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Location: nashville | My company is look for a new product to manufacture at our bag plant. We currently manufacture bank bags,fire resistant courier bags etc.
I live in Nashville and thought a "You design your own bag" might be something to consider. Thought I might try to meet w/Gibson and run it up their flag pole.
This would be a high end product.I could have the epaulets designed right on the bag, your name or band name on the bag add a fire proof layer etc.etc.etc.. The bag color could match or be close to the color of the git.
We could also make a custom case cover.
I spoke w/ George Gruhn yesterday and he gave me a few co. that made a high end bag but not sure about a total custom bag. I have not had time to
check what is out their.
So would you spend 200-500 on a one of a kind gig bag? I would not but I'm just a back porch player. But if I was Keith Urban or a Nashville Pro or just going to the next big "O" event,I just might for the wow factor. |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | `Kayyy...my take would be ..Pockets that could hold..Tuners ( even Big size ) like a Korg DT -7 , .. Pockets to hold : A4 Sheet -music , 9 ft. ( 3 mtr. cable ) ,Tools to adjust guitar, spare batteries , Strap , string -sets ( a dozen or so ), plectre -pouch , a heavy -duty foam surround inside the case/bag , to clamp , side/bottom , neck and side -top of the guitar ( force distributed on it`s RIM !! ) utilizing the kind of foam used on furniture , multi -ply on Top / Bottom of case , ( 5 -6 m/m ) , Case/Bag made out of Durable material , Padded Shoulder -straps ( Rucksack type ), pocket holding foldable music -stand , and perhaps a separate small bag ( detachable ) to hold , snacks..mineral water..candy..led -lamp for music -stand...!!
Make that for less than 200 bucks a piece , and I will purchase 2 of `em..
Vic
..Sizes : Dread -nought..Ovation Deep -Bowl..Slim -line JazzBox |
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Location: Pringle ,PA | fire resistant? who needs that? my house catches fire , the first thing im going for is the guitars! (that includes the girlfriend) |
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Location: Scotland | Vic, the bag you describle is already on the market, manufactured by Tribal Planet, available worldwide and costs less than $100.
James, I have a lot of experience with manufacture and retail of gigbags. The market is extremely competitive and there are some stunning products already out there at very reasonable prices. I think you'd struggle to sell a bag for the kind of money you'd need to charge if it was made in the USA. You would be going up against Reunion Blues, pricewise, who are a long established and well-respected company. Though I've yet to see a top-of-the-line Reunion Blues bag actually being used by a musician.
A gigbag is a utility product designed to protect instruments, carry them conveniently and get trashed in the process. Real musicians just wouldn't entertain a gigbag that costs several hundred dollars. Produce a top quality USA-made bag that could get somewhere near the ballpark price of Tribal Planet or Ritters best bags and you could be on to something. |
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Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | I agree with Paul
Although I have actually seen some musicians using the reunion blues bags. And I disagree. The case is as important as the instrument. yes it ultimately is utilitarian for a gigging musician but you want a quality case which protects the instrument and I am sure Paul would agree that many of the cheaper cases are barely better than putting your guitar in a trash bag. (Paul that would be bin bag for you.)
The ability to compete with a niche product is very difficult. And expect to get knocked off by the importers.
As for getting something like that made in the US for a tribal planet price, I think it would be next to impossible excluding one off production. |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Now this is an interesting thread...thanks to all who joined the discussion...
I have only used a gig bag for an electric and then only an inexpensive one...it worked well for what it did: transport the guitar to and from the gig w/o damage...I have a small gig bag (w/o guitar) that contains most of my accessories so the pockets on the larger instrument gig bag are not something that I use...and since I usually do my own roadie work w/ PA etc. I use my hard cases and simply stash them behind the equip. during the gig. But the concept is interesting...it has perked my interest so I'll have it investigate. Thanks! |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | James: I totally agree with PT on the Tribal Planet cases being the best on the market. However, they are extremely hard to find here in the U.S. I can't find any dealers who carry a full range, and I've been looking for six months. I have a large Tribal Planet case in the dreadnaught size and I have made custom foam inserts to fit every guitar I own, deep bowls, SSBs, even the small electrics. I will buy several more to match the size of the guitars and toss the foam inserts if and when I can find them. PT and I have talked about him bringing one with him next fall (the GSXe size for the Vipers/VXT) but I could use more. These bags are nylon with substantial padding, hard sides, and truly useful pockets on the bag lid. For $50-$70, they are a real bargain. I've found a few on-line forums with discussions about the bags and their recent comments echo my observations, that the bags provide outstanding value but are generally unavailable here in the states. Something else I would consider is a large nylon bag with hard sides, good padding, but in a roll-along size with a retractable handle. I could use it for all my gig gear (small amps, monitor, effects, cables, music stand, guitar stand, notebooks, etc.) I've looked at about every type of roll-along case made and for about $400 to $450, I could make one work. However, that's way more case than I need. Keep it light, portable, maybe add a few outer pockets, and sell it for $150 to $200. I'd certainly buy one. |
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Location: NJ | A fire-proof banjo bag WOULD be a good idea, tho . . . . |
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Location: Scotland | Brad, Someone isn't doing their job properly. Tribal Planet have USA distribution through D'Andrea, and Fender Wholesale. This is the other problem with trying to sell gigbags into the trade. Regardless of the quality the reps tend to see them as a minor sell-up accessory line rather than a valid stand-alone profit-making product. So if the stores don't see them in the catalog and ask for them, they generally don't even know they exist. |
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Location: NJ | prof brad
I can probably get tribal planet stuff now that they are distributed by fender
shoot me an e mail with what you are looking for |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Will do, Al. I know Fender was supposed to carry them, but they're nowhere to be found anywhere in their retail catalogs or on-line product sources. I bought one from Elderly a year ago after PT introduced me to them, but they no longer carry the line. One guy on eBay says he bought out Fender's remaining inventory, but all he had were banjo and bass bags. |
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Location: Scotland | They were in the Online catalog when they took over distribution in 2006. It's possible that Fender are no longer distributing |
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Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Mandolin Bros. used to carry them...not sure if they still do or not... |
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Posts: 4073
Location: Utah | As a hobbiest, there is no way I would spend big bucks for a gig bag. When I transport instruments to gigs (like the church), they always go in a hard case except the cheap electrics which came with soft gig bags. It isn't worth spending $200 on a case for a $400 guitar, and a $1k+ guitar is worth putting in a hard case.
Now, if I had money instead of kids, I might enjoy the luxury of having a fancy soft case for my fancy guitar. But in reality, no I wouldn't spend the money for a nice gig bag.
I would, however, spend a little more to get a USA made cheap gig bag vs an import cheap gig bag. |
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Location: NJ | James;
Maybe you'd be better off trying t'make custom zip-on hardshell case covers . . .
. . there seems t'be a modicum of "interest" in THOSE (tho' for the life of me, I don't see "why" . . .) |
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Posts: 354
Location: nashville | tThanks to all esp. Al and PT. Paul maybe we hire you as our consultant for the project. I know what your talking about being a niche product but my company is used to that. With the changes in the banking industry going away from cloth bags we have some extra capassity at our plant and I was just thinking of one off products. Give us your spec's,we quote you a price and go from their. If I could get hooked upped w/ Gibson or the labels here in Nashville maybe they buy some nice bags for their talent so price would not be as much of an issue. |
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Location: Scotland | I had a couple of good years manufacturing covers for Mackie SRM340 and 450 speakers and SWA subs. They were manufactured in the UK and sold for half the price of the Mackie versions with great margin
The trick is to look for a niche. Guitar gigbags are everywhere, look for something noone else does. Here's an example. When I had my old company I had the opportunity to buy a ton of really good quality padded 3/4 size classical guitar bags. The distributor was overstocked because noone wanted them as noone buys anything but cheap gigbags for cheap classical guitars aimed at beginners. So I scored the lot at a knockdown price and he was glad to see the back of them. I sold them in notime at full RRP by advertising them as Lap Steel and Baritone uke bags. Now that's niche.
Something to consider. Some kind of adjustable harness contraption to allow a hardshell case to be carried like a backpack. There's already at least one on the market but they're really uncomfortable. Some kind of padding for your back is needed, and maybe some detachhable pockets/pouches for extra kit. |
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Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I'll take Paul's suggestion one step further . . . how about some form of rolling bag contraption that also provides a secure platform to hold your guitar case? One hand is then all it takes to wheel in the gear required for the entire gig . . . leaves the other hand free to work doors, carry the coffee mug, etc.
Our bass player carries a bass guitar on his back, a pedal case strapped around his neck, a duffle in one hand, and his other arm strapped around a good-sized amp riding on his shoulder. He is a big guy. I tried this and looked like the pedestrian version of Jed Clampett doing his impression of Grapes of Wrath. I'd really like to get everything low to the ground on one set of wheels. |
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Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by cliff:
A fire-proof banjo bag WOULD be a good idea, tho . . . . That would be to hold the flames IN, right?
Gig bag? An old camera bag works perfect for me; adjustable padded pockets and dividers, many little pockets for tools, strings, etc. |
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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Originally posted by fillhixx:
Originally posted by cliff:
A fire-proof banjo bag WOULD be a good idea, tho . . . . That would be to hold the flames IN, right?
Gig bag? An old camera bag works perfect for me; adjustable padded pockets and dividers, many little pockets for tools, strings, etc. |
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Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | You know what might work is like an over case
with pockets for picks strings tools effects mics
etc. Maybe velcro and buckets hold on the hardside case. |
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Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | The ones we got with the OFC guitar are very cool, but wouldn't hold a guitar. I may never use it, but I put all my crap in it so the music room looks neater. If it's lying around, SWMBO would probably sell it in a garage sale. |
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Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Any suggestions as to what model of the Tribal Planet works best for O's |
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Location: Scotland | You need a TP Dread bag, the next size down (classical) is just a tiny bit too small. Vipers and solidbodies (including BW/Deacons/VXT) go in the electric bags. Their mando bags are killer |
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Location: Copenhagen Denmark | Paul , Thanks for the tip , I`ll go hunting for some..I`ve heard about a bag/sack that encloses the case and has rucksack -straps , would also be kind of " temerature -stable " , but I`ve not seen any (yet)
Vic |
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Custom Gig Bags good idea or not?
