Cronkite Bags: Cordura vs. Leather

[dmmorris]

I have not owned a leather bag, but have heard that they can be challenging on silver plate and raw brass.

I have used the same Cordura bag for my B&S for the past 10+ years. It is still in great shape. Staps have not pulled-out and I love it. When...and if I need it, I'll prolly buy another Conkite bag.

-dmm

[imperialbari]

Since almost 30 years I have several US made Blues Reunion bags, which supposedly are close to the current Cronkite designs. None are scrapped, I just have several variants from triple trumpet through euphonium. My first sample was in leather, the others have been in cordura.

The one in leather may be a tiny bit stiffer, but it also is the only one calling for maintenance. I use saddle soap.

I don’t know whether there are strength variances between the different colours of cordura. But the only one of mine that got a minor rip, is the vine bassbone bag. The black ones didn’t suffer rips.

Klaus

[basspiper]

I have a Cronkhite cordura bag for my 186. I'm only a hobbyist who takes his horn out of the house about once or twice a week--just light use. But I usually carry it by one strap, like a giant rucksack, and it's showing no signs of strain in over two years. My only complaint is that it rides a bit lower than I'd like, bouncing off the backs of my legs when I walk (I'm about 5'9"). Still, I can hike it up enough to get around.

I would not hesitate to buy another Cronkhite bag, but wouldn't spend more for leather. I've been caught in the rain more than once at outdoor concerts and the cordura dries fast and doesn't direct moisture inwards. I think the leather ones are a bit heavier, too, and that has begun to matter to me.

Dave

[Joe Stanko]

I've had numerous GC bags for bass trombones and tubas - all cordura. Cordura had been great in the rain - water beads up so a paper towel soaks it right up. Not sure how the leather reacts to humidity and rain but it's worth considering based on where you live. Cordura also needs no special treatments whereas leather should be maintained.

[Rick F]

I had an older RB bag made of Cordura — probably when Glenn was still there. I bought a used leather Cronkhite bag about a year ago and sold my Cordura bag to a section mate. It's still in pretty good shape too. The leather bag is a bit heavier but by only about 2# (euphonium bag). I did notice that the leather bag can cause some tarnish on the bell of my silver horn. It's not the liner, but the leather seam in the bell area which has some exposed leather. It's either the tanning or dye to the leather that can cause tarnish. I think I fixed this though... I bought some Pacific Silver cloth, cut it in a long strips and tucked it in the areas of the seams. No more tarnish. I feel the leather bag affords a bit more protection.

[bort]

I've had 2 cordura Cronkhite bags. Both are (were) outstanding, and never a cause for any concern on the New York subways.

I've seen/tried a leather bag, and while it's truly a cool thing, it doesn't seem totally necessary to me outside of the cool factor.

I would echo the "not comfortable for long distances" statement, but I'm talking like walking a few miles in the city with it -- not likely for you, since you'd be driving around with it.

My only complaint on the bag is the detachable music pouch on the front. On my large bag, it seemed to get caught on things, come unsnapped, or get a little saggy. I took it off and managed just fine with the back pocket only. On my small bag, there's only 1 non-detachable pocket on the front, and I prefer that greatly over the detachable kind.

[Dylan King]

Cordura is my choice. Leather tends to get scratches and little tears after heavy use. And if you ever get real wet, you'll want to have the cordura as well.

The HornGuys have some real nice ones in two-tones.

[basspiper]

Yeah, Glenn says the leather ones are a bit heavier. It seems that I read somewhere that they were around 5 pounds heavier. Heavier in my case may not be a thing to look for.

Exactly! I'm looking for ways to cut weight these days--my equipment's AND mine!

I feel the leather bag affords a bit more protection.

I don't disagree but I think to trade off the extra few pounds I'd want a little more protection than any gig bag is likely to offer. Maybe some type of foam-shell case...but they seem to add a lot of bulk. Hmm.

Dave

[cambrook]

These are excellent bags. I've had one of each, and while the leather is nice I certainly wouldn't pay a premium for it. If your tuba is silver I would definitely recommend the cordura as the leather does accelerate the tarnishing.

The leather looks good, but it takes some work to keep it that way.

The cordura is zero maintenance, lighter, cheaper, and also looks good.

[cjk]

pet hair (especially cat hair) will stick to cordura, but not to leather.

[cjk]

...
My only complaint on the bag is the detachable music pouch on the front. On my large bag, it seemed to get caught on things, come unsnapped, or get a little saggy. I took it off and managed just fine with the back pocket only. On my small bag, there's only 1 non-detachable pocket on the front, and I prefer that greatly over the detachable kind.

The Cronkite bags are high quality products. I've had several. However, I also find the detachable music pouch on the Cronkite bags to be a bit lame. While the Cronkite bags seem to be of a higher quality (and price), the functionality of the pockets on the back of an Altieri bag is superior. I've had the typical mouthpiece, tuner, and music folder plus a change of clothes including shoes in the back pocket of my Altieri bag. The Cronkite bag is more protective, but they are both just dent bags. They are only as protective as you are careful. If it's protection you're looking for, you should be shopping for hard cases.

I find Altieri bags to be more useful.

Altieri bags are also of a less precise fit. I can carry my 4/4 CC tuba around in my 6/4 CC Altieri bag with little adjustment.

EDIT: Altieri bags don't attract cat hair either.

[tclements]

I've had both. The leather is definitely heavier; it protects MARGINALLY better. My cordura bags have lasted YEARS with no failures and they look great for years. IF you leave them in direct sunlight every day, they tend to fade over time. Glen made me a two-tone leather bag to match my Harley. How cool is THAT?

[cjk]

RB/C bags have a permanent zipper pouch on the back.

The music pouch on the front is detachable/optional. The purpose that I see for the optional/detachable pouch is to be able to (for obvious reasons) isolate valve oil from other things.

I typically put valve oil, pencils, spare mpc. (anything that can't be damaged by valve oil) in the permanent pouch and music folder, tuner, mini stand lights, cell phone (stuff that COULD potentially be ruined by valve oil) in the detachable pouch.

Couldn't the leather be damaged (or at least stained, depending on the color of the leather, by valve oil?

I put my bottle of valve oil in one of these.

[Lectron]

I agree with the leather ones looking good and sometimes offering better protection,
but I wouldn't change my Miraphone bags. Best I've had. Not saying THE best, but best I've had

[thetubawizard]

I've been using cordura and I absolutely LOVE it! I've never had a complaint about it and its held up well for me. It's the only gig bag i use for my Getzen G50. I have a friend who has a leather bag he uses for his Hirshburner tuba which he seems to really enjoy.
Cronkite bags are real quality made gig bags. I think either way you go your going to be satisified with what you get, it should just come down how much do you want to pay for it.

[Rick Denney]

pet hair (especially cat hair) will stick to cordura, but not to leather.

Not in my experience. No cat hair on mine. Plenty of cat hair in mine, however.

Rick "whose cat sneaks inside the bag for a nap once in a while" Denney

[Ace]

pet hair (especially cat hair) will stick to cordura, but not to leather.

Not in my experience. No cat hair on mine. Plenty of cat hair in mine, however.

Rick "whose cat sneaks inside the bag for a nap once in a while" Denney

This is probably the most humorous post this week. My cats do the same thing. LOL

Ace

[chronolith]

Rick,

Breed your cat and send me one please. My current cats have hair that attach to cordura like velcro. I have to wrap packaging tape around my hand and pat the bag down to get cat hair off of it.

[Rick Denney]

Rick,

Breed your cat and send me one please. My current cats have hair that attach to cordura like velcro. I have to wrap packaging tape around my hand and pat the bag down to get cat hair off of it.

Sorry, my cat is not...capable.

They do make those rolling sticky things for removing cat hair. I have to use them frequently on many surfaces, but I've never noticed a buildup of cat hair on the outside of my gig bags.

I did sell a Pro-Tec gig bag once, and the buyer wrote me back: "Gig bag arrived today. Looks fine. You have a cat!"

Rick "who forgot to look inside the bag before sending it" Denney

[Lectron]

It took consulting an engineer, but it recently been demonstrated to me that placing my cordura nylon tuba bags behind closed doors prevents cats from laying on them.

That just gets too hi tech and inconvenient.....