I have a RB leather bag for my F that I bought used from Dave Fedderly several years back. It is a GREAT bag. Nice padding, and it fits my horn quite snugly. It's been very durable, and other than the backpack straps fraying out quite a bit, I've had no problem with it.
EDIT: from the sound of following posts, I now wonder if my bag is a LOT older than I'd considered. It was far from new when I got it, and its performance has been nothing short of excellent. Shows what I know (or rather don't) about this stuff!
Gig Bags RB Leather
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Ferguson
- 3 valves
- Posts: 380
- Joined: Wed Jan 10, 2007 11:34 am
- Location: Los Angeles
Since you can get a US-made custom Glenn Cronkhite case for about the same price, why choose the cheaply-made Chinese Reunion Blues?
There are problems in the RB bag: They are glued together before they are stitched, so they can't be unsewn and easily repaired. Some instruments are tarnishing inside because of the glues. The zipper doesn't open all the way around the bell, so the horn is not as easily removed from the case. There appear to be only 6 sizes of RB bags. And the leather and foam are not the quality they used to be when they were made in San Francisco.
Glenn Cronkhite owns the original RB patterns, offers 40 sizes, made to order in 2 weeks, the zipper opens around the bell, choice of single or two-tone colors, cordura or heavy leather, removable orchestra folder pouch, firmer foam, no glue, easily repaired, and made in Berkeley, California.
That's something I like to support. Wouldn't you rather support the craft of making fine cases locally, instead of paying to ship cheap non-repairable imitations around the world?
Disclaimer: I use and sell Glenn's cases. But, any music retailer can become a dealer by calling Glenn at 510 527 4490.
For me, it's an easy decision: Lifetime artfully made case? Or cheap imitation that will get thrown away?
And, the first repair to your instrument because you bought the cheap case, will cost more than the expensive case.
Ferguson
There are problems in the RB bag: They are glued together before they are stitched, so they can't be unsewn and easily repaired. Some instruments are tarnishing inside because of the glues. The zipper doesn't open all the way around the bell, so the horn is not as easily removed from the case. There appear to be only 6 sizes of RB bags. And the leather and foam are not the quality they used to be when they were made in San Francisco.
Glenn Cronkhite owns the original RB patterns, offers 40 sizes, made to order in 2 weeks, the zipper opens around the bell, choice of single or two-tone colors, cordura or heavy leather, removable orchestra folder pouch, firmer foam, no glue, easily repaired, and made in Berkeley, California.
That's something I like to support. Wouldn't you rather support the craft of making fine cases locally, instead of paying to ship cheap non-repairable imitations around the world?
Disclaimer: I use and sell Glenn's cases. But, any music retailer can become a dealer by calling Glenn at 510 527 4490.
For me, it's an easy decision: Lifetime artfully made case? Or cheap imitation that will get thrown away?
And, the first repair to your instrument because you bought the cheap case, will cost more than the expensive case.
Ferguson
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Yama861
- bugler
- Posts: 55
- Joined: Tue Nov 30, 2004 11:59 am
- Location: So California
Reunion Blues
I have 2 bags.
1. An original RB bag when Glen worked there.
2. A Cronkhite bag.
Both are in fabric. They are excellent. I second all that is said above. Buy one & you won't be sorry.
J Rice
1. An original RB bag when Glen worked there.
2. A Cronkhite bag.
Both are in fabric. They are excellent. I second all that is said above. Buy one & you won't be sorry.
J Rice
Jeff Rice
Jrice@firstregional.com" target="_blank
Jrice@firstregional.com" target="_blank
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John Caves
- bugler
- Posts: 164
- Joined: Mon Jan 03, 2005 1:30 am
- Location: Rockville MD