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Recommend a gig bag or case?

#61
I my opinion there is a fairly big difference between the
"off shore" type bags, like the Guitar Center Roadrunner
bags, and the well made, mainly American made bags
that are much higher quality. I think any of the top end
bags mentioned here (Ritter, Undercover, Incase, Mooradian,
etc), will work just fine. What you need to do is try and
put your hands on some of these bags. You may love the
storage of a bag but hate how it rides on your back or
shoulder. You can have a bag like the Reunion Blues that
is great for carrying a bass but has no storage at all, just
one flat pocket. For storage, the Access stage 5 is a killer.
For safety and carry, the Undercover is great. My opinion
is to stay away from the lowend bags because they just
don't last, or they're good for very light usage.
In the end, spending $100. and up for a good gig bag to
store and carry your precious bass, is a no brainer.
I think there are some very good suggestions in this thread.
 
#62
B String said:
I my opinion there is a fairly big difference between the
"off shore" type bags, like the Guitar Center Roadrunner
bags, and the well made, mainly American made bags
that are much higher quality. I think any of the top end
bags mentioned here (Ritter, Undercover, Incase, Mooradian,
etc), will work just fine.
Click to expand...
FYI, the inCase bags are not manufactured in the US, and I'm pretty sure the same is true for the Portabag and I think Ritter, as well. However, I'm pretty sure Undercover and Reunion Blues are.
 
#63
Vic said:
FYI, the inCase bags are not manufactured in the US, and I'm pretty sure the same is true for the Portabag and I think Ritter, as well. However, I'm pretty sure Undercover and Reunion Blues are.
Click to expand...

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I'll try to clarify.
Guitar Center is sort of like Walmart, in that they tell their
vendors what wholesale price they will pay for an item.
(a bag) Its about price point, not as much about quality.
Most of the higher end companies make the bag, then
figure out how much they have to charge for it.
I've seen some very nice work come from some of the
off shore manufactures, I just don't see the good stuff at
GC, or Sam Ash. The best gig bag I've seen at GC, isn't
on the same level as Reunion Blues, or Undercover. Just
check out the zippers on a Mooradian bag. It'll outlast
your car! Sadowsky Metro's are made off shore. Are they
as good as the American versions? They may play similarly
but the materials may not be as good. (weight, wood, etc)
Again, just an opinion based on my experiences.
 
#66
B String said:
Oops, I didn't know Reunion Blues was sold.
Click to expand...

Yeah, since 2001. It's hard to tell unless you do some research though. There certainly isn't ANYTHING on the Reunion Blues website that would lead you to believe they weren't made in the US :scowl:

Here's the story:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

" Glenn Cronkhite has been a well-known San Francisco Bay Area and touring musician for many years. In 1971, he founded a company to make lightweight protective cases for musical instruments. At that time, no such thing existed. In the mid-1970's, he sold the business part of the company to Michael Snead, who renamed it Reunion Blues. However, Glenn retained ownership of his designs. For the next 25 years, Glenn collaborated with Reunion Blues under a licensing/royalty contract, and his cases comprised very nearly the entirety of the Reunion Blues line. This included products manufactured for other companies such as Selmer, LeBlanc, Zildjian, Gretsch, and others.

In June 2001, Reunion Blues closed their factory in San Francisco and moved production to China. Glenn said no, collected the best of their veteran craftsmen, and set up a new shop across the bay in Berkeley, California. He was just fed up with watching everybody go to China. Glenn has no claim to the trade name "Reunion Blues", nor any financial interest. Conversely, Reunion Blues has no claim to Glenn's designs, and has agreed not to copy them in any way.

When Glenn began manufacturing his own cases again, I started selling them immediately. In January 2002, I saw the first Chinese made Reunion Blues cases at the NAMM trade show. Gone were the wooden reinforcements, gold plated hardware, saddle type leather, firm foam, and new designs. These new cases are not of the quality that we were used to seeing on the older cases.

Reunion Blues is still represented as the San Francisco case company by some large mail order retailers. However, musicians who need top quality equipment for their expensive instruments know the truth: the only thing in San Francisco is the office. By continuing to make only the best products, Glenn Cronkhite Custom Cases is growing and thriving.

Glenn said it well: "The first repair to your instrument because of buying a cheap case will cost more than the expensive case did." Cronkhite cases are not cheap, but they will last forever and will protect your instruments. You can know with certainty that they were locally designed and made by a group of artists and craftsmen with the best materials available. No one makes them like this anymore, except Glenn Cronkhite. "

:cool:
 
#69
Just to add my limited experiences, but I have always been a hard shell case kind of guy untill I was introduced to the new Incase Slimbag. I will never look back. Hard cases are great for storing, heavy duty traveling, etc., but for me throwing my bass in the trunk or back seat of my own car, going to rehearsal and gig alike, the Incase Slimbag is amazing.
 
#73
SGT. Pepper said:
GIG SKINS Gig bag. Kevlar, plush lined, and waterproof.
Click to expand...

The website says "high tech water resistant carbon fiber style fabric" - big difference between carbon fiber "style" (which could be anything) and Kevlar (R). Kevlar (R) is five times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis. Water-resistant, carbon-fiber "style" fabric might just be nylon (like most gig bags), maybe treated with a sealant or something. Just saying...

Dave
 
#75
Dave Muscato said:
The website says "high tech water resistant carbon fiber style fabric" - big difference between carbon fiber "style" (which could be anything) and Kevlar (R). Kevlar (R) is five times stronger than steel on an equal weight basis. Water-resistant, carbon-fiber "style" fabric might just be nylon (like most gig bags), maybe treated with a sealant or something. Just saying...

Dave
Click to expand...

Good Instincts....the "carbon fiber like" material refers to the color of the material I believe...I had one of these gig bags that lasted for a couple of months of road life...definitely not a tour grade bag! Kevlar? IT must have fallen out of the bag I got...hmmm? Maybe the carbon Fiber fell out too? I have no experience with the bass bags just the gig bag so YMMV and IMO and all that!!!

Peace,

T
 
#76
Dave said:
What about the Pro Tec Contego gig bags? Ive never seen one or or anything, but they look like theyre nice bags.

http://www.theperfectbass.com/explo...100772101&W=STORE&P=N&S=1001081&U=1&SS=1&CR=Y
Click to expand...

Those look nice, and the price is definitely attractive over the InCase or Sadowsky bags. I'd like to see a photo of the straps on the reverse side, and a shot of the inside, as well. Although I've never used one, I like that the Sadowsky bags have a neck support.

I saw the post about MTD bags. Does anyone know an online dealer for them? I couldn't find anything on a Google search - specifically, the price?...

My top choice right now is the Sadowsky. I did use the bag that came with my Line6 Variax for a gig tonight, and it worked alright - those aren't bad bags, but I don't think they'll hold up long-term. Also, they are clearly designed for a 34" bass, and not a 35" scale like my new MTD Artist. It fits, but barely. When I go to Boston, I will have to get something more sturdy and that fits a little better. So you guys think the Sadowsky bags are worth the price?

Thanks,
Dave
 
#79
I checked out the Pro Tec Contego bag. (case) I thought
it looked good. Good storage, good backpack straps and
zippers. I remember thinking it may not be great for a bass
with an angled headstock.
I just got my Mooradian bag. About the same quality as
the Undercover bag, just different. I really like the three
separate storage areas. Big and useful. The best zippers
I've seen on any bag. I'd put it up with any "pro" bag.
It fits my big ass Tyler 5 with no problems. I also like how
the bag is sort of soft and rounded, not squared or stiff.
I wish someone had a picture of it.
 

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