Guitar gig bags. Discuss!

[relinquish69]

there are many types of gig bags for guitars out there in the market. from those paper thin road ready softcases to the tank like MONO cases.

for me, I would go for a simple padded gig bag like those available at guitar77. It's padded, it's compact (molded), it fits most of the generic guitars around (strats, teles, les pauls) and does not go beyond $30. I like both the cases for electric and acoustic guitars.

I would prefer that to a road ready case only because it's like $10 more for something that is of much better quality. I don't like MONO bags only because it's bulky & obstructs movement (knocks onto MRT train doors, hits the ceiling).

Of course it is understood that a MONO gig bag would be much easier to carry around compared to a hardcase but is it really necessary to lug something that bulky out to every jamming session / gig?

I'm sure most people would say it's to prevent your guitar from getting unnecessary dings and chips but I believe that dings and chips usually occur due to rough handling (chucking it on a stand, leaning it against an amp) and nothing to do with the case that the guitar is being transported in. What do you guys think?

I'm not trying to say that MONO is a bad case. I just feel that it is a little over kill considering the high prices you pay for such cases. MONO cases are not indestructable and they too become victims of wear and tear in due time.

what would be your preferred choice of gig bags and why?

in your opinion, what kind of case would be like a good compromise between a G77 gig bag and a MONO case?

discuss!

 

[subversion]

my bags are strictly for transportation purposes, nothing MONO-exquisite.

 

[CyanideJunkie]

I think Davis Guitars brings in Reunion Blues gig bags. Heard pretty good stuff about it, not sure on the pricing though.

 

[relinquish69]

^ you are a hardcase man. however if one day you decide to make the switch, what would you look for in a softcase? looks or functionality?

 

[relinquish69]

my bags are strictly for transportation purposes, nothing MONO-exquisite.

I agree with you. my preference for soft cases would be something light and compact since it's just for transportation purposes.

However when it comes to travelling, would MONO be a good alternative compared to hardcases?

 

[zesn]

My mono doesn't hit ceilings, i'm not that short,
yes it's bulky but some singaporeans don't give way, and i have a darn good excuse and a license to maim.

I would bear with the bulk because my bag takes some abuse and is out at least 3 days a week.
I like to carry my gigbag instead of holding it like a hardcase. Hands are reserved for boards instead.

 

[relinquish69]

^ lol apart from transportation, it sounds as if your bag is also used to bulldoze people who are unwilling to accommodate (especially in crowded areas). that being said, no wonder it's being abused.

yeah I don't like carrying guitars with my hands too, unless it's really necessary. it's no different from carrying a hardcase where the entire weight of the guitar is being supported on one side only.

 

[tyzjames]

For me, Mono is the way to go. It has been almost 3 years and mine is still working great. Reunion Blues is way too expensive. I feel more at ease on the transport system when carrying my guitar around. Once, the shoulder strap clip on my Sterling gigbag gave way and my guitar came crashing down. The bottom of my guitar chipped and needless to say, I swore off such bags after that:S Hardcases are way too bulky imo.

 

[Godspeed64]

RDM Spork is as sturdy as InCase stuff, which is better than the MONO gigbags at roughly the same cost.

After seeing a guitar neck break in front of me (in it's own hardcase) I'd say spend more on a reliable bag so that you won't have to worry so much.

I think Cherns might be restarting his gigbag line again soon. Sourcing for partners I think.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

I like simple padded gigbags in the $50-70 range, e.g. Gator. I find they tend to have much better padding and are generally of better quality compared with $30 and below gigbags. At the same time they're simple, much cheaper than Mono or etc, and still quite portable.

Currently I'm using a Gator bag for my Pacifica, but my J&D electro-acoustic is still in a generic $30 gigbag... Quite poor padding, and everytime I bring it out (which is quite often) I'm always extra-worried about damaging it. Time to get a new gigbag...

I don't like hardcases, except if I'm putting my guitar in a car and won't be walking and carrying it that much. In that case, then a hardcase is better. But if I'm going to walk long distances with my guitar, it's got to be either a gigbag or a semi-hardcase (which is like a gigbag anyway).

 

[CyanideJunkie]

^ you are a hardcase man. however if one day you decide to make the switch, what would you look for in a softcase? looks or functionality?

If I ever make the switch, it'll be to this.

 

[UnFoly]

I keep the guitar in hard cases at home but when travelling ill use a road ready soft case. I prefer holding it than wearing it like a bag, prefer to see the guitar and the manueverability to keep the guitar out of harms way.

 

[KrAzYSeLL]

Well protected not bulky gigbag.. hmm the warwick rockbag is not a bad choice though..

 

[j_m_s]

I'm all for MONO gigbags. Use them for all my guitars (yes including my LPs, its the only gigbag I'll use to carry and LP) except my JM strat because that came with its own custom incase bag that's pretty sweet as well.

I know people who fly with mono bags and check them in with no qualms and haven't had any issues so far.

 

[zesn]

wow damn that last picture hahaha

 

[gunihoon]

I guess it is pretty subjective.... but I think the cost of the gigbag should be proportionate to how much you value your guitar? I'd come across the straps of thin gigbags just giving way not becos of abuse but cos of the quality, not to mention untreated padding materials that might corrode your finish, seams that will leave marks on your precious guitar. Not to mention if a friend helps u carry/or a roadie shifting eqpt etc... a light/accidental topple on the case might have fatal consequences (on ur guitar of course).

I think there are some good in between gigbags at TYMC/Music Theme etc around $120. But for a mere $70, I would definitely go mono. Haven't heard any complaints about the monos from any of my friends so far. Having said that, it really only show thru time how the padding of different gigbags will last. Cheaper gigbags might have padding that soften and become compressed in a short period of time vs more expensive gigbags.

Have been using an Incase for 3 years now and no complaints and no worries. My 2 cents.

 

[loldude333]

My first choice would actually be the Fusion F1 series gigbags at TYMC, followed by the F2 series. I currently use the F2 series bag for my bass and it is absolutely solid. Not quite Mono, but quite a bit better than a Rockbag. Cheaper than a similar Ritter too.

If i was on a tighter budget, the Rockbags by Warwick are a pretty ok choice. I snagged the premium line acoustic gigbag at $50 during a Swee Lee sale for my acoustic. Worth the money, but the inner lining's sustained a tear at the headstock area. Looking to replace it when i've got more money, but its served me well over the last 4 years.

 

[astaroth]

warwick rockbags have served me really well for almost 4 years, cheap and good I guess.

 

[zesn]

Has anybody done a crash test on a mono?
Well I sure did, with a bunch of stupid friends haha.
Dropped his Fender CIJ bass from just half a storey,
Paint chip, wood is fine.

and it was for the lulz.

 

[j_m_s]

haha that's nuts. But I'm pretty sure the bag gets handled pretty roughly in transit while flying so I guess like the exterior of the case may get roughed up.. but the padding on the inside and your instrument will be fine. Can't wait for MONO to release the Vertigo and pedaltrain cases!!