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Hello all! I just received my (new to me) Grontiz PCM last week and I am loving it!! I have a new MTS hard case, and a not so great gig bag. I was wondering what the best gig bag is as far as padding is concerned. This horn is in pretty much new condition and I would like to keep it that way. Just wondering what other folks would suggest. Thanks a lot! Matt C.

Cronkhite Gig Bags are the best! I have accidentally banged mine into stuff before and I have no dents caused because the bag wasn't padded even. Kind of pricey though...

Dolly Bag...hands down the best gig bags you can get.

Mine is a heavily padded side loader with good backpack straps and excellent zippers. The pocket on the front is about big enough to put a euphonium in, and is built in not buttoned on like the Reunion Blues ones. Most impressive is the layer of plastic built in to the entire bag that makes it stiffer and more light impact resistant than most gig bags. The cordura on my Dolly Bag seems more "rugged" than the cordura Reunion Blues uses, too.

I would like to have a leather flap on the bottom bow end (like the RB has) to keep the zipper from getting damaged and I'd like to have the suitcase style handle clasp (thing that joins the handles together) the RB bag has too. Those are pretty simple changes to make that would turn a great product for me into an amazing product for me. Had I not purchased my bag used, I would have asked that those features be built into my bag.

I have an American made Reunion Blues cordura bag for my CC that has worked fine and held up well, but will replace it with a Dolly Bag when the time comes. The new Reunion Blues bags are made in Asia and the quality isn't up to par with the old ones.

The downside of Dolly Bags is that they are made to order (which is a good thing) so they take a long time to get new. They also cost a little more than your typical gig bag, but when we're talking about $1,000-$20,000 instruments, don't go cheap on a case.

I would also consider the Winter gigbags. The one that I have for my Besson is more protective than any other gig bag I own. It has an extra "bell protection" feature that seems to work well, and came with a detachable briefcase for music. It's not cheap, but seems very sturdy.

http://www.soundwear.com/shopus/index.htm

The Chronkhite and Dolly bags that I have seen look to be just as sturdy, but I have never used one.

You'll have a hard time beating the ProTec bags for the money. They are nicely padded, rugged, and carry well as a backpack. And, they are under $150.

you probably spent a lot of money on that tuba.... i wouldnt go with a " good for the money " ( protec or Tuxedo) bags...go for that soundwear... they have great protection...

Hey,
My soundwear bag rocks!
Bill Pritchard

if you dont wanna spend an arm and a leg, and are not careless when carrying your horn (Ie. dont walk into stuff, and bang your horn when its on your back) Altieri is the way to go.

Here are some photos of the soundwear bag for my Besson 983:

Thanks for posting the pics of the soundwear bag!! I have to say the soundwear is looking very good right now. Thanks again! Matt C.