Who uses a gig bag?

[cassius987]

With my foot broken I've had difficulty lugging my basses around lately. I only have hardshell cases... actually I've only EVER had hardshells. But something like the Reunion Blues Continental or Protec Contego is looking really tempting for my main "axe", the 4003FL. Something that could ride on my back while I use crutches would be great. I actually have to take the ol' Ddraig Goch to a mixdown session tomorrow in case we hear a mistake and need me to punch in... and I know GC stocks some of the nicer gig bags that I mentioned and is on the way. So what do you folks think? Is a nicer gig bag plenty of protection for your beloved?

[woodyng]

Sorry to hear about your foot! I would not put either of my rix in a gigbag,but i am very protective of them. I do carry my danelectro in a gigbag-obviously a much cheaper bass so i am not so paranoid about it.

[cjj]

I've never owned a gig bag. I'll never own a gig bag. 'Nuff said...

Hope your foot gets better soon...

[kiramdear]

I would trust myself to handle my instrument in a gig bag under controlled circumstances, but I wouldn't pass it off to anyone or let it out of my sight. And I wouldn't allow it to be loaded into a van with other gear - like I say, controlled. I'd expect to baby it. Give it a back seat all to itself, say.

The main problem with gig bags is that they can give one a false sense of security. They won't offer much resistance to a serious mishap. But you seem pretty conscientious and if that's the only way you can manage to get it where you need it, then get one and let good planning and thoughtfulness protect you.

But I take no responsibility for what happens and I'll disavow having approved of it.

[FretlessOnly]

Best wishes with your foot, Joshua. Stop kicking the professors and you'll get your Ph.D. in six years instead of ten.

I own three gig bags but I never use them. All of my axes travel in hardshell or flight cases. But, if all you are doing is using it to store in your car and carrying it into a studio, then it's likely to be just fine.

Edited to add: I agree with Jim K.

[jimk]

I think under limited circumstances, and under the conditions Kira mentioned, you'd be all right with a gig bag. But only as long as it takes your foot to heal properly. Dig?
JimK

[jps]

about the foot, Joshua.

I have several gig bags I use depending on the situation. Single gig bags by Levys (okay), Kaces III cordura (better), Kaces III leatherette (much better) and a double bass Reunion Blues (excellent). All work fine with care; only the Kaces and the RB have double shoulder straps, though.

[cassius987]

What do you think about think about how safe the instruments are in transit Jeff? Especially re: the RB.

Thanks for the well-wishes regarding my foot, I find out if I get any surgery Friday. It depends on if a certain ligament will reattach on its own or not, so here's hoping. I just got in a bike accident on the way to work around ten days ago... kind of frightening as there were several other cyclists in the ER. Can't take health for granted.

[winston]

Joshua,

I hope your foot gets better. My advice? Get a roadie. You probably always wanted to get one once you make the big time and so now is your chance to live that dream.

Seriously though, I never use gig bags for anything other than my beat up ancient customised Blackie Squier with a maple neck. It probably got beat up to some degree because it has always been housed in a gig bag when it's not out and about for me to play. I love that old guitar and it has loads of character. If that is your goal..........use a gig bag.

I look at considerations such as this in terms of risk management. The bottom line is that I would be spending far too much of my time worrying about the damage my Rickenbacker might sustain by being transported in a gig bag.

[teb]

There is some nice work being done on gig bags (being a sailmaker and having done a lot of canvaswork for boats over the years, I can appreciate the craftsmanship) but somehow, the instant I look at a gig bag I get this mental vision of a guitar with the headstock snapped off or the neck broken. That's enough to keep me from ever buying one.

[sloop_john_b]

I absolutely always use gig bags, 100% of the time. I have a very nice Reunion Blues bag and a bag made by Body Glove which is excellent as well. I have played 75-100 bass gigs per year over the past 3-4 years and lugged them to god-knows-how-many rehearsals over that time, and I am happy to report that my basses have suffered no damage while in their bags.

[cheyenne]

I used to use a nice double gig bag all the time. Their OK as long as you dont let anyone else handle your stuff. Sure saves room in the car.

[antipodean]

Joshua,

I'm now exclusively playing worship music, so the crowd is usually not too rowdy and the environment is safe as houses, so I'm happy to use a gig bag - I have a top-of-the-line Ritter, which isn't as protective as the top-flight RB but it has protected a number of basses perfectly (I rotate the herd on a regular basis). I am extremely careful loading/unloading my car and take care to get my bass out of the bag and onto a Hercules stand as quickly as possible, to prevent any mishaps. For transport too and from a studio, a good gig bag should be fine.

If I was working one of the dives from my youth, with zero space and an intoxicated audience, I'd want something far more robust... like a Hummer..

Hope the foot heals up promptly!

[RicOSoundMan]

I had used one and carried my 3000 in it for a bit. I wouldn't recommend it brother as my 3000 now has a crack in the finish where the tail piece is postiorly. The strap covers it wilst playing it, but the strap doesn't cover the hole in my heart or the regret for carrying it in that nasty old gig bag.

Johnallg had seen it he recommended a fix to seal it. I am begging you please don't do it man!!!!!! Better yet until your foot heals hire a person to carry it or rent a golf cart man to drive you to and fro. The expense incurred in that would not compare to the feelings of guilt you carry knowing what you did to your best friend.

[berth]

I am not going to carry a hardcase while I have to ride half an hour to band practice on my bicycle. So a Mooradian it is. Never had problems with it. I am allways carefull with my basses. I'm very interested in the mono gigbag's.

[edit] I must say I never take the more collectable instruments like the 4005 in a gigbag though.