I own a Fender GB41 acoustic bass, and it's a wonderful instrument - well-built, well-appointed and great-sounding. When I first purchased the bass, there was no gig bag available from the retailer, so I gave in and bought a HUMUNGOUS, heavy hardshell case. It was way too big and very poorly balanced. So I later sold the case in order to purchase a gig bag.

Thinking that most bags would fit most basses, I ordered the Michael Kelly product offered here (I liked the cool tweed look). Sadly, that bag was about 2 inches too short for my long-scale bass. I was very disappointed, because this bag was well-padded and the fabric was thick and durable.

So I returned the Kelly bag and exchanged it for the Fender "Deluxe" gig bag that is, Fender claims, intended for this model bass. What I got was a very thin, poorly-padded bag that's a bit too loose in the head and neck area to offer any real protection. Fender seems to want to impress by the number of external pockets and the cute pick-shaped zippers, but they produced (or rather farmed-out) a very skimpy bag. Also, and I'm not trying to be a snot here, I'm wondering if anyone at Fender actually put a bass in one of these bags and tried to carry it - the handle, once again, is positioned so that the bag is unbalanced, with the head of the instrument wanting to drag on the ground as you carry it. I should have known better based on the price, but hey, the Kelly bag was excellent at the same price point.

I now have a really good bass in a very poor bag that I will need to baby when going to and from gigs. Although I've had mostly great experiences with Fender products and service, I'm very disappointed with Fender on this one. I wish I knew of a good bag to recommend to you, but I don't.

This bag is really comfortable and the pockets come in real handy when carrying gear or whatever. With this bag, you get what you pay for, thanks Fender.