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What will you spend on a gig bag ?

artfahie

artfahie

Dec 14, 2007
267
51
Bar Mills, Maine
#1
I've got 3 nice basses... each in to $1500+ range... and as I only travel locally I don't really care about using my bass cases... just a "gig" bag.
Well, for Christmas I'm treating myself to a new one. I've had "fur-lined" Levi cases before but decided to go with a nice new Levi "Leather" bag... $300 for a bag to potect almost $5000 in basses doesn't seem to weird (to me !).... I only use one at a time... share & share alike !

I'm betting I'm not the only one to overspend on this type of thing.... what are you using as a "gig" bag... and what would you "like" to be using ?

Art Fahie
Maine
 
#2
Good gig bags make sense for any bass, not just expensive ones. If you are only taking one bass to gig, you want yo protect it so you can play, period. Heck, if you have two, you don't want break one either! I've never spent more than $150 on a bag, but I could easily see myself spending more for a great bag or soft case.
 
#4
I have spent as little as $10.00 for a nylon cover up to $200. for a Fodera Double gig bag…I very rarely use a hard shell case and my go to bags have been either Reunion Blues or Undercover bags…heavy padding, nylon covering and two large compartments…good value in the used market...
 
#5
I agree. Mono gig-bags have great features for around $200 and look more than sufficient to transport any bass safely. I'm going to look into buying one eventually. I own a few different brands of varying price but the G&L gb's that can be bought in the $60 range are what I use regularly.
 
#8
jaxom said:
Why a gigbag instead of a case? Wouldn't a case provide more protection?
Click to expand...

I have to agree that gig bags are sometimes better than hard cases. While not providing as much protection against crushing they are less likely to be thrown around in your car. I always had to wedge the hard cases somehow, while soft cases tend sit on the top of the pile nicely.

Personally I treat gig bags/cases as something that supposed to take the beating instead of your bass, so I wouldn't buy anything expensive just for fashion purposes.

I have a couple of Warwick RockBags that I think are awesome. Don't know how much they are cos they came with basses, but I'd say they're nowhere near $300.
 
#12
Why a gigbag instead of a case? Wouldn't a case provide more protection?

I really don't like gig bags due to the lack of protection they offer.

For going to the gig; traveling on a bus, in a car, on a train or even flying - and between traveling, walking a ways and finally storing at the gig in the tiny space allotted. That's why it's called a gig bag.
 
#14
I have a Reunion Blues Continental that I love to death.

Worth the cash. A bit large, but built like a tank.

Last night we had a gig and had to lug our gear through the kitchen and store our crap by the dudes washing pots and pans.

It was around 25 degrees outside and the door kept swinging open and closed all night. Temperature and humidity fluctuations galore.

By the time we made it to the stage, my bass was still at room temp and cozy.

It offers serious protection for normal gig transport. Look at the video online, they toss it off a roof for gods sake.

Regardless if there is a $100 or a $5000 axe in the case, if your gigging, the bass you bring better be up to being played.
 
#16
jaxom said:
Why a gigbag instead of a case? Wouldn't a case provide more protection?
Click to expand...

Size and weight. I had a Gator ata case that was great (bass arrived unscathed after being lost by an airline and being flown around the US northeast for four days) but it barely fit the trunk of my car, and I had a car with a huge trunk at the time. The car I own right now can't fit a bass case in the trunk, barely in the rear passenger seats. Gig bag, a laptop backpack for my genz Benz shuttle and cables, and my 12" cabs miraculously fit in the trunk. Woo hoo!
 
#17
jeff62 said:
I don't get it. You can buy 2-3 hard shell cases for what some are spending on a single gig bag. To each their own I guess. :)
Click to expand...

In my own case, I spent $200 on an Incase DUB, and consider it an outstanding expenditure... I play both 4s and 5s, and take one each to every gig - it is SO much easier to use one high quality double gig bag than it is to use 2 hardshells... I used to be paranoid about using gig bags, due to past bad experiences, but the more expensive "hybrid" gig bags are a huge step up from the ones I've used in the past... I've been using the DUB exclusively for a few months now, averaging 8-10 gigs per month, and my basses are none the worse for it...

If my basses were going in the band trailer, I'd use hardshells - but they're riding in the SUV that's towing the band trailer, and the DUB works SO much better in that situation...

If I had to replace my DUB, I'd probably pony up for an M80 double immediately...


- georgestrings
 
#18
I use high-quality "hybrid" gig bags exclusively instead of hard cases. I have 2 Mono M80 Vertigo bags, a Mono M80 Dual, and a Reunion Blues Aero bag. I like that they are lighter in weight, easier to lug around, and also easier to store at home than traditional hard cases. These types of "bags" aren't your traditional gig bags. They have protective, stiff panels built into the cases to provide some rigidity and excellent protection. I'm a freak about taking care of my equipment and completely trust these types of bags/cases. (For reference, I use an $1100 carbon fiber case for travel for my flamenco guitars.) I should also note that two of my basses that go in the Mono M80 Vertigo bags are the Rick Turner Ren 4 and 5 fretless basses with the semi-hollow bodies. I would consider these Turner Rens much more fragile than my Elricks, and I trust the Mono bags.

I also have an Elrick Zero Gravity case that is awesome...lightweight and very protective.
 
#19
For Fenders Reunion Blues.
For tilted headstock basses I love the Body Glove.

For you all who don't understand you can't wend your way between tables in a crowded club with a hardshell case. You can go to dinner and have it with you. They are a great invention. They offer protection just short of driving a car over your bass.:)

When roadies are throwing stuff or for flights one may need even more than the hardshell case.

Folks with gig bags don't let others touch their bass and throw it around in the van with Fridges in there.:)

They hold them close as if they had no case!
 

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