Cronkhite Bags

[CKH]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking into gig bags and Glen Cronkhite's are on my list. I've read that they provide good protection, but lack the storage space for other "stuff" that some of the other bags offer. That being said, to all of the Cronkhite owners, how do you carry all of the other mouthpieces, music, and other accessories that you can't fit in the bag? Do you think your method is reasonable for a college student walking a good distance to the School of Music? Thanks again!

Christian

[CC]

I have 2 leather bags, one of which I bought from him just a few years ago. It has the standard music folder pouch on the back, but I store much more than that there. There's enough room to keep some necessary supplies and my mouthpiece, so I haven't really had a problem with space. If you really need more room I guess you could get a satchel to carry what you need. In the past I have had many problems with the strap placement on several different brands of bags (it was too narrow at that top usually pinching my neck) so comfort was my top priority. I found this bag to be just what I was looking for. The durability of the leather (if you take care of it) was another plus with going with Cronkhite. I will say that the weight of the leather bag is very noticeable. Good luck on your search!

[skeath]

The pouch is big enough to carry everything except an orchestra-size music folder. The small folders (10 in. wide) fit fine, and you could carry several music books (etudes) easily.

They come with a larger music pouch that buckles on, but I haven't needed it.

The Cronkhite bags are a class act. You won't be disappointed.

SK

[Rick F]

When I first read your post I assumed you were asking about Cronkhite bags for tuba -- but then saw your post where you're looking for a Soundwear bag for euphonium.

I have a leather Cronkhite bag that I use for my euphonium and it has enough room for my stuff... mpc, tuner, glasses, music, pencil. An excellent bag BTW.

[arpthark]

Although my bag is for tuba, I've bought a small, compact make-up bag and wrapped it in cotton cloth so the zippers don't scratch the tuba's finish. It fits fine in the main part of the case. If you find yourself strapped for room, perhaps something similar would help.

[tubinator]

hi everyone,

I am also thinking to buy one of these bags. I am from germany though but I will be in California for some weeks in September and October. I just bought a 5/4 Rudolf Meinl, but with the hard case the tuba is really too heavy. Do they really protect the tuba well?

[sloan]

hi everyone,

I am also thinking to buy one of these bags. I am from germany though but I will be in California for some weeks in September and October. I just bought a 5/4 Rudolf Meinl, but with the hard case the tuba is really too heavy. Do they really protect the tuba well?

Cronkhite bags provide above average protection - for a gig bag. Still, it's not the same as a hard case.
My "every day" tuba lives in a Cronkhite bag, which hold *everything* I need when I leave home. Music, mouthpieces, valve oil, etc., etc., etc. - it all fits. It can be carried by one handle like a light case, or hoisted on your back with very good backpack straps for longer treks. But - it's still just a "handle". You still need to be more careful than when the tuba is in a hard case.

That said, if I need a gig bag, the first choice is *always* a Cronkhite. The only issue is: does he make one to fit your tuba.

[MWoj]

Hi all,

I don't intent to 'hijack' this thread, but I own a Rudolf Meinl 5/4 BBb and I'm curious about gig bags for it. If you've read my other post related to this subject you'll see that I have a Protec bag. It offers minimal protection as far as bags go. Does anyone know if there's a SoundWear bag that'll fit it? I have what I believe is SoundWear's largest bag and it doesn't fit, tho it's close.

Tubinator, is your Rudy a BBb or CC?

-MWoj.

[bort]

The only issue is: does he make one to fit your tuba.

Well, more like "are you willing to pay more for a new pattern if he doesn't make one to fit your tuba?"

I have 2 Cronkhite bags and they are fantastic. Admittedly, it holds less "stuff" than my old Alteiri. But then again, I had too much junk in there to begin with. Awesome bags. I have (not often, but still) carried my large tuba 2 or 3 miles and I can't imagine having anything more comfortable for the job. Plus Glenn's a real nice guy. Get one!

[Porkins]

The only issue is: does he make one to fit your tuba.

Well, more like "are you willing to pay more for a new pattern if he doesn't make one to fit your tuba?"

I just got a bag for an older 184. Glenn requested measurements from me. I was surprised that he wouldn't have a pattern already, and asked him about it. His response was that there is variance in those horns, and he wanted to be sure my bag was right.

So, as far as I can tell, there is no extra charge for a new pattern, and he'll make a bag to fit any tuba.

[bort]

The only issue is: does he make one to fit your tuba.

Well, more like "are you willing to pay more for a new pattern if he doesn't make one to fit your tuba?"

I just got a bag for an older 184. Glenn requested measurements from me. I was surprised that he wouldn't have a pattern already, and asked him about it. His response was that there is variance in those horns, and he wanted to be sure my bag was right.

So, as far as I can tell, there is no extra charge for a new pattern, and he'll make a bag to fit any tuba.

Glenn told me he has about 50 tuba patterns on file, and knows that he can fit about 250 different tuba models in them. When I contacted him about my Marzan, he didn't have that on file so we had to measure. Turns out my tuba has the same measurements (for the bag) as the Nirschl York, so that's the pattern he used. If he didn't have any on file that would fit, he said about $100 for extra time to cut a new pattern. That seems rare. For my Cerveny F, it was a lot simpler, since he knew that model of tuba already.

[CKH]

Thanks to all who answered.

I'm looking at buying a used bag from someone. I play a Willson 2900. Would a slightly bigger horn (in size, at least) such as the Prestige, pose a safety risk to my horn since it might not be completely "snug"? There's less variance in euphoniums compared to tubas, and I'm just wondering.

Thanks,

Christian

[sloan]

The only issue is: does he make one to fit your tuba.

Well, more like "are you willing to pay more for a new pattern if he doesn't make one to fit your tuba?"

I just got a bag for an older 184. Glenn requested measurements from me. I was surprised that he wouldn't have a pattern already, and asked him about it. His response was that there is variance in those horns, and he wanted to be sure my bag was right.

So, as far as I can tell, there is no extra charge for a new pattern, and he'll make a bag to fit any tuba.

Not so. He declined to make a bag for my Conn 36J. I was willing to pay for a new pattern, but he declined to even quote a price. I eventually had a bag made by Altieri. The Altieri bag is quite good - but I would have preferred (and was willing to pay for) a Cronkhite bag.

[Porkins]

Thanks for the information, Sloan and Bort. I stand corrected. I would've never guessed that from the dealings I've had from Glenn. Guess I got lucky. Beautiful bag.

[bort]

Well, I can only speak from my own experiences. I've bought 2 so far, and my 3rd (whenever that is) will come from Glenn as well.

I've got a few mouthpiece pouches from him too, they are pretty cheap (I forget, under $10 though), and clever (made from leather scrap leftover from making bags?). Enough to keep it covered and protected from scratches. It'd probably still still dent if you dropped it, but then again, are you really buying a mouthpiece pouch because you're afraid you'll drop it?

[sloan]

Thanks for the information, Sloan and Bort. I stand corrected. I would've never guessed that from the dealings I've had from Glenn. Guess I got lucky. Beautiful bag.

I agree - I own two Cronkhite bags and love them both.

[Rev Rob]

The only issue is: does he make one to fit your tuba.

Well, more like "are you willing to pay more for a new pattern if he doesn't make one to fit your tuba?"


So, as far as I can tell, there is no extra charge for a new pattern, and he'll make a bag to fit any tuba.

Not so. He declined to make a bag for my Conn 36J. I was willing to pay for a new pattern, but he declined to even quote a price. I eventually had a bag made by Altieri. The Altieri bag is quite good - but I would have preferred (and was willing to pay for) a Cronkhite bag.
====================================================================
I went to Glenn with very detailed measurements and pictures as well of my King 1241. In an email reply to me he said he would not make the bag unless he had the instrument. Since I am not willing to part with my King for any length of time or ship/deliver it to Berkley, CA, I will continue to use my hard cases. At least Glenn was honest in his response to me, rather than creating a bag that would not fit, or fit poorly.

[LCH3]

My Cronkhite bag for my Alex arrived yesterday. It is more exquisite than I could have hoped.

Here is the best description I can make for it, it's neither a gig-bag, nor a hard case. It falls somewhere in between, and is worth every penny.

Robert Coulter

So, did you get leather or fabric?

Anybody know of any advantage/disadvantage to leather or fabric?

And, are these bags top loaders or do they open to allow laying the horn down?

Thanks.

[bort]

Leather is thicker so it's more durable and will wear harder. May or may not offer more 'protection.'

They are side loaders. I had an alteiri for years and years, and I never understood the griping about top loading bags.

Leather or cordura, it's almost more like luggage than anything else.

[bort]

Mine are both cordura, which is very rugged which will certainly wear much better than my old alteiri. I'm not afraid to schlep it around in the NY Subway, so I certainly wouldn't be concerned about having to drive anywhere with it (like I used to).

The backpack straps have comfortable wide (the key) pads, so they distribute the weight evenly. But the real key is the material inside the bag. Very thick plush "memory foam" kind of material. Good stuff.

Here's a quick shot of mine. Black and brown, and brown and black.

rsz_img_3944.jpg