Ibanez MB100C Hardshell Case For SR Basses

Feature:
ABS plastic shell, aluminum valence frame, four latches, form fitted foam interior for your bass. They cover the foam with a fuzzy material that is real thin and feels hard to the touch. There are three open storage compartments in the interior. None of the storage compartments have lids, but rely on protrusions from the lid to keep items from spilling out. Not the best idea. The largest of these compartments isn't wide enough for a boxed set of bass strings or a 4 inch bass strap. The next largest compartment appears to be designed for a 2 inch strap, however the 4 inch Italia straps I use won't fit in either of the two large compartments. The third compartment is actually just the right size to hold a 9 volt battery, but only if you remove the battery from the blister pack. Seriously this compartment is just about the exact dimensions of a 9 volt battery, so that is what I use it for. I don't use any of the other compartments. I carry cables, strings and strap in my pedal board case. You should not have to do that. I'm used to the roomy storage in the basic Fender bass cases. This is NOT a Fender case, unfortunately. I don't want to pack for a weekend at the beach, I just want enough room for a spare box of strings and a 4 inch strap and sometimes a cable. I suppose a 20 foot cable could be squeezed into the largest space if you could coil it up that small but Monster and MIT cables won't coil that small. Since nothing else fits I keep only the bass and a spare battery in the case. Even when closed and all four latches are latched there is STILL a gap where I can see black fuzz through the aluminum valance and that is not good because that means dust, dirt, rain and everything else can get to the interior of the case and eventually the instrument. I've seen worse hard cases, but not much worse.

Quality:
Poorly designed as far as features are concerned. They could have used a more plus lining. Poodle fur on the Fender cases is what I'm used to. This is more like peach fuzz. I'm not impressed at all. The latches are overtaxed and I expect them to break or pop off the case every use. At least the handle is good and solid. Ibanez makes some great basses, but apparently they outsource their case production to the low bidder who employs chimps as engineers and orangatangs as assemblers. The only thing I don't like about my SRX700 is this case.

Value:
This is a third rate case at a first class price. I have more confidence in a gig bag. At least when the zipper is all zipped up dust or rain won't get in. I should have tried it in a Gator or SKB case. But Ibanez says that due to their smaller bodies and unique designs Ibanez basses typically don't fit in other brand cases or in generic cases. I've put it in a cheap generic case and it will flop around, but a little flopping would be better that this dedicated case because at least it would keep dirt, etc out of the case. You could not PAY ME to use another one of these cases. A total waste of plastic, aluminum, foam and fuzz which could and should have been used to make a decent case in the first place.

Desirability:
About as sexy as grandmas ill fitting dentures. But this is the case I have. I got it because I thought I was doing the right thing. With an Ibanez logo on the side you'd expect a quality case to protect a quality instrument. Wow, was I wrong!

Sound:
Not applicable.

Ease of Use:
Even with nothing in the case the lid doesn't seat on the case body until you latch it, which takes more force than it should. There is a gap of less than an inch. While latching it you have to push down on the lid while hooking the cach rings over the latch posts. Then push down on the lid again while flipping the latches down. This takes far more force than it should. At first I thought this was the wrong case for my SRX700 so I checked the Ibanez site and this is the case the site says to use. The case is equally hard to close with our without the bass inside. The bass does nestle in nice and snug though and when you finally get the case closed I don't think it can budge.

Support:
I have not dealt with Ibanez on this case. I asked a question about this awful case on their user forum, which is their first line of support. I haven't been back since. The bass is great, the case is a rip off.

Overall:
If I could find a better case with roomy storage that fit an SRX700 properly, I'd buy it. However, due to my experiences with this premium priced case, this is probably my last Ibanez bass case EVER. Usually any hardcase is better than any gig bag. I actually prefer a generic gigbag to this case as it at least keeps dirt and rain out. I'm going to buy a nicer gig bag with thick padding when I find one on sale I like.

Feature:
Not enough room for strap and cord.

Quality:
Junk. Cases snap and break. Hinges break with ease. Garbage.