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Hello all,

Do you have any suggestions for top-loading gig-bags? I currently have an Altieri for my MW Thor; it's nice, but I would prefer something a bit more sturdy in terms of the frame of the gig-bag. I have considered the Gotz gig-bag or a Miraphone gig-bag. If you have any other suggestions/thoughts/opinions, please let me know via this thread or via email: ready dot tuba @ gmail dot com.

Thank you in advance for your input. It's always appreciated.

All my best,

Joe

Just sent you an email, but for the benefit of others, here's the short version of my opinions:

Altieri -- don't like
Miraphone -- good but ugly, and if your horn will fit
Marcus Bonna -- promising, but unknown
Gard -- meh
Gotz -- excellent, but unpadded straps. Bort's choice.

Cronkhite -- c'mon, make a top-loader!

Be more careful. Cerveny's are thin.

I wish I knew who made this bag so I could replace my Altieri bag for my current horn. The seller included it with the sale when I purchased it. It sat below head level, so you didn't have to worry about hitting door frames or low-hanging lights. The zipper was durable and worked without getting hung up. The only drawback was it hung a little low, so when I was in a rush, the bottom of the bag limited the size of the stride I could take. If anyone knows who made it, please let me know.

Big Francis wrote:I wish I knew who made this bag so I could replace my Altieri bag for my current horn. The seller included it with the sale when I purchased it. It sat below head level, so you didn't have to worry about hitting door frames or low-hanging lights. The zipper was durable and worked without getting hung up. The only drawback was it hung a little low, so when I was in a rush, the bottom of the bag limited the size of the stride I could take. If anyone knows who made it, please let me know.

It looks like it could very well be a Dolly Bag. If that's the case, and I think it is, then you're out of luck. Dolly Bags is basically non-existent anymore. Note that I didn't say "out of business." They seem to be perfectly willing to accept work, both new and repairs, but it has been widely reported here that after YEARS of waits, promises, and avoided calls and emails, that customers have ended up empty handed and have had to fight to get their money and their property back (bags submitted for repairs, etc.) - the bottom line is that Dolly Bags as it exists today should, unfortunately, be avoided.

If you have one that you like, keep repairing it until there just isn't anything left to save. A good luggage or shoe repair shop can usually get a gig bag up and running with heavy duty stitching and replacement zippers when you need them. I've got a Dolly Bag that I've used with my 45-SLP since 2004 that I've had repaired a few times. It was used and probably at least 10 years old when I got it, and I've had it for 11 years, so it's held up for 20 +/- years or so. The problem now is that the plastic sheets that Dolly Bags were famous for have started to crumble and they are creating small rips and tears in the interior liner of the bag - they cannot be replaced or repaired, so the entire bag will need to be replaced before too long.

Said it before;
call a good sport shop for backpackers and ask if they also do custom jobs and have them make a tuba sized back back.
I did it 15 years ago and It's still going strong.
These kind of packs are made LAST! As in life-time guarantee. They sit perfectly on you back because that's their job. And because it's custom they put all the extra foam where ever you ask for it. (I had mine put all around plus extra at the bottom and on the side, the 2 most likely places I put my tuba down). Also I have two zipper pouches for stuff, one on the front and one on top of the bell. Also I have a "over-the-shoulder" strap.
I decided to have mine made as a one size fits all and I just tighten the side straps to snuggle it up to the tuba. I use it as easily for my Alex as I do for my Kanstul 80 F tuba.
Good luck.

I've been using the Miraphone gig bag for my euphonium for about two years. I'm not crazy about 'top loaders' but getting used to it. The Miraphone bag's padding is pretty thick — at least an 1" thick. The cover contains a carbon fiber disk within the padding to protect the bell. The straps are strong with good clips. Although I wouldn't say it's 'ugly', it sure is blue.

I have a Tuxedo bag for my Kalison DS - the straps are too low to make it a good balancing backpack (plus there was something in them that my dog liked to chew - had to repair the strap!) Also, the bell sticks up too high, I clip it on doorways sometimes. The carry handle is not quite right either - the case does not balance.
I have Reunion Blues gig bags for some of my smaller tubas - not top loaders, but somehow they seem better balanced for hand carry and as backpacks.

bort wrote:Just sent you an email, but for the benefit of others, here's the short version of my opinions:

Altieri -- don't like
Miraphone -- good but ugly, and if your horn will fit
Marcus Bonna -- promising, but unknown
Gard -- meh
Gotz -- excellent, but unpadded straps. Bort's choice.

Cronkhite -- c'mon, make a top-loader!

From what I understand, you can order a Gotz bag with padded straps, for a small extra charge. I'm going to be ordering one in the next few months for my PT-6 with padded straps, which will be a big help--that's the only complaint about my PT-22P bag, and it would be an extra bummer with my CC tuba.

bloke wrote:re: Tuxedo tuba bags...

I actually like the fact that they "ride high". The last thing I want (though the vast majority of the time, I carry my bag in one hand - by my side) is a bag that positions the tuba's bottom bow so as it thumps against the backs of my knees with every step I take.

What is your frame of tallness?
At 6' 4" I have to be very careful getting through doors, low branches, etc. when I backpack my Tuxedo.

Joe, I've seen that done before -- I've tried that before, and I think its pretty ridiculous.

Just pick the tuba up by the top bow, hold the bag upright, and slide it in. Not hard. BTW, one reason why I think Alteiri bags are awful is the stupid drawstring that gets caught on everything. That plus the open top/separate cap design has always been a head scratcher to me... I just don't like them.