I was also thinking of getting a gig bag for my 4001, so this thread helps a lot. I also take a bag with 3 different pedals. And you know how UTTERLY HORRIBLE the London tube (metro) is. I take my '79 4001 bass on its original case up and down London.
I don't put my 381 in one, because the shape of the instrument and the more fragile neck joint make me think it might be a slightly bigger risk, but even then I'm probably just being over-cautious. I don't have any hesitation about carrying my 4003 in a normal gig bag when I'm taking it by myself either in my car or on public transport - I only use the hard case if I'm going to a gig with my amp and cabs in the car. Damage can also occur in a hard case too, and you may be surprised to know that the relative numbers of breakages are not anywhere near as much towards gig bags as you may expect.
But there's absolutely nothing wrong with a good one for personally carrying a strong solidbody instrument such as a 4003, no matter how much it costs.Īs you probably know I'm a professional repairer and I see a lot of damaged instruments, and certainly some occur in gig bags - but only when they're used in the wrong situation, on the wrong type of instrument, or the bag itself fails.
To get it upright requires both hands.Ī gig bag should not be used as a substitute for a hard case in places where a hard case is really needed - eg in a van with other heavy gear, where it could get crushed or bent - or probably for a very fragile instrument. Not only is the hard case hand-carryable only so you have to dedicate one hand to it at all times, so your hand and arm get really tired if you have to go any distance, but simply the shape of it - long and horizontal - makes it a major nuisance in crowds or going through a doorway (eg subway carriage or bus). If you haven't, you may not realise just how much of a pain a hard case (especially a large rectangular one) can be.
IMHOJust out of curiosity, have you ever tried traveling by public transport while carrying a heavy hard case, and especially if you have anything else to carry? Bag of pedals/cables, suitcase or whatever.