Gig Bags that Rock! iGig & Reunion Blues

When talking cases (soft & hardshell) and gig bags, I am looking for the best protection I can find. After that I consider how the case, or bag will be used. 

Choosing to replace the G&G hardshell case that came with my new Plum Crazy G&L P-bass was necessary because it does not properly secure the instrument. Being a generic fitting case, there is nothing to keep the weight of the bass from being transferred directly to the headstock, and with its minimal padding any shock to the case will also be transferred to the instrument. Lastly, the thing is big & bulky, lacking storage to house even a spare pack of strings. 

So how did I choose the replacement for the traditional style hardshell case? 
Priority 1, I wanted something that would protect the bottom of the bass where the strap button is mounted. Damage to the instruments body from a shock to the strap button is fairly common with traditional cases. 
Priority 2, I wanted the neck to be protected. The stock G&G case only supports the neck at one point-- its weakest-- just below the headstock. Any replacement case/bag needs to do a better job at supporting & protecting the neck. 
Priority 3, storage large enough for the essentials: strings, strap, cables, sheet music, picks, tuner, and somewhere to stash my phone & keys... maybe even a Cliff Bar to hold me over during those unexpected long rehearsals. 

After searching the internet forums and on-line retailers, I narrowed the choice down to two options; the Reunion Blues Continental soft case, and the iGig G525 gig bag. Both are great alternatives to the stock hard case, though for this specific instrument the choice was clear... and here's why:

Priority 1: protection around the strap button.

Reunion Blues Continental:

Notice where the instruments weight is concentrated when upright.

In the photo above, notice how the weight of the bass on the left is fully on the strap button-- which is at the very center and bottom of the case. On the right, the weight of the bass is not directly on the strap button due to the instruments offset body shape-- there is more protection for the bass on the right, than the one on the left. By this measure, the Continental is better for J-basses, and less so for P-basses.

iGig G525:

iGig G525 "GigSaddle"

In this photo (right), notice that the strap button is suspended above the padding, allowing for the instruments body to carry its weight rather than being concentrated on the strap button. With this design, any shock to the bottom should be absorbed and displaced by the padding that surrounds the strap button. This is one of the two components unique to the iGig they call the "Gig Saddle." Not only does this design protect the strap button, but also the body, bridge, controls, and pickup. For the 

Priority 2: neck protection.

Reunion Blues Continental

Reunion Blues Continental: 

The RB Continental (left) supports the neck with a foam block, and uses a Velcro strap to hold it in place. This is a big improvement over many gig bags & cases, because the memory foam will absorb and displace shock to the neck from all sides. The strap also helps to keep the neck from sliding about which adds to the security of the instrument.

Reunion Blues made a video showing a guitar secured in this case tossed from atop a building, and surviving the impacts of the landing. While I would never attempt such a thing with my instrument, I am 100% confident that my bass will survive small falls that would be more typical of actual use. 

iGig "GigPillow"

iGig G525:

iGig uses what they call a GigPillow to protect the entire length of the instruments neck. Made from shock absorbing memory foam and secured with a Velcro strap, it protects the neck from the heal (also helping to keep the instrument from moving), all the way to just below the headstock. Once fully zipped closed, the gig bag provides impact protection that the traditional plywood hard case is simply incapable of providing. 

Between the two manufacturers, iGig's patented system protects much better than the Reunion Blues neck brace, which itself is much better than many other companies offer. The case I want to see someone make is a combination of these two; take the GigPillow & GigSaddle and incorporate them into the Reunion Blues Continental-- that would be the ultimate in protection and usability. Both cases have excellent backpack-type straps, but the iGig's flop around a bit when not in use, while the RB straps stowaway in a zippered compartment. Foam protection on the front of the case feels slightly thicker on the RB case as well. 

(L) RB Continental; (R) iGig G525 (Front & Back)

Priority 3: storage capability.

Storage on the RB is adequate enough for my needs, but more would be nicer.

iGig's G525 is much easier to access than the RB, with a main front pocket that expands to hold more than the RB. iGig also includes a large pocket on the upper portion along the neck. This is a great place to store a padded strap, thus improving the protection to the instruments headstock. It also provides the perfect place for my wallet, keys and phone while I'm on stage.

Ready to roll with my G525 and G&L LB-100

While the Reunion Blues is an excellent soft case (its very stiff outter frame makes it more of a case, than a gig bag), I chose the iGig to replace the generic G&G case that came with my Plum Crazy G&L primarily due to the better protection around the strap button area. 

How well the gig bag performs, only time will tell. Whenever the instrument leave the house, it will be in this bag-- so it should get a lot of use this summer! I will post updates on its performance throughout the year. My initial impression is that it is a serious improvement over the stock G&G case-- and I am thankful to now actually have enough storage for more than just a tuner!

Until next time...
          Stay tuned & in tune!~