Good Gig Bag for Moffa Mithra

[porterfield]

Hey All!
I have a Moffa Mithra, small body semi-hollow (14.5" lower bout, about 3.5 inches depth) and have been using my Mono semi-hollow vertigo. The vertigo is on its last legs, I've had it for 8 years and while I like it, I got it for my 335 which is significantly wider at the lower bout. I definitely feel as if the Moffa isn't as snug as it could be.

I've ben pining for the days of the older reunion blues continental bags (circa 2011)--I had a dreadnaught case from that series that was just a monster. The newer ones feel as if the build quality has gone down (and according to friends who use them, it has). Wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a gigbag that will fit this guitar well and protect if as much as possible.

Been checking out the Cronkhite cases as well--does anyone know if the cordura option rigid like the Mono/Reunion blues? Does it come with a headstock block?

Thanks !

[marcwhy]

For a Moffa I'd get a Cronkite! Call the new owners with any questions!

[Woody Sound]

What is the total length (butt to headstock tip)?

[porterfield]

For a Moffa I'd get a Cronkite! Call the new owners with any questions!

I love the idea--does anyone have experience with the cordura? Does it hold up well, or is leather ($$$) the only way to go?

[porterfield]

What is the total length (butt to headstock tip)?

41"

[jads57]

I originally used a semi hollow Mono Gig Bag for my Benedetto Bambino. But found that the smaller Les Paul size works perfect!
Not sure about depth of your body, mine is 2&1/4” depth

[marcwhy]

I love the idea--does anyone have experience with the cordura? Does it hold up well, or is leather ($$$) the only way to go?

The leather is hipper, but I'm sure the cordura will last many, many years!

(And Mono Vertigo bags are excellent, too!)

[stevus]

Hey All!
I have a Moffa Mithra, small body semi-hollow (14.5" lower bout, about 3.5 inches depth) and have been using my Mono semi-hollow vertigo. The vertigo is on its last legs, I've had it for 8 years and while I like it, I got it for my 335 which is significantly wider at the lower bout. I definitely feel as if the Moffa isn't as snug as it could be.

I've ben pining for the days of the older reunion blues continental bags (circa 2011)--I had a dreadnaught case from that series that was just a monster. The newer ones feel as if the build quality has gone down (and according to friends who use them, it has). Wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a gigbag that will fit this guitar well and protect if as much as possible.

Been checking out the Cronkhite cases as well--does anyone know if the cordura option rigid like the Mono/Reunion blues? Does it come with a headstock block?

Thanks !

My Westville has about the same dimensions, and I am using a Mono for classical guitar. I expect every gig bag for classical guitar will fit.

[John A.]

Hey All!
I have a Moffa Mithra, small body semi-hollow (14.5" lower bout, about 3.5 inches depth) and have been using my Mono semi-hollow vertigo. The vertigo is on its last legs, I've had it for 8 years and while I like it, I got it for my 335 which is significantly wider at the lower bout. I definitely feel as if the Moffa isn't as snug as it could be.

I've ben pining for the days of the older reunion blues continental bags (circa 2011)--I had a dreadnaught case from that series that was just a monster. The newer ones feel as if the build quality has gone down (and according to friends who use them, it has). Wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a gigbag that will fit this guitar well and protect if as much as possible.

Been checking out the Cronkhite cases as well--does anyone know if the cordura option rigid like the Mono/Reunion blues? Does it come with a headstock block?

Thanks !

A friend of mine has the newer Continental (called Continental Voyager), and I have the original version, both in the 16" semi hollow size. Honestly, I think the newer one is a bit better. It's lighter, but does not seem flimsier to me (and still seems a bit sturdier than the Mono M80 dread size that I have). Also, it carries lower on the back - the original carries high enough that you have to worry about bumping into doorways and smacking birds and GPS satellites. I'd have no qualms about using one. Reunion Blues also makes a different bag called the RBX, which looks a lot like the Continental Voyager, but is less robust. It could be that the people you say are complaining about the new Continental are talking about this RBX, and/or confusing it with with the Voyager?

As far as sizing goes, I just looked up the specs for a Moffa Mithra, and the body is 48 mm (1.9") deep x 14.5" wide. When you say yours is 3.5" deep, do you the mean depth including the height of the bridge, or do you mean that the rims are actually 3.5" deep? If you mean that this is to the top of the bridge, the specs for the electric guitar size of the Voyager, Mono M80 Classic and M80 Vertical all say that the interior is 14" x 3; you might be able squeeze to your Moffa into that. Otherwise, I think you're stuck with the 16" semi size. However, if you mean 3.5" rims, I think you need the classical guitar size of any bag.

FWIW, I have 4 different reinforced gig bags (Mono M80 "Classic" dread size, RB Continental 16" semi size, RB Continental Aero strat size, and Music Area Wind 30 dread size), and over the years have used a bunch of other gig bags. My "use case" is carrying the guitar around on foot or mass transit a lot, but not usually putting it into a vehicle with other stuff piled on/around it), I think the Mono M80 is the best balance of protection and ergonomics for this. The RB Continental (and the new Voyager) are more protective but heavier (and the original RB carries high); I don't think that extra protection is actually necessary for my uses (different story if I were loading it into van with with a band's worth of gear banging around). I'd actually recommend the Music Area as an even better bag that the Mono, but they're very hard to find now (used to be common and cheap on Amazon, but not anymore). The RB Aero has useless pouches/pockets, so I don't recommend it.

[porterfield]

A friend of mine has the newer Continental (called Continental Voyager), and I have the original version, both in the 16" semi hollow size. Honestly, I think the newer one is a bit better. It's lighter, but does not seem flimsier to me (and still seems a bit sturdier than the Mono M80 dread size that I have). Also, it carries lower on the back - the original carries high enough that you have to worry about bumping into doorways and smacking birds and GPS satellites. I'd have no qualms about using one. Reunion Blues also makes a different bag called the RBX, which looks a lot like the Continental Voyager, but is less robust. It could be that the people you say are complaining about the new Continental are talking about this RBX, and/or confusing it with with the Voyager?

As far as sizing goes, I just looked up the specs for a Moffa Mithra, and the body is 48 mm (1.9") deep x 14.5" wide. When you say yours is 3.5" deep, do you the mean depth including the height of the bridge, or do you mean that the rims are actually 3.5" deep? If you mean that this is to the top of the bridge, the specs for the electric guitar size of the Voyager, Mono M80 Classic and M80 Vertical all say that the interior is 14" x 3; you might be able squeeze to your Moffa into that. Otherwise, I think you're stuck with the 16" semi size. However, if you mean 3.5" rims, I think you need the classical guitar size of any bag.

FWIW, I have 4 different reinforced gig bags (Mono M80 "Classic" dread size, RB Continental 16" semi size, RB Continental Aero strat size, and Music Area Wind 30 dread size), and over the years have used a bunch of other gig bags. My "use case" is carrying the guitar around on foot or mass transit a lot, but not usually putting it into a vehicle with other stuff piled on/around it), I think the Mono M80 is the best balance of protection and ergonomics for this. The RB Continental (and the new Voyager) are more protective but heavier (and the original RB carries high); I don't think that extra protection is actually necessary for my uses (different story if I were loading it into van with with a band's worth of gear banging around). I'd actually recommend the Music Area as an even better bag that the Mono, but they're very hard to find now (used to be common and cheap on Amazon, but not anymore). The RB Aero has useless pouches/pockets, so I don't recommend it.

Thanks for this John! The moffa is 3.5 with the bridge which I’m not trying to put too much pressure on. It does squeeze into the m80 vertigo but it felt a bit dicey. I’ll heck out the Music Area, never heard of them!

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Thanks for this John! The moffa is 3.5 with the bridge which I’m not trying to put too much pressure on. It does squeeze into the m80 vertigo but it felt a bit dicey.

I have an M80 Vertigo semi for my thin archtops and an M80 Vertigo acoustic for my 7 string Ibanez flattop. All of the Mono bags that open vertically are a bit weird, and you have to open them properly for the guitar to slip in easily. When I got the first one (the deeper 16" acoustic bag, because I didn't know they made a thinner 16" model), I assumed from their desciption of a "hinge" in the top that only the top panel folded down. Slipping even my thinner archtops, which are about 3 1/2" to the bridge top, into the acoustic bag that I bought to use for all 3 guitars, there was enough drag to make me very concerned about pressure on both the finish and the bridge. But I laid a cotton cloth cut from an old bed sheet on top of the bridge and was able to pull it out easily with both zipper pulls spread just enough to pass the cloth, so there's not much pressure on the bridge.

When I discovered the semihollow M80 bag, I asked Mono if it was the right bag for my thinner ones (Eastman 16" Jazz Elite 7 and Ibanez AF207) and they confirmed that it is the one they recommend for those guitars. So I got one and have had no problem with either guitar in it. The cloth strip test shows little or no bridge pressure from the zipped top, and once I discovered how to open it properly, they slip in and out easily. And here's the tip.......

One day I got the brilliant idea to see if the back also folds down, so the bag opens like a banana peel - and it does. Held vertically with the top panel hanging by its own weight and my left hand keeping the back bent as far as it will go easily, the guitars slip in with very little pressure on the finish. There's only light sliding contact between the bridge and the inside of the top as it goes in, and the inside of the bag's top panel shows no signs of wear from contact with the bridge. So I'm comfortable that there's no issue with pressure. I've checked my guitars closely because of this concern, and there's no sign of any effect on the bridge, the top, or the finish where the rim rubs against the case.

[Fusionshred]

What's the "cloth Strip Test"? I have an Eastman AR580 incoming and although it comes in a case I'm contemplating a nice bag. It's 16" at the lower bout but the rim depth is 2 9/16" so I'm concerned that a 335 bag, although OK width-wise, would not be deep enough and if the guitar gets squeezed in, there would be pressure on the bridge.

Meanwhile, it's probably fit in a dreadnought bag but probably with some slop.

Any recommendations?

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

What's the "cloth Strip Test"?

Post #11:

I laid a cotton cloth cut from an old bed sheet on top of the bridge and was able to pull it out easily with both zipper pulls spread just enough to pass the cloth, so there's not much pressure on the bridge.

As for depth, the body of my Ibanez AF207 is 2.65" deep and it's 3.5" to the top of the bridge. It fits the Mono semi-hollow bag just fine and passes my "cloth strip test".

Meanwhile, it's probably fit in a dreadnought bag but probably with some slop.

The first Mono I bought was the acoustic M80 Vertigo, which is said on their website to be the correct bag for standard dreadnoughts. My archtops do float a bit in it, which worried me enough to use a cotton flannel pillowcase to stabilize it. I was concerned that if it fell over on its top, the body could shift toward the top surface and bang the bridge enough to cause damage. When I discovered that the semihollow bag was the correct one for my guitars, I got one for the archtops and the fit is perfect - both are held firmly but gently in place and do not shift at all.

I would not put a substantially smaller guitar in the acoustic / dread Mono M80 Vertigo bag. If the neck support system holds the neck firmly but the body can shift freely if the bag is dropped, there's too much potential for trouble to keep me comfortable. Fortunately, the deeper bag holds my flattop perfectly. I'd actually posted it for sale for a few days until I realized that I could use it for my AEL207.

I'm still looking for the right bag for my 17" Eastman because Mono doesn't seem to make one that'll fit it perfectly. I have a discount coupon for a Cronkhite bag, which still makes it twice the price of a Mono Vertigo. But I'll order one in Cordura if I can't find one in the Mono price and quality class.