Top-loader vs side-loader gig bags

[bort]

This all just reminds me... My next bag will either be Gotz (first choice) or Miraphone (maybe... If I get a good Black Friday deal at WWBW. Probably "just" 15% and free shipping though... Which I can get right now... Still a good deal, like $325 or something)

[Z-Tuba Dude]

Do we know which brands of side loaders were the victims of failed zippers?

I wonder if there is a pattern.

[bort]

Do we know which brands of side loaders were the victims of failed zippers?

I wonder if there is a pattern.

I was wondering that too, and why no mention of that earlier.

[toobagrowl]

Years ago in college, I was trying to finagle my floppy Altieri bag so I could get my M-W CC in it. My tuba slipped out of my other hand and hit the practice room floor and folded the edge of the bell rim
I had to burnish/smooth out that side of the bell on my tuba, scarring and taking some of the lacquer off.
At the time, I had only had that tuba for about 2 months -- it was used, but in nearly 'like new' condition.

That Altieri bag was 'custom made' for an earlier tuba; bought from Vince at TE about 25 years ago.
The backpack straps started to fray/tear years ago, the bag itself has a few holes/tears in it, and one of the inner pockets has a large hole inthe bottom, letting stuff get loose into the huge pocket.
Also, the drawstring button thing wore out and broke; had to pull the drawstring & pinch-button from the bell cover and use it in the main bag.

I still use the crappy Altieri, only because it is still something I can carry a tuba in and offers some protection. But I very rarely use the backpck straps; instead carry it with the handle straps to the side.

I will just say I much prefer my 'cheap' Pro-Tec side-loader bags in every way -- they are better designed, look nicer, and I think are probably made better

I also have an OLD Yamaha bag that came with a YBB-201s that I bought years ago off fleabay as a sh!ts-n-giggles/practice tuba. That bag (and tuba) are probably over 40 years old. The bag is somewhat torn on the inside and has some of the stuffing/padding gone, but the zipper is still good. There are only handle straps on that bag, and it is also a side-loader.

[CaptainNemo]

My current bag is a Gard Wheelie, which functions as either top or side loading. You can lay it on its side and lay the tuba into it or leave it upright and set the tuba on its bell inside the bag, then zip.

I find it's really handy and I've never had to strain to get my horn in or out of it.

For those worried about bags with bells on the bottom, the bell is on the end of the bag with wheels, so there's a thick layer of foam, then plywood, then aluminum bracing to keep the bell safe. The bag stands up or lays down and has loads of pocket space.

I'd say it's a very good compromise between side and top loading bags because you can load it upright or sideways (and you don't even have to set your tuba on the ground, which could have who knows what on it.)

[GC]

I bought a small Gard bag for my JP377 a few months back. My horn is 37" tall and the description for the small bag said "for tubas up to 37" tall". It showed a picture of Gard's movable interior padding system with a pad on the bottom and the horn sitting on the pad. I should have bought the medium bag, because the bag is really short, even for a Besson-style 3+1 compensator. If I put the pad in the bottom, the horn sticks out the top so far that I can't zip the top. I just use the bottom pad as a third interior pad around the lower end.

The zipper storage pocket is quite small. It won't hold a common-sized leatherette band folio without it sticking out. Not a lot of room for accessories, either. Another oddity is that there's a bottom zipper pocket that contains a rain cover that I find useless. I currently have the velcro strip that's made to anchor the rain guard stuck in the zipper and can't get it out. Otherwise it'd use that pocket for valve oil and extra mouthpieces.

The bag is pretty well padded, nicely lined in the inside, and nicely protective. Straps are good and comfortable. It rides comfortably on my shoulders, not too high or low. It has a disk in the top cover with movable cone pieces to brace and protect the bell. It's a cheap bag and has some quirks, but overall I'm happy with it. Just should have bought the next size up.

[greenbean]

I have owned 2 or 3 models of each type and prefer the top-loaders. I have the upper body strength to pick up the tuba and simply lift/lower the horn in or out. This could sure be difficult or impossible for some players depending on their height, strength, and horn characteristics.

And I have only owned the 3/4 zip type of side-loader where you have to make some effort to get the bell into/out of the bag. I don't enjoy this but it is not a huge deal. The worst offender was a overly large Protec that just flopped all over the place. I currently own two older, Cronkhite-made Reunion Blues bags that have the 3/4 zip design and I will keep them, for sure, because they are otherwise nicely made bags. One of them is even a beautiful burgundy color!