About Essential Guitar Cases for Transport Part 2

This time is the continuation of what I talked about last time, [About Essential Guitar Cases for Transport Part 2]. I have used dozens of hard cases and gig bags so far. For the past few years, I have been using the following gig bags.

I will talk about them while categorizing them into MONO and REUNION BLUES (RB).

Appearance

● MONO

MONO / List of Gig Bags for Electric Guitar

The gig bags from this company have a unique design. "Individualistic but not eccentric." They use black and light gray stylishly, and I think the design appeals more to young people. One might say it's a bag from outer space. It looks like it could appear in a sci-fi movie. The fabric covering the entire bag is military-grade, and it feels rough and tough to the touch. It has a unique texture. Individually, I can't really test the waterproofness, but because of the high price, even an amateur will feel the high quality.
Among MONO's other gig bags, there is also a smart model that minimally stores the guitar body and small items, which is also popular.

● RB

Case / REUNION BLUES List

Sturdy and robust... a case that exudes elegance. A simple and beautiful design. Suits any player. On the front side, the "blue lines in three places" accentuate the charm of the case. Stylish. A plate with "ReunionBlues" written on it is attached. I find it interesting as other companies' gig bags don't have this. So far, it hasn't peeled or come off. The very top and bottom of the case are treated to be resistant to friction. During these times, I wipe the entire thing—bottom, sides, handles, etc.—with alcohol when I get home. So far, there are no issues such as deterioration. Also, if you are a Ritchie Blackmore fan, just hearing "Reunion Blues" probably makes you think of his "guitar strap." Blackmore has used this company's strap with his main 1974 Fender Stratocaster for many years. As a side note, there is a photo of Journey guitarist Neal Schon using one as well. The length is different, and the color is darker.

A comparison photo of the two. The MONO is one size larger.

Storage

● MONO

Among the various innovations in this case, one feature that differentiates it from other companies is the "pick holder" located next to the neck support with a zipper. I give this high praise. It can hold about 10 teardrop picks, allowing you to grab a pick at the perfect moment right after putting on your guitar strap. It is a subtle spec, but a very much appreciated consideration.

The lower accessory compartment has a standard construction. It has large gussets to prevent items from falling out the sides. It can hold a maximum of about three compact effect pedals side-by-side. When there is a little extra room, a folding umbrella fits perfectly. Advertisements show a cable tucked inside, but while one thin 3-meter cable might fit, holding two seems impossible. If you prioritize storing pedals and small items, I think it’s better to carry your cables separately—especially if they are high-end cables.

For other storage, there is a "zippered pouch" that can fit a single CD or a pack of strings. You can quickly take them out when using a CD at a studio or if a string breaks in an emergency.
The small pocket at the top seems easy to use and is sturdy. However, it is probably better not to put valuables in there. I think it's fine to store things that can be replaced if lost. A smartphone fits, but I wouldn't recommend it. It's better for things like a small flashlight for dark live houses, writing utensils for meetings, or nail clippers and files which are essential for playing guitar. Just like the gussets on the large lower pocket, the upper pocket also has gussets to prevent items from falling out. In any case, it is safer to check if the pocket zippers are closed when walking with the handle—and of course, when carrying it on your back.

The zippers for the guitar compartment are sturdy. The accessory pocket zippers are similarly stress-free. Even if you try to overfill it, the zipper will scream for mercy first, so I haven't experienced any breakage. Regarding other signs of wear, as you can see in the photos I took, the "thin vinyl piping around the perimeter" has started to fray. In particular, most of the perimeter on the front side is peeling off. Also, the Velcro on the internal neck support is becoming loose. However, having used it for about three years, I suppose it's unavoidable.

Peeling of the vinyl around the bottom of the MONO case.

● RB

Generally good. I recently repurchased the exact same model. The reason was that I put too many things in the accessory pocket, and the zipper stopped functioning.
Furthermore, with the exact same case that had the faulty zipper, I "sprayed water at maximum volume for about 30 seconds around the handle area." The boundary between the bottom and the side became damp, but no water had seeped into the area around the handle. I took a photo, and there was almost no leakage. I tested this on an old case, so please, do not try this at home.

I sprayed a shower for 30 seconds centered on the handle of the Reunion Blues case. The seam between the side and the back inside the main body became slightly damp. There was almost no leakage.
The pockets can be used without issue as long as you don't force things in. The design prevents scratching the guitar when taking it out or putting it in, offering minimum protection for the equipment from zipper-inflicted scratches. I reflected that I should put my accessories in more carefully.

Drawbacks

● MONO

It looks slim in advertisement images, but that's because no accessories are stored inside. Caution is needed on this point. Try not to overstuff the case with small items. When stored to over 80% capacity, the case bulges. Then, you will be subjected to harsh first impressions from people on the street who are unfamiliar with guitar cases.

For example:
"That looks heavy..."
I've been told from ordinary people who aren't familiar with instruments things like:
"That's a big case..." and so on, right up to the present day.

Use it while keeping in mind that there will be a certain amount of bulk and various stresses when going out.

The MONO case with accessories stuffed to capacity.

The Reunion Blues case with accessories stuffed to capacity.

● RB

None in particular. It would have been better if there were a hole in the zipper pull large enough to pass a standard lock through. MONO similarly has small holes in the pulls. As a countermeasure, I have attached two metal rings to the small holes in the pulls to attach a lock, or I hang a carabiner there instead for frequent opening and closing of the bag.

It would be perfect if the smallest "outer pocket with a pull" contained a rain cover similar to the Incase bags, that can be used in rainy weather. Furthermore, the color of the Incase rain cover is bright yellow. It was helpful when walking on narrow roads with car traffic, as it stood out in the rain during the evening.

Note: Incase refers to a gig bag that was on the market over 15 years ago, with nearly the same specifications as the case included with the John Mayer signature model. The exterior design is different.

Carrying

● MONO

Since it is a large bag, it feels heavy when picked up. However, the padding on the handle provides a sense of stability. Because the lower part of the body is wide, just like the "GigBag" introduced in Part 1, it is not suitable for walking through narrow passages while wearing it on your back. The shock resistance is quite good. It would look great on a tall person.

● RB

Nothing specific, but the straps "can get twisted" when putting it on in a hurry. I hope for an update regarding the thickness and durability of the straps. I would also like to see an improvement in the quality of the zipper on the back used for storing the straps.

Price

MONO and RB are almost the same price.

Originality

● MONO

Perfect score. However, it might not suit middle-aged or older men.

● RB

Standard to understated. It lacks eccentricity but is elegant. It has a high-end feel. It might feel out of place or insufficient for guitarists whose selling point is intense performance. It focuses purely on protecting the guitar body itself.

Conclusion

Since both are equal in their ability to protect the guitar, I think it’s best to choose based on design. There may be those with opinions different from my review, and I may not have written the "correct" comments. However, since neither is cheap, it’s better to judge after seeing them in person.

Finally +α

While the quality of the above cases is guaranteed, one might still have doubts about their waterproof capabilities in rainy weather. Both can handle recent heavy rains, but I believe there is a limit. This is a serious matter if moisture gets into a wooden guitar, and it is also dangerous for electronics. I recommend purchasing a rain guard. You can find them for as low as ¥1,000, or around ¥3,000 at most, and since they are light, they can pack up nicely in your guitar case.

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