In the past year I've become the owner of 2 MM Valentines. I love them and want to take them everywhere. The hardshell cases are nice but cumbersome and my car is on the tiny side. I'm thinking I'd be interested in getting a Music Man MONO case specifically for the Valentine, rather than a generic MONO case that might fit a Valentine. Also I'm kinda curious if the MM MONO cases have the little red model specific tag on the outside of the case, like the hardshell cases do? That little detail on the cases is so cool IMO and I hope they continue that with the MONO cases. Last I heard they were only including the cases with new sales, but were considering offering them to those who already own MM instruments. Just putting this out there, and hoping that Music Man will speed up the process on offering these cases.
- Thread starter Ted
- Start date
beej
Moderator
Why not get a Mono gigbag then, if space is an issue? They're extremely durable and look to be quite a bit smaller than the new Mono cases. (Personally I have a few of the Vertigo bags and they've taken a ton of abuse.)
IIRC the announcement for the Mono cases noted that they take up comparable space to the older hard cases, they're just a little lighter. So +1 to beej's suggestion of a gig bag; you're not going to be saving space with the new MM Mono cases.
Thanks for the replies. I was thinking those MONO cases would be a lot smaller and something one could sling over one's shoulder like a gig bag but with better protection. I have some Kiesel guitars with their softcases and I like those a lot for portability over the hard cases. I guess I'll look into the gigbags then.
I just got a new Yamaha Revstar which came with a nice gigbag-- the Valentines will fit into that bag, so I might use that. With the EBMM instruments being as nice as they are, I want to be extra careful.
I just got a new Yamaha Revstar which came with a nice gigbag-- the Valentines will fit into that bag, so I might use that. With the EBMM instruments being as nice as they are, I want to be extra careful.
Sweat
Well-known member
Going to be honest, I have one guitar that came with the new Mono cases, I much, much prefer the SKB cases or the limited edition cases.
Now I don't gig but even if I did I would buy a different gig bag than the new Mono cases, they are bulky and don't store well, just my opinion.
Now I don't gig but even if I did I would buy a different gig bag than the new Mono cases, they are bulky and don't store well, just my opinion.
beej
Moderator
I usually take 2 Vertigo bags to gigs (guitar + backup). I've been itching to buy a double gig bag, but can't justify yet another one 
DrKev
Moderator
I have a Mono guitar sleeve, the grey one. It's the slimmest of all Mono line and still protects better than any other brand gig bag I've ever had. I find it's great for flying. Fits nicely in the overhead locker, or behind a row of seats, and if I have to gate check it I'm happy that it'll protect OK against the baby strollers and smaller suitcases. I have a one of the Music Man logo Vertigo now too but it hasn't had any use and may not until I really need the extra storage space. The only down side of the Mono Sleeves is that the storage pocket and it's big flap are annoying.
Kev, thanks for the info. I think I'm going to look into one of those. I don't fly much, but I got really into headless guitars in the past decade and have a couple-- they're a total joy to tote around and very nice for flying. To be honest, I didn't think I'd ever go back to guitars with headstocks but I did. I still love my headless guitars, but they look a bit tiny on me when I play with them live.
PeteDuBaldo
Well-known member
Here's an SKB case next to a new Mono case for comparison - both are for a JP guitar.
My opinions below!
My Mono pros:
1) it's lighter than the SKB case by 2-1/2 pounds, which is awesome!
2) supposedly provides equal or greater protection for the instrument than the SKB did.
3) it's a legit case, not a bag, and it allows for the tremolo bar to remain on guitar when closed.
4) zippers mean no more busted latches and no more forum/FB threads like "my dealer shipped me my guitar but the case is locked and the keys are inside!"
5) large padded zipper pouch on front will fit books/folders/sheet music/tablet and has a second smaller mesh pouch inside that can fit a few packs of strings, back plate, or small tools.
My Mono cons:
1) it's noticeably bigger in every dimension
--this means a decent increase in shipping cost to/from dealer, larger storage space requirements, may not fit in vehicle as easily for gigging musicians, may not fit under the bed if you keep it there, etc
2) interior compartments are both angled/tapered and a pack of EB strings needs a gentle squish to fit in either one. A pack of strings in cardboard might need to have the corners bent to fit. You can just barely fit a spare backplate if you like to keep one in the case with the instrument. Yes, you can keep strings/plate in the pouch outside, but for me this always seems to kink strings when using the pouch on a gig bag.
3) Interior compartments are on the smaller side and fitting a strap along with cable, strings, and a pedal might be an issue (if you are already using the front pouch for a tablet/music, etc).
4) no provisions for shoulder straps means that you are carrying this just like you carried your SKB case
5) zippers appear to be of good quality but they are still zippers.
6) I will miss the entertainment value of forum/FB threads like "my dealer shipped me my guitar but the case is locked and the keys are inside!"
| Length | Width | Depth | |
| SKB | 42" | 17" | 6" |
| Mono | 45.5" | 18.5" | 7.5" |
My opinions below!
My Mono pros:
1) it's lighter than the SKB case by 2-1/2 pounds, which is awesome!
2) supposedly provides equal or greater protection for the instrument than the SKB did.
3) it's a legit case, not a bag, and it allows for the tremolo bar to remain on guitar when closed.
4) zippers mean no more busted latches and no more forum/FB threads like "my dealer shipped me my guitar but the case is locked and the keys are inside!"
5) large padded zipper pouch on front will fit books/folders/sheet music/tablet and has a second smaller mesh pouch inside that can fit a few packs of strings, back plate, or small tools.
My Mono cons:
1) it's noticeably bigger in every dimension
--this means a decent increase in shipping cost to/from dealer, larger storage space requirements, may not fit in vehicle as easily for gigging musicians, may not fit under the bed if you keep it there, etc
2) interior compartments are both angled/tapered and a pack of EB strings needs a gentle squish to fit in either one. A pack of strings in cardboard might need to have the corners bent to fit. You can just barely fit a spare backplate if you like to keep one in the case with the instrument. Yes, you can keep strings/plate in the pouch outside, but for me this always seems to kink strings when using the pouch on a gig bag.
3) Interior compartments are on the smaller side and fitting a strap along with cable, strings, and a pedal might be an issue (if you are already using the front pouch for a tablet/music, etc).
4) no provisions for shoulder straps means that you are carrying this just like you carried your SKB case
5) zippers appear to be of good quality but they are still zippers.
6) I will miss the entertainment value of forum/FB threads like "my dealer shipped me my guitar but the case is locked and the keys are inside!"
GoKart Mozart
Well-known member
I too was expecting them to be lower profile for some reason. Thanks for the info, Pete!
I honestly don't understand this decision. If my kid's full size hard-shelled cello case can have backpack straps, why can't a smaller soft-sided guitar case?
Sweat
Well-known member
LOL Pete great points, in my previous post it was not meant to say the new cases are not nice and well built, more that I just prefer the SKB case!
My Mono pros:
1) it's lighter than the SKB case by 2-1/2 pounds, which is awesome! Agree do like that
2) supposedly provides equal or greater protection for the instrument than the SKB did. Have to agree with this as well does provide good protection
3) it's a legit case, not a bag, and it allows for the tremolo bar to remain on guitar when closed. Yep, again not a bag but a true case
4) zippers mean no more busted latches and no more forum/FB threads like "my dealer shipped me my guitar but the case is locked and the keys are inside!"LOL I have worse luck with zippers than latches
5) large padded zipper pouch on front will fit books/folders/sheet music/tablet and has a second smaller mesh pouch inside that can fit a few packs of strings, back plate, or small tools. Storage is good
My Mono cons:
1) it's noticeably bigger in every dimension,
--this means a decent increase in shipping cost to/from dealer, larger storage space requirements, may not fit in vehicle as easily for gigging musicians, may not fit under the bed if you keep it there, etc Agree definetly bigger and does not store well
2) interior compartments are both angled/tapered and a pack of EB strings needs a gentle squish to fit in either one. A pack of strings in cardboard might need to have the corners bent to fit. You can just barely fit a spare backplate if you like to keep one in the case with the instrument. Yes, you can keep strings/plate in the pouch outside, but for me this always seems to kink strings when using the pouch on a gig bag.
3) Interior compartments are on the smaller side and fitting a strap along with cable, strings, and a pedal might be an issue (if you are already using the front pouch for a tablet/music, etc). Agree much more difficult to store items I would normally store in a case
4) no provisions for shoulder straps means that you are carrying this just like you carried your SKB case
5) zippers appear to be of good quality but they are still zippers. Yep, I have bad luck with zippers
6) I will miss the entertainment value of forum/FB threads like "my dealer shipped me my guitar but the case is locked and the keys are inside!" LOL always was a good laugh
My Mono pros:
1) it's lighter than the SKB case by 2-1/2 pounds, which is awesome! Agree do like that
2) supposedly provides equal or greater protection for the instrument than the SKB did. Have to agree with this as well does provide good protection
3) it's a legit case, not a bag, and it allows for the tremolo bar to remain on guitar when closed. Yep, again not a bag but a true case
4) zippers mean no more busted latches and no more forum/FB threads like "my dealer shipped me my guitar but the case is locked and the keys are inside!"LOL I have worse luck with zippers than latches
5) large padded zipper pouch on front will fit books/folders/sheet music/tablet and has a second smaller mesh pouch inside that can fit a few packs of strings, back plate, or small tools. Storage is good
My Mono cons:
1) it's noticeably bigger in every dimension,
--this means a decent increase in shipping cost to/from dealer, larger storage space requirements, may not fit in vehicle as easily for gigging musicians, may not fit under the bed if you keep it there, etc Agree definetly bigger and does not store well
2) interior compartments are both angled/tapered and a pack of EB strings needs a gentle squish to fit in either one. A pack of strings in cardboard might need to have the corners bent to fit. You can just barely fit a spare backplate if you like to keep one in the case with the instrument. Yes, you can keep strings/plate in the pouch outside, but for me this always seems to kink strings when using the pouch on a gig bag.
3) Interior compartments are on the smaller side and fitting a strap along with cable, strings, and a pedal might be an issue (if you are already using the front pouch for a tablet/music, etc). Agree much more difficult to store items I would normally store in a case
4) no provisions for shoulder straps means that you are carrying this just like you carried your SKB case
5) zippers appear to be of good quality but they are still zippers. Yep, I have bad luck with zippers
6) I will miss the entertainment value of forum/FB threads like "my dealer shipped me my guitar but the case is locked and the keys are inside!" LOL always was a good laugh
Yeah. the big CON for me is that I have ~260 guitars, most of which stay stored in their cases and are stacked big time. You can't stack more than maybe 3 of these before things teeter and maybe the bottom guitar is at risk.
millenarianisn
New member
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It’s unfortunate EBMM hasn’t been straight forward about when these cases will become available.
Apparently Thomann have them for sale, but I can’t get one because they’re unavailable to the US market. That tells me another dealer, or dealers, in the US will be selling them exclusively.
But as for when and who? No one knows. Kinda frustrating to be honest.
Apparently Thomann have them for sale, but I can’t get one because they’re unavailable to the US market. That tells me another dealer, or dealers, in the US will be selling them exclusively.
But as for when and who? No one knows. Kinda frustrating to be honest.
DrKev
Moderator
No, not really. Dealers from one country or region can't sell new products into another region (and that applies to most brands across the entire industry). (There are many reasons why, most of them good and logical).
From what I can tell Thomann has no stock and I don't think have ever sold any. I can't find any other European retailer listing them. Europe is expecting new stock of EBMM and SBMM gear around mid-May and more towards the end of the summer so we'll know more in a few weeks.
millenarianisn
New member
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That’s legitimately what I said.
Also, Thomann says the cases will be available for shipping in 2-3 weeks, so they’re clearly expecting stock to come in soon, otherwise they wouldn’t have put the listings up.
Sweat
Well-known member
Either way while the cases are nice (MonO) and thats the direction EBMM went, I still prefer the older cases, just MO
millenarianisn
New member
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