Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
- Thread starter Evan Skopp
- Start date
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
Fitted hard cases (not rectangle-shaped) work best for me. I use some gig bags too because I don't have enough hard cases to go around. On a small, crowded stage full of gear and players, it's easy for things to happen to a guitar in a soft bag (or worse yet, balanced on a guitar stand when guys clamber on and off stage).
Fitted hard cases (not rectangle-shaped) work best for me. I use some gig bags too because I don't have enough hard cases to go around. On a small, crowded stage full of gear and players, it's easy for things to happen to a guitar in a soft bag (or worse yet, balanced on a guitar stand when guys clamber on and off stage).
Johtosotku
New member
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
Always a hard case for me.
Always a hard case for me.
ItsaBass
New member
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
If I have the option, I pick a hard case, though I do have two gig bags. My number one bass at the moment ('76 Musicmaster) resides in a bag; it has no hard case. I also have a nice Fender one that came with my Custom Shop Esquire, but it stays empty at home. If I ever use the Fender one for a gig, I put the guitar back into its hard case when I get back.
If I have the option, I pick a hard case, though I do have two gig bags. My number one bass at the moment ('76 Musicmaster) resides in a bag; it has no hard case. I also have a nice Fender one that came with my Custom Shop Esquire, but it stays empty at home. If I ever use the Fender one for a gig, I put the guitar back into its hard case when I get back.
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DreX
New member
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
Another product idea; a gig bag for Gibsons that has a hard shell component sewn in at the top of the case to prevent head stock snapping, but otherwise have the slim profile of a gig bag; think of it as steel toe boots for poorly thought out head stocks.
Another product idea; a gig bag for Gibsons that has a hard shell component sewn in at the top of the case to prevent head stock snapping, but otherwise have the slim profile of a gig bag; think of it as steel toe boots for poorly thought out head stocks.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
Not a 'poorly thought out headstock; just one that isn't meant to be manhandled.
Not a 'poorly thought out headstock; just one that isn't meant to be manhandled.
DreX
New member
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
That's like saying a Pinto wasn't designed to be rear ended.
That's like saying a Pinto wasn't designed to be rear ended.
DreX
New member
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
My understanding is that Gibson could simply modify the design the of the head stock to have a "scarf" or two-piece head stock and it would be more durable and look pretty much the same, but they stick with an inferior design for the sake of purists, or so they say.
My understanding is that Gibson could simply modify the design the of the head stock to have a "scarf" or two-piece head stock and it would be more durable and look pretty much the same, but they stick with an inferior design for the sake of purists, or so they say.
Chocklit_Thunda
New member
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
PADDED gig bag.
emphasis on the "padded"
PADDED gig bag.
emphasis on the "padded"Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
I don't mind gig bags per se but it's other people I don't trust...
I remember at a gig a long time ago i saw someone throw a heavy hard case on top of my bag with my Strat and it and I damn near had a fit. Guitar was fine, though. I've seen Gibsons snap from that kind of treatment.
Overall I prefer cases for going to jams/gigs/studios and gig bags for giving lessons and going to the store.
I don't mind gig bags per se but it's other people I don't trust...
I remember at a gig a long time ago i saw someone throw a heavy hard case on top of my bag with my Strat and it and I damn near had a fit. Guitar was fine, though. I've seen Gibsons snap from that kind of treatment.
Overall I prefer cases for going to jams/gigs/studios and gig bags for giving lessons and going to the store.
Evan Skopp
SDUGF Founder
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
For drive-to gigs, I much prefer bags. For fly-to gigs, I prefer having my guitar ride in the cabin next to me in a bag, but sometimes that involves a good deal of hassle, especially flying the puddle jumpers to and from Santa Barbara airport. Obviously, for check-in I'll use a hardshell case and spend most of the trip worrying about my guitar.
For drive-to gigs, I much prefer bags. For fly-to gigs, I prefer having my guitar ride in the cabin next to me in a bag, but sometimes that involves a good deal of hassle, especially flying the puddle jumpers to and from Santa Barbara airport. Obviously, for check-in I'll use a hardshell case and spend most of the trip worrying about my guitar.
blueman335
Mojo's Minions
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
True, they're guitars that aren't meant to be tossed around by chimps. One of the benefits Fender players like to tout is that 'the necks are easily replaced when you break them', as if that's a regular occurrence for them. I don't understand what people do to their guitars that this feature is a selling point. I've owned dozens of guitars with angled headstocks over the years, and never broke or cracked one of them. It should be a non-issue for most people.
With Fender headstocks requiring a string tree and having 6 tuners jammed together like sardines, I can't say that's the epitome of a 'well thought-out headstock.'
True, they're guitars that aren't meant to be tossed around by chimps. One of the benefits Fender players like to tout is that 'the necks are easily replaced when you break them', as if that's a regular occurrence for them. I don't understand what people do to their guitars that this feature is a selling point. I've owned dozens of guitars with angled headstocks over the years, and never broke or cracked one of them. It should be a non-issue for most people.
With Fender headstocks requiring a string tree and having 6 tuners jammed together like sardines, I can't say that's the epitome of a 'well thought-out headstock.'
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
How does a thread about gig bags and cases turn into another Gibson bashing fest? Are you guys serious? Back to the OP: I am a self professed case junkie. A nice case is like high end luggage. I do also have two Levy gig bags for the guitars when they leave the house. The gig bags are empty unless I am traveling, they are only for transporting not for storage. One thing I will say about Gibson they have some of the nicest OEM cases on the market.
How does a thread about gig bags and cases turn into another Gibson bashing fest? Are you guys serious? Back to the OP: I am a self professed case junkie. A nice case is like high end luggage. I do also have two Levy gig bags for the guitars when they leave the house. The gig bags are empty unless I am traveling, they are only for transporting not for storage. One thing I will say about Gibson they have some of the nicest OEM cases on the market.
thespricket
New member
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
As a New Yorker I only use bags. To hell with carrying my strat in a hard shell on the train, along with my pedals. A strat can survive in a decent bag. Always get padded bags. The $50 padded roadrunner bags at GC do the trick. When I bought my Taylor 320 I opted for the super thick padded bag that comes with the 2 series. Now, my Gibson es139 stays at home. I won't take it out unless I buy a Reunion Blues bag for it. Those things are solid.
A gibson can and will break especially in a hard case. Working at GC, I constantly see Gibsons get broken in their cases.
But if you're traveling on a bus or plane when you don't know who is handling it you should use a case. If I lived somewhere and owned a car then yes I would probably just use cases.
Guitar->pedals->amp
As a New Yorker I only use bags. To hell with carrying my strat in a hard shell on the train, along with my pedals. A strat can survive in a decent bag. Always get padded bags. The $50 padded roadrunner bags at GC do the trick. When I bought my Taylor 320 I opted for the super thick padded bag that comes with the 2 series. Now, my Gibson es139 stays at home. I won't take it out unless I buy a Reunion Blues bag for it. Those things are solid.
A gibson can and will break especially in a hard case. Working at GC, I constantly see Gibsons get broken in their cases.
But if you're traveling on a bus or plane when you don't know who is handling it you should use a case. If I lived somewhere and owned a car then yes I would probably just use cases.
Guitar->pedals->amp
Oinkus
New member
Re: Blog: Cage Match between Gig Bags and Hardshell Cases
I have a bunch of cases and bags and they both have their uses. That being said , my SKB I series Les Paul case is the best money I have ever spent on a case.$250 bucks is a good amount of spare change but worth every penny. A serious 1k flight case is a must for touring because they will stack stuff 100% of the time on top of your guitar especially if you check gear for a flight.If you spend money on gear you should protect it properly for the abuse that it will encounter.Cheap ,crappy bags and cases should be replaced as fast as possible.
I have a bunch of cases and bags and they both have their uses. That being said , my SKB I series Les Paul case is the best money I have ever spent on a case.$250 bucks is a good amount of spare change but worth every penny. A serious 1k flight case is a must for touring because they will stack stuff 100% of the time on top of your guitar especially if you check gear for a flight.If you spend money on gear you should protect it properly for the abuse that it will encounter.Cheap ,crappy bags and cases should be replaced as fast as possible.
