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I'm a highschool student who is tired of carrying around a euphonium case and am looking into getting a gig bag.
Something I've noticed though is the difference in prices between the different gig bags.
My question is this. Does the type of gig bag you get really matter other than durability and is that durability really worth the extra money?

Stolen from the Hornguys' website (hornguys.com)

"The first repair to your instrument because of buying a cheap case will cost more than the expensive case did."
-Glenn Cronkhite

http://hornguys.com/reunionblues.php" target="_blank

I've noticed that gig bags on the cheaper end can have exposed metal or coarse stitching on the inside of the case, which can scratch your horn. I agree with j1007hc and think it is very wise to make the investment in a Cronkhite case. Your horn will be very well protected and the case will last you many years. I have a leather Cronkhite bag myself and I couldn't be happier.

I would agree with the others but with a twist. I would suggest maybe looking for a bag of good quality, but used. I remember how little I had to spend in high school on good quality stuff (and to be honest not much has changed in college haha), so if you can find a used Cronkhite or one of similar quality I would investigate that option first.

Best of luck to you!

My experience, with many big horns over many seasons, is that 97% of all damage occurs while the horn is not in its bag/case.
And a fancy bag is just an invitation to theft.

My experience with gig bags-
-Altieri tuba bag- proper width for my horn but too tall (whatever, its' a 621 bag for a "medium" King Eb). The bottom on all tuba gig bags probably needs more padding than anywhere else. I usually have a towel or 2 at the bottom now. I have a nice dent on my bottom bow that can only have occurred from resting the horn while on the bus, etc... even though I always put it down gently. The top string dealie is very annoying, but the bag is long enough so I could get it worked into a zipper top. Next tuba bag will open along the side and not the top. The straps are fine and the pocket is spacious. I put a small tupperware container over the valves when I slide the horn in just to be safe.
-Cronkhite F contrabass trombone/cimbasso bag- Stupid, stupid design. While tuba bags have some form to them, this is literally a rectangle bag with a separate one inside for the slide. The slide bag HITS THE TOP OF THE BELL, which probably made it easier for the UPS monsters to nicely crumple the bell on my previously immaculate, expensive instrument. No one should ever buy a Cronkhite trombone bag of this design, it is just horrible. I want to get a hard case made up like the earlier, slimmer one for my 1062.
-Altieri marching baritone (?)- Came with my Kleinstuber contrabass trumpet that I bought from Grant, the contrabass compendium guy. Nice and compact like a small backpack. I sold it with the horn and now wish I had kept it for my Olds marching trombone. Also I kinda wish I'd kept the horn, but that was a period when I purged a lot of stuff (big Eb tuba, contra and bass trumpets, had my tenor and bass trombones for sale). Probably be another one coming soon...

a fancy gig bag is only an invitation for theft if the owner doesn't have the right mind to know where their EXPENSIVE instrument and EXPENSIVE bag is at all times. I have two horns and two cronkhites (in leather; the best investment I've made) and I keep a watchful eye over them. I used to have a cheap cordura bag and nothing compares to the cronkhite. I've said it before (as have others) and I'll say it again: Why would you put an instrument of that cost into a bag valued around $100? The price of a competent bag should be factored into your initial budget.

-CT

Get yourself a Protec bag--well constructed, provide decent protection, and not that expensive.
Good Luck!

JJ

Gard makes an excellent euphonium case. Plenty of protection, big separate zippered pocket for accessories, a built-in "raincoat" for extra protection in bad weather, wheels, backpack straps, shoulder strap.