Suggestions for carrying a bell front king?

[ArnoldGottlieb]

Hey,
So, I got a bell front king BBb and it's getting a lot of use. I don't have a case or even a gigbag for it. I'm looking for suggestions for a gigbag and also a hardcase capable of doing some real roadwork inside the back of a truck.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Peace.
ASG

[Lee Stofer]

Arnold,
The Allied model # 85 case is actually two cases, a bell case and a body case, much like what would originally have come with the instrument when new. I like the two-case system, as it enables you to fit a full-sized instrument into a small hatchback, etc., and more safely stow it in an equipment truck/trailer when on the road. If you put some bubble wrap or other packing material in the bell flare when putting it into the case, it is not likely to ever be damaged in transit. I've only seen one one-piece King bell-front tuba case ever, and it was a monster you'd not want to deal with, even if you could find one.

[eupher61]

Altieri will make a gig bag for your King. I'd bet she'd say $325. The body bag for my Martin is great, the bell bag not so great. She'll need good dimensions and pictures, and don't settle for less than what you want and need. I did settle, because I need the bag more than perfection.

[Dan Schultz]

You didn't say for sure. But... I'm assuming that you have a fixed recording bell King. Besides... cases for the detachable bell Kings are plentiful. I owned a case for one of those things and schlepped it all over Germany about ten years ago. I sold the case to a fellow in northern Ohio about six years ago. It's the only case for a one-piece recording bell King I've ever seen. They are plywood cases but due to the size and nature of the shape... weren't very strong. I doubt if there are many survivors.

You could build a rectangular plywood box and line it with mattress foam. Make it big enough to hold other stuff like a music stand, tuba rest, etc. Put large wheels on it and make it so it loads easily into your truck.

[ArnoldGottlieb]

Thanks for the answers. I do have a detachable bell horn, I'll definitely check out the altieri bag. I didn't realize that cases were so plentiful. Since my horns end up doing real 'road time' in trucks I would definitely need to reinforce the cases some how, so I guess I'll search out the cases and a way to reinforce them.

Thanks again!

[pjv]

For my 36J (also bell-front) I use a normal tuba gig bag for the body and a normal sousaphone gig bag for the bell. A lot cheeper than going custom and multi-functional.

Good luck.
-Pat

[Lee Stofer]

Just from someone who has taken a lot of road trips with tubas in busses, equpment trucks, airplanes, trains, etc., if you want the King to remain tuba-shaped for long, go with the hard cases. The Altieri bags are great and I have one for my tuba, but that is not what they were intended for, unless the tuba is sitting beside you or in the car with you. Just a suggestion.