Gigbag for Peerless Archtop?

**michaelgrace** · 02-07-2011, 12:51 AM

Hello everyone!

Well, I've had a Peerless Monarch for about a year now, and I must say it is a highly underrated guitar. I find it amazing, it's tone, from smooth to bright, and it's looks. I keep getting into this guitar more and more with each passing day

So, I want to carry it around with me, so I can play and study while I'm not at home.

The problem is, though, the hardcase that came with it is, although extremely protective, really big and heavy and can easily become a nuisance to carry around (and really busts my back after a while of carrying it).
I've been looking everywhere for a fitting and protective gigbag (I really need one that allows me to carry it on my back - even my replace my usual backpack, if possible!) but I can't find one, either they're all too small for the Monarch, or they're really crappy (like wrapping a black garbage bag around the gutiar lol!)

So, does anyone own or know about such a gigbag?
I'd really apreciate any help !!!

Cheers,
-MG

**mr. beaumont** · 02-07-2011, 12:54 AM

Check out the levys bags at jeff hale's shop (google jhale music)

Worth every penny.

**Steve Z** · 02-07-2011, 01:37 AM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Check out the levys bags at jeff hale's shop (google jhale music)

Worth every penny.

J. Hale Music

**Stackabones** · 02-07-2011, 03:31 AM

I just went through the same search for my Epiphone Zephyr Regent (basically a one-pup ES-175). I decided on the Mono M80 Acoustic Gig Bag.

This youtube review helped me make my decision.

I get in and out of my car all week long, several times a day, for lessons and gigs and this gig bag has been fantastic. Very light, very sturdy -- it really makes my life so much easier. In addition to using it with my Epi, I also use it with a thinline archtop and various acoustics. Best purchase I've made in a long time.

**michaelgrace** · 02-07-2011, 10:20 AM

Thank you for your replies

On the Levy bag:
I contacted Jeff, he was helpful and said that my Monarch would do very nicely in one of those.

On the Monobag:
They look very interesting, but I don't see how my monarch would actually fit in one of those. It's aproximately the same size of an ES-175 (more or less, I'm no connoisseur). Doesn't your Epihone Zephyr get all cramped up inside it?

Feel free to add more sugestions

Cheers,
-MG

**NiAg** · 02-07-2011, 11:49 AM

Another vote for the Mono M80. It is very light, and quite strong for a gigbag.

The M80 is designed to be a Dreadnaught size bag. But it fits a 175 (and similar 16") guitars just fine. It will also hold a 17", but thin-bodied Byrdland well. Likewise it works for a 16" Gretsch with a Bigsby.

I think the Monarch is a bit over 17" and 3" deep. In my opinion, this will be a stretch for the M80.

EDIT: I do not have a 17" guitar here to test, but I use the M80 for my Guild X-180, which is 16" X 3". It is great for the Guild, but in my opinion, would be too tight on the lower bout for a 17" X 3" guitar (as I believe the Monarch is?). It would put some pressure on the bridge, which is really not a great idea.

**michaelgrace** · 02-07-2011, 12:01 PM

Yeah, that's the problem with this guitar. It's very large, and stretching the gigbag, in addition to being impractical, can be very harmful to the guitar... :-(
Thanks for the info :-)

**yo its kyleT** · 02-07-2011, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

Check out the levys bags at jeff hale's shop (google jhale music)

Worth every penny.

I own of those and think it's great. Highly recommended.

My only criticism is the lack of compartmentalized storage. I wish it had a small pouch on the top like most bags do, but oh well.

**Stackabones** · 02-07-2011, 01:16 PM

Michael, if it's bigger than a 175, I'd avoid the Mono. Probably a tad too tight.

**mr. beaumont** · 02-07-2011, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by yo its kyleT

I own of those and think it's great. Highly recommended.

My only criticism is the lack of compartmentalized storage. I wish it had a small pouch on the top like most bags do, but oh well.

I always thought the pouch on the front offered plenty of storage. I can get a real book, cables, etc. In there.

Then again, I'm not a fan of headstock pouches really...I don't like the idea of putting anything of any weight in there.

**whiskywheels** · 02-07-2011, 02:02 PM

If your Monarch is anywhere near the size of my Jazz City, a cello case would be more appropriate. :-)

**kris** · 02-07-2011, 02:03 PM

I play D'Aspiranta guitar..same factory Peerless.
I think the size of Monarch is the same.
I use hand made gig bag very comfortable and a little bigger than guitar.

.

**yo its kyleT** · 02-07-2011, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

I always thought the pouch on the front offered plenty of storage. I can get a real book, cables, etc. In there.

Then again, I'm not a fan of headstock pouches really...I don't like the idea of putting anything of any weight in there.

I think there is plenty of total volume I just prefer the ability to separate things. I like to keep little things like tuners, picks, metronomes what-not in a smaller compartment just because it appeals better to my sense of organization. For whatever reason having little things float around in the bottom of a big pouch bothers me.

NiAg - I was thinking the same thing the other day. A little bag like that would definitely take care of my organizational desires.

**fordfanjpn** · 02-07-2011, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by Stackabones

I just went through the same search for my Epiphone Zephyr Regent (basically a one-pup ES-175). I decided on the Mono M80 Acoustic Gig Bag.

I get in and out of my car all week long, several times a day, for lessons and gigs and this gig bag has been fantastic. Very light, very sturdy -- it really makes my life so much easier. In addition to using it with my Epi, I also use it with a thinline archtop and various acoustics. Best purchase I've made in a long time.

You sold me! And they have a dealer in Japan so I can order locally. I have been looking for a good gig bag for an ES-175 and ES-125 and this one looks ideal. Thanks for the tip.

Bill

**Stackabones** · 02-07-2011, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by fordfanjpn

You sold me! And they have a dealer in Japan so I can order locally. I have been looking for a good gig bag for an ES-175 and ES-125 and this one looks ideal. Thanks for the tip.

Bill

I hope it serves you well, Bill!

**Steve Z** · 02-07-2011, 06:26 PM

Stray from thread a bit... nice playing in the youtube clip you linked in your response. I really dig your playing.

Originally Posted by kris

I play D'Aspiranta guitar..same factory Peerless.
I think the size of Monarch is the same.
I use hand made gig bag very comfortable and a little bigger than guitar.

.

Back to the topic..

Cheers,
Steve

**michaelgrace** · 02-08-2011, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by Steve Z

Stray from thread a bit... nice playing in the youtube clip you linked in your response. I really dig your playing.

Back to the topic..

Cheers,
Steve

Yes, very nice playing indeed

Now, going back to the topic..
Thanks to all of you that helped me by giving your opinion. I will try to find a levy bag, to see if it fits the Monarch well enough. I will let you know when I have

-MG

**mattymel** · 02-08-2011, 02:25 AM

good call on the MONO. im a big fan. looks great, great quality, lots of cool features, plenty of storage if you need it, and WATERPROOF. have a two guitar solidbody case, and an acoustic one. the acoustic would easily fit a 175. i actually managed to fit my 1940 Epi DeLuxe in (busting at the seems), but you are talking a MUCH bigger guitar than a 175. 17" bout. again, i didnt end up using it for my Epi, but kept it for my acoustic and use it for my 335 cuz im cheap.

another one i like is the Reunion Blues Continental. i would say i would bet a guitar might fair a little better than a MONO if you are somehow clumsy enough to do some damage (like walking in front of a bus). but feature wise i like the MONO better for day to day stuff. if i was packing it with a bunch of other gear, maybe the RB.

for the Epi i got a Blue Heron case. nothing particularly special there, though GREAT quality. but its the only one decent i could find that fits a DeLuxe!