Upcoming: The Kapsule from Gruv Gear

[Acoustic356]

This is not a carry around town case. I have a few trips that I'll be taking soon. It will be a cool way to take 1 container for clothes and a bass.

But for around town? it's a bit much.

 

[landrybass]

This is not a carry around town case. I have a few trips that I'll be taking soon. It will be a cool way to take 1 container for clothes and a bass.

But for around town? it's a bit much.

I agree. I was a day one backer number 43 and I’ve had mine for a week or so. It was a great deal so I jumped on it. It’s an awesome case but I have no gigs far enough away to justify the suitcase portion (yet!), for around town it is a bit much. It was well worth what I paid for it but I feel like it’s going to sit around a while, which is ok I’ve got a room full of cases. All of the handles are excellent, the straps, the back padding, the wheels, the zippers, all feel like great quality. The only quirk I can find is as you pointed out the foam insert that goes at the bottom has nothing to hold it in place? Also it may be worth noting the square pockets are zippered on 2 sides (side and top) and not 3 sides which may make it kinda awkward to use. Overall I like it plenty and was well worth the early bird discount I was lucky to snag. I just wish I had some application to use it more! Haha

 

[YUrbanczik]

This is not a carry around town case. I have a few trips that I'll be taking soon. It will be a cool way to take 1 container for clothes and a bass.

But for around town? it's a bit much.

Thank you for all of your detailed reports. Having used it firsthand: Would you consider it safe for airport handling? I have a number of flight gigs coming up this year and I need a case that can really hold it's own on a regular basis.

 

[Acoustic356]

Thank you for all of your detailed reports. Having used it firsthand: Would you consider it safe for airport handling? I have a number of flight gigs coming up this year and I need a case that can really hold it's own on a regular basis.

I think the bass would be very well protected for flying and the case will hold up.

The bass compartment has a TSA lock. The top portion does not. So I would not necessarily put an iPad, small amp, or anything that could not make it to the destination in there.

As far as clothes, and other odds and ends? I think it would work well. I think it could handle being checked, and your bass would be more than protected.

I like the wheels for inside the airport. Up until this point, I have not used them outside in a parking lot, but they seem to be the typical "roller blade" style wheel.

 

[munnkyboy]

BIG Question..
So the BACK of the Case is solid..but is the TOP, Not the soft top..but the "top" that encloses the bass, is this solid???? It 'seems' like a soft case with a solid back...which makes no sense to me..I use the BASS SAFE for flying about 30 gigs a year and it's stellar..but having the 'suitcase' option to bring one bag would be Huge..can someone please answer that..

Mucho thanks

 

[songwriter21]

No thanks, for around $300 LESS, I just keep buying the best gigbag ever...Gator ProGo. If I need to travel, you can't beat SKB's water-tight and pressurized military-grade hard cases.

 

[JakobT]

No thanks, for around $300 LESS, I just keep buying the best gigbag ever...Gator ProGo. If I need to travel, you can't beat SKB's water-tight and pressurized military-grade hard cases.

These cases are great for travel, but cumbersome after you’ve arrived. A gig bag is great for carrying your bass around town, but next to useless for air travel. The Kapsule is a very creditable attempt at a single case that works for both those things.

 

[AlfBrewdog]

BIG Question..
So the BACK of the Case is solid..but is the TOP, Not the soft top..but the "top" that encloses the bass, is this solid???? It 'seems' like a soft case with a solid back...which makes no sense to me..I use the BASS SAFE for flying about 30 gigs a year and it's stellar..but having the 'suitcase' option to bring one bag would be Huge..can someone please answer that..

Mucho thanks

I got the Kapsule a couple of weeks ago. The back is polycarbonate. Between the two compartments is padding around an EPS foam layer.
I love the way I can pack clothes in the top compartment.
I’ve checked it in several times now with no issues.

It’s great to be able to carry it on your back or wheel it.

It seems fairly solid, but in no way would it stand up to SKB flight cases. I have the iSeries and have done hundreds of flights with that.

 

[JakobT]

I got the Kapsule a couple of weeks ago. The back is polycarbonate. Between the two compartments is padding around an EPS foam layer.
I love the way I can pack clothes in the top compartment.
I’ve checked it in several times now with no issues.

It’s great to be able to carry it on your back or wheel it.

It seems fairly solid, but in no way would it stand up to SKB flight cases. I have the iSeries and have done hundreds of flights with that.

So what you’re saying is that the «lid» is not hard?

 

[AlfBrewdog]

So what you’re saying is that the «lid» is not hard?

no, the lid is like a padded polyurethane. Then there is a thick foam/EPS layer between the top compartment and the instrument cavity.

 

[JakobT]

no, the lid is like a padded polyurethane. Then there is a thick foam/EPS layer between the top compartment and the instrument cavity.

Thanks for the info. Hard to tell from the press photos and renderings. How would you rate the protection?

 

[AlfBrewdog]

Thanks for the info. Hard to tell from the press photos and renderings. How would you rate the protection?

I’ve taken it on half a dozen flights so far and it’s been fine. I think it would hold up to quite a bit of abuse - being thrown, having other baggage thrown on top of it etc...

I think what will happen is I’ll get some rips in the material at some point, like my mono pedalboard bag has.

For me, this case is about a more convenient way to travel, while still offering a good deal of protection, than it is about ultimate protection. If you want that, I’d get an SKB iSeries or an Enki.

 

[SleazyB]

I got the Kapsule for a week and gotta say it makes life easier. It has so much storage room for cables, in ears, microphones, amp and so on and so forth. Just put it all in there and you can go in one trip.

The top material is close to the Mono „sharkskin“ it is very sturdy and protects the content really well.

 

[AlfBrewdog]

I got the Kapsule for a week and gotta say it makes life easier. It has so much storage room for cables, in ears, microphones, amp and so on and so forth. Just put it all in there and you can go in one trip.

The top material is close to the Mono „sharkskin“ it is very sturdy and protects the content really well.

Yep, it certainly makes travel easier. I’ve done over a dozen flights with it now and it’s holding up well.
The polycarbonate shell is a bit scratched up in places, but that’s to be expected.
I thought the padding for carrying comfort would be the first thing to get torn up, but that’s holding up well too.
I’ve also sprayed it with Collonil Carbon Pro for extra water protection.

 

[Aidil]

Yep, it certainly makes travel easier. I’ve done over a dozen flights with it now and it’s holding up well.
The polycarbonate shell is a bit scratched up in places, but that’s to be expected.
I thought the padding for carrying comfort would be the first thing to get torn up, but that’s holding up well too.
I’ve also sprayed it with Collonil Carbon Pro for extra water protection.

Good suggestion on the Collonil Carbon Pro. So, the top material would still absorb the sprayed Collonil Carbon Pro, right..?

 

[AlfBrewdog]

Good suggestion on the Collonil Carbon Pro. So, the top material would still absorb the sprayed Collonil Carbon Pro, right..?

Yep, the top layer and the zips. Have travelled during rainy days and no water has gotten in.

 

[SleazyB]

Here is a pic of mine and a close-up of the outer material for those who are interested.

Behind the Kapsule is a M80 Vertigo. The material goes in the same direction, however, I think the Sharkskin from Mono is superior. It feels more rugged imo.

 

[AlfBrewdog]

View attachment 3739842 View attachment 3739843 Here is a pic of mine and a close-up of the outer material for those who are interested.

Behind the Kapsule is a M80 Vertigo. The material goes in the same direction, however, I think the Sharkskin from Mono is superior. It feels more rugged imo.

I also have Mono stuff.
I’ve got tears in my club 2.0 case from baggage handlers.
The other thing I’ve found is that water gets through Mono stuff pretty easily.
I think the Kapsule front and Mono shark skin are probably pretty similar.
My biggest concern with the Kapsule is the padding on the shell. I think that will be the first to go.
I definitely wouldn’t trust checking the Mono in, whereas I totally trust the Kapsule to protect my bass.
Having said that, I know lots of guys who check in their basses in Mono’s regularly and have had no issues apart from tears and water issues.

 

[Jamie Bishop]

How are these holding up for folks a year later? Probably a bad year to ask! Thinking about picking up a Kapsule Duo, but if it holds up as poorly as my Mono did I will be very bummed.

 

[SleazyB]

As you stated the Kapsule didn't get out much due to cancelled rehearsals, however, it still looks like new. It got a couple of scratches on the hardshell part, but I guess that's something one cannot avoid.
But I do have to say, once it is packed, the Kapsule gets crazy heavy. Cant imagine carrying the Duo with me.