Ok folks. I think I've found my bag! Before I reveal the winner let me share a few pics and a few thoughts. I ordered both the Mono M80 hybrid and Mono Vertigo with the option to return one or both with no restock fees or shipping fees. Both arrived today (as well as a Tick bag).
I've taken pics of a few of my basses in both. All are 5 string basses. Hopefully this info is helpful.
First up, my MTD Norm Stockton Saratoga (35" scale) in the M80 Hybrid. It is this bass I am most concerned about finding a bag to fit.
Notice it clearly fits with room to spare unlike the Fusion Urban bag I recently tried and returned. The Fusion was not long enough and the headstock of the Saratoga rubbed the top. I was also not a fan of the fabric at the top of the headstock ares on the Fusion. Was rough and rigid. There is plenty of room at the headstock area on this Mono. If you slide the bass up (which I think could happen because the neck strap doesn't really hold the bad tightly meaning it could slide if the case were turned upside down). Here's a pic showing the gap of the bass slid all the way to top of bag.
Here's a Warrior five string 34" scale.
Frankly, a lot of extra room in there.
Here's a Ken Smith 34" scale.
Better fit in terms of width but still plenty of room in terms of length.
Now for the Vertigo. Here's the Saratoga in the bag showing the headstock area. Much tighter fit but still 1/2 or more room in length at the top than the Fusion offered. The headstock area is more plush than the Fusion. Tuners will ride the side though.
Here's a couple pics trying to show the neck lock area. It fits the 5 string neck fine and provides a more snug fit than the M80 hybrid.
Here's the Warrior. Fits the neck fine. Room to spare at the top.
Here's the Smith. Fits the neck fine. Room to spare at the top. Little tight on the sides.
The Vertigo seems to offer a tighter fit overall. Maybe better said a more precise fit. My basses seemed like they are better secured in the Vertigo. To me there is too much room in the M80 Hybrid. It's too big IMHO. It definitely does not feel as rigid as the Fusion and I'd say the Fusion offers better protection. Between the Fusion and M80 hybrid get the Fusion if you want more protection and more storage space. But the Fusion feels like a bigger bag so be aware of that. It feels more bulky. The M80 seems more floppy. It's not rigid enough. To much play in there.
As I mentioned earlier, I handled the Gigblade at
Sweetwater and wasn't all that impressed. I didn't like the way it hung. The neck lock area was not as nice as either the Mono M80 Hybrid and the Neck system of the Vertigo just works IMHO. Very cool actually.
I'd like to try the Reunion Blues Continental still... But my guess is it will feel too big for what I really want. I think the Vertigo is about perfect. Real nice balance of protection and functionality. I do wish the straps could be stowed away like the M80 Hybrid and Fusion but I will live with that. With the Tick holding my Pedaltrain Nano pedalboard the combo is about perfect for me.
The Vertigo also hangs well. Rides lower on the back than the M80 Hybrid and the Fusion.
So the winner is? Mono Vertigo.
M80 Hybrid is going back. Here's a pic of the winning combo.
Hope this is helpful for others making a decision. And sense this is "the definitive yet another gig bag" thread feel free to disagree with my findings and keep the commentary going. Doesn't mean what's best for one is best for another.
Cheers!
