Gator Cases Deluxe ABS Molded Case
For electric bass
ABS with an aluminium valance, which is where cheap moulded cases fail
Over $120
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The short version
The valance is the rim where the two halves of a case meet, and on a cheap moulded case it is the weak point: the plastic edge deforms, the halves stop meeting cleanly, and the latches start to misalign. This one runs aluminium along that rim. The handle is through-bolted rather than riveted into the shell, which is the other common failure - a handle that pulls out takes a piece of the case with it. Inside, EPS foam with a deep plush lining and an accessory compartment.
How we rate it
Scores are Fretline editorial ratings on a 1-10 scale. They are our own assessment and are not supplied or endorsed by Amazon or by any manufacturer.
- Protection
- 9.0
- Portability
- 6.0
- Storage
- 7.0
- Build
- 9.0
- Value
- 8.0
Specifications
| Brand | Gator Cases |
|---|---|
| Model | Deluxe ABS Molded CaseFor electric bass |
| Category | Bags and cases |
| What it is | |
| Carrying | Through-bolted handle, chrome-plated lockable latches |
| Colour | Black |
| Materials | |
| Material | Moulded ABS with a heavy-duty aluminium valance |
| Fit | |
| Fits | Electric bass guitars |
| In the box | |
| Pockets | Accessory compartment |
8 verified fields, taken from the manufacturer first and the Amazon listing second. Fields the manufacturer does not publish are omitted rather than estimated.
What it gets right
- Aluminium valance stops the rim deforming, which is how cheap cases die
- Through-bolted handle rather than one riveted into the shell
- EPS foam and deep plush lining, with a real accessory compartment
- Chrome lockable latches
Where it gives ground
- Heavy, as any moulded bass case is
- Check your bass outline before ordering; fit is shape-specific
- Costs more than many of the basses it would protect
Who it is for
What owners report
Patterns drawn from published owner reviews. Summarised, never quoted.
What comes up most
- Build quality, especially the latches and valance, is the main theme
- Owners report it surviving years of gigging without going out of square
Frequent complaints
- Weight is the usual complaint
- Fit problems on non-standard bass shapes are reported
- A minority find the interior a loose fit on a slimmer body
Recognised strengths
- A long track record in a category where build detail decides everything
Recognised weaknesses
- Nothing here helps if the outline of your bass is unusual
The verdict
The one to choose if the case will be used hard rather than stored, because the aluminium valance and the through-bolted handle are the two details that decide whether a case is still square in five years. It is heavy and it is expensive next to a padded bag, and neither of those is a criticism of a case doing its job. As with any moulded bass case, check your instrument's outline first: bass bodies vary far more than guitar ones and a snug fit is the entire point.
We do not publish prices, because Amazon prices change constantly and a stale figure helps nobody. Follow the link for the current price and availability.
Sources
Compared with
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