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If you purchase a Mack Brass TU 410, does It come with a case? If so what type of case? Travel? Gig bag(soft)? If not where could I get a Gig bag (soft) case for the Mack Brass TU 410?

It comes with a 'semi' hard case with wheels. Any gig bag that fits a Miraphone 186 with the 17.75" bell will fit the 410.
Mark

http://www.wwbw.com/Miraphone-Deluxe-Tu ... 63940.wwbw" target="_blank

Bought a Pro-Tec Platinum PL-251 from Dillon Music about 6 months ago. Quality seems quite good, my MacBrass TU-410 fits perfectly, and I have been very pleased with the purchase. It took a while to find one available. At the time I purchased the bag, they were just coming to the market (billed as an upgrade from the standard "Deluxe" version) and were backordered, but seem to be more readily available now. Side-closure with good zippers, two external pockets, and comfortable shoulder straps with reasonably sturdy hardware for longer treks. Bell is protected with a plywood insert inside the padding an a padded collar surrounding the circumference of the bell. Has a movable velcro-attached cushion bar I have not quite figured out where to put to provide additional protection for the instrument, but still experimenting. If you are looking for a reasonably-priced gig bag for this particular tuba, I would recommend it highly.

The case that came with the horn is, as previously described, "semi-hard" (rigid foam covered with cordura fabric) with wheels and zipper closure. It is good for storage, but challenging to tote around. If I travelled more with the instrument, subjecting it to baggage compartments,I would probably invest in a rigid case, like and SKB or MTS, which both have a model that is fitted to this sized-instrument.

I know a student who has one. The case is not built to last.

I have a student and his school owns Mack Brass BBb tubas. The case for his tuba is over 5 years old, used daily and is still in good shape. It is not for flying but does well for daily use when treated with some degree of care. If it is abused, like anything it wont last.

bloke wrote:Isn't there a layer of laminate wood around the outside of those cases?
Otherwise, how would the wheels be attached, how would the cordura nylon cortex be screwed down, and how would they be hinged ?

While my hard case has not worn out sufficiently anywhere to see what's under the cordura, I presume, as you suggest, that there is some type of laminate wood outside of the rigid foam, for all the reasons you suggest. I agree with the comment that this hard case would not stand up to use over time, and - as I mentioned in my original post, I would invest in a better hard case if I travelled more with the instrument. As an avocational musician and playing mostly in community bands, the Pro-Tec Platinum gig bag serves my purposes.

This biggest issue I had with the case on my Mack Brass were the handles. The case itself (including the zippers) seemed to hold up fairly well, but after a while, the straps began to tear, leaving nothing to get a grip on the horn with.

I've got a Mack Brass euphonium that's (I think) about six years old now, and a Wessex Eb compensating tuba that's about four years old now. Neither of them live or are transported in the cases that came with them.

Aside from the crap materials and construction (and I'm not at all sure there's much that those wheels are anchored to), they're just too BIG. I swear that the tuba case essentially doubles the space required to transport the tuba, and it's really cumbersome to horse around in tight quarters -- like an auditorium, band room, etc. Very protective (while it lasts), but TOO BIG. When I got it, it took up all the space in the cargo compartment of my SUV, and getting it into the rear seat of the (extended cab, full size) pickup was pretty well impossible.

The euphonium case is right on the edge of "usable" for carrying it around and transporting. But it's still TOO BIG and cumbersome to carry. Also, almost no one can figure out how the back-pack straps go on those cases. I think I did it once, but probably can't repeat it.

Both cases live in the attic -- "just in case". They'd be good for shipping. Instead, the tuba gets carried around in a Gard (top-loading) bag, and the euph in a Protec bag. Neither is great in terms of protection, but they're adequate for my needs (back and forth in the truck or the SUV). The Gard is a better bag.

The similarly constructed case that came with my Schiller bass trombone that I got about a year and a half ago seems better. Much better and more reasonably proportioned, easy to carry with handles or with the back-pack straps, and very protective. The material (outer covering) even seems a little better, but I don't expect it to hold up forever. Every few months I think "Maybe I should get a good gig back for that horn." But then when I think about it for a moment, I know I'd end up with something that doesn't provide as much protection and really offers no advantage in terms of size or transporting it. So I'll use it until it dies (or I do).

Love my Mack TU200. 5.5 years of service and still going strong.

Jim