Recommendations on Gig Bags?

[tubafatness]

Pro-Tec make some pretty reasonably priced bags. That, and they're pretty durable, too.

[Phil Dawson]

I have a Cronkhite (when he was with Reunion Blues) bag in leather. I love the bag. Yes is does require a least a couple of cows to make it but the bag is worth every penny I paid for it. Gerat padding, minimal upkeep, and great protection. After about seven years I had a zipper problem. I sent the bag to him and he fixed it for what his sewing people charged him and he paid the return freight. He is great to deal with. He will also make a bag that EXACTLY fits your horn.
Phil

[Barney]

It depends on what you are looking for. If you want lightweight, Altieri is the way to go. The Cronkhite bags are more protective but heavier.

Baltimore Brass carries both brands.

I also HIGHLY recommend: http://www.hornguys.com/tubacases.htm

[bort]

I don't know who sells them here in the US, but I like the Miraphone brand gig bags. When I was in Austria last year, I borrowed a local guy's 188, for which he had a Miraphone bag. Top loading, with a zipper. Had a decent amount of padding and was made of cordura. I really liked it.

Also, FWIW, I'm always a little leery of side-loading bags (i.e., long zippers)...if the zipper breaks while you're on the road, you're kind of SOL. At least with a top-loader you can still "close it" and be on your way.

[iiipopes]

I think one point overlooked as to whether or not to use a gig bag is to look at the relative mechanical aspects of both gig bag and instrument. This is like the old science project to demonstrate force or mass verses area by taking an unsharpened pencil, putting a block on one end and balancing it on your palm. It's easy because the force is distributed along the entire face of the unsharpened pencil. I routinely carry my electric guitar and bass in gig bags, because even if they take a broadside, the worst that will probably happen is a small ding in the body and have to replace a string, because of the relatively flat nature of the beasts which tends to dissipate force rather than concentrate it. OTH, for instruments with a sizable bell, it's like taking the next step in the demonstration and sharpening the pencil, then trying to hold and balance the same block with the sharpened point against your palm. OUCH! Same mass and pressure from weight, but concentrated to a much higher force verses area. Unless the gig bag is exceptionally well designed, the bell just won't take it on larger instruments, as it is difficult to get enough padding to dissipate the energy from the blow naturally concentrated on the edge of the bell or some other vulnerable place.

[Tubaryan12]

I've seen older guys really struggle with trying to get the tuba in a top loader; I think these bags are for younger people who are still strong enough to not need three hands. I had to help one guy who was turning really red in the face trying to get his tuba in his top loader...it wouldn't stay open, and he couldn't hold his horn up in the air with just one hand.
Ephram

If they don't mind setting the bell on the ground, have them place the horn on the bell, drop the bag over the horn, then give it a tip and lift by the handles, stand the bag with horn upright and then zip the bag closed. I had the same problem until I heard about this technique on TubeNet.

[LoyalTubist]

My Mirafone gig bag was made in an auto upholstery shop in a mountain village in my ex-wife's neighborhood in Central Java (Indonesia). Her mother helped make the plans and it has everything I ever wanted in a bag. It has compartments on the sides that are big enough to hold a music folder. It has both backpack straps and purse straps. It has strong reinforcement to prevent denting on the sides. The price I paid for this then was the equivalent of $25.00. The bag has outlasted the marriage.
________________________________________________

This message sponsored by Bill's ex-mother-in-law

[pulseczar]

Wives come and go, but gig bags are forever.

[MartyNeilan]

As a parent who made the investment in my sons tuba, I agree.

Despite my relatively small stature, I used to ascribe to that until I had to carry my 5/4 tuba in large wooden hardcase the entire length of the Atlantic City boardwalk. After not having any feeling in one of my arms for a while, I decided to go the gigbag route. There were many times I had to take 1 or even 2 tubas all around NYC including on the subways. There is no way I coud have done that in hardcases. Yes, the big horn did get dented, but that was a better tradeoff than dislocating one of my arms or having permanent nerve damage.

[iiipopes]

And with My Besson, I don't even bother with a case or bag of any sort. Of course, it was already 35 years old when I bought it, and it had endured the hard life of a rental horn, with mutiple repair scars to prove it. The lacquer is almost all gone, but from wear and misadventure, not from any designed plan, and the bell looks almost like something with a hammer-peened finish from all the so-so repairs to all of the dents. I actually pay more attention to it this way, and I thereby avoid a false sense of security which I believe is inevitable in occuring to those who do use gig bags instead of hard shell cases, and which contributes to a lot of the damage that, in my opinion, needlessly occurs. Remember that in a prior generation, or even the second prior generation, tubas and souzys used to be sold, packaged and delivered in solid cases much like OEM wooden small brass cases, in effect tripling the cargo weight of low brass instruments.

[Will]

I recommend Gard gig bags. I've had one for the past 3 years and love it. I especially like the padded wooden disk at the bell end and the raincoat you can store easily in a small pocket on the side. The durability is top-notch from my experience. And the price is VERY reasonable.

[yohan]

I just got a Gard bag home from the store today. I have the week to decide if I want to keep it.

The build quality is impressive. The fit could be better, and I miss a waist belt for saving my back.

Also, I have a tough time putting my instrument (Besson 981) in or getting it out of the bag, despite it being a 'side loader'. Since the bell end doesn't open it is like putting on your shoes without unlacing them first). Maybe I'll learn... ... or get another bag.

[yohan]

John,

I too have found it easiest to load the tuba with the bag standing on the bell end. The main problem is to get the bell (a Besson 981 has a huge bell in proportion to its overall size) all the way down without the sides of the bag folding and getting in the way. I found that it is easier if I insert the bell 'sideways', force it down and then rise the tuba up into the bag.

(maybe there is a thread on the subject 'methods-of-getting-your-tuba-into-your-gigbag' somewhere?)

/Johan

[Will]

I found that it is easier if I insert the bell 'sideways', force it down and then rise the tuba up into the bag.

I go through the same process with my 822-F. With that big bell, it's the only way. The bag is a pretty snug fit with my horn and literally almost fits like a glove. The bag will start to give just enough after a couple months making loading and unloading easier. After over 3 years of heavy use, my bag is still going strong, not one mechanical problem.

I just see it as an extremely small price to pay for the extra padding and lower price. The handy "raincoat" that folds neatly in the hidden side pouch is another bonus/luxury.


Will

[chipster55]

http://cgi.ebay.com/TUBA-GIG-BAG-BRAND- ... dZViewItem

This is the bag I got off eBay for my Amati 3/4. It's a side loader with a removable pad that surrounds the horn. It's a decent bag; I would like it to open a bit wider, but that's no big deal...I noticed they changed the pricing-mine was $100 and $16 shipping. Oh, well.