your thoughts on Reunion Blues?

[fatt-dad]

I kind of want one. It's not like I'm a giggin' musician going on flights and such. Light, durable, functional, etc.? Anybody got one? I'm lookin' at the leather A-model

f-d

[John Duncan]

Just saw Uwe Krueger with one a few weekends ago. It seemed really luxurious, and the padding was very impressive! It was the first I've heard of the company but it made an impression.

[mtucker]

Anybody got one? I'm lookin' at the leather A-model

f-d

i had one and thought they were decent quality ..suggest you try fit before buying ...to my recollection, they run large ..long, wide and deep for old A's, so they ride sloppy ..needed proper re-padding for better fit, but its long gone. i think they're probably better soft bags...the new genuine imitation leather materials are great, probably better than leather for many reasons..better fit, less moolah.. but i haven't investigated in long long time.

[foldedpath]

I have two of their guitar gig bags in the "ballistic fabric" outer material, not leather. I think the overall build is the same otherwise. They're well-made bags with good zippers and great storage potential with that outside pocket.

They have a bit more padding thickness than most other gig bags, so they're a little more protective, but they're still a gig bag and not a hard case. It's a good design if you accidentally drop it, but it can't take any real pressure or impact on the flat sides without damaging the instrument. That extra padding and material thickness also makes them a little heavier than the average gig bag, but that probably won't matter in a mandolin-sized case.

I only use them when I'm absolutely sure I can load my guitar or OM on top of anything else in the car, and for jams or gigs where I know I won't ever be leaving them unattended with the instruments inside the bag. For other situations I use hard cases.

The leather mandolin bag does look stylish, but personally, I don't think I'd ever get one for a mandolin when there are cases like the Travelite that have better protection in the "soft case" category. The trade-off (weight vs. protection) is easier to swallow for the larger guitar and OM, because the hard-shell cases are a lot heavier.

[Mike Bunting]

Back when they stopped making them for a while, Sam Gifford of Pegasus Cases had the blueprints for the non leather F gigbags which is where I got mine. Better that the average gig bag for sure but, yes, still a gig bag. I have one of their new design Continental cases for a guitar of mine which offers quite a bit more protection.
Here's a link to a mando bag;
http://www.reunionblues.com/detail.asp?product_id=RBCMU

[Jeffff]

I have had a Reunion Blues ballistic gig bag for a bass since 1981 if I am remembering correctly. While it doesn't look brand new it looks like it will outlast me.

[mandroid]

FWIW the RB stuff took over the name & went off shore .. here is the real deal:
http://www.glenncronkhite.com/index.html

one of my friends worked for Glenn's company as the leather cutter, in SF.

[Tim2723]

I've seen them several times over the years. Always impressive for craftsmanship and sturdy construction. As long as you're not fooling yourself about the basic functionality of gig bags they're great, otherwise that's where the 'blues' part comes in.

[Rick Crenshaw]

You know, I never saw the use of gig bags for mandolins. I mean the cases aren't THAT heavy. That being said, I ran around Kaufman Kamp late at night jamming with no case at all. That wasn't smart. I could have used a gig bag.

Regarding Reunion Blues. I have owned two RB guitar gig bags. They may have an equal, but there are really none better. Great materials and workmanship. Built for the long haul.

[catmandu2]

I use a ballastic nylon model for my mastertone tenor banjo--my main gigging axe, but it's all local stuff--in/out of the car

[bmm5255]

I don't have the leather one, but I have the RB Continental Tenor Uke bag for my Lafferty LW5 A model. It is a much better fit than their Continental mando bag. It actually fits so well that it looks like it was made for it. (And it fits really well with my Tone Gard on my mando.) You will find that many dealers promote the RB Continental Tenor Uke bag as an A mandolin bag as well. As for protection. . . mine gets way more use than my hard case. I wouldn't stack anything on top of it, but it fits better, I think it protects against bumps and jars better, no danger of latch gouges on my mando, a lot more storage, and if I hit something with the bag whatever I hit is much less likely to be damaged than if I hit it with my hard case. Also, when I pack the car for a trip, I put the RB bag on top of anything I want without worry of the items underneath being scratched or damaged in any way. Also, if you search, you can find a great price online. Got mine from Musician's Friend for $113 shipped. Amazon had it for $117 so I asked and they beat the price. I really like mine.

Bruce

[fatt-dad]

Just out of curiosity. . . How does a standard issue A5 mandolin (i.e., no waist) "fit" a case designed for an instrument with a waist (i.e., the mini-guitar-shaped tenor ukulele)?

f-d

[bmm5255]

Just out of curiosity. . . How does a standard issue A5 mandolin (i.e., no waist) "fit" a case designed for an instrument with a waist (i.e., the mini-guitar-shaped tenor ukulele)?

f-d

I initially wondered the same thing, but it's almost as if the Tenor Uke bag is designed without a waist. It really looks as if it was made for an A mando from the outside and when looking at the mando in it. I will try and snap a pic and post it here in the next hour or two.

Bruce

[bmm5255]

fatt-dad, here are some pics. Note that in the open case shots, it appears that the side of the bag curves outward on the treble side at about the 10th fret. This is because the bag actually curves inward at that point (see closed photo), meaning that there is an inward curve to the top at that point, so that when you open the bag, the curve on the top reverses and flexes the sidewall outward. It is a very good fit. And as I mentioned earlier, it fits great with my Tone Gard on the mando. (It is on in the pics). By the way, that long arching blue piping on the top that doesn't quite go the full length of the case, is a large zippered storage compartment. There is also a small compartment on the back, as well as back pack straps that conveniently store away in a zippered cover as well. I hope this helps.
Bruce

[fatt-dad]

This looks pretty good for a gig bag! RB says that the inside width of their a-model bag is 12 inches, but most a-model mandolins are right at 10 inches. Lord knows why they leave so much real-estate in their a-model bags.

Thanks a bunch for the photos. Nice mandolin by the way. I suspect it has good horsepower, but have yet to play one, just know about them. From what I can see though I really like the aesthetic (sp)!

f-d

[bmm5255]

Thanks. It is the loudest mandolin I have ever owned. And it has a great woody sound. I have had Breedloves, Weber, Ratliff, KM1000, that come to mind. Also my first A. Back to the Tenor Uke bag, the lower bout measures 10" across, and the interior length is 27.5". And it is the most rigid "gig bag" I have ever seen. I am very pleased with mine. Most places they are $149-$159, but as I mentioned earlier, you can get it for $117 on Amazon and Musician's Friend will price match. They actually sold me mine for $113 with free shipping.

Bruce

[fatt-dad]

I think I'm sold. Thanks!

f-d

p.s., you ever been to the "Great Serpent Mound?" I just looked up Sabina, Ohio and noticed you're close. Interesting place that harkens to a time long since past, eh?

[bmm5255]

In fact I have. Used to take the kids there when they were young. More recently visited there one day a couple of years ago when wife and I were out for a jolly little jaunt in my old MG. On a similar note, I was in Floyd, VA last week and played at a few jams around SW VA. Played in Independence, Chilhowie, and Floyd. Man can those guys play! Had a blast!