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Sadowsky PortaBag worth the money???

saxnbass

saxnbass

Mar 9, 2006
5,633
17
Nashville, TN
ericnupp.com
#1
Someone convince me that it's worth the $215 is going to cost me to buy one. I have 2 HSCs (a Fender Molded and a TKL), and there is an HSC coming with the Sterling I'm going to get. I also have like 3 GigBags (Fender Deluxe, Warwick Rockbag, and a Cheap Fender one). At the moment, I'm using the Deluxe Fender gigbag to transport my basses (even my MIA). I'm a smaller guy and don't use the TKL anymore due to weight and don't use the Fender Molded HSC much, but will if I think I need an HSC.
 
#2
I sold a 399 levys single leather gig bag because I liked the features of the Sadowsyi so much better. It has a real useful large (padded) pocket and provides excellent protection (almost HS case quality protection). It's light, had a great handle and straps in the right places. I have never seen a better single case for a bass, unless you need ATA flight case protection. Beyond that it will protect as effectively as most HS cases.
 
#4
It's the best bag I've ever owned. Hardcase like protection while actually being lighter than most good gig bags. The profile is also extremely thin so it doesn't take up too much space. Very easy to carry. It's flexible, thanks to the removable strip at the end to adjust for different body styles, and the adjustable neck protection. It also has huge pockets while maintaining a clean look on the outside, not bulky at all. It's built well, with heavy duty zippers - this thing is built to last.

Bottom line, the Portabag does EVERYTHING well!
 
#5
The PortaBag looks an lot like the InCase bag are they one in the same? I was checking out the InCase bag at NAMM and then a buddy got one they are real nice.

Fender bags even the deluxe are the worst. I've had nothing but trouble with the zippers on the Fenders. For a basic bags I like the Levy's bags. HSC are to bulking pain to move around with. I like a bag especially with a handle or something to grab on the side. I throw it over my shoulder for walking and going up and down stairs hands free to carry other stuff, or if just moving a bit I grab the side. For travel I get a keyboard HSC and put my bag inside it, double protection.
 
#8
saxnbass said:
HSCs are bulky and a pain to transport. The PortaBag and InCase are supposedly similar, but they're not the same. I've heard the PortaBag is better than the InCase. It sounds like this is a good bag. Worth $215?
Click to expand...

Ken would be able to tell you the specifics on the differences between the InCase Slimbag and the Sadowsky Portabag, since he has both of them. (The older model Slim without the bulky backpack system).

It's definitely a great bag, and if you have the $$$ to get it, it's worth it.
 
#9
saxnbass said:
HSCs are bulky and a pain to transport. The PortaBag and InCase are supposedly similar, but they're not the same. I've heard the PortaBag is better than the InCase. It sounds like this is a good bag. Worth $215?
Click to expand...

The ProtaBag is quite similar the the ORIGINAL SlimCase... which was an amazing bag. The newer SlimCase is nice, but has a very cumbersome backpack type strap system, and the changes they made to the pockets were not in the right direction for me personally (they removed some nice extra pockets that were great for music, strings, etc. The Portabag is lighter than the SlimCase. It doesn't quite offer the protection of the SlimCase... the SlimCase is built like a tank (and has the weight to prove it!)... even the external pocket is protected, while the Sadowsky external pocket is huge, but similar in construction to a regular gig bag.

That all being said, the Porta Bag offers MUCH more external pocket space than a normal bag, provides MUCH more protection than a normal bag, and feels MUCH better strapped on that a normal bag, and is much higher quality than a normal bag.

Another nice feature is the removable 'extra' padding at the bottom of the bag so that full body sized J bass instruments comfortably fit in the bag... they can be kind of snug at the headstock with the SlimCase.

So... given a decent standard gig bag gets close to $100, the question is, is the PortaBag worth the extra hundy. To me, it's a definite yes for the above reasons.

K
 
#11
saxnbass said:
Would you say it's only for someone with really expensive basses or no?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that. I think it's for anyone that wants to have hardcase like protection withour having to carry around a bulky hardcase. If you do alot of gigs, it really matters because most guys don't like carrying around hard cases.

If you don't mind carrying a hardcase, or if you don't mind the lesser protection of a standard gig bag, then the Portabag may not be worth it to you. But if you want to keep your basses in mint condition without lugging the hardcase, it's worth every penny, regardless of how expensive your basses are.
 
#13
Here's one other feature of the Portabag that makes it the best I've ever owned...its the only bag that I can comfortably use as a backpack with both straps. I'm a tall guy (6'5"), and with most bags they go around 12 inches above my head which means I have to be very careful going through any doorway. I usually will just use one shoulder strap so I can guide it under doorways. (This isn't a problem most of the time because I generally prefer using one strap... but if I'm rolling my amp rig while carrying my bass it is much easier to use both.) So when I do this I have to akwardly squat down to get through doorways. The Sadowsky Portabag, however, has 2 spots to anchor the straps on the bag, so I can use the higher ring wich puts the top of the bag only an inch or two higher than my head. So now I don't have to worry about doorwayd, with either one strap or using both like a back pack.

Here's a pic of the back of the bag, showing the 2 rings that can be used (the pic has it in the lower position.)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#15
I am very partial to my Incase Slimbag (newer version), but I have not had any experience with the Portabag. Since they are very similar, I feel I can still comment here though.

My number one reason for buying the Slimbag (thanks Kjung!) was I wanted HSC protection with gig bag portability. The Slimbag is built like a tank, and still looks brand new even though I take it everywhere with me. I am not really interested in the back pack features of any gig bag, as I usually just sling it over the shoulder with one strap. The incase slimbag sling shoulder strap is the nicest one I've ever used. It is incredibly well padded, wide, and has grippy stuff on the underside of it so it doesn't slide off of your shoulder. I find the front pocket to be a little restrictive as it is made from very ridgid material like the rest of the case, so it really only holds it shape, and doesn't expand like a less ridgid fabric would. However, this doesn't bother me either as I use a seperate gig bag for cables, straps, tuners, etc.

Overall it is the best gig bag purchase I've ever made. I use it exclusively for my MTD and the zero-g case that came with stays in the closet.
 
#16
saxnbass said:
How comfortable is it using only one strap instead of two?
Click to expand...

Very comfortable, once again it's more comfortable than any bag I've ever used. I use one strap most of the time, I only use two if I'm rolling my amp rig at the same time. If you never use two, you can easily detatch the second strap and just use one.
 
#18
saxnbass said:
Both around the same price. If InCase ships to me, which would be a better buy? PortaBag or InCase?
Click to expand...

It completely depends on what positive and negative points of each bag work for you. From what I've gathered:

Slimbag:
Positive: Heavy duty protection and padding, quality construction, excellent single shoulder sling
Negative: Heavier than the portabag, front pocket a bit restrictive, some don't like the over engineered back pack system.

Portabag:
Postive: Lighter than the slimbag, quality construction, easier access to front pocket, less complicated back pack system
Negative: Not a heavily padded as Slimbag, front pocket not protected like slimbag, doesn't have as wide, heavily padded straps as slimbag.


Honestly, I don't think you'll be dissapointed with either one.
~Tony
 
#20
saxnbass said:
sounds like either would work for me. I don't think I'd use the front pocket much, as I have a separate messenger bag for my cables, music, etc, but it would come in handy (backup strings, laptop if needed, etc.).
Click to expand...

I do use the front pocket on my slimbag on occasion as well. I've fit studio headphones, peterson stroboflip, cafe walter HA-1A, two cables and a comfort strapp all at the same time in there, so it really isn't too bad. Also, I don't think the portabag has the laptop compartment that the Slimbag does.
 

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