Paul Juma Onyango crafted a beautifully padded, durable guitar bag for Daniel, combining elegance and practicality for easy and safe transportation. What's your wish?
A request by Daniel from Berlin, Germany
Hello 🙂 I would like a guitar bag made of leather or fabric with the dimensions 118 cm in length, 51 cm in width and 7 cm in height. The bag should be well padded to protect the guitar during transportation. The bag should be robust, but also flexible enough to be folded for storage. It would be helpful to use sturdy zippers for easy opening and closing. Please make sure that the bag has a comfortable carrying handle and, if necessary, adjustable shoulder straps so that it can easily be carried on the back as a rucksack. The inside of the bag should have a soft lining to prevent scratches on the guitar. However, the inner lining at the head of the guitar is often heavily scratched by protruding string ends – perhaps this area can be reinforced without a lining but with a more robust material? If possible, 2 additional outer pockets for accessories such as picks or a tuner would be useful – one large and one small pocket.
I like the bags in picture 1 and picture 2 – also in terms of color – but I am curious if you can give me color suggestions that match my guitar.
Please give me suggestions for fabric and leather variants.
Thank you very much and I look forward to your reply.
Best regards from Berlin!
Daniel
The Journey of Creating Custom Made Guitar Bag: Padded, Durable
Negotiation & Planning
Hello Daniel!
Thank you for reaching out with such a detailed request for your guitar bag. It sounds like you have a clear vision of what you need, and we'll be excited to help bring it to life!
Given your specifications, both leather and fabric can provide the durability and flexibility you're looking for. Have you considered how often you'll be using the bag outside or in wet conditions? This might influence whether a water-resistant fabric would be beneficial for you. For paddings, materials like foam or memory foam can offer excellent protection while still allowing the bag to be folded for storage. Does either of these options appeal to you?
With regard to the reinforcement at the head of the guitar, using a tougher material like ballistic nylon or a thicker leather patch could work well. Is there a specific kind of material for reinforcement that you prefer based on your experiences?
As for colors, we can certainly find shades that match or complement your guitar. Could you tell us a bit more about your guitar's color and finish? This will help narrow down some options that will look great together.
Looking forward to exploring this project further with you!
Best from the Urban Change Lab team!
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your feedback.
1. i think the idea of the water repellent fabric bag is good. Let's implement this idea.
2. for me, foam or memory foam is fine. The important thing is that the corners and edges of the guitar with its special shape are well protected against shocks.
3 I have no experience with ballistic nylon, but it sounds good. I rely on your judgment. I don't know if you play guitar yourself, but imagine that the string, which is as dense as a needle or a nail, is constantly rubbing on one spot. We should use the material that lasts longer.
4. regarding the colors, I attached photos of the guitar to my original request. Did you get these? The guitar is painted with fire/ flames so the main colors are orange/ red/ black.
I look forward to hearing back and have a great week!
Daniel (Automatic translation)
What about zip, would you prefer plastic strong zip No 10 or you would prefer metal teeth zip.
Hello,
a plastic zipper with large teeth is fine. (Automatic translation)
OK noted
Hello as per our call, about size of package since the bag itself will be flaxible, will reduced the package bag, will fold, if
L 60cm
W 30cm
H 10cm
Crafting Process
How to make a Custom Made Guitar Bag: Padded, Durable – work in progress
Hello sir, we're gathering material and other accessories, will begin the work on 3rd April Monday will share Pic
ok, thanks. I'm looking forward to it 🙂 (Automatic translation)
Hello Daniel, heve shared prototype, am done with template and pattern, kindly check.
Have also send the water proof fabric
We have beige, orange, green, and the color that matches your guiter, don't mind about prototype have use two shades, side is a different shade, the main will be one color, also the zip will use the big plastic teeth zip which matches the fabric, the back strap also will be padded, as u can see the protype is 120cm by 53cm by height 9cm to give it allowance for guiter to enter smoothly so choose the shade then we produce it tomorrow, the fabric have shared is called ripstop, it's highest quality and water resistance, will also match the zip and fabric,
Hello,
ok, then I'll go for the green version.
The two pockets on the front must be closable, preferably also waterproof with a zipper.
Could you please attach a loop to the back that is strong enough so that I can hang the bag including the guitar securely on a hook? The guitar is very heavy...
Best regards,
Daniel (Automatic translation)
Hello Daniel notel will use green vasion also the front pocket will be water proof fabric with zipper, also will include holder at the back
Thank you
ok (Automatic translation)
Hello Daniel we're done
Hello,
Thank you very much.
I forgot one more thing: could you please add a carrying handle to the side of the bag? Sometimes I prefer to carry the guitar by hand...
All the best! (Automatic translation)
OK noted with thanks
And we've added the side holder as requested
Thank you
Thanks Paul. I can't wait to use the Tache. Thank you so much! (Automatic translation)
Hello Daniel,
This is Vicky, the local operations manager. I’ve just received your guitar bag from Paul, and I’m pleased to confirm that it closely matches the photos and specifications he shared earlier. The bag is made from high-quality green ripstop fabric and measures 120 cm in length, 56 cm in width, and 8 cm in height—but it can expand up to 16 cm when filled.
Paul included two generously sized external pockets for storage, each measuring 24.5 by 21.5 cm. He used durable plastic zippers with large teeth, exactly as discussed in your communication, and all the zippers function smoothly. Notably, he complemented the fabric with leather details at the handles, which not only reinforce the structure but also add a touch of elegance to the overall look. The bag is padded all around to protect your guitar from shocks during transport.
I’ve attached several close-up photos to give you a clear view of the details and finishing. Please have a look and let us know your thoughts.
Best regards,
Vicky Achieng
Hello Vicky,
Thank you very much for your message. Everything looks very good. There is one more detail: in my request I had expressed the following wish: "However, the inner lining in the head area of the guitar is often heavily scratched by protruding string ends - perhaps this area can be reinforced without a lining, but with a more robust material?" Paul's answer: "As for the reinforcement at the head of the guitar, a more robust material such as ballistic nylon or a thicker leather patch might work well." For me, both options were fine. Could you please check if this has been implemented?
Thank you very much.
Daniel (Automatic translation)
At the top we rainforced it with double fabric, it's well rainforced the inner lining doesn't end on top, well rainforced
Thank you
Ok, thanks. (Automatic translation)
Hello Daniel,
Thank you for the clarification. I double-checked the bag, and Paul has indeed reinforced both the top part and an additional section at the bottom using a double layer of the ballistic nylon. This added protection ensures that the protruding string ends won't scratch or damage the bag.
I’ve taken some photos of the interior sections to give you a clearer visual of the reinforcement. It was a bit tricky to photograph the top part clearly due to the angle and lighting, but I hope you’ll still be able to make out the reinforcement from what I’ve shared. Kindly have a look and let us know if this fully meets your expectations 😊.
Best regards,
Vicky Achieng
Hello,
thank you very much for the clarification. Then I am satisfied and look forward to receiving the bag. Please ship 🙂
Best regards from Berlin,
Daniel (Automatic translation)
The Finished Unique Piece – Individually Handmade
Reference: ON-AI-000074D-79916
Detailed Cost Breakdown
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Cost of material |
104.03
|
| Cost of labour |
26.01
|
| Cost of packaging |
3.34
|
| Cost of delivery to local operations manager |
2.23
|
| Subtotal – payout to artisan |
135.61
|
| Customer acquisition costs (advertising etc.) |
13.56
|
| Handling fee Urban Change Lab |
13.56
|
| Shipping costs from Kenya to Germany* |
44.43
|
| VAT (Germany)* |
30.92
|
| Total |
246.52
|
*Shipping costs and VAT vary depending on your location.
Each price shown is based on a unique, custom request. Final prices may vary depending on materials, effort, and delivery location.
