The purpose of this thread is to provide Talkbass users with reliable information about suitable gig bags for the SKB Bass Safe.
I have been looking for a secure way to fly with my bass for a while now. I weighed a number of options, from a gig bag in the cabin to a flight case in checked luggage, and finally decided on the SKB Bass safe as the best way to provide both the protection I needed in order to check my bass, and the flexibility of having a gig bag to carry it around in upon arrival. But which gig bag? After scouring Talkbass and the rest of the internet for answers, I found little conclusive information, and decided to test it out myself. So I ordered a Bass Safe and a gig bag I knew would fit, SKB's own GB44. Both arrived today.
The GB44 gig bag didn't cost much, and my expectations weren't high. In spite of this, the bag was actually of reasonable quality, but with a few notable shortcomings. The outer shell is constructed from tough nylon, with a smoother nylon on the inside, and reinforcement patches in the bridge and headstock area. There are several outside pockets, ranging from a largish one that can take books or sheet music, to smaller pockets for accessories, even holders for pens and such. The bag has a carrying handle, a rear handle for vertical lifting, and two removable shoulder straps to carry it backpack-style. The padding looks to be about 20mm thick, and there is a solid-looking zipper running halfway around the bag. I had imagined that the bag would turn out to be OK as padding inside the Bass Safe, but less good for carrying about. It actually turned out to be the other way around. The GB44 fits easily inside the Bass Safe, but is too thin, which allows the bass to rattle around inside. I would not trust this bag as the only padding inside the case. There is no neck brace either, it's basically a soft bag that will do for light duty, but will not protect your bass from significant impacts. Also, the clips that attach the shoulder straps to the bag itself are plastic, and will probably not stand up to heavy or frequent use. So while the bag fits comfortably inside the Bass Safe, it's clearly not sufficiently protective for travel.
Next up was my Mono Vertigo. I hadn't expected it to fit, and it didn't. You could just about fit the top end in the Bass Safe, but the rubber boot at the bottom is too large to be able to push the two halves of the case together.
Finally, I tried the Mono Bass sleeve. This didn't fit either, as it was too broad for the case, and you couldn't fit the bottom half over it.
So there the matter stands, for now. I will report when I find a bag that works with the Bass Safe. In the meantime, feel free to add your own experiences to this thread. To aid you in finding a suitable gig bag, I'm also providing the external dimensions of the SKB bag. In order to fit inside the case, a gig bag should not exceed these dimensions. Pictures are welcome, especially if you find a bag that works.
I have been looking for a secure way to fly with my bass for a while now. I weighed a number of options, from a gig bag in the cabin to a flight case in checked luggage, and finally decided on the SKB Bass safe as the best way to provide both the protection I needed in order to check my bass, and the flexibility of having a gig bag to carry it around in upon arrival. But which gig bag? After scouring Talkbass and the rest of the internet for answers, I found little conclusive information, and decided to test it out myself. So I ordered a Bass Safe and a gig bag I knew would fit, SKB's own GB44. Both arrived today.
The GB44 gig bag didn't cost much, and my expectations weren't high. In spite of this, the bag was actually of reasonable quality, but with a few notable shortcomings. The outer shell is constructed from tough nylon, with a smoother nylon on the inside, and reinforcement patches in the bridge and headstock area. There are several outside pockets, ranging from a largish one that can take books or sheet music, to smaller pockets for accessories, even holders for pens and such. The bag has a carrying handle, a rear handle for vertical lifting, and two removable shoulder straps to carry it backpack-style. The padding looks to be about 20mm thick, and there is a solid-looking zipper running halfway around the bag. I had imagined that the bag would turn out to be OK as padding inside the Bass Safe, but less good for carrying about. It actually turned out to be the other way around. The GB44 fits easily inside the Bass Safe, but is too thin, which allows the bass to rattle around inside. I would not trust this bag as the only padding inside the case. There is no neck brace either, it's basically a soft bag that will do for light duty, but will not protect your bass from significant impacts. Also, the clips that attach the shoulder straps to the bag itself are plastic, and will probably not stand up to heavy or frequent use. So while the bag fits comfortably inside the Bass Safe, it's clearly not sufficiently protective for travel.
Next up was my Mono Vertigo. I hadn't expected it to fit, and it didn't. You could just about fit the top end in the Bass Safe, but the rubber boot at the bottom is too large to be able to push the two halves of the case together.
Finally, I tried the Mono Bass sleeve. This didn't fit either, as it was too broad for the case, and you couldn't fit the bottom half over it.
So there the matter stands, for now. I will report when I find a bag that works with the Bass Safe. In the meantime, feel free to add your own experiences to this thread. To aid you in finding a suitable gig bag, I'm also providing the external dimensions of the SKB bag. In order to fit inside the case, a gig bag should not exceed these dimensions. Pictures are welcome, especially if you find a bag that works.
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