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The definitive "Yes, another gig bag" thread

#161
I picked up a Tick from the TB classifieds, so I have some more thoughts on the Mono M80 and how it works with the Tick:

While the Tick adds a reasonable amount of storage to the M80, it's goal in doing so is consolidation, not simply increased storage. After all, there's no shortage of bags and boxes that you could stuff your gear into. What sets the Tick apart from a backpack, tote bag, grocery bag or shoebox is not storage space or even protection and organization--it's having everything together. The Tick attaches firmly (I don't think it would be easily ripped off, nevermind fall off) to the back of Mono bags (except the Sleeve, I think) and, with the rise of class D amps, allows for a bassist to carry everything but cabs on his or her back. With the Tick, the M80 can carry, in addition to a bass, a class D amp, several pedals, cables, tuner, tablet or music binder, strings, picks, etc... With a lightweight, high quality cab (or a lightweight combo), a bassist could even have a hand free while walking into the gig--that happy state is no longer just for guitar players with their 1x12 combos.

I do think the new price is a bit excessive ($90 on Amazon). While the Tick is well constructed, that's half the price of the M80 itself (I paid $172 on Amazon).
 
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#162
Anachronism said:
With the Tick, the M80 can carry, in addition to a bass, a class D amp, several pedals, cables, tuner, tablet or music binder, strings, picks, etc... With a lightweight, high quality cab (or a lightweight combo), a bassist could even have a hand free while walking into the gig--that happy state is no longer just for guitar players with their 1x12 combos.
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What amp fits in the Tick? I've got one and the the standard Markbass/GK-sized don't fit.
 
#164
Anachronism said:
The amp would go in the main M80 pocket. The Tick allows for a few pedals in addition to the amp.
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Sorry, misunderstood you.

The one thing I miss about my M80 as opposed to my Vertigo was the the front pocket fit my 1ru amps. I can't see myself going to a bag that doesn't have the big rubber bottom the Vertigo has though.
 
#165
I'm mildly irritated that Fusion prices do not reflect the devaluation of the GBP! Grr...

So having read through this, and having and liking my Sadowsky Portabag and wanting something similar for my Lakland 55-94 (35" scale), the Portabag, Fusion Urban and the Mono Vertigo all seem very close in function, and definitely in price @ $200-225. Anyone used all 3 and have a strong preference?
 
#166
I have owned a Mono M80 with the tick for four years and second what a lot of folks have said. I can fit my Musicman Bongo, GK MB500, cables, music book, and Pedaltrain Nano board and walk in with my Berg CN 112 and a free hand. That is nice, especially since I am out playing at least once a week, and some weeks more 2-3 times a week. The protection is good, and I have had someone throw the bag with bass in it on the floor with no problems. Even with four years of constant use it looks pretty good, and I expect it to last another six years with no problems. I would say that the material is pretty close to waterproof. I have walked around NYC on really rainy days and it has held its own. I have no regrets buying it to replace carrying around a hard shell case.
 
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#167
TedH said:
I'm mildly irritated that Fusion prices do not reflect the devaluation of the GBP! Grr...

So having read through this, and having and liking my Sadowsky Portabag and wanting something similar for my Lakland 55-94 (35" scale), the Portabag, Fusion Urban and the Mono Vertigo all seem very close in function, and definitely in price @ $200-225. Anyone used all 3 and have a strong preference?
Click to expand...

The Vertigo and Fusion are pretty different beasts. The Fusion has a lot more storage and can be customized with different bags- it's more in line with an IGig. The Vertigo has little storage in favor of a sleek design and can only be opened vertically, which allows for the thick shock absorbing boot.
 
#168
Just bought a Fender T-Bucket Acoustic Bass and found it fits perfectly inside the Vertigo Acoustic once you remove the inner sole; which is easy removed because it has velcro. It's a snug fit, but the level of protection is the best I can found in a gigbag for an acoustic bass.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#169
I've seen all of the "best" bags out there, protection-wise (padding), and imo, NOTHING touches the Gator Pro-Go. That thing is substantial and sturdy as hell. It's the only bag I've ever had that can stand up perfectly straight on it's own, too. It's ridiculous as to how much stuff I can fit into the pockets, which are very, very handy.

Maaaayyyybe Fusion's bag could compete, but their bag is too tight of a fit for 35" basses, at least to me.
 
#170
I've been a gig bag guy since the 90's when my car broke down and I carried my Lowden acoustic guitar home 2 miles in a Calton case. Since then I've owned Bodyglove hybrid, Access, SKL, Mono M80, Levys, Reunion Blues (original), Incase, Protec Contigo, a Glenn Cronkhite, and probably a few others.

For me, the strength of a gig bag is the portability and the ability to keep the instrument close to you. Obviously there is a degree of trade-off for good protection but if that trade off sacrifices the portability, IMHO, that defeats the purpose of a gig bag. In that case, stick to a hard case. I'd add that fit of the instrument into the bag is a key component to protection. If the instrument flops around or presses too hard against certain spots (especially at the headstock) again, you hit the point of diminishing returns.

Some thoughts then... the Access Level 3 or Level 5 both look to be really, really good choices but they both begin to bump up against the size and weight of a hard case... The Gator Pro strikes me as being almost as protective but a little more portable, at least than the Level 5. I don't care for the Reunion Blues Continental. I looked at one for one of my acoustics some time ago and it was larger and heavier than the hard case which completely defeated the purpose of a gig bag for me.

My favorites are the Protec Contigo for a solidbody instrument. It strikes me as the perfect balance between portability and protection. I wish the straps were removeable but oh well... My GrooveBee lives in a Contigo.

My other favorite is the Invalid Link Removed. It is an old school style bag without the hard reinforcements (which removes it from consideration for many folk) but the materials and workmanship are better than any other bag I've encountered. Add that the bag is custom made for your instrument and so fits perfectly and is exactly the size and shape it needs to be - nothing extra, nothing too tight. My custom Lowden acoustic lives in a leather Cronkhite. If I could justify the expenditure right now, My Bee would also live in a leather Cronkhite. I should say that Glenn's leather bags (at least when I purchased) actually came out less expensive than the off-the-shelf leather bags out there which are not custom made for your instrument.

FWIW, my partscaster lives in an Incase. They're no longer available but if they were, I'd not buy one today anyway - too big and heavy. That said it is the design that probably began the hybrid bag phase. I think the Access Level 5 is probably the bag available now that is most similar to the Incase.

If I need to fly with my bass, I'll pick up that SKB shell that you slide the gig bag into.
 
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#171
Bryan R. Tyler said:
The Vertigo and Fusion are pretty different beasts. The Fusion has a lot more storage and can be customized with different bags- it's more in line with an IGig. The Vertigo has little storage in favor of a sleek design and can only be opened vertically, which allows for the thick shock absorbing boot.
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Thanks for that; my main usage would be basic; bass, cable, sheet music and some basic knick-knacks. Sounds like the Vertigo is a little more up my alley.
 
#172
IMG_1249.JPG
these are both 35" scale in the fusion double bag.
IMG_1248.JPG
IMG_1263.JPG
standing on its own...
 
#173
I really like the idea of the Mono Vertigo and I have always used my gig bags that way; to load them in and out without fully opening the case in an upright position. That is how I currently use my Access Stage 3 case. I think the bottom rubber boot is too big though and does not need to be that thick and they could reduce a fair amount of weight by keeping that design and functionality, but making it thinner. It's the pocket design and strap positioning that makes me prefer the Access Stage 3 overall.

I think the Fusion looks like a nice bag too. I have never seen one in person.
 
#175
Smallmouth_Bass said:
I really like the idea of the Mono Vertigo and I have always used my gig bags that way; to load them in and out without fully opening the case in an upright position. That is how I currently use my Access Stage 3 case. I think the bottom rubber boot is too big though and does not need to be that thick and they could reduce a fair amount of weight by keeping that design and functionality, but making it thinner. It's the pocket design and strap positioning that makes me prefer the Access Stage 3 overall.

I think the Fusion looks like a nice bag too. I have never seen one in person.
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Actually, the boot on the Vertigo isn't very thick at all. There is the "sole" pattern, of course, but the boot itself is actually only a couple of millimeters thick. Also, it's not sewn on the outside of the bag, it forms the bottom of the bag all by itself. There is a removable cushion on the inside which is held in place by velcro, which makes the boot seem much thicker than it actually is. Pull it out, and and you'll find the exposed inside of the boot. I don't think you could make it much thinner without making the bag less protective. The boot is great for those of us who spend time on the street in the rain and snow waiting for a bus or a tram, and was one of the main reasons why I got it in the first place. I haven't regretted it.
 
#176
JakobT said:
Actually, the boot on the Vertigo isn't very thick at all. There is the "sole" pattern, of course, but the boot itself is actually only a couple of millimeters thick. Also, it's not sewn on the outside of the bag, it forms the bottom of the bag all by itself. There is a removable cushion on the inside which is held in place by velcro, which makes the boot seem much thicker than it actually is. Pull it out, and and you'll find the exposed inside of the boot. I don't think you could make it much thinner without making the bag less protective. The boot is great for those of us who spend time on the street in the rain and snow waiting for a bus or a tram, and was one of the main reasons why I got it in the first place. I haven't regretted it.
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Well there you go! I have one and didn't even notice!

My ideal gig bag would be a combination of features that exist on a bunch of different bags.
 
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#178
A couple of people mentioned the Sadowsky gig bag in this thread. I had an interesting situation. Bought one a couple months ago, liked it a lot. Bought one last week, and darn if it isn't different.

It's no big deal, but they apparently have added a Velcro flap on the outside of the bag down where the strap holder is, giving it extra protection in that area. Very nice, and it's been a great bag for me in terms of easiness to use, good storage pockets, and protection.
 
#179
kjones said:
A couple of people mentioned the Sadowsky gig bag in this thread. I had an interesting situation. Bought one a couple months ago, liked it a lot. Bought one last week, and darn if it isn't different.

It's no big deal, but they apparently have added a Velcro flap on the outside of the bag down where the strap holder is, giving it extra protection in that area. Very nice, and it's been a great bag for me in terms of easiness to use, good storage pockets, and protection.
Click to expand...
Could you pop a photo of that please? Thanks! :thumbsup:
 
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