I'll second that. I prefer a really well made gigbag (like the Dingwall ones, even Sire makes a good one) over a hardcase. Seems to protect better, takes up less room and is just more convenient. I've also never had a problem shipping or receiving a bass in a gigbag, even the thin ones as long as it is packaged well inside of a box.
In other news.... I've had my Dream bass (7/82) for a while now and have had it to several rehearsals and a gig. While I've owned some nice active basses (including my US Cirrus) I am mainly coming from the point of view of an old school Fender guy (P, J and PJ). You'd think the fanned frets would have been my issue, but not at all. It's more right hand placement for both fingering and picking. I had to do extensive setup on this bass to get it right for my preferences. Most notably raising the string height and lowering the pickups to gain more space, and a slight tweak on the truss rod. It took a while to get used to (still working on it) because I am so accustomed to a wide gap between the strings and the body (right hand placement area) and with these three pickups taking up a huge amount of space (with no gap between what is ordinarily a neck and bridge pickup) the feel just felt awkward. Though I have an NG3 on the way, If I ever buy a 3rd Dingwall I may shoot for a two-pickup Combustion instead, just too used to that gap in between the pickups where for decades I've done all my work!
