Trunk cases

[Chadtuba]

Two questions if you know or might have information to help.

1. Where would you go to get a trunk/flight style case re-fitted for a different tuba?

2. Any guess on the cost of something like this?

I may have the possibility of buying a trunk for my 983. The interior is in great shape but if it doesn't fit my horn I need to decide if this is worth the cost and effort to have it refitted. Thanks.

[tclements]

Anvil Cases
Calzone Cases
Gator Cases

[SousaSaver]

You might try MTS in Elkhart, Indiana.

[Chadtuba]

Just in case my post was confusing: I'm not looking for a trunk case. I may have found one but the interior may not fit my 983. If that is the case, can I take this in to a shop of some sort, maybe an upholstery shop, and have the interior redone to fit the 983? This case will also need wheels put on it, but I'm pretty sure I can do that myself or at least get the shop teacher at the school to help me if I can't.

Thanks all.

[Tom]

FYI, Anvil & Calzone are the same case company, just two different brand names.

If your case was built by them or another company that builds them the same way, they can be fairly easily gutted. Form fitting a new interior is a bit more difficult. Years ago (10+) Anvil would refit a tuba case interior with new blocks and new plush lining for a few hundred dollars.

Anvil offers some really nice wheels that can be fitted to a case, too. They rivit on to the corners and work really well. Unlike the wheels on most cases, these are on the exterior and are accessible for rebuilding or replacement, if necessary. The wheels are similar to inline skate wheels

This is one of the reasons we really like Anvil cases at work (symphony mgt.)...they can be rebuilt if something comes apart and can be easily reconfigured for different needs. They also are all standard shape and stack well, too. But you need a road crew to move them around!

Getting back to the interior...

I guess an upholstery shop might be able to do this or you could even try to do it yourself. If you're satisfied leaving it in "the raw," you could just carve some foam block and not put any plush over it and put the horn in the box with a gig bag on it (provided case is large enough).

[Mark Moore]

A couple of years ago, one of my students bought a Walt Johnson case and they messed up the interior dimensions. At Walt's suggestion, I contacted a local upholstery shop. This shop did furniture and car upholstery and they were able to redo the interior to fit his tuba for around $100. Walt paid for the repair, we were happy and I assume if we could find a shop here in central Illinois, you can find one anywhere.
Good luck.