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Bongo 2026 Collection

Mono Case Bewilderment

Mono Softcase or the Hardcase

  • Total voters
    34
MichaelR said:
i was disappointed until the guitar arrived. Love the softer case
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Michael, what guitar? New Guitar Thread?

I don't own an Mono case and can't speak to it. For me space is an issue and the SKB cases work out for me. I don't play out or anything so, travel isn't an issue either.

Glenn |B)
 
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MichaelR said:

Mono Softcase or the Hardcase​

got the Rabea Massaad Sabre in soft case & saw a que about the mono case
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Hahahahahahaha. All new guitars only come in the Mom cases.

Green or Blue? Start a new Guitar thread!! I got to mess around with one it's a really nice guitar!!!

Glenn |B)
 
I don't have a Mono guitar case, but have three EBMM hard cases (2x SKB and 1x high school band instrument style). Cases were empty when weighed.

Here are the measurements (inches and pounds):

Case Length Width Thickness Weight, lbs
SKB Majesty 42.0 17.0 5.8 10.8
SKB JP20th 42.0 17.0 5.8 10.0
HS Band JP11 41.3 14.3 5.0 14.6

IMG_2025-08-18-090122.png

The SKB cases are much lighter than the old high school band instrument style case the JP11 came in. Seems the Mono cases are even lighter, but a bit bulkier. Interesting that over time the cases have become lighter but bigger.

IMG_2025-08-18-085733.jpeg
 
IIRC, the SKB cases, at least for the Stingray Basses, used to be thinner. I have two stingray 5 basses, and the case of the one from 2007 is noticeably thinner than the one I picked up new in 2014.
 
I have several of both & I definitely prefer the smaller mono cases (used for Axis & Luke models) over the SKB cases, even though they do take up more space. The longer ones used for Cutlass, Sabre, etc, are noticeably bigger. Anyone interested in selling the mono cases, please feel free to message me. I definitely agree with an earlier comment that the Mono Vertigo bags are better than either, but I like not having to remove the tremolo bars.
 
I have had both cases. The mono case is trash imo. It's a big block of sculpted Styrofoam wrapped in canvas with stitching that will come apart long before the hard shell case ever needs to be replaced/repaired. And don't get me started about how much longer and annoying it is to unvelcro the handles and then find a way to unzip the damn thing when you're in a hurry compared to the simple 3 latches and single handle of the skb case. If they want to ship them in mono cases I'll pass. Maybe someday they'll offer the skb case as an upgrade or something, and then I'd consider a new one. Until then I'll stick to buying used so I can get the case I want with it.
 
I've seen thousands of hardshell cases, cheap and expensive, and I don't like the SKB hardshell cases. The best protection is of course a heavy and expensive aftermarket true flight cases. Nothing delivered with a guitar when you buy it offers great protection IMHO (except maybe the best Fender cases with TSA approved locks, they are the best ones I remember). The latches on the SKB feel too flimsy to me, the outer shell is too light to my taste, and I've seen the shell of heavier duty hard cases split or punctured. I honestly feel better about the Mono cases. When I think of a guitar falling from an aircraft cargo hold or UPS dumping a box containing a 4x12 cab on top of a pile of guitars (I've seen it!), I would be happier with the Mono case. Yeah, I don't like the extra size but it's not a storage issue for me personally.
 
Give me the Mono case any day. I have a Mono bag thats prob ~15yrs old has been all over the place and dozens of gigs, rehearsals etc, and its held up fantastic.
The SKB cases feel cheap to me.
 
Suhr guitars have come with gig bags for years and they are outstanding. The Music Man Mono case appears to offer protection above and beyond the Suhr bags. To be honest, I transport my EBMMs in the Suhr gig bag all the time and have no real worries about their protection. The bulkiness of the Mono Case is the only concern I have.... but that is mainly for space issues. Seems like I can fit 3 Mono Cases where 4 regular cases can fit and that means less room for another guitar. Gear Geometry.... haha
 
Just thought I'd chime in here again, now that I've received my first EBMM bass in a mono case. It is definitely super light, and I don't feel any loss of protection to the instrument, though I do realize that the exterior will be less protected. I will say that in the brass world, just about all of the high end really expensive cases have zipper closures. Marcus Bonna are exceedingly well regarded, and have zipper closures. If I wanted one for one of my trombones it would set me back at least $795.

I also was talking to a long time EBMM dealer, and he said that the narrow molded plastic style cases are harder to break than the wider ones that came out later.
 
I said SKB. I would have said Mono if it was 2” thinner and had a shoulder strap.

Bringing it through the airport when carrying other bags is a pain. It is harder to fit in the forward cabin of the airplane if there is already a lot of other coats and stuff in there. Same for overhead. If it has to be checked there is no lock and it comes back from baggage looking like hell.

So I use a gator transport for airplane carryon. Not as protected but good enough. Just give me a good hard case or a good gig bag, not this compromise monstrosity.
 
Sweat said:
Have grown used to Mono cases, though still not a fan, definitely protects but man storage is a B
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See, I came from Gibson and Fender style cases that are not much bigger than the guitar, so only having one small storage compartment is kinda what I'm used to.
 
AdagioNH said:
Bringing it through the airport when carrying other bags is a pain. It is harder to fit in the forward cabin of the airplane if there is already a lot of other coats and stuff in there. Same for overhead. If it has to be checked there is no lock and it comes back from baggage looking like hell.
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If I'm carrying onboard with me I use my Mono M80 Guitar Sleeve. It protects really well but is thin, fits easily in an overhead locker or in the cabin crew coat closet if they prefer (I always ask what they prefer when I board). If I have to gate check, it's enough protection it'll handle a small case or baby buggy with no problem. I'll never use anything bulky or hard shell because they are far more likely to be gate checked. Lately I need wheel chair assistance through airports too so something lighter and easier to handle is preferred.
 
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jazzyitalian said:
Living in MN I'll tell you that the molded plastic cases can crack when the temps get to single digits and you hit the case against a metal door or cement wall.
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This is definitely true for the more recent plastic cases, which seem to be a bit more brittle than the thinner cases used earlier.
 
I picked up a Tom Anderson Raven for the offset thing with their P90s. Great guitar. Been going down the rabbit hole of everything Anderson. Just watched a video from a few months ago (Passion for Tone Anderson Factory Tour). About 3/4 way though Tom was showing a bunch of G&G cases and says they are moving to a bag saying it is the most protective thing you could use. Just thought of this thread. Mono Vertigo user for years.
 
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