I'll add one minor correction. Ballpeen hammer not pen. Movement in a gigbag doesn't seem to hurt the bass because there's nothing for it to hit. A hardshell case is another matter where if a knob bounces against a ridge in the lid, it can be knocked off. I'm sure a towel or some thin foam around the neck will keep any sharp bits from damaging your neck. Another around the body to keep it snug. Not too snug, just enough to keep the bass from sliding and knocking around inside.

[quote="Sheldon Dingwall":g4hoctmw] All hard shell cases should be tested for quality of fit by inserting the bass, closing and locking the lid then gently shaking the case to see if the bass is sliding or bouncing around inside. Any movement is bad. The more there is the greater chance of damage done by the case itself. Another important check is for sharp objects under the plush fabric from contaminated glue. You have to feel for this by running your fingers over the entire surface that will come in contact with the bass. Pay close attention to the neck support area. I took a good look at the Mono vertigo gigbag at NAMM. I'd recommend that or one of the other high-tech gigbags over a hard shell.[/quote:g4hoctmw] It seems there would be movement - maybe even more movement - in a gig bag. Is it because a gig bag is soft that there is less concern with this? If you feel any sharp ridges from the glue, can anything be done (t-shirt over it, or trim it, etc.)? The thing that has always scared me about gig bags is I feel more likely to smack it somewhere, and that putting the guitar in I always feel so conscious about the zippers (like I'm going to scratch it if I don't do it right).

Sheldon and John, Thank you for your replies! The tough thing with those SKB cases is they're usually special orders. I'll see if I can find one in town after my SP5 arrives, and will follow Sheldon's recommendations. Worst case (no pun intended), I will use my cracked Fender case and take one of my other P-Basses. I picked up a Mono Vertigo M80 last summer and have been using it regularily. It's easily the toughest gig bag I've ever owned. It probably shouldn't even be called a bag... it's more like soft-shell hard-case. Plus the top-load is so ridiculously handy. Minuses - It's too bulky to try carrying on, but not secure enough to check. Thanks again, gentlemen! Andrew

If i can chip in, I have an SJ5 and have the Mono M80 & the M80 double gig bag http://www.thomann.de/gb/mono_cases_dua ... _black.htm (I have 3 dingwalls and if i am playing far from home take a spare) the Mono bags are great, but i also bought this case and as Sheldon mentioned when i asked him about the case it fits snug but you might feel the body a bit to snug, and his advice was to use a ball point pen and push the places where the bass was to tight and this really worked, here is a link http://www.zzounds.com/item--FENMLDPJBASSCASE , but as far as i know the Super P body shape is better suited to this case than the Jazz, and my Jazz fits fine now with Sheldons help, its just a pity the case says Fender and not Dingwall

Those have a great shell but the interior is pretty rigid and unforgiving. We've used them for our guitars but if memory serves me correct there's fit issue with the heel on the SJ's and probably the SP's. I recommend testing the fit before committing. SKB interiors can be modified slightly with some gentle taps with a ball peen hammer to displace the styrofoam if there's a minor fit adjustment necessary. All hard shell cases should be tested for quality of fit by inserting the bass, closing and locking the lid then gently shaking the case to see if the bass is sliding or bouncing around inside. Any movement is bad. The more there is the greater chance of damage done by the case itself. Another important check is for sharp objects under the plush fabric from contaminated glue. You have to feel for this by running your fingers over the entire surface that will come in contact with the bass. Pay close attention to the neck support area. I took a good look at the Mono vertigo gigbag at NAMM. I'd recommend that or one of the other high-tech gigbags over a hard shell.