Two Exterior Choices
Top Grain Leather Exterior
We use top grain leather, the most desired and durable leather available on planet Earth. It is not what’s known as “corrected” or “sanded” grain, which are not nearly as durable or long lasting as ours. Competitors use corrected grain because they get a better yield per hide, but it’s intended to fail. Our heavy weight splits reveal beautiful natural scars, allowing it to thrive through decades of nightly gigs and thousands of road miles.
Waterproof Ballistic Nylon Exterior
We use heavy 480 GSM-weight ballistic 1680D nylon on our nylon bags. This stuff is unmatched for abrasion resistance, waterproof for our purposes, cleans easily, and is the tightest weave 1680D you can buy. Our “forever” nylon bags are made with a secondary leather color that will make up the reinforcements and pocket face color — for stylin’ purposes, of course. Not all 1680D’s are created equal — That 480GSM stat is a critical quality benchmark.
Included On All Guitar Gig Bags
Huge YKK Zippers
We use branded #10 YKK RC coil zippers, a specialty zipper made to survive abuse over many years. On the end of the bag that will typically rest on the ground at a bus stop, we sew on a 12” leather strip to protect the zipper even further. Nothing beats a YKK branded zipper.
Carrying Methods
Most models feature a durable Sling Strap as well as sewn in Back Pack Straps. These do NOT break after 1 or two years, but are honestly made to last 20-50 years. Each bag has a well balanced handle as well, with integrated, high quality, US-made snaps. Several models have a grab-n-go handle on the side as well. Padded shoulder straps are an optional upgrade.
Stitching
Threads are the MOST important part of a bag. We use Tex-138 polyester threads instead of the typical Tex-90 nylon threads. Polyester resists acids from your hands and other sources, and is also unaffected by UV rays from the sun. Nylon thread resists neither acids nor UV, but is more commonly used — our competitors know their choice of nylon thread will result in a dead bag in a few years, and they use it on purpose in a way that is not to your advantage. Our poly thread is made in the USA by American & Efird — no exceptions — and there is simply no better thread available.
Rivets
We use brass plated steel rivets, set by a $25,000 anvil system, with a steel backup washer you won’t ever see (because these are waaayyyy over engineered). Each rivet is set underneath a 20mm stitch, and won’t see any weight or stress until the thread gives out, and that may never happen — this is why our bags are expected and proven to last 20-30-40-50 years.
Each Glenn Cronkhite Guitar Bag comes with a large utility pocket on the outside, large enough to hold cords, tuners, an iPad, and more.
Warranty
These are made to last several decades, and we’re not joking. If something goes wrong within 10 years, we will fix it with no questions asked and pay to ship it back to you. If you’re outside of the 10 year window, we offer a reasonable repair service. On an old bag, we sometimes have to pop on a new zipper and it’s good to go another 15. We expect to repair <1 out 1000 bags — these are really, really well made!
|
|
Normal Gig Bags |
| Cut to specific guitar models = Tight & protective — a perfect fit! | One size fits 10-20 guitar models = sloppy, loose, and baggy — an unsafe fit. |
| Smallest and lightest possible, carefully designed for your specific guitar. |
Bigger & heavier than needed, so that several guitars can share one bag design. |
| Your guitar is unlikely to be damaged in a Cronk. | Damage to your guitar is likely. |
| Top Grain is the most desired & durable leather — it looks as amazing walking through an airport as you do on stage. | Often made with cheap pig skin leather or corrected grain leather — looks bad and will fall apart quickly. |
| Cronks are made to last for decades of daily use, screaming style and road credibility to everyone you meet. | Made to last 2-3 years if you’re lucky, on purpose, to steal your money. |
| Neck pad is long, adjustable, and made from high density molded foam. | It they have a neck pad, it’s small, fixed in place, and made from cheap, low-density foam. It’s not really doing anything. |
| No Slip, durable shoulder straps are super comfortable. | Slippy, wimpy shoulder straps = hunched up, tired neck muscles on tour. |
| Solid steel rivets preceded by a T138 25mm stitch, and backed up with steel washers. We want your bag to last forever. | Tubular brass rivets are not backed up, and are often compression rivets. You will never see a reinforcement stitch above their rivets — they want your bag to fail. |
| 480 GSM 1680D Ballistic Nylon is waterproof and lasts for DECADES. | Junk nylon that’s usually 600D or lower, and a low density weave to boot. Tiny pinholes are found throughout, and that allows it to wear out quickly, and on purpose. |
Guitar Gig Bags
Choose from 77 specific guitar models using the pull down menu. From Gibson to Schottmueller, we’ve got you covered. If you don’t see yours below, click HERE.
These are the original Glenn Cronkhite-designed guitar bags. Some of the 1970s era bags are still in use today! Made in the USA using only the finest “Top Grain” leathers and durable 1680D ballistic nylon fabrics, you can be assured that your guitar is well protected in a well made bag.