Gigbags vs Hardshell cases

Do you have any experience in the Hiscox hard shell cases? I have thoughts getting one for my old Prima. The bag(s) I use are Mono M80 and/or Reunion Blues Continental. How does the Levy compete with these (in your opinion)? Best regards, Roger

Hey Sheldon, Thanks for the informative post! I've been pretty happy with the crossover type cases - shaped more like a hardshell case, but made of polymer and nylon (here's the specific one I use: http://www.gatorcases.com/p/16117-57/gl-bass). These fit the Dingwalls reasonably well, especially if one takes time to do some extra work on them. Curious - is there any possibility of getting the gigbags added to the online store? Or are they available as one-offs from our local dealers?

I use the Mono M80 with my AB-1. Super secure.

I'm a bit intrigued by this case by Access. It looks like it could accommodate the Dingwall basses with room to spare. Of course, the foam insert would need some modification.[attachment=0:36t0j88a]AC5EBCB_2.jpg[/attachment:36t0j88a]

My Super P5 fits pretty perfectly (very snugly) in my out-of-production SKB freedom case. My Super J4 was in the Freedom before, but when I got the new SP5 (thanks, Sheldon), I moved the SJ4 over to the my Fender branded SKB44 equivalent. Yes, there is a little wiggle room, but nothing a towel cannot fix. In my personal opinion, the Levy's gig bag is something I would rather not pay for. As soon as I got it, I put it down in the basement. If I use a gig bag, it is going to be the Mono Single or Vertigo. I can understand why Dingwall would not want to increase their cost by going to Mono bags, but even as I was waiting for my SP5, I was longing for a custom fit hardshell. I gladly would have paid the slight extra charge. Luckily, I had the SKB44 lying around, because my fretless Fender Jazz that came inside it sits in a Mono Vertigo all day. SPF

The thing that scares me about gig bags are: 1) Zippers 2) An inadvertent smack when carrying it to the gig

[quote="NaH":4x041s0x]The thing that scares me about gig bags are: 1) Zippers 2) An inadvertent smack when carrying it to the gig[/quote:4x041s0x] I was very much like you for a long time. In face, as long as it fit everything I owned went into an SKB44 style case and life was good. Along the way I was exposed to these gig bags but all of them were absolute crap. I still have a couple that are nothing more than fairly worthy dust covers. And, until recently, guitars and basses would travel to shows in the trailer with all the other personal gear and PA so there's no way a bag was even a consideration. At a couple points the pendulum or protection had swung far the other way, into the realm of ATA road cases for them. Ridiculously large and heavy. But times and needs change and I don't know why or how I ended up with one but I got a Levy's CPS8 bass bag and it changed my entire opinion of these. It's a fabulously made and protective bag, made of quality materials and components, with well placed handles and any great features.I like them so much I now own three. The original blue/gray was discontinued a while ago so they were very hard to find. I was fortunate to find that they have been recently reintroduced and I bought the new version. Same great bag with some updates. http://b2b.levysleathers.com/en/cps8-bl ... s8-blk-gry https://reverb.com/item/1675448-levy-s- ... -rain-cape To your two points, zippers on anything can be a weak spot. But good bags have heavy gauge zippers and treated respectfully should have no problems. I had some garbage Fender bag with one guitar that had a small junk zipper. My Levy's has no such issue. I have total confidence in their durability. On getting banged around, for me, employing a bag vs a hard case is a simple matter of what level of protection I feel I need for a given situation. Over that last three or four years mu bass travels safely with me behind my truck seat, and in and out of rehearsal and gigs is a breeze and I'm just mindful of where I leave it once I'm in. The overall protection of this bag is very good. I find all of these style bags can be a bit short of foam or padding on the bottom when standing upright. I have added an extra layer of dense closed cell foam, like a camping pad material, to all of them and I have zero worries in setting them down anywhere. I know, they should be perfect from the get go but I am fussy and this easy addition gives me great piece of mind. Many folks love the Mono M80 bag as well. Check out a high quality bag sometime. They do make transport a whole lot easier, especially in and out of buildings. [img:4x041s0x]https://reverb-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s--gt8vM8yn--/a_exif,c_limit,f_auto,fl_progressive,h_620,q_75,w_620/v1455843658/uebvnsat828ouzubp6aj.jpg[/img:4x041s0x] It looks like Dingwall basses came with this model at some point. I have also seen them in blue/gray. [url=http://s652.photobucket.com/user/engage757/media/RANDOM%2001/DSC_0464_zps034d1b70.jpg.html:4x041s0x][img:4x041s0x]http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu243/engage757/RANDOM%2001/DSC_0464_zps034d1b70.jpg[/img:4x041s0x][/url:4x041s0x]

Thanks. My concern with the zippers is scratching the bass more than them being bad zippers.

I have probably weighed in earlier in this thread somewhere, but my current opinion is that most people that prefer gig bags will have their preferred model and that will vary from person to person (mine is the Access Stage 3 bag). It would be easier for the OEM to get a custom moulded hard case than it would be for an individual and considering that most of the Dingwalls models are considered high end basses, I think a hard case would be more appropriate. Or, at least to have the option to buy a hard case for a nominal up-charge. One of my Dingwalls came with that Levy's CPS8 gig bag. It's not bad, but I find it a little bulky and wide on the top end and the pockets a little wide/loose. While it didn't have as much protection and pockets, I preferred the previous Levy's model the CM19. It was more basic and in line with something like the Mono Bass Sleeve, but was a snug fit and really light.

I own and use a Mono Vertigo and an iGIG 515 for my basses, and they are both fantastic gigbags. The Vertigo has a rubber boot, is top loading and very slim and svelte, whereas the iGIG has lots of storage (big enough for a class D head, pedals, cables, iPad or music, stand). I also have a couple of Protection Racket bags which blur the lines between hardcase and softcase.

I've always used Mono Cases, but the latest one I got was a Reunion Blues Continental after watching these videos... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03JU695A6hE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak1K4CpOI5s It is a solid s.o.b. (shelter of basses) almost as bulky as the Mono "stereo case".

I'm thinkin for my first DW bass the NG-2 with my case with some added padding will suffice. But when I can afford to get and pull the trigger on an ABI, I'm thinking full custom flight case. Clydesdale cases for sure

[quote="bassmayhem":2yfsf75a]I've always used Mono Cases, but the latest one I got was a Reunion Blues Continental after watching these videos... It is a solid s.o.b. (shelter of basses) almost as bulky as the Mono "stereo case". [/quote:2yfsf75a] I have a Continental for electric guitar and find it way too bulky and cumbersome for my purposes, since I carry my own instruments. It's not left the house since I got my Monos.

I dumped all my hard cases in favour of Gator Progo soft cases. A decision that I am more than happy with 12 months down the line. I've replaced my Levy that came with the ABZ too because I think the Gators are much better. I've had to tie ribbon on the handles that matches the colour of the basses inside so I know what I'm picking up! They are easier to handle, take up less space than a hardshell and because I move my gear myself and don't fly with basses the Progo cases are a better solution for me. In my situation I think they offer better protection than a hardshell. Check out the promo video on you tube - it starts as a boring, formal demo and ends with them throwing a guitar off a first storey roof onto its headstock.

[quote="amnesia":2mo4yib7]I dumped all my hard cases in favor of Gator Progo soft cases. A decision that I am more than happy with 12 months down the line. I've replaced my Levy that came with the ABZ too because I think the Gators are much better. I've had to tie ribbon on the handles that matches the color of the basses inside so I know what I'm picking up! They are easier to handle, take up less space than a hard shell and because I move my gear myself and don't fly with basses the Progo cases are a better solution for me. In my situation I think they offer better protection than a hard shell. Check out the promo video on you tube - it starts as a boring, formal demo and ends with them throwing a guitar off a first story roof onto its head stock.[/quote:2mo4yib7] You got my attention: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMOCBEt56PM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgW2WQdOz38 Did you ever sell the Levy's bag? If not, would you consider it?

I have never seen the Gator Progo in person, but after the Access Stage 3 gig bag, it would be the next on my list to check out. The Mono gig bags are good too, but I really dislike that they don't have a front face lifting loop in the mid section.

[quote="nervous":12mzn2ln] Did you ever sell the Levy's bag? If not, would you consider it?[/quote:12mzn2ln] I am using it to store another bass in the house...sorry.

The Dingwall-branded Levys bag is very good with one fatal flaw IMO - the top sticks out WAY over my head when strapped to my back, and consequently hits doorways making it pointless as a way of getting my bass to the gig - and I'm not even tall! A real shame because otherwise it's really designed, but a gigbag that exposes the headstock and neck of my bass to damage every time I walk through a doorway (or forces me to remember to duck) is sadly condemned to taking up space in my house in case I ever decide to sell.

[quote:fqi4sqiw]the top sticks out WAY over my head when strapped to my back, and consequently hits doorways[/quote:fqi4sqiw] I've noticed the same thing with my newly purchased (non-Dingwall) gig bag. I wonder if any are designed differently with the top of the strap attachment further up the neck of the bag. Maybe it would keep hitting you in the back of the head that way...

The Access Stage 3 gig bag has two options for strap attachment points, one of which is further up to have the bass sit lower. There are trade-offs with either. If the strap attachment point is high, then your bass hits you in the butt when you walk. If it's too low, then the top sticks out too high and is a doorway hazard. Having the two attachment points gives you the option and is the most versatile, but it is not the most comfortable as a result of having metal hooks/clips to change positions.