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Double Bass Sound Wear....Worth it??!

#42
gangsterska said:
Nuno
What size is your bass? I'm curious... did you have problems making it fit? Aren't you worried every time you need to use every muscle in your forearm to get the thing closed!
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I use the bag (a 3/4 performer) with both my Kay and my old german flatback, i emailed the measurements of both my basses to soundwear and they told me that both basses would fit in the regular 3/4 bag.
honestly the harder thing is to close the bag specially in the neck region, i think that's in part because the bag is still pretty new and stiff, however thats not really a problem, its not so easy to put the basses inside like in my chinese bag but the protection and quality makes it worth. now time will tell about durability although it looks very good made.

Nuno
 
#44
got a new soundwear performer recently and i would echo the sentiment that a) it's beautifully constructed of high-quality materials and b) it's a bit tough to get on, especially at the transition from neck to upper bout. good handles - as good as mooradian but different. wish it had a couple other pockets though - the music pocket on the back won't hold more than some sheet music and an endpin! for me, though, the backpack straps were the deal-maker: i began riding my bike to gigs and luthier-adjustments and i'm stoked!

sean
 
#47
Update: Talk about bass bags got me curious about how long I've had my soundwear performer. 6.5 years! I bought it in Sept. 2005. Still going strong. A couple minor zipper handles have broken (unneccessarily anyway), some of the rubber is peeling back from the handles (minor), some tattering of fabric on the backspots (still strong tho). No real signs of stains or dirt - still looks good. Backpack straps (that's all I use now) are still in great shape.

Fits the Cleveland just right. The old Chrissy used to swim a little bit innit. Still a bitch to fold tho.

The bass generally travels by car to rehearsals, gigs, classes, etc. I'd say it was worth the $$$.
 
#48
anonymous12251111 said:
I was just browsing heavy duty gig bags, reading specs and such. Does anyone know why Sound Wear is so expensive? It seems to have the exact same padding as Mooradian but is so much more expensive...Is it worth the extra cash? I want a custom fit bag and it seems that Moorodian is the only custom fit company.
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I am reopening this discussion. I have had mooradian, Upton, kolstein cases. As I am an aging klutz with a very nice bass, I have been searching for more protection in a case.. My bass bouts ruled out the rigid cases so I decided to research the Soundwear case. I have had it for a month and find it very reassuring for me and my bass. The extra weight, I don’t find a problem even at my advanced age of 72. I do use a bass buggy which negates the weight question. I would have liked more handles like the mooradian (and a burgundy option).
The soundwear case is well made and I have confidence in its protective quality. I have not tried the backpack setup yet as I carry my stool on my back and given the afore mentioned clumsiness just know I will find myself on my back, and consequently, my bass when I miscalculate the top of the door and the top of my safely case nestled instrument. I have a Seth KIMMEL Milanese and it fits very comfortably in the 4/4 Performance case with room to spare. Previous cases with the bass buggy were unstable with the outside pockets and frequently fell over on the bridge when left resting on their sides. The soundwear sits stably at rest with the weight held closer to the bass with internal pockets. This does result in a somewhat reduced capacity for toys and accessories but not that much. Anyway, so far I am liking it.
The Price? Well, that I can’t really answer. I would get a mooradian again, but that option is gone.
 
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#49
Just a note to all: I used a Soundwear for years as it came with my bass. At some point, the zipper malfunctioned and I put the case into storage even though the rest of it is in good shape. I agree that it is the most protective case I have ever seen, but I am happy with my lighter cases. If anyone would like a free sounder case that just needs a zipper repair, you can have it for just the cost of shipping.
 
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#50
HarveyD said:
I am reopening this discussion. I have had mooradian, Upton, kolstein cases. As I am an aging klutz with a very nice bass, I have been searching for more protection in a case.. My bass bouts ruled out the rigid cases so I decided to research the Soundwear case. I have had it for a month and find it very reassuring for me and my bass. The extra weight, I don’t find a problem even at my advanced age of 72. I do use a bass buggy which negates the weight question. I would have liked more handles like the mooradian (and a burgundy option).
The soundwear case is well made and I have confidence in its protective quality. I have not tried the backpack setup yet as I carry my stool on my back and given the afore mentioned clumsiness just know I will find myself on my back, and consequently, my bass when I miscalculate the top of the door and the top of my safely case nestled instrument. I have a Seth KIMMEL Milanese and it fits very comfortably in the 4/4 Performance case with room to spare. Previous cases with the bass buggy were unstable with the outside pockets and frequently fell over on the bridge when left resting on their sides. The soundwear sits stably at rest with the weight held closer to the bass with internal pockets. This does result in a somewhat reduced capacity for toys and accessories but not that much. Anyway, so far I am liking it.
The Price? Well, that I can’t really answer. I would get a mooradian again, but that option is gone.
Click to expand...

I highly recommend Messina bags, great quality, very responsive, and loads of sizing options. I had one made a few years ago and have been very happy with it.

Bass Bags — Messina Covers
 
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#51
Chris Fitzgerald said:
Just a note to all: I used a Soundwear for years as it came with my bass. At some point, the zipper malfunctioned and I put the case into storage even though the rest of it is in good shape. I agree that it is the most protective case I have ever seen, but I am happy with my lighter cases. If anyone would like a free sounder case that just needs a zipper repair, you can have it for just the cost of shipping.
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Hey Chris that is so generous of you, thank you! I will happily take it please. I'll DM you, it might not be possible to ship to me but hoping.
 
#53
holy necropost batman. I put my Soundwear bag on my bass today (its close to 20 years old! wow!) and seems like it's no longer the tank it once was.

I haven't been gigging or playing sessions much in recent years so it sat at hone. Poked my hand into the bow pocket and found some of the foam crumbling. Feeling around the rest of the bag, it's no longer the armor it once was. I think the foam has decomposed and the bag is now just a heavy cover. Guess it's time for a new bag. Areas where it used to be very firm or spongy feels very thin.
 
#54
Huy Nguyen said:
holy necropost batman. I put my Soundwear bag on my bass today (its close to 20 years old! wow!) and seems like it's no longer the tank it once was.
. . . I think the foam has decomposed . . .
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SO Y'KNOW, one Halloween night Johannes Brahms decides to pay a visit to the tomb of his musical idol, Ludwig van Beethoven.
He is drawn to an eerie light emanating from Beethoven's grave.
In fear he approaches, only to see Beethoven sitting up in his open coffin and frantically scrubbing away at a symphonic score with a giant gum eraser.
"Master," he says, "Whatever are you doing?"
Beethoven replies, "You fool! Can't you see I'm decomposing!"




I'm here until Thursday. Try the tofu!
 
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#58
Funny that this thread popped up again after more than three years and even funnier that my foam in my Soundwear Bag (still "OK Bag" before name change) started to crumble a month or two ago. The cover has served me well for nearly thirty years of heavy use but now I will probably have to replace it.

The Soundwear bag is expensive but I think I want to support local manufacturers and am not looking at the cheap chinese alternatives.
 
#59
Jannosch said:
Funny that this thread popped up again after more than three years and even funnier that my foam in my Soundwear Bag (still "OK Bag" before name change) started to crumble a month or two ago. The cover has served me well for nearly thirty years of heavy use but now I will probably have to replace it.

The Soundwear bag is expensive but I think I want to support local manufacturers and am not looking at the cheap chinese alternatives.
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I would love a replacement Soundwear bag but at this point it’s ridiculously priced at $1.3k USD. that’s a non starter when I can buy a custom bag for far less.

Must be the tariffs or something.
 

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