Gig Bag Recommendations?

JMP

Can anyone recommend a good quality gig bag with shoulder straps for Gypsy Jazz guitars? I’d want very good protection, ease of carrying and some extra pockets for books, within a price range of $100--$200. The bag would be for my lovely Manouche 12-fret D hole. Do off-the-shelf bags for archtops tend to work? I see that Sadowsky Guitars recommends a bag by Mooradian for about $150. I’ve looked at the info for the new “fiberglass jumbo gypsy guitar cases” with straps in Michael’s store section, but I’m wondering how comfortable this would really be as a backpack-style option, plus there are no outside pockets. Thanks in advance for any advice.

gitpicker

I use an Alpine Series Boulder Bag by Saga for my Gitanes and my Collins when I don't want to lug around my hard case. It's got pretty good padding and the exterior material is very tough. These only cost $50, sometimes less, and the outer pocket will fit your copy of Gypsy Rhythm or Unaccompanied Django nicely with many sets of Argentines. It has shoulder straps too. Of course there are other options I'm sure you'll hear about but this just came to mind and the fit is great.

I have a Reunion Blues bag for my L5. Although it's a killer bag with awesome protection, it cost me a few hundred bucks 5 years ago! They are extremely pricey but they are excellent. I don't know what one would cost these days.

The boulder bag is fine for most things and I've brought my guitar to 5 countries this year so far and used this same gig bag everytime. I'm sure there are others but for $50 or so, it's a good option. Here's a link to see the Boulder Bag. I'm curious to know what others might recommend also. Good luck!
http://www.sagamusic.com/catalog/produc ... &BrandID=6

pdaigle

On that topic: it would be interesting to know what size bags fit Selmer sized guitars best. Most dreadnought sized bags are too large (and the guitar floats around) and I have seen some 00/000 sized bags that were too small for Selmer sized instrument.

Does anybody have suggestions of gig bags that fit the Selmer copies snuggly?

pdaigle

BTW, I currently have the following case:

http://www.amazon.com/Seagull-Deluxe-Dreanaught-Acoustic-Guitar/dp/B000PIF14C

To me this is a great compromise between hard shell case and gig bag: it offers some impact protection and is lightweight and easy to carry (with the shoulder straps).

I modified the interior slightly using foam and two-sided tape to make my Manouche modele jazz fit snuggly in the dreadnought sized case.

Campusfive

I like my Levy's bags. I have a jumbo sized one for my archtops, and I love it. It's the best case I've found below the Reunion Blues bags.
As far as being slightly oversize, I don't think that has any effect on the protection whatsoever. If the guitar was way too small, maybe.

Here's a jumbo bag on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LEVYS-CM20JL-JUMBO- ... dZViewItem

Here's the assortment from the series I like:

klaatu

I've had really good luck with my Profile gig bag. I haven't been able to find a Web site for them, but here's a picture of their "Profile DB250 Deluxe Padded Acoustic Guitar Gig Bag Case:
http://www.axemusic.com/Pictures/axe_db250.jpg

I haven't used one with my gypsy guitar, but I have been using one of their classical cases for a couple of years with my little Washburn parlour guitar, which I use every day in my music therapy day job. It's got good thick padding, comfortable shoulder straps, other straps for carrying or lifting, and pockets galore. When I bought it, the dealer and I were joking about all the pockets, but I've wound up using every one. I can carry a little folding guitar stand, water bottle, cables, books, picks, strings, tuner - all sorts of stuff. The only complaint is the little mesh pocket on the back - looks cool, but the material is flimsy and tears easily.

Otherwise, it has provided excellent protection and great utility.

mcgroup53

I am partial to the Gator line of rigid foam gig bags. I use a D shaped one for my gorgeous Colins D1ASBV and actually gate checked it for a RT flight to Kansas City with no worries. It's a bit heavier than a gig bag, but thye added proection is awesome, and they come with a nice a zippr pocket for music books, etc. I changed out the crappy original shoulder/backpack straps for a set from an old golf bag and it works great. I use the same style foam case for my BRW F5 mandolin and have the same experience. I never use a hard case anymore, and this is from someone who used to use Calton/Pegasus cases religiously. The OM-sized cases seem to fit the Selmer guitars nicely.

Djavo

Duozona

Djavo

Can you show us which one you mean here http://www.gatorcases.com/index.asp

-Chuck

pdaigle

I believe he's talking about these:

http://www.gatorcases.com/productsmodeldetail.aspx?LID=2&PID=15&MID=15

Not sure which size would fit the Selmacs best...

chappie

levy's makes a good bag in my opinion.

Micky Dunne

I have just received my Gator Case and on first inspection it looks and feels great. My DG-255 fits great although I might put a cleaning cloth inside to make it fit more snug but it is very plush and feels very well protected. It is both lightweight and durable, infact with my guitar inside it feels lighter than my empty hardcase! Here is the model I purchased it is for the dreadnought but I think if you have a larger Favino type guitar it may not fit.

http://www.gatorcases.com/productsmodel ... =15&MID=16