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Recommend me a VERY good gig bag please..

I'm a Mono M80 fan also...I've had mine for a couple of years now. On a side note, the nylon sleeve in the front pocket began fraying after a year or so. I contacted Mono and they shipped out a new bag immediately, along with a prepaid shipping form to return the defective one. Great customer service.
I also have a black Levi's leather bag that I used for many years before that. Great protection and the leather has aged beautifully. They're kinda pricey now...
 
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i dont know if "undercover" is still around but i've got two of their bags that are really awesome. i keep basses i could never replace in there, and travel with them around town 4-5 times a week. never an issue- one of them is about 8 years old and still in great shape.

mono makes very good bags too. pretty much be willing to spend $180-220 or so, in that price range the few big names are all really reliable.

i almost never see busy/well traveled pros with hard cases. i haven't used one since i was a teenager, since the carvins used to come with them.
 
Anything less than heavy duty leather is second quality. Of course - if you don't have any basses worth protecting - that is another issue. Save your hard-earned money and just go for the $100 bucks or under bag. You are not going to hurt my feelings.

However, the OP didn't mention price or being on a budget and just because you can't justify spending more than $100. doesn't mean everyone feels that way.

Love to see the marks on your bass after a collapsed cymbal stand inadvertently falls on it at load in - in a nylon or "space age" material or equivalent bag. I own a number of expensive Tumi bags which are not leather and they are second quality too. A gouge is a gouge - and gouges happen sooner or later if you are a busy road warrior. Heavy duty leather protects from that.

There are a number of really great gig bags made of materials other than leather, many of which have been mentioned already in this thread. I can't imagine a collapsed cymbal stand doing any damage to my bass in my Mono Vertigo, or in the Reunion Blues Continental that I previously owned.
 
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Hey No problem jlepre

I am realizing I sound like a true elitist here, but my situation is much different. Not an exercise for me of having the luxury of carrying from the home to the car to the club and home again. I do keep the bass with me at all times, but things happen when you tour. Things like gouges.

Ultimately, this is the beauty of Talk Bass, we all have our different approaches and experiences - there is no right or wrong! I always like to say - one person't jewel is another person's yawn and that always goes both ways!

PRS #11 was on the road for years and years in that Reunion bag I posted earlier. Nothing I would call a gouge or even a scratch since 1977 and it got clobbered a few times in the bag I am sorry to admit.

Of course, I retired this bass from "live" use in 1999 and made it studio only. It's simply too valuable to take out of the house.

View attachment 545422
 
I use my Protec Contego when I only need one bass, and my Mono M80 Dual when I need two. It is absolutely worth the price of $107 or $139. My only gripe is that my MM Bongo 5 does not fit in the Protec because the bag is too short and has a rigid sidewall that offers excellent head stock protection, but can't be maneuvered over the Bongo's head stock (which would be dumb to do, anyway).

Wow.. I didn't know the MM Bongo was that long... I had put my 55-01,Brute or Heir in mine.. and they all fit nicely. I had to move away from loinger necks.. I injured my left shoulder a while back and it never did get right so every now and then I have a hard time lifting my left arm above 60 degrees or so which became problematric trying to tune the J so I sold it.. I have discovered that I prefer 22 fre basses anyway..
 
Wow.. I didn't know the MM Bongo was that long... I had put my 55-01,Brute or Heir in mine.. and they all fit nicely. I had to move away from loinger necks.. I injured my left shoulder a while back and it never did get right so every now and then I have a hard time lifting my left arm above 60 degrees or so which became problematric trying to tune the J so I sold it.. I have discovered that I prefer 22 fre basses anyway..

Sorry for the derail here.

Yeah, the Bongo is long - like 47.5". However, the extra length comes mainly at the bridge end of the body. The head stock is a bit long, too, but the distance from the strap button on the upper horn to the nut is very conventional - pretty much exactly like every 20-22 fret bass out there. It's easily the best balanced and feels very much like a Fender/Stingray as far as ergonomics go. The balance comes from having more distance from the bridge to the butt-end of the body.
 
I saw the post about what happens to a mono after HEAVY use.


So did I ...and it immediately struck me as an anachronism.

I've only been around TB for a couple years, but I've probably read every single thread about Mono gig bags made here in that time, because I've been thinking about pulling the trigger on an M80 Dual just as soon as my >25-year-old Mooradian double bag finally gives up the ghost

...and I have never before seen such a negative condemnation of Mono gig bags until today.

I don't doubt the guy who wrote that had an absolutely craptastic experience with his Mono bag, that sounds like it must've really been disappointing. But based on the comparitive number of glowing positive reviews from other Mono owners, it really strikes me as being far more likely that he got a lemon, rather than that nobody else was exposing their Mono bags to "heavy use"



btw, that 40-year-old Reunion Blues leather bag is absolutely gorgeous! I wonder if you can buy "relic'd" leather bags nowadays? :)
 
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Warwick Rock Bags aren't bag. They're nicer than most gigbags out there.

There are several different versions though. The low end Rock Bags don't have a neck support or velcro strap and have a cheap nylon interior. The newest Rock bags have a very nice plush interior lining and a good neck support system. All my Warwicks sleep in Rock Bags :)

I have one of the newer ones with the plush interior. A bass I purchased came in it so I don't know what they retail for. Really nice bag.
 
That PRS is truly gorgeous. How it sound?

Hey - thanks so much.

I played it on 6 out of 8 studio albums and well over a dozen "live" albums and retail bootlegs. Feel free to hit the link - there is a juke box where you can listen away here:

http://www.everythinghappytheman.com/music.html

So did I ...and it immediately struck me as an anachronism.

I've only been around TB for a couple years, but I've probably read every single thread about Mono gig bags made here in that time, because I've been thinking about pulling the trigger on an M80 Dual just as soon as my >25-year-old Mooradian double bag finally gives up the ghost

...and I have never before seen such a negative condemnation of Mono gig bags until today.

I don't doubt the guy who wrote that had an absolutely craptastic experience with his Mono bag, that sounds like it must've really been disappointing. But based on the comparitive number of glowing positive reviews from other Mono owners, it really strikes me as being far more likely that he got a lemon, rather than that nobody else was exposing their Mono bags to "heavy use"

btw, that 40-year-old Reunion Blues leather bag is absolutely gorgeous! I wonder if you can buy "relic'd" leather bags nowadays? :)

Hey Bob

I tend to take everyone at face value when they share their experiences, but perhaps I am just naive. I have no experience with the Mono bags, so I can't comment.

I don't know about the relic'd bags, but when I found the twin to mine on ebay I freaked. I wish I could have snagged it for a decent price but two guys wanted it more and they were going at it with the bidding.

I am sure that Glenn still has the pattern to my original Reunion bag - and can whip up another one for me. Now that I snapped the photos I can email them to him and get a quote. Actually, I think it will be quite cool to have a brand new one in the old style. Since he is making it custom anyways - I can also have him shorten it a couple of inches so it will be perfect for my medium scalers. I just love the solid simplicity of it.

I like my double one too, Uber practical, if not nearly as cool in appearance:

340-15-29.Dbl.Bass.Gtr.Brn.L.jpg
 
FWIW, I have owned a few different gig bags and have been using them almost exclusively for a decade or so.

YMMV, but here are my thoughts on what I have owned/currently own....

Protec Contego - Best bag on the market for the $$$ IMO. At just over $100, it is in the same league as iGig and Mono, but not as fancy looking. Well padded and durable. Not heavy. Can't go wrong with this one IME.

Mono M80 - looks cool, light, very well laid out storage and very durable. It is about twice as much as the Protec. Beyond being expensive, the only other negative IMO is that you really need to lay the case down to gat a bass in and out. Not ideal for me at gigs when switching basses and I am unsure if the dual M80 is different.

FBass Ballistic Dual - $180 for a quality dual bag is a good deal IMO. This bag is built like a brick $h!thouse, but very heavy. I would likely fly with this one over my Protec, Mono and Levy cases. Has a huge FBass logo on the pocket, which I don't like as it screams "steal me". I don't like the magnet clasp for the front pocket either. Doesn't stay closed when the pocket is full. The pocket does have a zipper so nothing falls out. But the flap flopping around can be annoying. Pic below.

Levy's CM88 Dual nylon/leather - great bag but pricy at just under $400. I have used this bag heavily for the last 5-6 years and it still functions perfectly. It is a bit heavy and not very stiff. Good protection, but floppy and folds in half if you stand it up with no basses in it. Also, the single pocket does not have a zipper. Picks, business cards and other small items will likely fall out if the bag is on its side. Very durable in any case and my go to for most gigs. Pic below.

Ritter - Older blue/silver bag. It was humongous and way too bulky. Too wide, the bass moved around in the bag, etc. Tons of useless storage pockets. Pic below. I looked like an astronaut when carrying it on my back. I was glad to see it go recently.

Warwick - Older bag that came with a $2000 bass. Cheap plastic on nylon. Cheap and not very protective or durable. I sold it along with a Squier and kept a Contego for the Warwick bass. The newer Warwick bags are ok, but the old ones are garbage IMO.

FBass:
e8ae2ad5b85dbfa9e8763b603f75c354_zps2006539f.jpg


Levy's:
18ca723900f2ecfd90b805087ea3c6c9_zpsb89537fc.jpg


Ritter:
7B5163F0-FDB9-45F5-96FF-006B5AC5F226-1358-0000037B7B7CECD7_zpsc98307de.jpg
 
I am on the field looking for a nice gig bag for my CS '64 Jazz - the G&G hardcase is really nice, but I find it difficult to carry on a weekly basis for rehearsal. Searching through Thomann, I can see the following options:
  • Mono M80 Vertigo (222€)
  • Mono M80 (189€)
  • Mono Bass Sleeve (129€)
  • Reunion Blues Continental (181€)
  • Fender Custom Shop Reunion Blues (169€)
  • Reunion Blues Aero (110€)
  • Gruv Gear GigBlade (199€)
Although I would love to have the Mono Vertigo or the Reunion Blues Continental, they are a bit pricy (as is the GigBlade). So, I am thinking of either the Mono Sleeve (which is aesthetically probably the best of all), or the Reunion Blues Aero. The Mono has the advantage of weight, also.
What do you think and advice me to do? :)

P.S.: For obvious reasons, I would want the gig bag to be nitro-safe/friendly. ;)
 
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I am on the field looking for a nice gig bag for my CS '64 Jazz - the G&C hardcase is really nice, but I find it difficult to carry on a weekly basis for rehearsal. Searching through Thomann, I can see the following options:
  • Mono M80 Vertigo (222€)
  • Mono M80 (189€)
  • Mono Bass Sleeve (129€)
  • Reunion Blues Continental (181€)
  • Fender Custom Shop Reunion Blues (169€)
  • Reunion Blues Aero (110€)
  • Gruv Gear GigBlade (199€)
Although I would love to have the Mono Vertigo or the Reunion Blues Continental, they are a bit pricy (as is the GigBlade). So, I am thinking of either the Mono Sleeve (which is aesthetically probably the best of all), or the Reunion Blues Aero. The Mono has the advantage of weight, also.
What do you think and advice me to do? :)

P.S.: For obvious reasons, I would want the gig bag to be nitro-safe/friendly. ;)

I first thought of the sleeve but was not comfortable with the level of protection it looks to offer.
I purchased a vertigo and am happy with it. I do wish it had the top pocket and back straps with the clips on them like the m80.
I wouldn't tell someone not to get the vertigo but it I could do it again I'd probably get the m80 single bass.

Don't know anything about the other brands.
 
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I am on the field looking for a nice gig bag for my CS '64 Jazz - the G&C hardcase is really nice, but I find it difficult to carry on a weekly basis for rehearsal. Searching through Thomann, I can see the following options:
  • Mono M80 Vertigo (222€)
  • Mono M80 (189€)
  • Mono Bass Sleeve (129€)
  • Reunion Blues Continental (181€)
  • Fender Custom Shop Reunion Blues (169€)
  • Reunion Blues Aero (110€)
  • Gruv Gear GigBlade (199€)
Although I would love to have the Mono Vertigo or the Reunion Blues Continental, they are a bit pricy (as is the GigBlade). So, I am thinking of either the Mono Sleeve (which is aesthetically probably the best of all), or the Reunion Blues Aero. The Mono has the advantage of weight, also.
What do you think and advice me to do? :)

P.S.: For obvious reasons, I would want the gig bag to be nitro-safe/friendly. ;)
Of the two you mentioned, I'd go with the Reunion Blues Aero. Looks like it may afford more protection. Can't comment on whether or not it's nitro safe.
 
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I first thought of the sleeve but was not comfortable with the level of protection it looks to offer.
Can you be a little more specific? ;)

Of the two you mentioned, I'd go with the Reunion Blues Aero. Looks like it may afford more protection. Can't comment on whether or not it's nitro safe.
I would like to hear if I should go for the more expensive ones, too. :)
The nitro-safe question can be easily answered via an e-mail. :cool: