New Leather Gig Bag! (was: Got a little present from down Minneapolis way)

[mayfly]

Any guesses as what it could be??

 

[Verne Bunsen]

It’s a major award!

 

[TBurst Std]

FTW

 

[mayfly]

I am so glad that it's not a major award. 

I was waiting for someone to say it was a Prince Lamp or something 

ok ok here we go:  It's a custom made Glen Cronkhite leather gig bag for the Transcontinental Tele!  Glen started Reunion Blues back a million years ago, but pulled his name out when they started making gig bags in the far east.  He eventually sold the company to Torpedo Bags just last year.  They've just tooled up and started making them - I believe that this is one of the first made by the new folks.  Yes, in Minneapolis.

Here's a snapshot.  Review at 11

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

All the way from Fragile'!

 

[Verne Bunsen]

Man, it seems almost slanderous to call that a “gig bag”. Very nice!

 

[Cagey]

I had the same thought. That's a better coat than most people wear.

 

[mayfly]

What I find cool is that photo was taken with no guitar inside!

Yep - it's standing up there on it's own.  :headbang:

 

[Cagey]

I imagine it's a bit heavier than a gig bag?

 

[mayfly]

It's actually not too bad at all.  Having said that the leather is really thick and there is generous padding all around.  But it's not particularly heavy.

Here's a shot with the guitar.  It fits!

 

[Cagey]

I just looked them up. Apparently, the leather versions are 5 lbs., which is pretty easy to take. They're a little pricier than I expected, but it is an awfully nice bag. Nice attention to detail, too. Notice the leather fabric protectors where the sharps from headstock and bridge could tear it up.

 

[TBurst Std]

That is nice

 

[rgand]

For genuine leather, that's a good price. You couldn't buy the leather to make it yourself for that. Looks good. Well-designed. Congrats.

 

[mayfly]

Thank you gentlemen; I am very pleased with this bag.  As Cagey said, it's a fine leather garment.

Some Observations:
- The hardware is all really high quality. 
    Leather hand straps are backed with nylon so they won't break over time
    nylon backpack straps have some kind of rubberized coating on the inside so they won't slip off your shoulders.
    The rivets are large and strong looking
    The D-rings are heavy duty and appear to be well plated
    The zippers are large YKK
- The Leather itself is about as thick as my old motorcycle jacket.  That is, very thick.
- It's light on the features.  About the only features are backpack style back straps, an accessory pocket, some leather patches to protect the interior from sharp points, and a little handle to carry the guitar upright.  This bag is replacing a mono bag which is chocked full of features.  So far the only thing that I'm missing is a little zippered pocket inside the accessory pocket for small things (picks, etc) that I don't feel like rummaging around for.  This was solved with a pencil case.
- It's a pretty tight fit around the upper bouts!  Takes a bit to get it zippered in there.  But once it's in, the guitar is held really tightly.  This bag is supposed to be for strats as well, and as such I wonder if it's cut a little on the small side.  Something to bring up with the factory.  Currently the guitar is inside the bag so the two of them get used to each other.
- Sadly there is no D-ring at the back of the headstock area for hanging the bag/guitar up on the wall.  I might have a local person add one as I do this with most of my guitars in bags.
- it smells really leathery!

Here's some photos for your enjoyment:

 

[TBurst Std]

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- it smells really leathery!
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Enough said