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I've got an Eastman AR503CE, which they describe as Body Dimensions:16 3/16” x 2 9/16.
I'm looking at Reunion Blues, which seems to be pretty popular (putatively used by Peter Bernstein & others), in particular these two. I'm not looking to save money, since I expect to use this thing for the next 100 years or so. Which is the best choice?
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04-25-2021 10:29 AM
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Check out the MONO line of bags - IMHO a superior product. I've got 2 bags for my guitars and one for an fx-board. My Trenier 16" fits in a bag for classical guitars.
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Blue Heron Enterprises ? They do custom bags with the guesswork taken out of it.
I like Harvest Deutschland, too. Harvest Fine Leather | Guitar Bags
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Between the two you listed, it's not a matter of better or worse. They're different levels of protectiveness. The Contentintal Voyager bags are heavily reinforced and are as protective as some hard cases. The RBX is not as robust, but still very sturdy, and lighter and less bulky than the Voyager. Also, the stiff reinforcement of the Voyager makes it somewhat difficult to access the accessory pouch, and the RBX is a little more convenient in that regard.
I have the original Continental (equivalent to the Voyager) for my semi-hollow. I would trust it over the hard case it came with. I've had it for about 10 years, and it's still in excellent condition. The biggest drawback is that when carried as a backpack, it sits very high and you have to be careful going through low doorways. I think they changed the location of the straps on the Voyager and addressed this, but I'm not certain.
My other gig bags are a Mono M80 and a Music Area Wind 30. Both are dreadnought size, and both fit my 16" archtop and my gypsy jazz acoustic well. They are about the same in protectiveness - a bit less than the RB, but still reinforced and way better than any padded cloth bag. The Mono's pouches and straps are really well thought out, and when carried as a backpack sits very comfortably. I've had it for around 15 years, and it's still in very good condition.
The Music Area's pouches are a little smaller than the Mono's, but better than the RB's. It also sits high as a backpack. When I got it, it was about $110. I've only had it a few months, so no reports yet on durability, but construction seems a hair more robust than the Mono. It's only available on Amazon, and its prices fluctuate wildly, so if interested you have to time your purchase.
It's hard to pick a winner. But I'd say the Mono is best ergonomically, but the Music Area is close (and both are better than the RB). The RB (Voyager) is most protective, and if you need that (e.g., if it's going to bounce around in a car trunk with other stuff) it's a better choice. The things that I don't like about it are really quite minor.
I haven't owned an RBX, but a friend of mine has one and I've checked it out. I think it's a little below the Mono and the Music Area in terms of protectiveness and robustness, but still a great bag. It's got some reinforcement, and is much better than a padded cloth bag.
I think on balance the Mono M80 is the overall best of the bunch, but also the most expensive, and its advantages are kind of slim. Any of these does the job well (with Contentintal/Voyager being a viable substitute for a plywood hard case, but not the others).Last edited by John A.; 04-26-2021 at 11:38 AM.
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That said, my Ribbecke Guitar Company 17" Halfling was delivered in an RB Continental Midnight Dreadnaught Gigbag. There are Access Case pads you may buy to pad out an overly large case or gigbag.
ACCESS Guitar Case Padding: Give Your Gig Bag or Case a Custom Fit
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Why bags instead of cases? When I bought my jazz box the shop did not have a case for it. I immediately drove to another music store and asked to see the cases. In minutes I found a classical guitar case that fit my jazz box perfectly in every way - a very strong case that I'm sure I could literally kick all over the house without harming the guitar.
Jazz boxes are relatively light instruments and the weight of a hard case is trivial and does not require more space. Considering a bag seems to be a new thing, but why?
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Jabs, VERY informative stuff buddy. How’s that Halfling treating you?
Joe D
Originally Posted by Jabberwocky
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Max405, I don't play iit nearly enough...
Wasted on my meagre skills really. It is a Wenge bodied Cedar topped Halfling.
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Thanks to everyone for your helpful comments! I'll just be using it for short train (NYC) trips between my home and a studio. BTW, I do have a Mono M80 that I use for solid body electrics, and it's just a little bit too small for my archtop. I'll have a look at what's available. I've also just heard good things about Mooradian, but it seems they are no longer in business.
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Mooradian is out of business, though you could probably find a used one. I had two of them over the years. Very comfortable to carry, good pockets, decent padding, but they both fell apart. The RBs and Monos are a quantum leap better. Originally Posted by rlyacht
Last edited by John A.; 04-26-2021 at 11:35 AM.
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I always recommend Glenn Cronkhite.
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Absolutely everyone in London uses MONO bags with the drawback that it’s quite easy to walk off with the wrong guitar at jam sessions.
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I could never comfortably strap a guitar case on my back and ride my bike to a session or rehearsal like I do with my gigbag(s) and the harness on the MONO bag is perfect in that respect.
Re Cronkhite / RB bags : a leather bag is heavy and they do not have the built-in protective pads like the more modern models do. I do own a leather bag by RB that I found way cheap and pounced on it but it's for a solidbody guitar so the extra pads/plastic sheets are obsolete and the weight doesn't matter so much either. A well used/loved leather bag scores on one thing though : they have CHARACTER and just look too cool .....
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For a 16" archtop, best overall package I've found is the Mono "Acoustic Sleeve" (vertigo configuration, i.e. top loader). Quite a bit lighter than their standard model but still very protective.
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Hahaha! Same overhere! Which is the reason I got this for my ES-125: Originally Posted by christianm77
(Very light and practical by the way, very good protection - I think better than Mono - and I cycle with it on my back to gigs and sessions! Oh, and I got it for only $35 from a guy who’d never used it)
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Check out the Gator ProGo series. I have two, and really like them. Super durable and protective, very light weight. And I like the extra large pocket that I can fit a full size binder of music, which I often need to do. And their customer service is awesome.
Series: Pro-Go Guitar - Gator Cases
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I use the MONO M80 VAD for my Eastman AR805. It fits perfectly.
I even bike with it to rehearsal/jam.
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I haven't used a hard case in decades and don't even own one. Gig bags are much easier to carry (because of backpack straps). They have accessory pockets that can hold music, cables, pedals, etc., so that you don't have to carry another bag. The good ones protect the guitar better than many hard cases. For me a hard case is just something I have to figure out how to get rid of. Originally Posted by pauln
Last edited by John A.; 04-26-2021 at 08:54 AM.
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I have used only gig bags for years now. As soon as I buy a guitar, the hard case goes into my basement crawl space with the rest of them (~10+), not to come out unless/until I am selling the instrument. Originally Posted by John A.
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I like the Mono Vertigo – mostly for the top loading feature and automatic necklock. No more looking for space to lay the case on a cramped stage, no more kneeing. I put the "boot" on the floor, unzip the case and pull out the guitar standing up. It's also very solidly made, vegan and gives good protection. And it's comfortable to carry on a bike.
Vertigo Acoustic Guitar Case, Black
– MONO
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Backstraps for cello cases have been around for donkey's years. They're also readily available for guitar cases, so riding a bike with a guitar case is entirely feasible..... Originally Posted by John A.
Gewa Case Backpack Strap – Thomann UK
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I have a sleeve for my tele – totally sufficiant protection for a rugged guitar like that as long a s you don't check it as luggage for a flight. For an expensive archtop or thinline guitar I have more confidence with the slightly heavier "vertigo". Originally Posted by coolvinny
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Feel free to do so. I'll stick to reinforced gig bags. Originally Posted by Ray175
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