Wessex F Tuba Gig Bag (#600)

[thevillagetuba]

I will start this off by saying how pleased I am with both the speed of processing/delivery and the quality of this bag. I am usually very shy to go for a gig bag that is a "one fits all" design--a bag that is made to work with a horn up to x" in bell diameter and x" in height. I usually find that these bags do not fit my horn well because of some proportions being off. My PT10 was in a ProTec gig bag (the smaller version) which did fit the bell, but was about four or five inches too long for the body of the instrument. In fact, this bag would have fit my PT6P if the bell portion of the the bag was just a couple of inches wider.

But, enough of that and on to the Wessex bag. This bag fits my PT10 wonderfully. The Wessex bag has some of the best padding I have seen in a gig bag; the Cronkhite bags might have a smidgen more (I no longer own one) but I would put the Wessex padding right on par with one. I usually buy Cronkhite bags, but have always disliked the snap-on outer pocket that holds my oils and stand (it often comes unsnapped or snagged on something), but this pocket is securely sewn on to keep it flush to outside. Now, this bag does have just a little bit of extra width to it that makes it not a perfect fit for my horn, but, because of the precise fit of the bell and the length, the horn does not move around and feels secure when being carried. And, for me, the backpack straps actually keep the bag at the perfect height and position--no bumping the back of my head or my legs.

Despite the great padding, this case is pretty light! Even with better padding, this case is lighter than the ProTec I was previously using. I had this case (horn inside) on my back while I had a conversation with a fellow tubist yesterday for 30 mins and couldn't have been more comfortable (given I had a tuba on my back). The backpack straps are placed well to help keep the horn balanced while you're carrying it on your back, have enough padding so you don't feel like you have to shifting the bag or pad them up to avoid any pinching or discomfort, and the fact that they zip into the bag when not being used is ingenious. I always trip over my straps because often, if the case has anything to help with carrying the horn not on your back, only a strap to keep the backpack straps flush to the case are provided and I end up tripping over whatever isn't fully flush (which is usually most of the straps).

I do see two problems with this bag (which were mentioned by Mark, 58mark, in his review of his new bag). First, my large pocket is big enough to comfortably hold music books, but not my big ensemble folder. This folder is just slightly too tall and wide to fit in there without me feeling like I will stress the seams of the pocket. The pocket does expand out a decent amount and I even keep my Hercules stand folded up in it along with my heavy-weight mouthpiece and have plenty of room. Plus, the pockets to keep my oils organized and to keep pencils/pens easily accessable is a great feature that not every bag offers. Second, I would also like to see the bag redesigned to offer a shoulder strap. I know that this is for a larger tuba than what Mark has, but I am often carrying both my PT6P and my PT10 at the same time and like the option to sling the big horn on my back and the smaller one over my shoulder. For me, the option to buy a strap (if you don't include one with it) would be a must since I do not own one of the Wessex hard cases that come with the strap. I do not know how the strap sets up to the harder cases, but I would like to see a setup similar to the ProTec bags in which you have a sturdy metal ring and metal clip that secure the shoulder strap to the case. This way, there won't be any worry about the security of the horn when one has to carry both.

Those are the only two improvements I can really want to turn this great bag into an amazing one. If you are looking for a gig bag and you want something great without spending a lot of money, buy a Wessex bag! If you are looking for a gig bag that will protect your horn and don't really care about the price, but want somthing that is not a hard case (like an Accord) then buy one of these! If you just want a non-hard case to keep your horn safe and easy to move and know nothing about any other brand (or know a whole lot about other brands), then buy a Wessex bag! I couldn't be happier and will be contacting Andy this week to get a bag for my PT6P shipped out.

I do not work for Wessex, nor do I get any endoresements from them. I am just this amazed by the quality of this bag and how inexpensive it is.

[bisontuba]

Two thumbs up...nice bags at amazing prices...

[Wyvern]

Thanks Robert for the review and comments.

How much bigger would the side pocket need to be for your big ensemble folder? Nice to know if we are updating design.

To other people that have bought Wessex tuba gig bag, I would be interested in what tubas (other than Wessex) you find fit which bag? I would like to list on website to help buyers choose the best fit size for their horn.

Also if none fit (within reason, rather than exactly), let me know size (bell diameter and height) - Wessex then might get made and add to range. I already have a request for Kanstul marching tuba size bag.

For information these are the sizes currently available (height and bell size in inches);

600 38-17
800 40-21
700 37-20
200 44-18
220 35-19
410 41-19
332 33-15
360 32-16

[thevillagetuba]

My folder measures 11 1/4" wide and 14" tall while the large pocket only measures 11" deep and 16" wide.

The pocket would need to be about 1/2" to an 1" deeper to be able to comfortably fit and zip around my folder. 1/2" would still be a snug fit, but it would fit; a whole 1" would make it much more convenient.

[thevillagetuba]

Yeah, pocket size is probably only real drawback of the bag, but I'm sure this will eventually be fixed as Wessex does work hard to make their products the best possible for the money.

Still would buy the bag again, though, even with the pocket being smaller than I'd like.

[Wyvern]

Mark, What is your Eb? I will note that model against the 360 size bag

[csherman]

Judging by the pictures, it looks like the bag is more suited to fit a wider tuba (like the Eb pictured) rather than a PT10. Is the current design of the 600 the same now as it was at the time of the OP?

[thevillagetuba]

Judging by the pictures, it looks like the bag is more suited to fit a wider tuba (like the Eb pictured) rather than a PT10. Is the current design of the 600 the same now as it was at the time of the OP?

The pictures that are currently up on the site are the same ones that were there when I ordered mine back in December. I will say that my bag arrived with "Wessex Custom" stitched above their Wyvern logo and the photos only show "Wessex" there. So, there is a chance that the bag that I have is not the exact same one that is shown on their site. Hopefully Jonathan or Andy will pop on here and let us know for sure.

I will say that this bag does have a bit of flex to it, so I can see it fitting an Eb (like you noticed is pictured) or an F tuba like the PT10/Strauss/Mack F.

[Wyvern]

Wessex have not changed the fitting of the gig bags. These are deliberately 'loose' fitting to take different models of tubas. We find that works well to if anything improve protection for the tuba. You can always cushion inside gig bag if you feel it is too loose. Much better that way than putting pressure on more delicate part, such as valve bridge, or stems.

The picture on website with Eb tuba is the Eb tuba bag. We have not taken pictures of each of the various size bags, as they are all of same basic design.

[thevillagetuba]

Wessex have not changed the fitting of the gig bags. These are deliberately 'loose' fitting to take different models of tubas. We find that works well to if anything improve protection for the tuba. You can always cushion inside gig bag if you feel it is too loose. Much better that way than putting pressure on more delicate part, such as valve bridge, or stems.

The picture on website with Eb tuba is the Eb tuba bag. We have not taken pictures of each of the various size bags, as they are all of same basic design.

This makes a lot of sense. It might be a good idea to include a little disclaimer near the photos stating that so as to be clearer to those looking at the bags and trying to judge fit based off of the photos.

[thevillagetuba]

Sorry to hijack, but I need to know this today and I think I can get Jonathan's attention faster in this thread.

Jonathan, will bag #220 (Compact tuba - 19"x35") be able to accept a 36" tuba safely? You said they are designed to fit loosely, which I do not want for any of my horns. If yours is fitted loosely for a 35" tuba I can only imagine that a horn one inch longer would fit just fine. Do you think this is the case, here? (No pun intended.) I have what amounts to a Willson 3200-FA tuba @ 17.75"x36" and am in need of a bag ASAP. If you tell me you think it would fit I will PayPal your US page today. THANKS!

The bag fit my PT10 "loosely" is the sense that there was some play left to right and front to back (in relation to the front of the horn and not enough to let the horn shift around, but enough to allow the bag to give some in either direction) but it was pretty exact top to bottom.

Hopefully Jonathan will respond here to you, if he hasn't gotten back to you off the forum.

[thevillagetuba]

Thanks for the info. I have no idea of the dimensions of a PT-10, though. What are they?

B&S states it to be 38" tall and the bag I had was quoted for up to 39" on their site. Mine was an old GDR Perantucci, so it might have been slightly taller than modern ones (I'm not sure and I never measured or at least can't remember anything if I did) but it wasn't more than 39" and I don't feel I could have fit a taller tuba in that bag.

[Wyvern]

Jonathan, will bag #220 (Compact tuba - 19"x35") be able to accept a 36" tuba safely? You said they are designed to fit loosely, which I do not want for any of my horns.

Hi Wade, I am pretty certain it will fit. There is 1 inch padding all the way around which allows some 'stretch'. Might be rather tight first time, but will then be easier once impression is made in padding.

[DonShirer]

I have a Wessex 360 gig bag for my Eb Bombino of similar dimensions to their F and can echo Robert's appreciation for its construction. Like him, I agree that one of the pockets is just a bit too small for carrying the music. I am able to jam by 8.5x11" music folder into it but can't zip it up completely. However that is a small nit compared to it's advantages.

By the way, Mark's review of the 360 bag is here:
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=69380" target="_blank" target="_blank

Don S.