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Which bass case do you prefer: Hardshell, softshell, or a gig bag?
- Thread starter Mowac
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I try to bring interesting topics into the field when it crosses my mind. Some topics may have been covered many times in past thread post from others. I'm all ears in gaining insight from others about various topics on this platform. It's also necessary to involve new members whose voices weren't available in past thread posts. We as musicisns are never old to listen and learn a thing or two along the way and sharing our experiences with the forum.
I found n a gig bag that fits all of my basses and I’ve been using that exclusively for several years, it’s got a huge pocket on the front that can hold a Micro Korg as well as another pocket up top for cables or a big power supply, it’s almost big enough to hold a small pedalboard. It’s a Sandberg branded gig bag but I can’t say I’ve ever seen another like it. I like it so much I’d buy a spare if I ever found one!
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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I haven’t used a hard case in decades. It’s just not practical when you’re playing a hundred plus gigs a year and you’re moving all your gear yourself. Lately I’ve using a double gig bag. Made by Pro Tec I’m very impressed with the quality.
Gig bag. Switched to a Mono Dual a while ago and have been very happy since. Hard cases are either under my bed or on a shelf in the basement. Straps, IEMS, cable, backup DI and other miscellaneous items all stay in there, I use a handful of different basses and would forget stuff in a different case at home and that doesn't happen anymore.
Hard shell. I’m old school, old, and, at times, clumsy. I bang my guitar around enough when it’s not in the case, so yes, give me that extra protection.
I have both, but prefer hard cases. I don't at all see how a bag is any more convenient, unless your strapping it to your back
I kind of favored gig bags until I made a misstep and a bag leaned against a HSC and both were against a wall the wall long way. LSS I was walking by in the dark and my foot knocked the gig bag over so it was laying on the floor with the bass face up in it. I had stumbled to begin with so as I tried to catch myself I wound up stepping on the head stock end of the gig bag, and heard a crack. It broke it bad enough I just stripped the hardware and tossed the neck, which is actually what began a couple of years buying and selling Mexican jazz basses and parts for Mexican jazz basses. As for my case preference, these days I keep most of my stuff in SKB 44 cases. I've still got some in soft bags, but they are laying down on an unused bed so I can't stumble and break them.
I keep two very old 4 stringers in storage. One is my first decent bass - a '73 Precision that I foolishly modified and the other is an Ibanez Musician that was given to me. I keep them for sentimental reasons. I play all four of my 5 string basses so they're always within reach. They go to gigs in bags.
I haven’t gotten lazy or decrepit, so I will use whatever case is appropriate for the quality/nature of the instrument, with the transport context entering in as a factor. Hollowbody/AEB always go in hard cases. My ‘66 P or ‘72 Guild JS, a hardcase, or in certain circumstances, an Anvil. That as well for any better quality instrument in a “hurry up, toss that crap into the back of the van and let’s get outta here” situation. My modded SX? Sure, gig bag, but a quality, padded one. Any Frankenstein build that I spent some time and a bit of money on putting together, I tend to go with a hard cases unless I’m handling it the entire time for a low-key gig, then the gig bag again.
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