Trying to pick between 2 gig bags

[Socraticaster]

I'm looking for a sturdy gig bag to transport my Gibson es-175 to and from lessons. $200 is pretty much a hard limit, and I've narrowed it down to these two:

WolfPak Acoustic Guitar Polyfoam Case

http://www.amazon.com/WolfPak-Acoust...am+guitar+case


and

MONO M80 Sleeve Acoustic Guitar Case

http://www.amazon.com/MONO-Sleeve-Ac...coustic+sleeve



If you were choosing between these two, which would you pick, and why? Are there other options I should consider?

Thanks in advance.

[johnny4kark]

I just got a reunion blues continental bag a few months ago for my es335. Very durable and firm feel unlike my teachers somewhat floppy feeling mono. the handle is extremely comfortable as well

[Stuart Elliott]

It might depend how you are traveling to lessons, and, potentially, to jams or gigs. Are you going by auto? by uber/taxi? By public transport, subway or bus?

[mr quick]

I'd go for whichever is the sturdiest. When has a case ever been TOO sturdy?

[Socraticaster]

I'd go for whichever is the sturdiest. When has a case ever been TOO sturdy?

That's sort of what I'm asking: "which is sturdier?" "what criteria do you use to judge sturdiness?" "what empirical evidence do you have to support your claim(s)?" - those sorts of questions.

It would be great to buy both and put them through identical test trials for a while, but as that's not realistic, I need to rely on indirect and second-hand evidence. I'm hoping someone here has some insight to offer. I will check out the Reunion Blues bag, but I think it's out of my price range.

[Socraticaster]

It might depend how you are traveling to lessons, and, potentially, to jams or gigs. Are you going by auto? by uber/taxi? By public transport, subway or bus?

Primarily I drive, but I do walk around the campus where I work. So something I can sling on my back while I carry my briefcase and coffee would be ideal.

[lawson-stone]

I like a gig bag that still has some rigidity so that the actual weight of the guitar is not being born by the guitar itself. My Loar LH650 came in a very unusual case. It's a nylon, super-light case, but the foam molding makes it rigid. It's as light as any gig bag but has the rigidity of a hard-shell case.

I don't know who makes their cases, but I suspect it's Guardian, since that brand is also owned by MusicLink, owners of Loar. I love this case, which coincidentally fits my ES175 perfectly.

Here's the link to Guardian's page and this case sounds like the one I have:

Guardian

[lawson-stone]

I think there is a Gator bag that also has the lightness of a gig bag but is pretty rigid.

[mr. beaumont]

I use a Mono sleeve for my tele. Not "rigid," but offers plenty of protection. I imagine that acoustic bag is nice.

I wonder if your 175 would fit in a Godin "Tric" for the 5th avenue? The deluxe version has backpack straps...very cool case, offers great protection, even regulates temperature. The 5th Ave and 175 are similar in all aspects of size--but the 175 is a half inch deeper...anybody know?

[Socraticaster]

My gut instinct here is that the Wolfpak offers better overall protection, but probably is not as well made and won't last as long as the Mono. I'm sorta leaning towards the Wolfpak at this point.

[rob taft]

Go with the Wolf, I have a Yamaha classical case that is very similar and I use it for carrying every classical and flamenco guitar I own. I also have a Mono Case M80 that I use for my electrics. I wouldn't use the Monocase for carrying an acoustic or full bodied guitar. In my opinion, it doesn't offer enough protection.

[Woody Sound]

The Wolfpak will offer more protection, if that is your priority. It is one of the rigid polyfoam cases.

[Longways to Go]

for me the issues with gig bags are how good are the zippers and how big is the accessory/music bag.
I'm not hard on my gear, but non-functioning zippers kill a bag really quickly.
Small storage compartments (as in smaller than my music books) makes me hate it quickly.

[jads57]

I have a 335 Mono Case ,pricey but Great! Reunion Blues for my Elferink Tonemaster Archtop, Great as well!

[Hep To The Jive]

Wolfpak is very good, and def. more protection. They are very well built and light too. Whichever you get, stay away from Gator!

[Jabberwocky]

For a few tens of dollars more, I'd upgrade from the Mono M80 Sleeve to a Mono M80 Vertigo Boot or a Reunion Blues Continental.

http://www.amazon.com/MONO-Vertigo-E...1ADV6CG080WTSV (Acoustic Dreadnaught Model.)

http://www.amazon.com/Reunion-Blues-...CP50RR379QJZB2

(This is the one that was supplied by the Ribbecke Guitar Co for its $8000 Halfling, now $22 000.)

Maybe check this one out if you wish to keep it within $100 budget:

Amazon.com: Reunion Blues RBXA2 Acoustic Guitar Bag: Musical Instruments

The savings of $100+ is not worth it, in my opinion, on an expensive instrument like an ES-175. I'd use a $100 sleeve for a guitar under $600. Anything more deserves a $200+ gigbag. A crack is an instant 50% loss of market value. Note that one of our buddies here paid $2500 for a 1998 Gibson L-5CES ASB with a 1.5" repaired crack on the top which was otherwise fine; that was a loss of $3000 market value. The crack didn't even go through the top, more like a lacquer check plus. Cosmetic strictly.

[Woody Sound]

Whichever you get, stay away from Gator!

Why? I've been considering one.

[Hep To The Jive]

Why? I've been considering one.

Everything I ever bought Gator I had to return. The last item, it was a wheeled DJ cart I was using to transport an amp and pedals, the handle broke on the 2nd day. When I returned it to the store under warranty and complained, the sales person told me 'well, honestly Gator stuff is just cheap copies of other brands, if you want durability, buy something else'. I knew she wasnt lying, 'cos its not the first time I had a problem with them.

[Woody Sound]

Everything I ever bought Gator I had to return. The last item, it was a wheeled DJ cart I was using to transport an amp and pedals, the handle broke on the 2nd day. When I returned it to the store under warranty and complained, the sales person told me 'well, honestly Gator stuff is just cheap copies of other brands, if you want durability, buy something else'. I knew she wasnt lying, 'cos its not the first time I had a problem with them.

Hmmm, have been interested in a Gator ProGo.

Gator G-PG ELECTRIC ProGo Series Ultimate Gig Bag for Electric Guitar | Musician's Friend

[Hep To The Jive]

Hmmm, have been interested in a Gator ProGo.

Gator G-PG ELECTRIC ProGo Series Ultimate Gig Bag for Electric Guitar | Musician's Friend

I woudn't. Why not Mono, it has great reputation, never heard anybody complaing yet!

[DRS]

I have a M80 I use for my electric solid bodies and a Godin polyfoam that came with my LaPatrie classical. I like them both and both have pros and cons. Haven't tried a Wolfpack but the concept is the same as the Godin.

I think the Godin case offers a bit more protection but it is also bulky. That does not mean the M80 doesn't offer excellent protection but the Godin has a bit more.
The Mono has a ton of really well though out pockets. The Godin has some, too. But not as many or as well thought out as the M80.

[Socraticaster]

I ended up buying the Wolfpak - I'm very impressed by how sturdy it is, and it fits the 175 perfectly. It even comes with a cool hydrometer.

[Makani]

I have a Mono M80 for my ES -175D. It fits perfectly and is a great gigging bag.