Does anyone carry their Les Paul in a gig bag?

[BadAssBill]

I'm begining to think cases are a pain to carry with. I want to put one in a gig back to put over my shoulder...but that neck just concerns me. Had/does anyone do this or are there any horror stories?

Thanks!

 

[Bankston]

No way I would do that. You're just asking for a snapped headstock. And believe me, it doesn't take much of an impact.

 

[neastguy]

no, I did it once and it just didnt feel right.... all my boltons go in a gigbag though

 

[Rob Sharer]

No way I would do that. You're just asking for a snapped headstock. And believe me, it doesn't take much of an impact.

+1 on that. I've made bank on fixing gigbag accidents over the years, none of which seem to happen to Fender-style guitars, if you catch my drift. A gigbag can easily get squeezed between two other cases, an amp and a wall, or any two reasonably solid objects, with predictable results. Don't do it!

Rob

 

[GreenKnight18]

Gig bags & Les Pauls are not a good combination.

 

[Jahn]

how about a compromise?

http://www.music123.com/Kaces-Boutique-Polyfoam-Electric-Guitar-Case-549432-i1152646.Music123

got one of these on blowout from MF or GC, forgot which, and it's great - light, can be backpacked, and it protects my Bowery Tele oh so nice - not as worried as when i had it in a gigbag!

 

[sqadan]

No!

 

[CharAznable]

Looking at a Les Paul wrong is enough to snap its headstock. I wouldn't put one in a gig bag.

 

[Cpt. Picard]

A guitarist bud of mine did this for a while with his LP.

This LP no longer functions as a guitar.

He now uses cases ONLY.

[/thread]

 

[Polynitro]

I used to carry my SG in a gig bag until I came home after a gig and found the headstock broken off. Not sure when it happened it was fine when I gave it to the bassplayer who took it to our flat. I didn't notice till the next day.

I wouldn't chance it.

 

[Phil M]

Not worth the risk at all. I did it once and it didn't feel right when I was zipping it up.

 

[hogy]

I repair guitars for a living.

I also highly endorse carrying Les Pauls in gig bags. It's a good thing. More people should do it.

 

[buddastrat]

No way! I don't use gig bags for anything, let alone a fragile Gibson! that's just asking for it. For strats/teles I don't use anything unless it's raining hard.

But for a gig, I'd use a case too easy, and safer. Gig bags are useless to me.

 

[stratzrus]

Gig bags & Les Pauls are not a good combination.

Agreed, but I've done it.

Rather than check my Les Paul I threw it in a gig bag and brought it onboard when flying. Risky, but it worked out fine.

In a pinch, if you're super vigilant you can pull it off, but I wouldn't consider it on a regular basis. Be sure to loosen the strings.

 

[StratManKudzu]

I repair guitars for a living.

I also highly endorse carrying Les Pauls in gig bags. It's a good thing. More people should do it.

perpetuating your own Job security??

 

[Austinrocks]

mine came with a gig bag actually I told them to keep it and got a nice case for my baby.

 

[musicofanatic5]

If I am the only person who will handle the gtr in transport, I will use a gig bag for my LP, SG, or Firebird. I gave up the weight and bulk of hsc's long ago, and have never had a mishap. I am a nearly anal, highly conscientious gtr transporter, and am careful not to place the gigbagged gtr in any jeopardy. If you don't mind the weight, a good case cover (I like small dog) gives your hard cased LP the shoulder strap convenience of a gigbag.
My own scientifically conducted, clinical research shows that full-time players will gigbag anything, and it's the hobbyist/part-timers who have an anvil case for their tele (or similar bullet-proof ax).

 

[UMT]

I used cases for over 22 years until I was given a Fender 'gig bag' to carry my new Tele HH home in. I suddenly realized that I took much better care of my guitar when it was in a back. In a case, ah, just throw it in the back. Throw it in the truck. etc... How did that hard case get all those scratches/dents in it anyway?

I'll never go back to a hardshell case unless I need one for airplane flights or some other sort of shipping situation.

 

[screamtone]

I personally have cracked (not snapped) the headstock of a Les Paul while it was in a gig bag.

 

[cjcayea]

for the love of god, dont do that.

yikes, just gives me the chills