer or a truck for travel then, yes, you need one. That doesn't describe the majority of people who purchase instruments, though. But yes, some folks do need them.

Everyone in my band uses hard shell classes.

 

[LBS-bass]

Everyone in my band uses hard shell classes.

It's weird. I haven't used one since the early 2000's, I can't think of anyone I know who does use one around here. Almost everyone likes the convenience of carrying it like a backpack to leave hands free for other things. But I'm sure there are lots of people who do still prefer the hard case, as well.

So for all of us, having to buy the gig bag separately is an added expense.

I wonder how this would shake out here as a poll?

 

[DJ Bebop]

It's weird. I haven't used one since the early 2000's, I can't think of anyone I know who does use one around here. Almost everyone likes the convenience of carrying it like a backpack to leave hands free for other things. But I'm sure there are lots of people who do still prefer the hard case, as well.

So for all of us, having to buy the gig bag separately is an added expense.

I wonder how this would shake out here as a poll?

My first bass case for a Japanese 60s bass was an old navy duffel bag. The headstock still stuck out so I had a piece of foam rubber over the headstock and a sock over that. The was the early 70s.

Yeah that's right, I see you Mono Neon.

 

[StereoPlayer]

It's weird. I haven't used one since the early 2000's, I can't think of anyone I know who does use one around here. Almost everyone likes the convenience of carrying it like a backpack to leave hands free for other things. But I'm sure there are lots of people who do still prefer the hard case, as well.

So for all of us, having to buy the gig bag separately is an added expense.

I wonder how this would shake out here as a poll?

I do like gig gags though, I had a real nice one with my Warwick bass. Personally, I like the added protection of a good hard shell case.

 

[LBS-bass]

I do like gig gags though, I had a real nice one with my Warwick bass. Personally, I like the added protection of a good hard shell case.

I did make a poll, because now I'm curious as to the extent this is a problem for people. We'll see how that shakes out.

 

[DJ Bebop]

It's weird. I haven't used one since the early 2000's, I can't think of anyone I know who does use one around here. Almost everyone likes the convenience of carrying it like a backpack to leave hands free for other things. But I'm sure there are lots of people who do still prefer the hard case, as well.

So for all of us, having to buy the gig bag separately is an added expense.

I wonder how this would shake out here as a poll?

What I want to know is...
Are you still miffed?

 

[LBS-bass]

What I want to know is...
Are you still miffed?
View attachment 4776888

I'm not the OP, so no. But I'm curious about whether this is a big deal for a lot of people or not.

I used to use a hard case in the 80's; it adds a lot of weight but we packed our gear in trucks with big speakers and other heavy things that might shift around and cause damage.

Back then it made sense. I haven't played a show like that in a long time; nowadays it's either me in my own car with just my cabinet, 5lb head, go bag and a folded up cart, or else it's me and the drummer and my bass is on top of all the drum gear, or if he's driving it's in the front seat with me sometimes.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I'm not the OP, so no. But I'm curious about whether this is a big deal for a lot of people or not.

I used to use a hard case in the 80's; it adds a lot of weight but we packed our gear in trucks with big speakers and other heavy things that might shift around and cause damage.

Back then it made sense. I haven't played a show like that in a long time; nowadays it's either me in my own car with just my cabinet, 5lb head, go bag and a folded up cart, or else it's me and the drummer and my bass is on top of all the drum gear, or if he's driving it's in the front seat with me sometimes.

I know it wasn't you as the OP.
Same here, I drive myself but I have had others gear in my rig. Hard heavy things on the bottom, soft squishy things on the top. I haven't used a hard case since my last bass that came with one. I bought a gig bag for it.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Depending on the particular situation I'll use a HSC or a gig bag.

 

[tbz]

Number two, if I did buy from someone else, I'd be paying significanty more.

I feel like you haven’t called a few smaller dealers to negotiate, if that’s your impression.

 

[Greywoulf]

Don't put it under special lighting, don't polish it, don't gig it. It's not what you thought you were getting, so return it.

Agree myself... I really liked the look of what it was 's'posed to be'; ~that strongly defined lighter blue streak down the middle is very cool IMO! -What you got instead is probably a great playing, great handling bass, but IMO it's looks are rather ~"?

But then begs the question; ~how can you guarantee a new replacement will look just like the one you originally wanted? -Short of actually buying an exact one you like right offa the store shelf, that is...

 

[Knavery]

I decided to keep it. It's still a beautiful bass and I've spent some time with it. I'm not going to chance getting another one with a better top that doesn't play as well.

 

[Greywoulf]

I decided to keep it. It's still a beautiful bass and I've spent some time with it. I'm not going to chance getting another one with a better top that doesn't play as well.

On second thought then it's quite beautiful, right?

 

[Katoosie]

I decided to keep it. It's still a beautiful bass and I've spent some time with it. I'm not going to chance getting another one with a better top that doesn't play as well.

I am very happy for you Rock it in good health!

 

[Knavery]

On second thought then, it's quite beautiful, right?

Well... Not as much as the stock photo, but what is, right? It still looks a lot better in person than any of the photos I was able to take. I was actually set on bringing it back to GC until I started playing it and set the action and stuff. I spent some quality time with it over the last few days and really love the thing to be honest.

 

[Greywoulf]

Well... Not as much as the stock photo, but what is, right? It still looks a lot better in person than any of the photos I was able to take. I was actually set on bringing it back to GC until I started playing it and set the action and stuff. I spent some quality time with it over the last few days and really love the thing to be honest.

Beauty is more than just looks is what I meant...