New Gig Bag (with pictures)

[Kayla]

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This is a custom-fitted bag for my HB-21 made by Messina Covers in Athens, OH. They are traditionally a string bass gig bag making company, but have recently been branching out to other instruments. They have several types of trumpet cases from single up to triple bags. They also make laptop covers, bike bags (and different bags for parts), and even reusable grocery bags. I went to them earlier this year about the idea of a tuba gig bag, since my current one was shot and they were local. I was involved during the entire process, which was really neat to me.

The bag is a dark purple/black combo (the picture messed the purple up a little), with two pockets and an "accessory" D-ring. The big pocket is large enough to fit a large folder (like for orchestra, band, etc) and the smaller pocket fits oils, mouthpieces, pencils, whatever you want. The D-ring will be used for my tuba stand, which is currently having a bag made for it. When I travel, it will be attached there.

The materials used are similar to that of Reunion Blues/Cronkhite bags, and the padding is a very dense foamy like material. All materials and workers are 100% American.

This is not the finished product - it still needs handles sewn onto it and have the addition of the tuba stand bag. I will post pictures of the completed product once that happens. I can also take pictures of the work up close, and of the bag opened. I am really excited for this bag so I wanted to show everyone now.

Price for everything - $300. Great deal for being a completely customizable product, and a very high quality bag.

***note - I am not an employee of this company, I am only sharing my new gig bag with everyone.

[Kayla]

Second picture of my bag from the pocket side.

[Bob Kolada]

Does it have a libations pouch?

[eupher61]

Intreresting...wish I'd known about the company a few weeks ago. The bag I ordered for my Martin, made by a well-known, west of the Mississippi maker, came yesterday. It doesn't nearly fit. Well, the bell bag does, but it's WAY too big. The body bag (I need more of those!) is probably half the depth, back to top of piston, that it should be. So, I need to try to figure out how to clarify the measurements and get it done right.

It is being dealt with appropriately, I have no complaint with the company. I guess this is a warning to anyone with out-of-the-ordinary bag needs, take good measurements and make them as clear as possible.

steve

[Kayla]

That's a nice-looking bag. What was the turn-around time? Also, is this going to be a standard offering, or was it done more as a one-off?

Turn-around time was about a month. There aren't many employees and the guy in charge makes sure quality is of its best (resulting in longer wait time). I didn't have a time I wanted it by so I may have waited longer than usual. The owner would make sure the bag was completed by a deadline if you'd like to have it by a certain time. The company would love to have more orders, and I've been talking to them about possibly having a couple "stock" models of bags (that'll fit several types of tubas), but still offer the choice of having a custom fit bag. This part of the company is in its early stages. Their string bass bags are some of the best instrument bags I've seen, and that same level of quality went into my bag.

So... do you think they'd make a gig bag for a sousaphone?

They would not be opposed to it, but it would probably take some creative thought from both parties to figure out an effective design.

They are on Facebook and have a website. If people are genuinely interested, PM me for more details.

[Art Hovey]

It's a beautiful bag, but like most tuba gig bags it has the pocket on the wrong side.
When the pocket for your band folder is placed over the valves of a front-action tuba the folder gets bent out of shape. If the folder pocket is on the back side (between your back and the back of the tuba) then it stays flat and lasts a lot longer. It's not an issue for top-action tubas, but most of us in the USA prefer front-action.

I am glad to see that it has a long zipper so it opens like a book. Gard used to make really good side-zipper bags, but now they make only top-loaders. Every summer when I put the recording bell back on my big horn I curse the people who invented top-loading bags.

[Kayla]

The large pocket has 1 inch depth to it so when I put my binder and band folder in it, it doesn't bend. I do see what you're talking about though.

[scottw]

I, too, am looking to replace my beat Pro-tec bag with something better, but short of the Cronkhite pricetag.
This looks fine, but I worry about someone with the wrong pattern [or lack of same] producing a bag that just doesn't fit MY tuba.
I have an older Mirafone 186, eg., with the 16.5" bell instead of the newer 17+ bell. Would that extra inch would enable it to slop around enough to cause a problem? Will it fit snugly or will I have to shoehorn it into the zipper?
The website for this company is not too good, much of it with only placeholder text [in Latin]. I may try to speak with them by phone and see if my concerns are misplaced.

[Kayla]

Yeah the website is a bit raw. I talked to David (the owner) today about incoming requests so call away! He's a great person to work with, and will attend to your concerns.