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Hi all,
i recently had a post about the Eastman 632, and I just bought it! I will pick it up tomorrow in noontime.

However, i need a gig bag...

whats a good gig bag for the Eastman 632 CC tuba under $250 ?

For under $250, a Wessex bag is probably a good choice.

For under $250, I agree with the Wessex. If you're willing to spend around 100 more, I am going to recommend an Altieri. I just received my brand new Altieri yesterday and am beyond happy with it. The straps sit lower on the bag than others so it doesn't smack you in the thighs as you walk. The drawstring is a hit or miss. I personally like it, but others don't. As with anything, try and get your hands on a bag to try it out first. I know someone with Altieri, Cronkhite and Miraphone. So I tried all three (just put them on my back and walked around). In my opinion, if you're going to buy a gig bag, buy one that will last. I don't know the Wessex bag durability, but ones I've seen seem like a wonderful inexpensive option that is well made. Hope this helps!

Altieri would probably sell a lot more tuba gig bags if they weren't top loading...It is so clumsy, dangerous and un-intuitive to lift a tuba up out of a bag, partially over your head, while the bag flops over onto the ground. Sillyness.

My problem is the drawstring that gets caught on everything. And the big goofy pocket on the front. Oh, and the rain cap that nobody ever uses. Plus, they really don't cost much less than other options.

Personally, I've never understood peoples' problems with top-loading bags. But then again, if we all liked the same thing, there would only be 1 style.

A big reason I ordered Altieri was because I didn't particularly like the bags that sat lower on my back. The drawstring doesn't really bother me either. As for top and side loading, it really is a personal preference, I think. I could have either and be happy. I really think it is a good idea to try before you buy if possible. It's a very personal thing just like one's preferred tuba!

Wouldn't a toploading bag be bad for the Eastman 632? The valves sticking out ALOT for this horn

My VMI is front action and it poses no problem. They put extra reinforcement where the valves go as well. It's not a problem at all! Think about it like this-- if the bag was bad for a certain type of tuba, nobody would buy it!

My altieri bag works well with the horn, and over time I've grown very comfortable with the top-loading aspect that makes others cringe. Again, this is all personal preferance, but if you don't mind/can get used to a top-loading bag then it's a great bag. Also keep in mind altieris are all made by hand, and it may take several weeks for your bag to be ready if you choose to go that route. Hope that's helpful.