Author Topic: Alternative to that big old Series I case (Read 992 times)

backdoor_hippie · « **on:** November 04, 2012, 12:32:58 PM »

I've had my '77 Series I bass for a little over a month now and I love just about everything about it. But I have one MAJOR issue with it - that case!!

I've been playing bass since 1979 and have actually not purchased certain vehicles because I could not fit my instruments inside it. I've been driving a Nissan XTerra since 2001 and never had an issue putting a bass case in the back or even the back seat ... until now. The case for my Series I will not fit lying across the back seat, lying across the trunk or even sitting straight up-and-down in the passenger seat (too wide at the bottom). Granted, this instrument is probably worth more than the blue book on the car, but that's not the point. I want to be able to transport it without having to put a seat down and stretch it back to front.

I have a great Gator 2-bass gig bag that almost does the trick. The one bass compartment holds the DS-5, cables and strap while the other holds most of the bass ... except the very tip of the headstock (I can force it to fit, but I'm afraid it will eventually bust the zipper.

Any recommendations on alternative cases or gig bags that will work well with an old Series I (pointed headstock and tail - just a hair over 49)? I'm thinking I may need to hit up a guitar show to really find something because I don't want to order something and have it not be right. I wouldn't mind a nice padded bag with a couple pockets on the front for the accessories, and would actually prefer it. Anyone here face and solve the same problem? I'm looking at the Reunion Blues Sonoma 49 bag, but I'm not sure if it's big enough.

sonicus · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2012, 12:55:14 PM »

Hi , for the sake of protection I stay away from soft gigs bags

jazzyvee · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2012, 01:05:15 PM »

I understand your concern Sonicus and for that reason I have hard cases that are only used for storing the basses at home and flight case I use when my bass goes in a van or with other equipment for a gig but when I am travelling in my own car or to rehearsal I now use gig bags for convenience.

As for a recommendation for a gig bag, earlier this year I bought a Reunion Blues leather bag that holds two basses but it was not long enough inside to hold my Europa bass so I sent it back and got a refund.

I now have a Harvest leather bass gig bag that holds two basses and it has loads of room for the Europa bass and accessories or another bass in the second compartment. So far it's been fine and is pretty sturdy. (I have to say that one of the shoulder straps did fail the first time I used the case and I sent it back to Harvest who fixed the problem and now it seems fine)

The web site does have the inside measurements so you can check out your bass to see if it will fit.

http://www.harvest-guitar.com/Cow-Antique-oxid-8.html

Here is a USA site listing their cases.
http://www.carryaccess.com/FORMgallery2.htm

Jazzyvee

(Message edited by jazzyvee on November 04, 2012)

backdoor_hippie · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2012, 01:31:49 PM »

For the sake of not having to buy a new vehicle, I need an alternative to drive it the 3 miles to my church gig.

Jazzyvee, unfortunately all the Harvest measurements are shorter that the 49.25 I get for tip-to-tip on my Series I.

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2012, 04:40:34 PM »

Huh. To my mind, that's exactly backwards, JV. A gig bag might be sufficient for home storage, but out in the world where things get broken, they scare me!

Peter

JimmyJ · « **Reply #5 on:** November 04, 2012, 11:05:08 PM »

For me it is gig bags always unless I have to fly or truck the bass. I have 4 old Reunion Blues bags that are still doing the job.

Jake, the single Harvest bag dimensions are below and I am pretty sure you could squeeze your 49.25 machine into their 48.42 length. Remember it's soft. It would be best if you could try one on because they're not cheap... But those bags look great and if I ever needed a new one that's where I'd go.

Jimmy J

jazzyvee · « **Reply #6 on:** November 04, 2012, 11:33:42 PM »

Hi Peter, I don't disagree with you on that score and over the years where I was gigging a lot and touring I invested in good quality flight cases to protect my instruments. So I actually do have flight cases for of my basses and for all my guitars. There are occasions where I feel a good quality gig bag is suitable and practical which is why they have a place in my gear.

The standard cases I do not use for transporting my instruments at all because in my opinion they are not strong enough and give a false sense of security. In the past when I was an active touring guitarist I did not find them to be durable at all. My main points of concern for these are the hinges and the lock mechanism. They are the same design as was used in vintage suitcases and they either break apart and/or come away from the case entirely.

Also because they are hard cases other gear tends to be put on them and certainly in my personal experience, this resulted in the case distorting so that the edges did not match up. Now when the case was closed, there was additional stress on the clasp which meant that the locking mechanism was not secure resulting in failing when the case was lifted by the handle. So I've had situations where the case has come open when being carried and also the hinge failing resulting in the case opening from the side nearest the floor when carrying. So until i discovered flight cases I added luggage straps to these cases to make sure they stayed closed and large cupboard hinges to replace the suitcase ones.

So for me they have been relegated to storage devices mainly because I failed to sell them on ebay. :-) But I know people like them because they are traditional. I guess they would add extra authenticity if I sold an instrument in the future.

With a padded gig bag I would always be aware of it's vulnerabilities and take extra care where it is placed during transit. Mine is mainly used for taking instruments to rehearsals and or gigs where I'm driving in my own car which is stronger than any flight case. :-)

I hope you find a suitable case for your bass backdoor_hippie.
Now that I remember, I did exchange emails with the guy who started Reunion Blues and he can custom make gig bags of any size you desire. I will see if I can track down his email address for you.

Jazzyvee

jazzyvee · « **Reply #7 on:** November 05, 2012, 01:44:06 AM »

Ok here are the details

http://www.glenncronkhite.com/index.html
I have forwarded you an email Jake.

Jazzyvee

backdoor_hippie · « **Reply #8 on:** November 05, 2012, 02:41:49 AM »

Thanks, Jazzyvee. I tracked down Glenn yesterday on a search for custom gig bags and contacted him. He responded quickly and has promised some prices and options today. I've also contacted the folks at Reunion Blues and a couple shops that are familiar enough with Alembics to understand the situation I'm in.

Jimmy, the thing is I can squeeze my bass into a Gator bag that I have now, but that squeeze puts a strain on the zipper and will ultimately lead to a lost bag - and a double bag in this instance. I'm using it a s a stop gap, as I said, with the tip of the very headstock left exposed to possible damage if I run it into a doorway.

And while I appreciate the debate of case vs. bag that's not what I was looking for. I'm a case guy for protection and transportation - expect when in this case. When it takes me longer to prep the car than so the case will fit than it does to drive to the gig then a more convenient solution is great. And since I'm usually not transporting an amp and other equipment that can badly damage the bass during transport, the types of things that could happen during that time that might damage the bass in a bag would likely damage it in the case as well - or at least necessitate a new vehicle to transport it, if you get my drift. And unfortunately, my location doesn't provide me access to a lot of places that sell the type of bag I'm looking for, so trying something out first is near impossible.

gtrguy · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2012, 05:44:01 AM »

Just invest in a short scale series one, the case is smaller and they still sound great!!

jazzyvee · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2012, 06:23:58 AM »

I have my eye open for one of those very instruments.

Jazzyvee

wayne · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2012, 07:49:35 AM »

Take a look a the iGig bags, http://www.flyigig.com/.

I ordered the shorter one (the G525) to hold a short scale SI that I picked up and it turns out to be a great bag. AND it's within an inch of fitting both my long scale standard SI omega bottom w/ crown headstock and the point bottom with knobby headstock. Their longer bag (the G515) gives about 1.5 inches more length.

If I didn't already have one of the leather bags that Alembic offered several years ago, I would completely trust the iGig bag for my basses.

C-Ya..............wayne

backdoor_hippie · « **Reply #12 on:** November 05, 2012, 07:58:34 AM »

Wayne, they look like killer bags, and it's killing me that it's still about an inch too short for my bass.

lbpesq · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2012, 08:20:20 AM »

Jake:

Until you get a new bag, if you're going to leave the headstock sticking out, you might want to put a thick sock over it for added protection from those evil doorways.

Bill, tgo

backdoor_hippie · « **Reply #14 on:** November 05, 2012, 08:55:10 AM »

I use the t-shirt that normally accompanies it to wipe down the strings after playing to wrap the top. No bare points on this bag!!