Hardshell Case vs. Gig Bag

[Desmund Nichols]

Ive only owned 1 hardshell case in my life, and I never took it out the house. Its just not something I like. But I figure I should get one, for just in case I have to put my bass under a bus for travel. Do yall prefer a hardshell case, or gig bag?

[Ronen Tat]

A good friend of mine, guitarist, says the only purpose of a HSC is to bring your new guitar home from the store and put it back in again when you sell it.
There are many high quality, very protective gig bags on the market today. I see no need for a hard case unless you're on the road and somebody else handles your bass. All my basses came with HSCases but I only use gig bags.

[Desmund Nichols]

Thats a good point. I guess ill get the HSC and just buy a gig bag seperate.

[Tim Bishop]

Ive only owned 1 hardshell case in my life, and I never took it out the house. Its just not something I like. But I figure I should get one, for just in case I have to put my bass under a bus for travel. Do yall prefer a hardshell case, or gig bag?
There are many standard HSC's that will protect your bass much better than a gig bag, however, if you are traveling (i.e. bus, plane, train, RV, etc.), a HSC will only protect against so much abuse. An 'ATA Category 1 Flight Case' would give you the best protection of abuse from extreme travel. Otherwise, if instrument is well within your control, a nice, well made gig bag would most likely be sufficent.

[Desmund Nichols]

I just not a HSC kind of person. Too big, too bulky. When I ordered my Black Tiger, I requested the gig bag instead of the HSC. I don't really have a need for a HSC, nor do I have space for it. I would rather have a couple of gig bags. My plan was to get the HSC with my new bass, and then buy a gig bag, but then I would have a HSC taking up space for no reason. I guess I'm just gonna get the gig bag again.