Hard Case vs. Flight Case

[Steve Marcus]

What, if any, justification is there to spend $400-$500 to purchase a new hard case vs. $900+ for a Walt Johnson custom flight case other than initially saving $400-$500?

In other words, if one needs to acquire a hard case for a cherished tuba that will be placed on airplanes only very infrequently, is it worth the extra $400-$500 to buy a WJ flight case?

[Mark]

What, if any, justification is there to spend $400-$500 to purchase a new hard case vs. $900+ for a Walt Johnson custom flight case other than initially saving $400-$500?

In other words, if one needs to acquire a hard case for a cherished tuba that will be placed on airplanes only very infrequently, is it worth the extra $400-$500 to buy a WJ flight case?

The price difference is a consideration. The additional bulk and weight of a good flight case is also a consideration.

I always use hard cases instead of dent bags and I find the additional weight of the cases to be tolerable. But, none of the cases are as heavy as their Walt Johnson equivalents.

[Mark]

Unfortunately, you only have to check your hard case and get your tuba smashed ONCE to realize that the Walt Johnson is pretty much an essential item if you intend to travel.

I agree completely. If I were going to fly with one of my tubas, I would get the Walt Johnson case. But, I would keep the regular hard case for use around town.

[Tom]

If your horn will ever go on an aircraft and if you even hope to get it back in the same condition as when you left it, get the flight case.

Johnson cases are an especially hot item in the tuba world and are bought and sold frequently, so I don't feel like it would be a hard item to get most of your money out of later on should you decide that it's not for you and sell it.

Personally I only own true flight cases for my tubas and use good gig bags with extreme care around town/schools, etc. I have had no damage to my tubas while in gig bags, for what that's worth. I think it'd be silly to own both hard cases and flight cases, but that's just me. In addition, my flight cases (more like flight trunks/boxes) were built around my horns in gig bags, and have worked amazingly well (no damage at all). FYI, they are not Johnson cases...one is an Anvil and the other is a Meinl Weston. One I got new and one was used. Together they cost about the price of a Johnson case for me CC alone.

[Chen]

I had a Walt Johnson case, and my Hirsbrunner was damaged during a flight. The case almost fell apart and tuba was squeezed out of shape (but the tuba was still playable and reparaiable). I have also traveled with a Miraphone case and the tuba was perfectly fine. I guess it depends more on your luck that day. Generally, however, Walt Johnson case are stronger than any case I have seen (I have no experience with Meinl Weston cases).

[Steve Marcus]

Johnson cases are an especially hot item in the tuba world and are bought and sold frequently, so I don't feel like it would be a hard item to get most of your money out of later on should you decide that it's not for you and sell it.

Please forgive me if I am being obtuse, but...

Aren't Johnson cases custom built for your particular horn (foam filling, etc.)? Their website states, "For proper fitting, please fill-out a diminsion [sic] form..." If so, unless your horn is a very popular model, it would seem difficult to resell the Johnson case.

If Johnson cases are merely offered in standard sizes and are not custom built for each individual horn, what is the advantage of Johnson cases over the others on the market (Anvil, Meinl Weston, ProTec, etc.)?

[Tom]

Johnson cases are an especially hot item in the tuba world and are bought and sold frequently, so I don't feel like it would be a hard item to get most of your money out of later on should you decide that it's not for you and sell it.

Please forgive me if I am being obtuse, but...

Aren't Johnson cases custom built for your particular horn (foam filling, etc.)? Their website states, "For proper fitting, please fill-out a diminsion [sic] form..." If so, unless your horn is a very popular model, it would seem difficult to resell the Johnson case.

If Johnson cases are merely offered in standard sizes and are not custom built for each individual horn, what is the advantage of Johnson cases over the others on the market (Anvil, Meinl Weston, ProTec, etc.)?

Yes, they are custom built, but many times various models will fit in the same case (an F in the gig bag often fits in a CC case, for example). They can be refit also. And of course, if you have a popular model (say a PT6) you'll be able to easily sell it, like you suggested. If you're having it built for a one-off horn, the chances of being able to re-sell it are much lower.

[WoodSheddin]

Aren't Johnson cases custom built for your particular horn (foam filling, etc.)? Their website states, "For proper fitting, please fill-out a diminsion [sic] form..." If so, unless your horn is a very popular model, it would seem difficult to resell the Johnson case.

The tuba cases come in 2 sizes of external fiberglass shells. The interior padding is custom cut for your horn's measurements.

I recommend Johnson Cases not only because they are fairly durable, compact for a flight case, and easy to manuever, but also because their customer service is the best of any product I have ever bought. Their lifetime warranty on their cases is for real. I have had to ship 3 cases back to them before because the airlines damaged them. Everytime Johnson charged me nothing for the repairs.

Their cases hold their resale value very well and will literally last forever due to their warranty. If you plan to ever fly with your tuba, then get this case.