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BrooklynBass wrote:My question is: how does one CLEAN one of these bags. Mine is Cordura and is starting to get stanky.

the elephant wrote:Steve Kriesel:

So, just to be 100% clear, what material are you using on the TUBA bags on the lower strap where the metal loop normally lives? (Not asking about a clip like on the euph bag, but the loop stitched to the bag body that the strap slides through when you adjust its length.)

the elephant wrote:There was a photo of a bag with plastic strap hardware. I cannot remember whether it was a tuba or euph bag, but I *think* it was for a euph. If the tuba bags have these I would no longer recommend them. The straps were one of the very best selling features of Cronkhite bags, and to alter them to save a buck is a bad idea by people who have never had one of these break and seen their tuba bell CRUSHED under its own weight by flipping backwards off a shoulder and falling about eight feet onto pavement. These straps need to be able to hold the tuba and all the stuff in the bag for decades using ONE STRAP ONLY without the slightest risk of failure. I personally HAVE had a plastic part fail and my horn sustained a lot of very bad damage. My angry phone call to Irving Berg was the main reason (if not the only one) that H&B Tuxedo bags have had all metal strap hardware since about 1994 or so. He was a great guy once we came to an understanding. He paid for the tuba repair by a top drawer tech including shipping there and back, he also sent me a brand new bag with the improved hardware.

The materials and technology used in making these plastic loops and turnbuckles and such is pretty much the same as it has been for decades. No improvement, no changes, just advertising.

Now, if the tuba bags are truly unchanged then I will be ordering one fairly soon for my rare Kurath F tuba. Otherwise I will get one of the blue Miraphone bag, again, for the quality of the straps and the padding more than any other reasons.

Caveat emptor: we need to *see* an actual example of the tuba bags as produced by this new owner. I am hopeful that this will not be an issue, but that photo in that older TN thread clearly showing plastic hardware on the straps gave me and several other pause. I do not have an issue with these on a euph bag, though, as they are more than strong enough for such a weight, but again, the tuba bag straps must be safe for large horns using only one strap for many years. Cronkhite had his dialed in perfectly. I hope these were 100% unchanged.

I have been a huge evangelist for leather Cronkhite bags since I got my first one in 2002 when I dumped Dolly bags for good. I have owned four of them and would like to buy two more, in leather if that is an option. I *really* like these bags. Just waiting on someone to confirm what material the strap hardware will be. A visit to the link posted above does not clear this up. The bulleted point simply states:

• The finest metal and delrin hardware.

A written assurance that no delrin will be used in the straps would go a long way with me and like-minded, long-term customers...

bloke wrote:

roweenie wrote:It seems the price has gone up considerably with the new management.

I'm just so shocked.

rodmathews wrote:If people want to buy bags where cost is the only factor there is a market for that. If people want to buy a quality product that is hand made in the US with top quality materials there is a market for that as well. I like having the higher end option - that was missing in the market. This bag is worth every penny I paid in my opinion. Super happy with it.

bloke wrote:"The market" has yet to be tested, other than TNFJ comments from those who aren't involved in the act of purchasing them.