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Hello,

I have a Meinl Weston 2250 F tuba for which I am looking for a gig bag that will provide the best protection (out of any gig bags) for the instrument. I currently have the Meinl Weston gig bag that came with the instrument, and I am looking for a gig bag that has much better protection. I already have a hard case for the instrument, but being a 6/4 F tuba, the hard case is the exact same model of hard case I have for my CC tuba... it's a great case (so good that I can use it as a flight case), but I don't want to carry around a big bulky case like that all the time. I have heard good things about Cronkhite bags, Messina bags, and Soundwear bags. Are any of these more preferable than the others, in regard to protection?

Also, may be a bit of a longshot, but -- does anyone have weight measurements for any of these bags? (I contacted Cronkhite (Torpedo Bags) about the weight of their cases but they do not have weight information for their Cronkhite tuba bags. I was told that they would expect the leather would be 7-8 pounds heavier than the cordura (which is in line with what Glenn Cronkhite said that the leather is on average 7 pounds heavier.))

Also, I will likely be looking for a soft case (bag) for my CC tuba as well. It is a Miraphone 291 Bruckner (5/4 CC tuba), and I currently only have a hard case for it. My reason for looking for a new bag for my F tuba is to get a gig bag for better protection than the gig bag I currently have, but my reason for looking for a gig bag for my CC tuba is to save my back and get something lighter, but of course I want good protection as well... if I were to get a cordura bag for my CC tuba, would this still be adequate protection for the instrument?

The tuba bag pages at the Cronkhite website say that the leather would provide 30% better protection. For those who have had leather/cordura bags, have you found this to be true?

Thanks for any help.

Michael Murrin

As far as the cc Bruckner horn, I have that horn and I really like the bag from miraphone. It's top loading but has a nice reinforcement to to protect the bell. I was really surprised with the quality of this bag.

As for your f horn, sorry I have a miraphone and have their bag for that one too.

Go with a leather Cronkhite

A few thoughts:
-- Cronkhite leather is the best all around. It's still not ever going to give protection against drops, but if you're walking down the street, on the bus, train, etc... that's your best bet. Yes, it's heavy. But starting with an F tuba + leather bag weight isn't going to be so bad. I had a Willson + leather bag combo, and that was probably over 35 pounds.
-- Miraphone bags are very nice! The reinforced bell is a smart design, and works very well. I don't love the color of the bags, but the design is great.

Bags from other companies are okay. I actually really like the Gotz bag you got with your Meinl Weston. I'm not sure if that's the standard "double-padded" (which is good) or the upgraded "triple-padded" (which is better). I always liked the triple-padded, and thought it was about the best you can get for a top-loading bag.

Cronkhite has seemingly been the tuba standard for a long time--can't go wrong,but not cheap, either.
I have heard/read only good things about Messina Covers bag [looking toward them for my replacement bag]
Liked everything about the Soundwear, but I dithered until they discontinued making tuba bags!

I have tried a number of bags from the US, Europe and Asia, and have come to the conclusion that no bag protects your instrument better than a Cronkhite bag. The leather bag is more durable, more expensive and is heavier, so the Cronkhite cordura tuba bag is my go-to for most horns. You could use the cordura bag every day for 20 years or more and likely not have any trouble or unusual wear in that length of time. I did have a two-tone leather Cronkhite bag made for a Conn Donatelli CC, but that horn is not very heavy, and only about 6 of those horns were ever made. My Stofer CC tubas are 23 lbs., so I tend to supply them with the cordura bag. Due to the 4th slide configuration next to the bottom bow/1st branch of the tuba, when in the Cronkhite bag, the bag and horn will sit on the floor like a hard case. The cordura and padding is sufficient to protect the instrument very well, and the light weight makes it a bit easier to get around with. With the leather bag, it is nice tuba "bling" and is a great bag, but with a heavy horn, it can be a little like carrying an angus calf. . . .