Which gig bag?

[Aedoub]

Would you recommend Cronkite or alteri gig bags? And why?

[jamsav]

Don't like the top loading bag made by Altieri
The draw string , pulled tight , puts lots of stress on the bag and after 1 yr of use, I can invision this giving out or causing tearing or seam busting.
It also has an undersized handle
Not a fan....hoping to replace mine and upgrade to a Cronkite soon

[tofu]

Don't like the top loading bag made by Altieri
The draw string , pulled tight , puts lots of stress on the bag and after 1 yr of use, I can invision this giving out or causing tearing or seam busting.
It also has an undersized handle
Not a fan....hoping to replace mine and upgrade to a Cronkite soon

This is not my experience at all. I have two Alteri bags. One I bought in 1984 - and after 29 years of constant use the bag is like NEW - for a 5/4 size horn - there has been no giving out or tearing or seam bursting. The second one is 12 years old for a 4/4 size horn and it also shows no wear. I don't find the handle to be undersized at all. The Alteri also has a side shoulder strap that the Cronkite doesn't. I use the strap a lot and find it very useful. Wish the Cronkite had it.

I also have a Cronkite bag and it is a great bag. I like it a lot and use it a lot. This one is leather and can take being bumped into sharp edges that some other bags will get rips or tears. This particular bag/horn often end up in tight places with lots of edges - so taking an edge or two helps.

The Alteri bags will be less expensive than the Cronkite be it cordura or leather. They are also top loaders vs the sideloader Cronkite. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Some people have definitive preferences in regards to this - I don't.

[TheHatTuba]

Side loader - Cronkhite
Top loader - Miraphone
Ymmv, but the Altieri bags I've owned (2) always tore a bit on the handle seams and inner lining after awhile. They are light, though.

[Eflatdoubler]

Side loader - Cronkhite
Top loader - Miraphone
Ymmv, but the Altieri bags I've owned (2) always tore a bit on the handle seams and inner lining after awhile. They are light, though.

+1 on Miraphone top loader, or Cronkhite side loader. I think the Cronkhite bag in leather offers the best possible protection a gig bag can offer.

Cronkhite is expensive but top quality. The Miraphone gig bag is very nice too. You can find then for a good price sometimes on sale at one of the big music shops (if they say the discount doesn't apply on the web page- call up- they usually work with you!).

The last miraphone I got was about 275 bucks, while the Cronkhite cost me almost 700.

I am very happy with my Cronkhite but would have gotten a Miraphone gig bag had it fit my horn (to save some money).
I have never owned an Altieri as I have always been leery of how well they protect the instrument. I thought about it once for my trombone as they are light weight and hold a lot, but did not want all the bulkiness.