TubeNet

I would like to have some opinion on the SKB tuba cases
http://www.adamhall.com/en/Mid-Sized_Un ... heels.html" target="_blank

Right know I'm using a Jacob Winter 6/4 tuba hard case for my F (I put the tuba in the gigbag an then in the case), the tuba is safe and I can put in the case many other stuff but is very heavy 32kg (70,50 lbs).

I was looking for something smaller ( lighter) but safe, anyone of you know the weight of the mid-size SKB case?

Thanks

I've only compared the Miraphone 186 sized cases, but if that helps:

The Winter case actually has a smaller profile than the SKB one does and I believe the SKB weighs more empty than the Winter does. The SKB is also more boxy, which I feel makes it more difficult to manage for everyday use.

Have you ever heard of Accord cases? I looked into importing one into the US, but the cost was (to me) prohibitive and the US distributor only really dealt with their cello cases. They make very light, very strong cases out of composite materials like carbon fiber and kevlar that have a slim profile. Since you are based in Europe, you might have better luck actually being able to purchase one of these. See accordcase.com

One IMPORTANT thing our band found out (the hard way) about the newer cases with TSA locks - if you send an unlocked case with TSA locks through baggage screening, don't assume they will leave it unlocked.

Fortunately, those TSA keys are pretty universal - we were able to find one at a NYC music store and open the sousaphone case. If we were in some other country we would have been S.O.L!

In other words, don't put all of your keys in an unlocked TSA case!

David Richoux wrote:Fortunately, those TSA keys are pretty universal

Which kinda defeats the purpose of having a lock in the first place, doesn't it?

pgym wrote:

David Richoux wrote:Fortunately, those TSA keys are pretty universal

Which kinda defeats the purpose of having a lock in the first place, doesn't it?

If you think most non-combination luggage keys & locks are unique you would be wrong. Instrument case keys are pretty much one shape, depending on brand.

The TSA master key is set so anybody who works as a baggage screener can open any bag or lock that has a TSA locking system. (that is the idea behind the whole thing...)

Checking our inventory system, we show it at 41 lbs. That may include a cardboard box but I am not certain. That's about 19 kilograms.

All the best to you Allesandro. Let me know if I can help.

Roger

David Richoux wrote:

pgym wrote:

David Richoux wrote:The TSA master key is set so anybody who works as a baggage screener can open any bag or lock that has a TSA locking system.[/url])

You forgot to add and steal something from it,

pgym wrote: which kinda defeats the purpose of having a lock in the first place, doesn't it?

And, OBTW, since—despite Wikipedia's and the gub'mint's claim to the contrary—master keys can be purchased relatively inexpensively (and are getting cheaper) without undue difficulty, but why bother when they can be picked with a paperclip in 30 sec or less?

bloke wrote:question to the experienced:

Is the plastic from which the SKB cases is made less brittle than it was when SKB cases first appeared on the scene?

I think it must be. I have an SKB "bass safe" for my electric bass. It came out in 04 or 05. It's got just enough give and just enough strength. The smartest case ever made for a working musician imo.

Two thoughts:

-- Luggage is always an easy target. But a locked case/suitcase is *slightly* less tempting to a passer-by thief. (Just like a pickpocket would rather go for an unbuttoned back-pocket wallet grab than a buttoned back pocket.)
-- I've always viewed the functionality of a case lock as "keep it from popping open" as opposed to "this is a vault." Haha, I guess "do not exit" instead of "do not enter."

the price for an accord case in Italy is 1800 € (2300 $), and I'm not really sure if it can resist during a flight...so too much expensive for a test.

the SKB seems to be very strong, but if the weight is around 19 Kg as Roger Lewis wrote, is not so far from what I use now and too much to travel in Europe with out extra money.

bloke wrote:question to the experienced:

Is the plastic from which the SKB cases is made less brittle than it was when SKB cases first appeared on the scene?

I still have the wreckage of my 2009 SKB bari sax case, if anyone's really interested I could snip off shell samples and mail them. I believe it's ABS, and not brittle, but thin and rather flexible. The thick aluminum valence gives it an appearance of strength, but the shell separated from the valence apparently without much of a fight. The latches are massive, but plastic and they break. This is an inexpensive Chinese case.

I suppose it's a lot like a motorcycle helmet - you don't expect to use it again after an accident, and the really critical protection isn't the shell so much as the foam lining. Or whatever you put in there, to adapt the interior of the `one size fits all' case to your tuba.

Those SKB cases are guaranteed to the original purchaser to last forever. You can send that bari case back to them for a replacement.

The latches are also user replaceable with a small hammer and punch.

Ferguson

Ferguson wrote:Those SKB cases are guaranteed to the original purchaser to last forever. You can send that bari case back to them for a replacement.

I don't want another one.

Can't blame you.

SF