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Topic: Gig bag for Steel Guitar |
James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 12 Dec 2007 7:55 pm |
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Is anyone making "gig bags" specifically for steel guitar?
How many would use one if they were available on the market? |
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Kevin Hatton
From:
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted 12 Dec 2007 8:04 pm
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| Who in there right mind would put a $3000.00 steel guitar in a gig bag? |
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Louis Vallee
From:
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Posted 12 Dec 2007 10:45 pm
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Steel guitar in a gig bag! 
_________________
Louis
'08 Magnum D-10 8&5 * Hilton VP * Lemay MK-1 * Peavey NV 1000 * Rick Johnson Cabs * Walker Seat. |
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Dave Boothroyd
From:
Staffordshire Moorlands
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Posted 12 Dec 2007 11:55 pm
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OK, it's a non pedal, but I often have a need to transport my National Console 8 into work or (rare) gigs.
Since my chosen mode of transport is a motorbike, I put the guitar, in its hard case, in a long hiker's rucksack and carry it on my back.
It creates a bit of drag, so I have to keep below 90mph unless I lie on the tank.
It would be a mighty man who could carry a D12 PSG like this though!
Cheers
Dave |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 12:10 am
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James,
These guys can take care of you. They do great work. Forum guy Rob Segal has a 2 piece pedal steel gig bag they made that is very impressive.
http://coloradocase.com/
_________________
Bob |
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 3:01 am Re: Gig bag for Steel Guitar
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James, not a bad question at all. "SOME" players put regular guitars costing more than $3000 in a soft gig bag..... "IF" the owner is transporting the product to and fro from gigs, and will take care in laying it carefully in his car, then a lighter padded case will be good on the back, especially for the older players with the heavier steels. "PADDED" cases are just that, they do the job well. I've used one recently for my telecaster through necessity and I regularly gig, and it's really safe....and light!! I'd use a split padded case for sure for my Sho-Bud universal. It's a heavy beast and has survived a fire and been rebuilt, as some forumites already know, so a two piece padded bag will suffice....I always lay my equiptment carefully in my car. The Carter is different, it's much lighter and I have even put wheels on the case to make life easier 
Micky Byrne United Kingdom
Carter and Sho-Bud universals, Peavey Nashville 400, Evans Fet 500 lv amps |
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Ron Page
From:
Penn Yan, NY USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 5:26 am
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Experience has me with Kevin on this one.
I was taking lessons about 15 miles down the road. The old timer suggested that instead of casing the steel I had plenty of room in the mini-van to leave it set up. Big mistake! Had it set in there in what I thought was a secure position. It held fine all the way to my hometown and then as I turned left at the end of the off ramp it tipped. Not completely over, but forward enough such that my order for 3 new pedal rods went to Emmons the next day. Now if it leaves the house, it's in the hard case.
Granted, you're not going to bag it in the fully assembled state. But be careful!
_________________
HagFan
Emmons Lashley LeGrande II |
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Doug Earnest
From:
Branson, MO USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 6:31 am
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| I think a GOOD gig bag would be handy for the right situation. There was also a post on here recently about a foam case. I have the equivalent of one of those for an acoustic guitar and it is a great thing. Lots of protection and extremely light weight, although just as bulky as a regular hard case. |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 6:53 am
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| Kevin Hatton wrote: |
| Who in there right mind would put a $3000.00 steel guitar in a gig bag? |
Someone who may have some back trouble, but ain't ready to give up playing live music.
And every answer here expresses a legitimate concern for this concept.
Kevin, I'm of the same mind as you, it's pretty hard to get "used" to that concept. It's pretty much a given that not just ANY gig bag would be acceptable, to win over a serious steel player.
But I seen a pro player use one, and it impressed me. It wasn't just a soft padded bag, but was form fitted in foam, and very sturdy and durable----------------and light. But the idea came to me when on another thread, someone was trying to figure out how to go and do some gigs, but the actually loading and unloading was a real issue for them. They could downsize the amp and small equipment, but the steel guitar still sat in the case staring back up at them, weighing in at about 80 lbs. So this idea came on.
Bob H. thanx for that link, I will check it out. That is a tremendous help.
Thanx all for contributing to this thread, and by all means, keep the ideas coming!! |
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Rob Segal
From:
New York NY
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 7:06 am Split Gig Bags
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I love these. If I know I'm going to handle the steel, then I feel comfortable using them. They have foam and a thin plastic board on all sides. Custom for me by Colorado Cases, I believe it cost around $350 total but I can't find the exact cost. I added the green pad inserts for the steel to be carried on its changer/keyhead structures instead of strings.
Flame away.
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 7:18 am Re: Split Gig Bags
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Rob that looks really impressive. My Sho-Bud universal is not as wide as your D-10 obviously, would they do a slightly smaller one depth wise? of course the bag for the pedal rack and legs will be the same as yours. Also you wouldn't know by any chance if they ship to United Kingdom?? i still have the original case....on wheels now for anytime it has to be stacked in a group waggon, but this is a great alternative way when I'm travelling on my own. Makes life easier, as we do have quite a bit of kit to haul around, us steel players
Micky Byrne United Kingdom
Carter and Sho-Bud universals |
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James Morehead
From:
Prague, Oklahoma, USA - R.I.P.
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 7:19 am
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No Flames from this corner!! Thanx for sharing these pics.
There are some forumites who will be mighty pleased to see this thread. The gig bags are not for everyone, and they are not ment to be. But for some, this is a perfect solution, for a real problem.  |
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Rob Segal
From:
New York NY
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 7:25 am Bag Details
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Mickey, they'll do any size, they have thicker foam, tougher construction, lighter construction. The web site is www.coloradocase.com. My cases were based on a keyboard case, with dual density foam about 1/2" thick, and with an added plastic board insert.
Try this:
http://coloradocase.com/customkeyboardsoftcasehorizontal.aspx
You'll have to start a conversation with them for more details as I'm not a rep. They did good by me.
Rob |
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Jay Ganz
From:
Out Behind The Barn
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 7:25 am
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I've been using a Gig Bag that I bought brand new for $25. It's actually for a 49-key keyboard, but the dimensions are just right for a D-10. It's fully padded with heavy duty zippers and a storage pocket.
I built a small wooden box with handle, hinges, and clasps for
the legs and pedal rack. So, the body (and bag) are 30 lbs. and the flat box is 12 lbs.
Very easy and cheap! It's just an old 60's Emmons anyhow....they ain't worth much.  |
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b0b
From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
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Rob Segal
From:
New York NY
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 7:38 am Gig Bag Thinking
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The whole issue for me is weight. When I'm in gig bag mode I'm carrying something I am comfortable with. Instead of having 65 or 70 pounds hanging off one hand, I have something like 35 pounds max. It means one extra 'thing' to carry, which in the scheme of a speaker cab, a rack, a seat, and a steel, is not an intolerable extra task for me. As I said, I don't let others handle my steel-in-gig-bag.
The first gig bag I had was a $60 keyboard case I found at Guitar Center, which worked find. They had a size that fit my D-10 head like it was made for it. So you don't have to spend big bucks to do this. |
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 7:59 am Re: Bag Details
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Rob, many thanks. I've just e'mailed them, so am waiting for a reply. I now have a good forumite friend who posts stuff to me in the U.K. It saves alot of hassle.
Micky Byrne United Kingdom |
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Ben Jones
From:
Seattle, Washington, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 8:25 am
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hehe...I'm the guy with the bad back that wants to play live music again some day and so the gig bag for me seemed like a great alternative to my 80lb steel in case. However, Am I in my right mind? thats highly debateable 
James, thanks for starting this thread. Bob H. thanks for the link. Rob, thanks for posting those pics. That looks like exactly what I need!
Now theres hope that I can actually take my steel for a lesson or go audition for my first band on psg...thats a big big deal to me... now I need to find a suitable lightwieght amp solution as well. |
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Rob Segal
From:
New York NY
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 8:30 am
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| A final note. Colorado Cases does not have this as a stock item. They undoubtedly have a record of the cases as they them for me, but those dimensions may not fit your steel. So you'll have to decide upon the inner dimensions of the cases you want from them. Their lead time when I dealt with them was something like 6-8 weeks. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 8:34 am
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I'd love a good gig-bag for my Emmons!!! I'd use it all the time, or, at least, when I'm putting my own guitars in my own car.
I'll check out that web-site, but I do think $350 is a bit steep. I may look into the small keyboard bags.
Even my Wheel-Ez case adds significant weight to my gear. My regular Emmons cases are very heavy. Two bags, one for the body and another for the legs, etc, would be terrific.
I seem to recall Dyke Corson talking of a gig-bag a while back, but I heard no more.
I'm all for it.
RR |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 8:40 am Wouldn't leave home without it
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I have been using this gig bag below for years.
I've had my LDG in it and I take it to every gig this way and nothing has happened to my LDG ever.
I wouldn't fly this way; but you can certainly use something like this anywhere else.
I had to make some cutouts in the foam for two coil tap switches on a Double-10 I'm carrying around now; is why the carpet is out on that side still....will fix later.
It is a hard protective foam with thin carpet/ozite.
Original cutouts for middle switch for shobud.
I've already been offered triple the amount of a new steel; for my 2nd LDG ever made....and I trust it in the case just fine.
Ricky
_________________
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com |
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Fred Glave
From:
McHenry, Illinois, USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 8:45 am
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| I would definitely like a light weight padded bag for my Sierra Crown. My Cushcase is very heavy. Since I transport my steel myself, I think I can manage to protect it. Of course, there would be many circumstances where the bag wouldn't be enough. |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 8:56 am
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That's great, Ricky - and it has Dyke's logo on it...
DOES he still make them, I wonder?
RR |
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Ricky Davis
From:
Bertram, Texas USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 10:42 am
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Hey Roger; Dyke Corson is a great guy and he had a company make these for him...and he got one for me.
I believe he said that company went "away"...so check with him and see if he's found a new supplier....as I think it's a great idea.
I wanted one; when I had Big Jim Murphy's Bethel over at the house tweeking it for him.....and he had his "one of a kind" Bethel in this type bag....
I said: "if it's good enough for Big Jim(who was pretty ruff on his stuff); than it's good enough for me..ha....(god rest his soul....)I miss you Murph.
Ricky
_________________
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 13 Dec 2007 7:27 pm
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| With a light single 10 in a good gig bag and a certain amount of chutzpa it should be possible to carry on a pedal steel on an flight. I'm actually going in this direction (because I hate to check steels in baggage) and I'll give a report. |
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