Sousaphone gig bag suggestions? (besides ProTec)

[Jeff Miller]

Hi

Can anyone suggest a good, robust sousaphone gig bag? I've got a ProTec already but am looking for something sturdier.

Thanks,

Jeff
hackneycollieryband.co.uk

[sousaphone68]

Hello is your sousaphone metal or fibreglass? I can't recommend a gig bag but this knowledge may help others answer your question.

I have a brass 26k and always use the hard case I fitted castors for short walks on flat surfaces and have a folding sack trolley for longer walks or rougher terrain.
I don't like or trust gig bags and have many dents on my Besson from using one.
There is a video on YouTube of a chap with a self made backpack for cycling with his sousaphone.

[Jeff Miller]

Thanks Noel but a hard case isn't an option as I travel all over London & the UK on public transport constantly. I've got a 1950's metal Conn that has survived unscathed despite me falling offstage while wearing it, so a decent gig bag will be fine.

Cheers

Jeff

[David Richoux]

I don't know anything about this one: gard-mid-suspension-sousaphone-gig-bag, but it is not ProTec.

[PaulTkachenko]

Hi Jeff,

I've got a leather Precieux bag that I rate. The leather is a bit heavier than I'd like, but you can get the vibe of the bag.

Glenn Cronkhite doesn't make sousa bags - I asked (nicely).

You're welcome to borrow my Precieux bag for a bit to test it.

I got mine from Thomann - the price wasn't too bad.

Paul

[Jeff Miller]

Hi Paul

Thanks for the message - yeah, I'd like to have a look at that. Thomann doesn't do those bags anymore apparently, but if it looks right then I'll find one somewhere.

Slightly worried about the weight issue as my sousa weighs a ton already, but you can't have it all, I suppose.

Jeff

[PaulTkachenko]

Give it a go ... I'm off touring for a while (at least until the end of March).

You up this way (Walthamstow) any time soon?

[kontrabass]

Jeff - I can sympathize. I have just received my THIRD ProTec bag in as many years.
They are just not very sturdy for people like us who lug horns all over town, but were the only option I could find at the time.

Now I can see there are two new sousa bags on the market, one by Yamaha which looks to lack a backpack strap, and the one by Gard that was mentioned. It's brand new and I have no idea what to expect from that, it could be better or worse than ProTec. One thing that does interest me is that Gard appears to be coming out with an all leather model in late September of 2012 for about $400. I couldn't wait that long but I imagine that when this newest ProTec bag inevitably wears out I will probably give that new leather one a try.

The address is here, note you can select the option of leather from the drop-down. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/marching ... ne-gig-bag" target="_blank" target="_blank" target="_blank

If you try a non ProTec case please report on how they are quality wise...