Walt Johnson case for Gigbagged tuba

dmmorris · Post by **dmmorris** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:36 pm

Has anyone out there had Walt Johnson make them a case that would fit a tuba w/ gigbag. I'm thinking it would be nice to have the protection of the hard case while traveling, but then be able to lift the tuba already in the gigbag right out of the case......ie leave the case in the motel room, flop-house, or bus, once your at your gig's destination.

I seem to remember someone doing this with a MW trunk case, but if I'm gonna spend the $'s I will probably go with the Walt Johnson product.

Regards,
dmm

dmmorris · Post by **dmmorris** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:21 pm

Yeah....clearly if I want to determine manufacturing feasibility or determine if manufacturer has ever had a customer make a similar request, then I would contact the manufacturer as you have suggested.

What I'm asking of the "community" is, if anyone (as a consumer), had done this....and if so, how has it worked-out, what was the workmanship like, etc.

Sorry for being unclear!
-dmm

Bove · Post by **Bove** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:44 pm

I've flown with a MW 45S F tuba packed in a Reunion Blues Bag, and a Large Walt Johnson Flight Case (made for a large CC tuba). It worked well. And it was really nice to have my bag after I got where I was going.

The only disadvantage to this is that with the larger case, you may have to deal with more frequent oversize and overweight charges from your favorite airline.

dmmorris · Post by **dmmorris** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:56 pm

That's good feedback....thanks!
I'll need to use the large Johnson case anyway because of the bell height on my ol' B&S 4/4.......not looking forward to lugging the beast around, but will enjoy the reduction in worry.

Regards,
dmm

dmmorris · Post by **dmmorris** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 2:49 pm

Great Idea!
I think on my next backpacking trip, I'm gonna use my old RBs gigbag!

Off the topic............ can you picture a long line of Sherpas schlepping equipment for a Mt.Everest expidition using Tuba backpack gigbags........probably look like an army of marching gumbys!!

-dmm

jmanning · Post by **jmanning** » Mon Mar 22, 2004 10:10 pm

dmmorris wrote:Has anyone out there had Walt Johnson make them a case that would fit a tuba w/ gigbag. I'm thinking it would be nice to have the protection of the hard case while traveling, but then be able to lift the tuba already in the gigbag right out of the case......ie leave the case in the motel room, flop-house, or bus, once your at your gig's destination.

I seem to remember someone doing this with a MW trunk case, but if I'm gonna spend the $'s I will probably go with the Walt Johnson product.

Regards,
dmm

I have a Yamaha YCB-621, which for years I transported in a custom-made case made by Wolfpak. About five years ago I bought the "medium-sized" Walt Johnson case for my larger YFB-822. Turns out that my small CC tuba in its gig bag snugly fits within the Walt Johnson case. I didn't plan it that way, it's just coincidence. I bet the large one (I also have one of those) may accomodate just about any horn with gig bag.

It is a nice idea if you can make it work, best of both worlds; protection in flight and convenience when you get to the gig/audition. I highly recommend the Walt Johnson cases. They are durable, relatively lighter than most and have strong hardware. Do be advised that they tend to wobble (see post about modifying wheels) if pulled. They can balance a little better if the are PUSHED, but I still think they need to rethink the wheels.

As far as paying extra fees for oversize and/or overweight; expect to pay! Sometimes they take pity on you, sometimes they charge you $150 per flight. Be especially aware that they can double that if you happen to have bought a ticket which included two airlines! You've got to travel, you've got to take your horn - might as well be assured that it won't get dented and invest in a good flight case.

Best of luck,

dmmorris · Post by **dmmorris** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 8:49 am

That's two vote for using the gig bag as a suitcase. This is the way I'm leaning at this point......although My son had an accident which smashed-up the car last evening so my Walt Johnson case monies will soon disappear faster than you can say "deductible"! No one hurt, thankfully.....but still very difficult for all.

Matthew Gaunt · Post by **Matthew Gaunt** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 1:40 pm

in the last 13 years i have been lucky enough to do a lot of touring...

in the last year plus (since 9/11), i have had more damage to my horn from the TSA people handling it during their inspections than from airline damage! Many inspectors have been great, very helpful and gentle with the horn, others have been downright rude and incompetent (lifting horn out of case via the 1st valve cap, having horn 1/2 in and 1/2 out of case and slamming top of case down, holding via 1st or 4th valve slide, slamming doors in my face, etc.) - hopefully you can help them check your horn out, but at some airports that is not possible/allowed - i found it was even worse when i did the horn in gig bag in case thing, the odds of them getting the horn out of that set up and properly put back were pretty bad...

good luck!
matt

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Thu Apr 15, 2004 12:07 am

manganaro wrote:ya I forgot about that...what's the point of having a walt johnson case if it is so big because of the gig bag inside, that it can't even fit into your car to get to the airport? Not to mention the guaranteed oversize fees, whereas with a medium case you might squeak by if the receptionist is nice, or inattentive.

The problem is that almost any case that can withstand airline use is going to be pretty large.

I actually fly with an Anvil case (built for my CC in the gig bag) on a regular basis and I'm about to take off on a tour with the setup. I have paid oversize fees about 60% of the time. I've never paid overweight fees, but could as the case with the horn it is weighs in at c. 100lbs.

If you have a large vehicle or pickup, this setup is ideal. If not, you'll find this setup hard to deal with. You will pay for flying with a tuba in almost any type of case these days, so why not use a real flight case?

My case is big and heavy and hard to transport, but I've never had the horn damaged during a dozen flights and even more "run outs" and tours.

I also recommend getting a case that fits your specific horn. I've seen others have their horns damaged using generic flight cases like Unitecs. My case it built for my tuba in my gig bag...no other tuba will fit in the case. I had my case built after doing a lot of research into what worked well and what didn't, and I couldn't be happier with it.

TubeNet

Walt Johnson case for Gigbagged tuba

Walt Johnson case for Gigbagged tuba

Re: Walt Johnson case for Gigbagged tuba

good luck with tsa