andydye Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 (edited) So, I've recently shipped a bass in my favourite gig bag (a ritter one that served me well for a long time!) as there was no other option... I now need a new gig bag! this is where you come in... I've heard good things about the protec and the mono and I know folks swear by other ones too so I'm after a bit of guidance from the forum at large... My basses generally live (and mostly travel) in their hard-case, our practice rooms are in walking distance from our house so sometimes I just carry my bass down there, I want to be able to comfortably carry my bass and know it's protected while it's standing around before and after practice. Sometimes I'm also a little lazy and just take the gig bag out for gigs too so it ideally needs to be a bit more sturdy than my ex-but-well-loved-ritter... Edited March 23, 2012 by andydye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 This theme pops up a lot! I've had both the Mono and the Protec. Indeed I still have the Contego, as although it's heavier it does offer better protection. If you get a Protec, get it from [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/protec_contego_e_bass_case.htm"]Thomann[/url], as it is a lot cheaper than the £110ish you quote! Cheers Gareth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I asked pretty much this question about a month ago... Depends what you want it for. Your bass case should match the job it's required for. If it's first and foremost for ease of carrying on your back, then I'd consider replacing your Ritter with the current equivalent. If it's mainly to protect your bass in the band van with all the other gear packed in I'd go for a hard case like a Hiscox. IMO the current lot of semi-rigid cases like the Mono, Protec, and iGig fall somewhere between the two. I've just bought the Mono case as it was by far the lightest - but it's still considerably heavier and bulkier than the Ritter it was replacing. It looks a lot more solidly built so hopefully I won't be looking at getting rid of it in 2 years time because the straps are about to part company with the rest of the case like my Ritter is. I've been using the Mono since the beginning of the month and initially I thought I'd made the wrong choice because of the weight and it definitely didn't feel as comfortable on my back as the Ritter did. However after walking to and from rehearsals a few times (roughly half an hour each way) I've got more used to it and I'm happier with how it feels. Having said that I'm very glad I didn't go with one of the heavier gig bags, because unless they were really well balanced on the back straps I think the extra weight would be too much. The extra level of protection that the Mono offers is good, but TBH if I needed much more than the Ritter I had before, then I would want to pack my bass in a Hiscox (or a full flight) case. The case is good if you need to squeeze your bass into a small car where sometimes a hard case is too long to go in widthways, but I wouldn't want to pack anything heavy on top of it. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 The Contego is very comfy on the back, but the storage potential makes you want to pack too much stuff and that makes it pretty heavy! Its surprising how a decent preamp/DI and leads adds to the weight when you're carrying it across town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Just to give you some idea of size and weight the Mono is just a little bit smaller than a Hiscox Bass Lite Flight Case. Looking at the measurements on the Protec web site the Contego Bass Guitar Case is a bit bigger and only slightly lighter than the Hiscox! IMO the Mono is the best compromise between portability and protection. Whether or not the Mono or Protec would be a suitable substitute for a hard case for gigging will depend on what else you take and how it's transported. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted March 23, 2012 Author Share Posted March 23, 2012 Wowsa, the contego weighs 8lb and the mono m80 5.75lb, that's got to be a noticeable difference! the mono is also slightly more roomy inside [url="http://www.monocase.com/mono-bass-guitar.asp"]http://www.monocase.com/mono-bass-guitar.asp[/url] [url="http://www.protecmusic.com/items.aspx?ProductID=410&InstrumentID=5&InstrumentGroupID=4&CategoryID=2&subCategoryID=45"]http://www.protecmusic.com/items.aspx?ProductID=410&InstrumentID=5&InstrumentGroupID=4&CategoryID=2&subCategoryID=45[/url] Even though the contego is loads cheaper it may still be the mono! Anyone found it cheaper than bass direct? (£135 shipped) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1332509507' post='1589356'] Wowsa, the contego weighs 8lb and the mono m80 5.75lb, that's got to be a noticeable difference! the mono is also slightly more roomy inside [url="http://www.monocase.com/mono-bass-guitar.asp"]http://www.monocase....bass-guitar.asp[/url] [url="http://www.protecmusic.com/items.aspx?ProductID=410&InstrumentID=5&InstrumentGroupID=4&CategoryID=2&subCategoryID=45"]http://www.protecmus...ubCategoryID=45[/url] Even though the contego is loads cheaper it may still be the mono! Anyone found it cheaper than bass direct? (£135 shipped) [/quote] The weight difference is what mostly sold me on the Mono, and I'm glad that I made the choice, even though it was still noticeably heavier than my old Ritter. The Bass Direct price is cheaper (free shipping) if you phone up and pay by card rather than using PayPal on line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brensabre79 Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Thomann also sell Ritter stuff. Personally I'd just get another Ritter, you know they do the job well... I'm very happy with my two Ritters, and if its just for walking the bass round to the local why spend a fortune on something else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 As usual,I totally recommend the iGig cases. They are really well padded and have a load of extra pockets too. I haven't used a hard case for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted March 23, 2012 Author Share Posted March 23, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1332520586' post='1589571'] As usual,I totally recommend the iGig cases. They are really well padded and have a load of extra pockets too. I haven't used a hard case for years. [/quote] They look superb! Not cheap at all, but superb! (moderately heavy though yes?) [url="http://www.mikobass.com/iGig/G515.htm"]http://www.mikobass.com/iGig/G515.htm[/url] Is there a UK dealer who has them or are they only from igig themselves? Edited March 23, 2012 by andydye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Protection Racket have a good rep and seem good value, but I must point out I've not used their bass gig bag. Yet. [url="http://www.djmmusic.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=GB7051"]http://www.djmmusic.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=GB7051[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 [quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1332520586' post='1589571'] ...I totally recommend the iGig cases. [/quote] I like the fact you can get your LM in there, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1332521041' post='1589585'] Protection Racket have a good rep and seem good value, but I must point out I've not used their bass gig bag. Yet. [/quote] I have one. A good quality, well made bag. My only beef with it is that it's so deep you could almost fit two basses in it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted March 23, 2012 Author Share Posted March 23, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1332521041' post='1589585'] Protection Racket have a good rep and seem good value, but I must point out I've not used their bass gig bag. Yet. [url="http://www.djmmusic.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=GB7051"]http://www.djmmusic....c.asp?ic=GB7051[/url] [/quote] I have loads of protection racket stuff for my drums and it is really rather nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted March 23, 2012 Author Share Posted March 23, 2012 [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1332521297' post='1589591'] I have loads of protection racket stuff for my drums and it is really rather nice [/quote] in fact the deluxe bass case/bag looks super nice! it's got the same 'sheepskin' in it that the drum cases have and I know that stuff's super soft! looks really nice for £86 ish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I think the problem is when trying to decide which of the higher spec gig bags to go for, that it's pretty much impossible to try before you buy. I had two reasons for getting the Mono bag - firstly it was the lightest of all these bags and secondly it was the only one I'd already seen "in the flesh". For me the weight was very important, but also the comfort when wearing it on my back which is something you can only find out by actually trying one. And TBH the first time I put the Mono on my back with a bass in it I wasn't completely convinced I'd made the right choice. However a couple of weeks and some more 30 minute journeys using it later, I'm much happier with how it feels. In retrospect, if I was buying another gig bag just to carry a bass on my back to rehearsals and gigs where we are travelling light (no amps or drums) I'd probably be better off with the latest version of the Ritter bag I had before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 [quote name='andydye' timestamp='1332520970' post='1589581'] They look superb! Not cheap at all, but superb! (moderately heavy though yes?) [url="http://www.mikobass.com/iGig/G515.htm"]http://www.mikobass.com/iGig/G515.htm[/url] Is there a UK dealer who has them or are they only from igig themselves? [/quote] They're not particularly heavy at all...plus they've got really good straps. I find it dead comfy to carry over my shoulder ( always put my bag over one shoulder). Bass Direct did stock them,but I'm not sure if they still do. I deal direct. [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1332521041' post='1589585'] Protection Racket have a good rep and seem good value, but I must point out I've not used their bass gig bag. Yet. [url="http://www.djmmusic.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=GB7051"]http://www.djmmusic.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=GB7051[/url] [/quote] I've had one of the older Protection Racket cases for years-it's the thinner model with minimal pockets and sheepskin lining.It's a really good bag and still perfectly giggable,although nowhere near as well appointed as the iGig.I used it all the time before I started using the iGig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeBrownBass Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Another strong vote for the Mono cases. Best bag on the market IMO. Sold all my hard cases as this bag will go anywhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 (edited) I've got this very same gig bag and it's great. I've had a few and they all wear out sooner or later but my tribal planet bag just goes on and on. I think the company went out of business which may be why this one is going so cheaply. Trust me you won't be sorry. [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIBAL-PLANET-PADDED-ELECTRIC-BASS-GUITAR-GIG-BAG-SALE-/230687553818?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item35b60cb91a"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item35b60cb91a[/url] Edited March 23, 2012 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Does the tribal planet one have removable shoulder straps and is it thickly padded? Can't tell from the ebay pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 [quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1332535811' post='1589867'] Does the tribal planet one have removable shoulder straps and is it thickly padded? Can't tell from the ebay pic. [/quote] It is thickly padded but the straps aren't totally removable (although you can release them at one end). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redstriper Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 [quote name='gjones' timestamp='1332541719' post='1589976'] It is thickly padded but the straps aren't totally removable (although you can release them at one end). [/quote] Thanks, I don't need shoulder straps cos I don't go hiking with me bass and they get snagged on things - I could cut them off I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 [quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1332545008' post='1590015'] Thanks, I don't need shoulder straps cos I don't go hiking with me bass and they get snagged on things - I could cut them off I suppose. [/quote] For me the shoulder straps are the whole point of having a gig bag over some other type of case. If I wasn't going to carry it on my back I'd go for a lightweight hard case like a Hiscox instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted March 26, 2012 Author Share Posted March 26, 2012 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1332579313' post='1590193'] For me the shoulder straps are the whole point of having a gig bag over some other type of case. If I wasn't going to carry it on my back I'd go for a lightweight hard case like a Hiscox instead. [/quote] precisely this! This is why I want/need a gig bag... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydye Posted March 28, 2012 Author Share Posted March 28, 2012 am on the verge of ordering a Mono m80 from Alex at the gallery (once he gets one in stock that is - should be tomorrow!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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