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My back has gotten tired of lugging my hard case down the stairs from my house. I've read most of the other posts and it seems that the Cronkhite bags are #1 or #2 in the preferences. Any recent comments from new purchases? Also, any comments on the cordura or leather on the Cronkhite bags?

Thanks a bunch.

Thanks for the input. That's just what I've been looking for. I know that any gig bag won't provide the same protection as a hard case, but for me that seems to be about the only option without installing a ramp at the house.

Most of the clumsiness with the tuba seems to be trying to get it up and down stairs in the case so hopefully will be ok with a gig-bag. Hopefully it will save me the stress on my back and arms when trying to get to gigs (I play almost solely with a community band and we play a lot of gigs where the concert spot is no-where near the parking.

tubanerd wrote: Most of the clumsiness with the tuba seems to be trying to get it up and down stairs in the case so hopefully will be ok with a gig-bag. Hopefully it will save me the stress on my back and arms when trying to get to gigs (I play almost solely with a community band and we play a lot of gigs where the concert spot is no-where near the parking.

I have a 20+ year old Reunion Blues leather tuba bag, probably designed by Glenn Cronkhite when he was there, and I can say that it has held up extraordinally well over the years. Other than being all scuffed up it is still almost like new. Handles are original and still hold together. Unless something has really changed with the newer bags, I'd expect the same service life out of them. In the past 10 years it's been out 2 or 3 times a week.

I use a folding luggage cart like this http://www.nextag.com/Universal-175-lb- ... rices-html
with carabiners connected through the backpack d-rings on the case to secure the bag to the cart. That takes care of my back nicely as I just roll the tuba wherever. The cart adds very little extra weight or bulk.

Jim Wagner

lgb&dtuba wrote:I use a folding luggage cart.....with carabiners connected through the backpack d-rings on the case to secure the bag to the cart. That takes care of my back nicely as I just roll the tuba wherever. The cart adds very little extra weight or bulk.

You beat me to it.
I use a cart like this as well, but I criss-cross a heavy bungie cord around the tubing of the cart and through the d-rings ot hold it in place. I have a top loading bag, so I just open the top and lift the horn out. No more twisting my back to put the horn on, the total unit is still light enough to carry up stairs, and I no longer have to lay the bag in the corner on the floor. I used a pepwood strip and sheet inside the bag (between the padding and the leather) so it still stands upright even when the horn is removed.

I have a Cronkhite (euphonium) bag and it is my second. I could not be happier with it or its predecessor. I only got this one because the old one would not fit my new horn. My old horn still gets played daily (by someone else) and still lives in its bag. That said, two of the guys I play with regularly have soundwear bags. These bags are great! They are bulkier than my sleek, sexy leather bag, but they are very well made and quite protective. I would take a long look at soundwear before deciding.

tubanerd wrote:My back has gotten tired of lugging my hard case down the stairs from my house. I've read most of the other posts and it seems that the Cronkhite bags are #1 or #2 in the preferences. Any recent comments from new purchases? Also, any comments on the cordura or leather on the Cronkhite bags?

Thanks a bunch.

I have had both and liked them equal. Currently have a black leather Cronkite bag mainly for the bling factor. Get either and you will get fine usage.

Any thoughts on the Chronkite vs the SoundGear bags?

I've seen a bit on the SoundGear bags, particularlly that they have more protection and that they're more expensive, but have seen a lot more posts on usability of the Chronkite bags.

I have a Soundwear bag, and for my back, nothing has felt better. It sits a lot lower than the Altieri and Cronkhite bags, which lowers the center of gravity.

I love mine, and it was well worth the extra $$

Any recommended vendor for the Soundwear bags? Preferably somewhere with personal customer service. I've seen hornguys.com as a recommended vendor for the Chronkite bags.

Dillon Music is the best place to get them from, as they have the most knowledge and generally will have all the different sizes in stock. Matt was telling me that they Soundwear is in the process of changing to a new system, that will offer more variations in the bag, to fit tubas better.

i recently got a Cronkhite bag for my 56J and I couldn't be happier. It makes the horn look so small and the way the straps displace the weight it is extremely comfortable to wear on your back. There is an enormous amount of padding I would say about an inch or two thick. The straps are heavily padded and very comfortable.

I would recommend this bag to anyone!

My wife gave me a Soundwear bag for my new 188 for Christmas.

Can't say enough nice things about my Soundwear bag or the service from Dillions on the purchase of this bag.

First off the bag, I have not seen any bag that seems to offer the bell protection that Soundwear does. I feel that my 188 is well protected in the bag. This bag will sit upright on it's own with the tuba in the bag. The bag has all the pockets you will ever need.

It is important to note the bag is almost like 2 bags. When you slide your horn in the bag there is thin hard foam cover that lays over the top of your tuba, then you zip close the thicker outer cover.

Second about Dillions, when my wife asked me what I wanted for Christmas I told her a Soundwear bag from Dillions. Their price at $350 seemed to be the best price I could find (list price was $550). After she ordered a new bag online, Dillions called her and offered a used bag that was returned with all the tags still intact for $250. She said she got my present (the bag) and hers (the $100 savings) from Dillions.

Anyone have experience owning both Chronkite and Soundwear bags? If so, if you were buying a new one which would you buy and why?

I'm pretty much set on either one of these...any suggestions on criteria for deciding (yes I tend to over-analyze everything )?

while reading the other posts i also remembered another benefit to the cronkhite being that as a short guy, 5'5 the cronkhite sits on me perfectly, it is up to i would say right up to the beginning of my thigh which is much higher then most bags.

the elephant wrote:If you can afford the SoundWear bag, and one that fits can be had, I would get that.

When I said the Soundwear bag was a little out of my price-range, I didn't know that they were available for $350 either.

Fitting is a different issue...I play an F.Schmidt 2103 (Brook-Mayes stencil of VMI 2103) which neither shows up on the Soundwear sizings. Time to do some measuring.

LItubakid220 wrote:i recently got a Cronkhite bag for my 56J and I couldn't be happier. It makes the horn look so small....

I would recommend this bag to anyone!

I am quite glad that Cronkhite does not make underwear...

Concerning cordura vs. leather.

I have a Glen Cronkhite bag for my MW2141 and a pre-china Reunion Blues bag for my euph. Both are cordura. I love the bags and would definately get another should I need one. However, the cordura is a MAGNET for pet hair. If you have a dog or cat that sheds, you will want the leather, which does not have this magnetic quality! Every time I go out, I have to waste time with a sticky roller removing the golden retriever hair from the bag.

My next GC bag will be leather!

(If you don't give a **** about fur covered bags, then ignore this post)

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. I'm still undecided between the SW and the Chronkite. Since my original intent was mobility I'm kindof leaning towards the Chronkite. Either way sounds like the ideal GB still alludes us (more protection and good straps/mobility). Will have to see if SW has a bag that will fit my horn before I make the final decision.

We just (10 min. ago) received a cordura Cronkite bag from Baltimore Brass for my son's 56J. Although designed for a 2341, it fits the 56J like a glove. Nice bag with plenty of padding (for a bag). It's also very comfortable on the back and shoulders.

For those who may want a high-quality leather Reunion Blues tuba bag, please see my ad in the For Sale section.