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I just got a beat up Miraphone 186 that didn't come with a case or bag and was wondering what you guys would recommend. I was thinking either a Protec or Tuxedo bag as they're pretty cheap, any other brands out there that are comparable? Never had a top loader bag before, how do those compare to the side loading ones? Thanks!

The only real difference between a side-loader and a top-loader is how you put the horn into the bag. I agree that a Wessex bag is not only the best option, but the most economical one.

bloke wrote:Recently, I was surprised to discover that H&B are still making the "Tuxedo" tuba bags. They are a top-loader (if the design is not changed) and the materials are very high-quality (if the materials have not changed).

Any idea what the price on those would be? Haven't seen them listed for purchase anywhere in years...

thevillagetuba wrote:

bloke wrote:Recently, I was surprised to discover that H&B are still making the "Tuxedo" tuba bags. They are a top-loader (if the design is not changed) and the materials are very high-quality (if the materials have not changed).

Any idea what the price on those would be? Haven't seen them listed for purchase anywhere in years...

I found them at most major retailers for around $225 depending on bell size.

Thanks for the replies, guys!

58mark wrote:I would buy a wessex bag before either one of those two

Lots of size choices on their website!: https://www.wessex-tubas.com/shop/acces ... a-gig-bag/
I don't have the horn with me at the moment, any idea which one is the best fit?

Polkahero wrote:

58mark wrote:I would buy a wessex bag before either one of those two

Lots of size choices on their website!: https://www.wessex-tubas.com/shop/acces ... a-gig-bag/
I don't have the horn with me at the moment, any idea which one is the best fit?

The 600 should fit your horn well--it'll hold a horn 39" tall with a 17" bell, which should be about the measurements for your 186.

58mark wrote:The 410 is what they recommend for the Luzern, which is a copy of 186. I thought a 186 was 40 inches tall, not 39

The Mahler is the copy if a 186/188. The Luzern looks more like a 191. The Mahler is 39.33" tall with a 16.75" bell, according to it's description page, which is close to the measurements for bag 600 and once the padding is broken it is should fit well. The 410 bag fits a 19" bell with a 40" height. I'd let the bag give, as the one I used for my old PT10 gave and fit it perfectly, and then not have to worry about the bag having any wiggle room.

Indeed, Mark.

Polkahero, you have your location listed as Michigan, so I would definitely call Andy and get his opinion and it might even be worth the drive (if they have both bags in stock) to arrange a time to test fit both and see which bag you prefer.

I made trip there last December and enjoyed test-playing the range and asking him questions regarding horns that were of interest to me.

thevillagetuba wrote:Indeed, Mark.

Polkahero, you have your location listed as Michigan, so I would definitely call Andy and get his opinion and it might even be worth the drive (if they have both bags in stock) to arrange a time to test fit both and see which bag you prefer.

I made trip there last December and enjoyed test-playing the range and asking him questions regarding horns that were of interest to me.

Thanks for the advice, I'll contact Wessex and see what they recommend. I live on the east side of MI where he's about a 3 hour drive on Lake Michigan. Don't think I'll be making that drive for a "beater" 186! I thought the price was good also until I calculated the shipping and sales tax which puts it in about the same range as a Protec or Tuxedo bag with a typical 15% discount I could get through WWBW. Do you think the Wessex is still a better bag? Seems like the Protec I used to own was a little too big for my old Sanders horn which was a 186 copy.

You seem to have decided, but I'll throw my hat in anyway and strongly recommend a Miraphone gig bag. I've got one for both of my horns, and I adore these bags. Well padded, good storage compartments, and the most comfortable backpack straps I've encountered. I didn't care for the Wessex bag I had, though it did the job adequately, and for an unbeatable price. If you're up to the investment, though, Miraphone is the way to go (not to mention it'll fit your 186 like a glove, for obvious reasons). I use my gig bags multiple times daily, so the extra expense was well worth it to my mind.

fenne1ca wrote:I didn't care for the Wessex bag I had, though it did the job adequately, and for an unbeatable price. If you're up to the investment, though, Miraphone is the way to go (not to mention it'll fit your 186 like a glove, for obvious reasons). I use my gig bags multiple times daily, so the extra expense was well worth it to my mind.

My experience exactly. As a once in a while bag it's fine but as an everyday bag I would find the Wessex bag to be a PITA. I've got one for a horn I only rarely use.

tofu wrote:

fenne1ca wrote:I didn't care for the Wessex bag I had, though it did the job adequately, and for an unbeatable price. If you're up to the investment, though, Miraphone is the way to go (not to mention it'll fit your 186 like a glove, for obvious reasons). I use my gig bags multiple times daily, so the extra expense was well worth it to my mind.

My experience exactly. As a once in a while bag it's fine but as an everyday bag I would find the Wessex bag to be a PITA. I've got one for a horn I only rarely use.

Can you elaborate more on why the Wessex is a "PITA"?

Interesting that shortly after I posted this thread, the price on the Wessex bags jumped $8! Hmmm. . .

bloke wrote:I prefer side-loading bags, because I prefer to repack my instruments at waist-level (on a backstage provided folding table).

Others I know, though, don't like to have to elbow in between other musicians backstage, and prefer top-loading bags, because they can set their instruments on their bells, drop their bags over their instruments, flip everything over, zip it up, and take off.

The one bag of which I cannot understand the popularly is the expensive top-loading bag with drawstrings and a "hat". To me, that would be annoying...and those never seem to fit particularly well, either, in my experience.

I have never done the "flip trick" with my top loading bags, and I have used them for many, many years. Sounds like such a hassle, I wouldn't want to use a top-loader in that case, either!

Also, those A-bags you hate (and I hate too)... Didn't they used to be cheaper? Or maybe the only game in town?

58mark wrote:

It's awkward, but not as bad as a top loader

This is why if you can, you really need to try a bag before you buy, because I disagree with the above statement. I prefer a side loader, but do own some top loaders and I can get a tuba in and out of a top loader in a snap. In the case of the Wessex, it's a shame as it is a well made bag for a great price. I don't know what the benefits they saw in the design for this backaxx loader were. It's an awkward load at best. The zippers to enclose the straps is another non-starter. They could have cut some cost out of the design by eliminating that idea that simply doesn't work well. And finally the position of the bag on the back is not very good as far as I'm concerned. If you plan on walking a lot this is going to be important to you. Personally, I find the Cronkhite to be the best, but again this is going to be one of those personal to you things that you are only going to find what works for you by trying it. For my 185 I use a Cronkhite which is almost as old as the horn and still going strong.

Bummer about the Wessex bag. I've never had a top loader before, a section mate does and doesn't seem to have any issues getting his tuba in and out of the bag (I believe it's a Tuxedo). I may have to order whatever Guitar Center carries and then return whichever bag(s) I don't like.

Anyone own/try one of the newer Protect "Platinum" series bags? Supposed to be a big improvement over the more common Deluxe series.

Stryk wrote:I've never priced them, but I got a couple Gard top loading bags with horns I bought and they seems very good quality - lots better than I thought they would be anyhow.

They look decent and are pretty affordable. I read a review about these not working with front action valves because they're too narrow, any insight on that issue?

I used a Gard bag with my Cerveny 681 CC which is a rotary horn in the same style as a 186 but just a bit smaller. It was of very good quality and held up well, and the padding was firm and protective of the horn. I could see the bag being too narrow for certain piston front action horns but the 186 family is a relatively slim design.

Mark Horne wrote:I used a Gard bag with my Cerveny 681 CC which is a rotary horn in the same style as a 186 but just a bit smaller. It was of very good quality and held up well, and the padding was firm and protective of the horn. I could see the bag being too narrow for certain piston front action horns but the 186 family is a relatively slim design.

Great, thanks! I've got it narrowed down to the Tuxedo and the Gard, both carried by Guitar Center. I'll just return the one I don't want back to my local store without having to pay return shipping on such a bulky item.

Got to say, I'm quite impressed with Gard's customer service. After I sent them the dimensions they requested, they replied back with another 3D diagram asking for the valve section dimensions. Check it out: