Upcoming: The Kapsule from Gruv Gear

[Aidil]

Gruv Gear is previewing their upcoming product, the Kapsule, at NAMM 2019. Limited pictures are shown on their Instagram page and just slightly more on their web page.

They say The Kapsule is a travel-ready guitar bag.

Exterior:

• Check-in ready with TSA locks.
• Polycarbonate/ABS shell combined with rugged fabrics.
• Tour-ready storage pockets for a guitar/bass amp, pedals, cables and accessories.
• 1 year of peace of mind with Gruv Gear's global recovery tag (powered by HomingPIN), integrated in over 2800 airports and major airlines.
• Well-padded shoulder straps for comfort during long walks, can be tucked in when checking the bag.
• Snap-on, smooth-rolling wheels take the weight off your shoulders.
• OPTIONAL PLAY PACKAGE: Gruv Gear hi-fidelity portable practice amp (powered by PJB), headphones, instrument cable and auxiliary cable.
• OPTIONAL POWER PACKAGE: Oktane wireless power bank, 2 Oktane charging cables.

Interior:

• Unique "Iso chamber" to keep headstock from impact damage.
• Built-in humidity control (Boveda-certified).
• Extra long EVA neck support with additional storage.
• Single and double case options for most guitars and basses.

Pricing would be announced in May 2019.

I've been using their Gigblade2 quite intensively in the last couple of years. Bought the additional strap too so I can carry it as a regular backpack. It went out with me to numerous gigs throughout cities, but I chickened out taking it on board when I had to fly in airplanes to a gig. Luckily the other guys were taking the trains, so it traveled with them.

Then the thought of getting a flight case for my bass came to mind. But, I'm not a pro nor a session player, thus it would be paying for something that isn't cheap which I know it won't get used much. I don't think I could carry such heavy stuff around by myself nor there would be roadies standing in for me either. Not to mention the excess baggage fee incurred.

Next was getting the SKB ATA Roto Bass case which seemed a perfect solution for me had I had to fly with my bass. But it wasn't available locally so I had to order one from a neighboring country. Unfortunate for me the dealer failed in fulfilling the promised 3 to 4 months delivery time.

And now "The Kapsule" is coming, which seems quite promising although in the meantime I don't expect it to be on the same level as the SKB's. Hope it's priced right and our country Gruv Gear distributor would bring in some of these as soon as they're available.

So, anyone else is interested?

 

[JakobT]

Looks very interesting, but I’m having trouble understanding the design. It’s not immediately apparent from the pictures whether this is a hard case with a soft top, a soft case with a removable hard shell, or something else. I would love it if it were a soft case with a removable hard shell, as that would be the ideal combination - the SKB Roto case done right, in fact.

 

[packrat]

That looks like a lot of trouble just to prevent Gibson headstock breaks, but whatever works!

 

[BassAndReeds]

There appears to be an amp sleeve in That top portion, that can hold up to what appears to be some GK amp (Fusion?). How much does that amp weigh? 6-8 lbs? I don’t know how I’d feel about that above my Bass. Or carrying it, even if the wheels worked well. Still gotta lift it in and out of the car, house, steps.

 

[Aidil]

Looks very interesting, but I’m having trouble understanding the design. It’s not immediately apparent from the pictures whether this is a hard case with a soft top, a soft case with a removable hard shell, or something else. I would love it if it were a soft case with a removable hard shell, as that would be the ideal combination - the SKB Roto case done right, in fact.

My understanding, the soft case materials on the front and the hard shell on the back are inseparable. Unfortunately no more info available.

There appears to be an amp sleeve in That top portion, that can hold up to what appears to be some GK amp (Fusion?). How much does that amp weigh? 6-8 lbs? I don’t know how I’d feel about that above my Bass. Or carrying it, even if the wheels worked well. Still gotta lift it in and out of the car, house, steps.

I imagine this thing is constructed with more-or-less the same kind of materials used on some modern suitcases available today which is meant to be lighter than harder shell suitcases. So, this thing ought to be easier to handle. But yeah, we won't know for sure until the actual products go on to the roads.

 

[JakobT]

My understanding, the soft case materials on the front and the hard shell on the back are inseparable. Unfortunately no more info available.


I imagine this thing is constructed with more-or-less the same kind of materials used on some modern suitcases available today which is meant to be lighter than harder shell suitcases. So, this thing ought to be easier to handle. But yeah, we won't know for sure until the actual products go on to the roads.

In that case (no pun intended), it immediately becomes much less interesting to me, as it then has all the disadvantages of a hard case, and none of the advantages of a soft case. The whole point of a soft case is to be able to carry your bass comfortably on your back when you arrive at your destination, and I can’t say that I find the prospect of a hard-backed case with backpack straps very appealing.

I’ll reserve judgement until I know more, but if what you say is correct, this is starting to seem like a SKB Roto case done rather badly instead.

 

[Bob_Ross]

View attachment 3297541

Thread drift: Any idea what that black widgit just north of the nut on the guitar headstock is?

 

[Aidil]

Thread drift: Any idea what that black widgit just north of the nut on the guitar headstock is?

it's one of their latest products: FretWedge. They said it is meant to complement their world famous FretWraps in silencing overtones and ringing noise behind the nut area, especially on high-gain settings. Comes in 3 sizes: 41.5 mm, 47.5 mm and 53 mm.

 

[JimmyM]

Looks very interesting, but I’m having trouble understanding the design. It’s not immediately apparent from the pictures whether this is a hard case with a soft top, a soft case with a removable hard shell, or something else. I would love it if it were a soft case with a removable hard shell, as that would be the ideal combination - the SKB Roto case done right, in fact.

Looks to me like a soft case with a removable hard shell. Interesting concept...would like to see more of it, though.

 

[JakobT]

Looks to me like a soft case with a removable hard shell. Interesting concept...would like to see more of it, though.

It's hard to tell from the pictures - if it's a soft case with a removable shell, the shell is exceptionally well-fitting. It's certainly possible, though.

What puzzles me is the last photo - it seems that the the soft part protrudes through the hard shell in the rear, possibly so it's more comfortable against your back. It also seems to have cushioning, and both these things would seem to indicate a non-removable shell.

On the other hand, I don't see any straps, or anywhere to anchor them (except possibly the tab-like protrusions on the sides, but they don't seem to have any holes, buckles or any way for a strap to be attached), which I would expect to see if the hard shell is permanently fixed. Then again, the wheels seem removable, and there wouldn't really be a need for that if you could remove the soft case from the hard shell.

So all in all, the picture evidence is inconclusive. If it's indeed a soft case with a removable hard shell, it would be the best news for travelling bass players in a long time. If not - well, the Kapsule would join a long line of products that tried, but didn't quite cut it. We'll just have to bite the bullet and await additional info.

 

[JimmyM]

It's hard to tell from the pictures - if it's a soft case with a removable shell, the shell is exceptionally well-fitting. It's certainly possible, though.

What puzzles me is the last photo - it seems that the the soft part protrudes through the hard shell in the rear, possibly so it's more comfortable against your back. It also seems to have cushioning, and both these things would seem to indicate a non-removable shell.

On the other hand, I don't see any straps, or anywhere to anchor them (except possibly the tab-like protrusions on the sides, but they don't seem to have any holes, buckles or any way for a strap to be attached), which I would expect to see if the hard shell is permanently fixed. Then again, the wheels seem removable, and there wouldn't really be a need for that if you could remove the soft case from the hard shell.

So all in all, the picture evidence is inconclusive. If it's indeed a soft case with a removable hard shell, it would be the best news for travelling bass players in a long time. If not - well, the Kapsule would join a long line of products that tried, but didn't quite cut it. We'll just have to bite the bullet and await additional info.

Well if it's built to check in and get loaded into planes, I can't imagine it having any unprotected areas. Plus in that third shot, it's clearly been pulled out of the shell and looks like a typical hard gig bag.

For me, the big question is going to be how well the wheels work. They stick out pretty far, and would have to be retractable for storage, else they'd break right off. How you make that happen and how sturdy it'll be while wheeling it through a parking lot or hotel are the big questions for me.

 

[JimmyM]

Here's another case for flying that looks interesting, albeit quite expensive and a bit on the heavy side...good if you need to fly with two basses and want a vault while you're onstage, and you can use it like an SKB and fly with one bass in a gig bag as well. Way overkill for me, though. Light weight and sturdy build is what always made the SKB attractive to me, imperfect as it is (every lock system they've used sucks and you have to wrap twist wrap cables or velcro ties around the handles where they join together to keep it together).

ENKI AMG-2 Electric Bass Guitar Case

 

[JakobT]

Well if it's built to check in and get loaded into planes, I can't imagine it having any unprotected areas. Plus in that third shot, it's clearly been pulled out of the shell and looks like a typical hard gig bag.

For me, the big question is going to be how well the wheels work. They stick out pretty far, and would have to be retractable for storage, else they'd break right off. How you make that happen and how sturdy it'll be while wheeling it through a parking lot or hotel are the big questions for me.

I was wondering about that, too. What do you make of that last shot? It looks to me like a softer material, and the shell is clearly wrapped around the outside.

Regarding the third shot, I'm not convinced it's pulled out of the shell. The soft lid covers the side, but at the top of the case you can clearly see spots on the floor reflected in the shiny finish of the hard shell. It's still possible that the shell can be removed, of course, but in that shot I think it's in place.

The wheels look like they can be removed altogether. The ring beside the right wheel looks like some kind of locking mechanism. That would also make sense if the hard shell were non-removable, as it would be a very uncomfortable carry if they were in place.

There are a lot of question marks here, and I don't think we're going to be able to resolve them without more information - hopefully GruvGear will provide more of it soon.

 

[BassAndReeds]

Well if it's built to check in and get loaded into planes, I can't imagine it having any unprotected areas. Plus in that third shot, it's clearly been pulled out of the shell and looks like a typical hard gig bag.

For me, the big question is going to be how well the wheels work. They stick out pretty far, and would have to be retractable for storage, else they'd break right off. How you make that happen and how sturdy it'll be while wheeling it through a parking lot or hotel are the big questions for me.

I think I see a metal clip on the last picture, inside of the wheel. Maybe the wheels are removable via that clip. Then can store in the case when not in use.

 

[Bob_Ross]

fwiw it looks to me from OP's pics like it's a hard bottom (i.e., back & sides) with a soft top (i.e., front).
iow, it's a heavier-duty version of the packaging the supermarket uses for meat: A lightweight-but semi-rigid tray underneath, and Saran-Wrap over the top. Only difference is your steak usually sits proud of the tray edges, whereas the bass appears completely recessed beneath the walls of these tray edges.

If I'm right that's the dumbest idea I've ever seen for a bass case. GruvGear is now 0 for 2 in my book.

 

[BassAndReeds]

fwiw it looks to me from OP's pics like it's a hard bottom (i.e., back & sides) with a soft top (i.e., front).
iow, it's a heavier-duty version of the packaging the supermarket uses for meat: A lightweight-but semi-rigid tray underneath, and Saran-Wrap over the top. Only difference is your steak usually sits proud of the tray edges, whereas the bass appears completely recessed beneath the walls of these tray edges.

If I'm right that's the dumbest idea I've ever seen for a bass case. GruvGear is now 0 for 2 in my book.

I’m not liking the design either. But I don’t know if your assessment is completely correct. I believe it’s a hard bottom, sides, and middle. So the bass would be surrounded on all sides with a hard case. Then a top soft case is added on top. So this is essentially a soft case stacked on top of a hard case. My analysis from the pictures.

I don’t fly for gigs. So not sure the usability of this. But it wouldn’t work for me gigging around my area. Too much extra weight.

 

[JRA]

So, anyone else is interested?

not for me, but: i think it would tick the right boxes for some/many --- there has to be some player for whom it could be a perfect solution.

 

[Bob_Ross]

I believe it’s a hard bottom, sides, and middle. So the bass would be surrounded on all sides with a hard case. Then a top soft case is added on top. So this is essentially a soft case stacked on top of a hard case.

Ah, okay, I see what you're saying. This presumes the layer underneath the G-K amp head in picture #5 is rigid. Yeah, that would make more sense...and make the case slightly less stupid than my previous evaluation.

Emphasis on "slightly"

 

[BassAndReeds]

Emphasis on "slightly"

 

[JimmyM]

There are a lot of question marks here, and I don't think we're going to be able to resolve them without more information - hopefully GruvGear will provide more of it soon.

Truth! I'm sure Jay will do that, too, but I'm with the rest of you guys...a lot more questions than answers with the info he's given us so far.