Gard Gig Bags?

[cheburashka]

I'm looking for a gig bag for a full-sized Mahillion tuba (18" bell, 36" overall length) WWBW has the "Gard" brand bags at a decent price. I've never heard of them before. I'm wondering if anyone has used one.

Also, the dimensions of the Mahillion are kind of squat (short length, wide bell) which seems to put it out of the range of the smaller of the two bags. I would assume that the better the fit, the better protected the horn is. Since the smaller bag is 36 length by 16.5 bell, there's probably no chance it will work. Since the large is 40.5 length by 17.5 bell, it probably could be made to work, but would it provide reasonable protection?

[Roger Lewis]

I don't think the Gard bag will fit this particular horn. My mahilion had 4 top action valves, which puts the bell on the left side. Most of these bags are designed to fit front action horns. Though the Monster Eb bag we offer in this line may work well with the horn, but it was designed for a 19" bell and 35" height. The part number is 136000.

Let me know if I can be of assistance on this. 1-800-348-5003, ext 2266.

[dkrahl]

I have a Gard bag for my 191. The fit is a little tight, but it protects the horn well and after a year and a half, its still in good condition.

[JimG]

I've got the leather one for my Meinl Weston F. The fit is perfect without the bell disc (it was a little too tall). I have yet to try the rain cover. I never have to walk more than a block or so from the parking lot, and the leather wipes off pretty easily. I've had mine for about a year now and it still looks brand new. I keep it clean and apply some leather conditioner now and then.
JimG

[cheburashka]

I just ordered the Monster Eb bag. I re-measured and the horn is 1/2" longer than what the bag was designed for, which seems pretty close to me, especially since the bell is two inches less than the intended horn. I may end up taking out the protection disc. I'm not too worried about the bell. I think Belgium must have been full of old shell casings after the war--that horn is built. You could make six or seven Amatis out of it!

I'll report back when I get the bag and let folks know how it works.

Thanks for your help.