Double Bass Takamine B10 or TB10 gigbag?

[Clarkybass]

Hi all, I posted this in the Bass Guitars Forum but got no replies and - as this can be played on a pin as an upright bass - I think i can legitimately ask the same question here!

Anyways, I have a Takamine B10, the big acoustic bass with f-holes and piezo pickups (and brass endpin!). The hard case weighs a ton and is very unwieldy. Does anyone have any suggestions about a more portable (but still protective) means of transporting the gig to/from rehearsals and gigs? A fellow UK bass player with the same bass has pointed out a semi-soft cello gigbag but this will not fit the upper bouts closely and - before I place an order for one of these - I wondered if anyone has an alternative suggestion?

Many thanks

 

[Eat_Sleep_Bass]

I'd go with the padded cello case I heard someone talk about using one for easier transport. They're about the same scale and body depth so it should fit comfortably. Hope this helped!!

 

[aesopslyre]

I imagine you have found a solution , but if not, this will work: Gator GL Lightweight acoustic bass case.
It is the only gig bag (semirigid) that I found commercially produced that fit the Tak. But I think I had to modify the interior foam to accommodate the instrument.

 

[Clarkybass]

Thanks! I did in the end buy a padded cello case which fitted perfectly and weighed about half the Takamine lead-lined hard case!

 

[Groove Doctor]

I ended up getting a cello case months ago. The gator is lighter and cheaper, and I would def go with that one. I didn't know they made them big enough. How much modifying inside did you have to do?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Clarkybass]

This is the bag I had - a Fusion padded cello bag, the B10 fitted perfectly with no mods required

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[Groove Doctor]

Thanks Clarky.

Curious about the Gator mods still....

 

[aesopslyre]

Hi,GD. The gator has a styrofoam interior, covered with faux fur. I removed some of the styro from the point at which the headstock pegs meet the foam, as they were too wide too be accommodated. I simply cut the fur, cut out the styro, and reglued the fur. Also, I had to cut down the styro which intersected with the heel of the instrument, so the bass would sit deeper in the case, and reglue the fur after removing the styro, nothing too taxing. But my research didn't reveal any other commercial gigbag withy the interior dimensions to accommodate the TAK. I am happy with the case.

 

[aesopslyre]

Also, I would think that the Tak would "swim" around a bit in a cello bag, as the body length on the Tak is not similar to that of a cello.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

A cello bag fits better than you might think. I used a Mooradian for several years with a couple of different ABGs. One thing I really like is that the bass sits a lot lower on its backpack straps than with a regular ABG bag like the Levy's giving you a much more practical doorway clearance.

 

[aesopslyre]

Good point,in terms of overall height above the shoulder. I'm over 6 feet, and I live in NYC. Lots of low-hanging projections. The gator sits quite high. But I would tend to think that a semi-rigid gig bag offers more protection than a soft padded case.

 

[aesopslyre]

Another disadvantage of the gator is that it is hard to stow.it won't fold like a soft case.

 

[Groove Doctor]

My semi-rigid cello case has the headstock and tail of the instrument jammed against the ends. I'm a bit worried it might damage or break the headstock near the nut (weak spot) with an impact. I had an acoustic gtr break here once years ago in a gig bag and worry about the Taki.

Not really any cushioning to absorb vibrations, only slightly better than a soft case. I was thinking the Gator would protect better, weigh less than my current case, and changeover cost wouldn't be too much (esp compared to repairing or replacing the Taki).

 

[mikestrother]

I just ordered a TB10. How has it been for you? I wanted something more acoustic but was not ready for URB. Thanks.