Hard Case Options

[Tom]

I'm doing a little research/exploring of hard case options for my Alexander 163.

My days of flying with tubas are over, so I don't need an Anvil or a Walt Johnson case. I'm looking for something that could be classified as an "every day" hard case.

After doing some looking around online, it appears that I have a limited number of options:

Wood case (we've all seen these; typical school issue)
Jakob Winter case
MTS case

The wood case would work, I suppose, but they seem bit clunky and heavy. The MTS case seems overly bulky and a bit too generic in fit. The Jakob Winter case seems to be what I'm after...light, slim, most tailored fit. I'm wonderin if a Winter/Cerveny case for a 681 would work with the Alex.

BUT...

Is anyone aware of other off-the-shelf options for tall, "German" style rotary tubas?

Several years ago I recall seeing some cases come through the now defunct Brook Mays Tuba Store that were similar to the wood shell cases we all know except that they had much better hardware (including full lenth piano hinge) and rigid plastic edge bracing. I also seem to recall that the exterior was covered in (possibly?) cordura rather than the black vinyl that most wood cases have. They may have been from DEG, but I don't know for sure. I'd never seem them before and have never seen them since. Anybody have any idea what these were or where I might have a look at one?

[Mister JP]

PT6 owner, here. I just got a basic wood case for a great price. I think it's the perfect everyday case, although it is not a "custom" fit, it is a "very good" fit, requiring a rolled up towel to take up some space around the bow. It requires a luggage cart or adding casters, but the low purchase price was the determining factor for me. And since you are a responsible adult and not beating up a case the way a high school kid might (no offense to any HS players here, but it does happen) it would probably last quite a while.

Looks like your 163 is the same height as the PT6, so you'd be able to use the same style/size case as mine without a problem. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the actual name or model number it is.

[PolkaNoble]

by PolkaNoble » Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:32 pm

1) CASES: Any sources for cases to fit this tuba?

3 or 4 years ago, when Brook-Mays was in bankruptcy, I walked into the LBJ store on the last day of liquidation and got an ALLIED case that seemed to be made for my Rudy. Fit was perfect. The new Brook-Mays seems to still be doing business with Allied so maybe they can trace it down for you.

Not to make you feel bad, but I got that case for $49.00. They had two more at that price then and I considered getting them, but did not do so.

I hope this helps.

I can only add that there was a small tag sewn on the inside of the case that said "MADE IN COSTA RICA"

[Waltski]

I think I have the case being mentioned - it houses my Mirafone 191. It has the "Made in Costa Rica" tag and has the rigid plastic edge bracing. However, one of the plastic edges has started to come off on part of the case around the bottom bell cutout as well as about 20" around the front side. Looks like a corner must have gotten got dinged, someone cut off about 3 inches and the rest got loose. The previous owner tried using a staple gun to reattach the loose sections but the staples haven't held. Thinking maybe a strong glue and/or tiny screws into the wood might work. Any suggestions on how to repair?