So much for Gator ProGo Ultimate Gig Bag protection (MM Bass accident)

[Marc61]

I was lazy last night coming back from the gig and left my bass out on the floor. Tripped over it last night but, thought nothing of it. When I pulled it out today...well...I guess the pics will tell the story. I took the strings and neck off, cleaned it up, screwed the neck back on and it seems solid except the bottom two neckplate screws are stripped. Not sure what'll happen if I put strings on it.

Wrote to Gator but, I doubt they care. They don't make any real representations regarding protection in their ads or warranty. Sux cuz it's my only fiver and I use it constantly.

 

[Menorahman]

lol wut

you tripped over your case and your bass strings broke?

weird

 

[Marc61]

the neck screws pulled out. No cracks but the bottom two neck plate screws are stripped

 

[Dave W]

So...you stepped on it but it's the gig bags fault?

 

[Marc61]

I didn't step on it, I tripped. I'm not blaming the bag but, this bag is supposed to offer shock absorption which was obviously limited.

 

[Menorahman]

Bizarre.

The bass was probably already on the verge of popping. Then you must have hit it in exactly the right (wrong) way. Doubt it's the fault of the case.

 

[Marc61]

Again I'm not blaming the bag. It was my fault for being lazy but....here's what their advertising says

Ultimate protection and convenience for your gigging life

The ProGo Ultimate gig bag is Gator's 'extra mile' design for your electric bass guitars. Heavy-duty nylon exterior keeps things from penetrating the case to keep your guitars clean and puncture-free. The ultra-thick padded sidewalls give this gig bag some resistance and micro-fleece lining protects even the most fragile of finishes against scratches. When someone asks a Sweetwater Sales Engineer what the most important thing about a bass case is the answer is stabilizing your guitar. If your guitars are floating around free inside the case, you risk body dings, damaged electronics controls, - even a broken neck. Gator solves this by including a padded neck support and body blocker shock absorber, your guitars will rest in luxury. Handles on the front and side and backpack straps adjust for your comfort or can be completely removed, you'll never be at a loss for a way to carry the load. The rubber foot on the bottom keeps your basses from slipping and sliding when you lean them against the bar during load in. They also made sure to give you plenty of pockets for peripherals including a special internal cable management system and a spot for your tablet. The pocket on the back? Why that's Sweetwater's favorite feature - it holds an included, protective rain cover!

 

[Kevan Campbell]

Not sure about the case part of the equation, but wouldn't your local tech be able to just use bigger neck screws or even install brass inserts with matching bolts?

 

[Marc61]

Good ideas for repair. I can probably do that myself

 

[bolophonic]

I once had a Precision slip off the strap and it took a nipple-high karate chop into a hardwood floor and it didn't even go out of tune. Is there any possible way that maybe you stepped directly ON the gig bag?

 

[JimmyM]

You can plug the holes with a couple of toothpicks and wood glue.

 

[MCF]

Bummer. As heavy as they are, hard cases only option for bullet proof protection.

 

[Marc61]

I once had a Precision slip off the strap and it took a nipple-high karate chop into a hardwood floor and it didn't even go out of tune. Is there any possible way that maybe you stepped directly ON the gig bag?

Precision bass...says it all. You can hammer nails with them I didn't step on it but, I think the problem was the bass wasn't really secure in the bag

 

[NortyFiner]

I once had a Precision slip off the strap and it took a nipple-high karate chop into a hardwood floor and it didn't even go out of tune. Is there any possible way that maybe you stepped directly ON the gig bag?

That's what I'm thinking. You don't just rip a neck out of the body like that by simply tripping over it, unless the neck was already stressed to the point of giving out, which is its own issue.

Anyway, I'd be concerned about cracks propagating in the neck from the damaged holes. And I have to say, only four small screw holes to hold a five string neck looks *carrot*ing shady to me.

 

[NortyFiner]

I once had a Precision slip off the strap and it took a nipple-high karate chop into a hardwood floor and it didn't even go out of tune. Is there any possible way that maybe you stepped directly ON the gig bag?

Same here. My first bass was an 84 P, which one time took an accidental trip down the concrete stairs of an apt complex. Added a few more relics to the finish, but as you say, it didn't even knock it out of tune. It takes real force to truly damage a properly built bass.

 

[ddnidd1]

Its difficult to understand how simply tripping over the bag could do that kind of damage.

If you stepped on it or punted it across the room, it would make a lot more sense.

 

[FC Bass]

After repair, get something like this:

If you trip over it, the bass will be fine!
(you might need a hospital visit, you can use the case as walker when you return)

 

[Wasnex]

The accident you had is unfortunate, but I don't see any damage that I would expect a gig bag to prevent. I once ran over my Ric 4001 with a 71 Ford Galaxy. I had to drive over the bass a second time to get it out from under the car. I pulled it out of the case and it was still in tune. That's that kind of protection you get from flight case. I imagine it would have looked a bit like yours if it had been in a gig bag.

The good news is it should be fairly inexpensive repair to repair your bass. Good luck!

 

[SirMjac28]

Sorry about your bass I think these kits you get on eBay work well.

 

[Marc61]

The accident you had is unfortunate, but I don't see any damage that I would expect a gig back to prevent. I once ran over my Ric 4001 with a 71 Ford Galaxy. I had to drive over the bass a second time to get it out from under the car. I pulled it out of the case and it was still in tune. That's that kind of protection you get from flight case. I imagine it would have looked a bit like yours if it had been in a gig bag.

The good news is it should be fairly inexpensive repair to repair your bass. Good luck!

Wait!!! How was the car?