Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
What kind of case do you use?
- Thread starter LBS-bass
- Start date
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
That's the one I need!
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
I have several Kiesel soft cases, which I'd say are neither a gig bag nor a hard case but something in between. They're apparently stronger than the average gig bag, because they have reinforcement in the sides, but they're lighter than a hardshell. I bought my first after seeing a video of the case being thrown off a roof with the instrument inside, then seeing another of a combo guitar amp being placed on the case, again with an instrument inside. In neither case was the instrument harmed. IIRC they were about $170-180.
Unfortunately, it looks as if for now at least, Kiesel doesn't sell the cases separately from an instrument purchase. But surely somebody must make something similar; I doubt that Kiesel was making them in house.
Unfortunately, it looks as if for now at least, Kiesel doesn't sell the cases separately from an instrument purchase. But surely somebody must make something similar; I doubt that Kiesel was making them in house.
Just to clarify for these purposes. A "gig bag" is any bag you can sling across your back and carry hands-free. I'm interested in who needs/uses the kind of hard case that used to ship with most Fenders and EBMM basses, etc. because I'm curious as to how many people here would need to purchase something else in addition to that case.
In other words, is providing something other than a hard case going to cause you to go out and buy something extra, or is it the other way around? For me, I've always had to buy an extra gig bag to fit most of my new basses that shipped with a hard case.
Some folks might need to buy something else no matter what it ships with, but I don't have enough info on what's getting shipped to say what sort of quality is getting sent to you by these manufacturers who have opted to move away from a hard case. So "gig bag" means ANY backpack-styled case.
In other words, is providing something other than a hard case going to cause you to go out and buy something extra, or is it the other way around? For me, I've always had to buy an extra gig bag to fit most of my new basses that shipped with a hard case.
Some folks might need to buy something else no matter what it ships with, but I don't have enough info on what's getting shipped to say what sort of quality is getting sent to you by these manufacturers who have opted to move away from a hard case. So "gig bag" means ANY backpack-styled case.
I never use hard cases, except with my one really good classical guitar. The case came with the guitar, and I've never felt the need for a gig bag.
None of my basses came with hard cases; they all came with gig bags. I did feel the need to buy something else for my solidbodies, but that something else wasn't a hard case, it was a soft case--a "better" gig bag, if you will, because the gig bags supplied weren't that great. (The ABGs live in their original gig bags because I have no idea where to get something better that would fit, because they're both custom instruments.)
If a bass came with a hard case, I would immediately want to get a (very good) gig bag (using your expansive definition of the term), but if the bass came with a very good gig bag (= soft case), I wouldn't bother with a hard case.
I’ve got original hardshell cases stashed all over the house. Under beds, in closets, lining my music room walls.
When I bought basses that came with HSC, I always think, “where am I gonna keep that case?”
Gig bag for all gigs unless my basses are going into a truck with lots of hard things.
When I bought basses that came with HSC, I always think, “where am I gonna keep that case?”
Gig bag for all gigs unless my basses are going into a truck with lots of hard things.
The only thing it needs is a Talkbass logo!
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
One bass has a gig bag. The other bass came with a hard case. The gig bag is definitely easier to get around with. Not very helpful, I know.
So far it looks like 77% of us use a gig bag at some point. I included the 15% who said their needs vary, assuming they would need to buy a case no matter what came with the instrument, which is really my underlying question.
So, 77% would use a gig bag but what isn't clear is whether the gig bags the manufacturers have started to provide are well-made enough that people will use them. I guess that's another question. But there are probably only about 25% here who likely wouldn't need to make an extra purchase if a hard case were offered.
So, 77% would use a gig bag but what isn't clear is whether the gig bags the manufacturers have started to provide are well-made enough that people will use them. I guess that's another question. But there are probably only about 25% here who likely wouldn't need to make an extra purchase if a hard case were offered.
I hate dealing with hardshell cases on local jobs. 100% of my work these days qualifies as local.
If a bass I buy online comes with a really nice gig bag (like my latest acquisition, the Roscoe) I'm stoked!
If not, no biggie.
If it comes with a hardshell I'll feel a little less anxious while it is en route, then stow the case in a dusty, remote corner with the others.
Sometimes a bass comes with a cheap bag, or no case at all. That also is no problem. I have nicer bags ready to go for my high-rotation axes and some stands & hangers in my practice area.
If a long van tour or fly date were to come up, I'd have to rethink and maybe invest in something I might reluctantly trust to a baggage handler. (Or disassemble & carry on the neck. I actually did that once when I bought something on vacation.)
If a bass I buy online comes with a really nice gig bag (like my latest acquisition, the Roscoe) I'm stoked!
If not, no biggie.
If it comes with a hardshell I'll feel a little less anxious while it is en route, then stow the case in a dusty, remote corner with the others.
Sometimes a bass comes with a cheap bag, or no case at all. That also is no problem. I have nicer bags ready to go for my high-rotation axes and some stands & hangers in my practice area.
If a long van tour or fly date were to come up, I'd have to rethink and maybe invest in something I might reluctantly trust to a baggage handler. (Or disassemble & carry on the neck. I actually did that once when I bought something on vacation.)
That's interesting. My impresson was that Hiscox cases were instanely expensive. I didn't realize they offered a bag or case any where near the price range of that Jazz/Precision hard case.
I got my first with a strat, secondhand. I was so impressed, I got one for the other FSOs. The Gator Pro Go, I got because I was hanging out at TB at the time and it seemed like the right move, according to the consensus. Neither one was expensive. Both are ideal — I'm no perfectionist. My needs are simple. But I do like a good case.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Mostly local - Mostly gig bags (good ones). My fretless case with a chainsaw case, so I use that, since it is almost as compact as a gig bag.
Thaqnks for the info.
I have a Pro Go 2X, which I think is a pretty nicely made bag and seems to protect very well. However, the compartments seem kind of shallow to me and I have to pull the flaps tightly in order to zip up the compartments. Other than that, I really like the bag.
FWIW, I just created a new thread to ask other Pro Go 2X owners if they've noticed the same thing. I'm also seriously considering replacing it with a Reunion Blues Continental Voyager Double because the specs indicate the compartments are 0.6" deeper than on the Pro Go 2X. I already have a Continental Voyager single that I think is an outstanding bag as well, a very close second to my Access Stage 5, so I'm assmuing that it would be a good choice for me. I'm just hesitant to spend that kind of money to replace my barely used Pro Go (I'd rather spend it on other bass-related toys
).I can appreciate that
I don't have a 2x. That would be nice. These bags, the premium ones, are all pretty good, it seems to me. Worth going the extra yard. Never enough room, sadly, but we get by. Things are pretty grim these days — raw materials for manufacturing, are not easy to come by. That alone is bumping up the price, causing some static. And there are other complications. Next time I stick my neck out, it won't be for a bass case
I'd give one of those Continental Voyagers a try, if the need arose. They look good.(I'd rather spend it on other bass-related toys
Gig bags mostly, and mostly because a decent gig bag is more readily available than a decent hard case. No point in lugging around junk oem hardshells with bad hardware and a sloppy fit.
