Skb vs Gator case

MStarke · by **MStarke** » 2022-12-30 9:22 a.m.

Any opinions on SKB vs Gator cases?

(the simple, but sturdy ones, <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.thomann.de/de/gator_abs_del ... koffer.htm">https://www.thomann.de/de/gator_abs_deluxe_posaunen_koffer.htm</LINK_TEXT> or https://www.kofferundkisten.de/1skb-360).

I have an older SKB which functions but really isn't nice anymore.

It perfectly fits my 6h, which would be key requirement.

Is the Gator smaller/larger? inside and/or outside?

Which one do you find more stable/reliable?

boneberg · by **boneberg** » 2022-12-30 11:38 a.m.

I bought the Gator from Thomann (here in Germany) for my 16M. It's sturdy, compact, fits and works well. Not much room for extras though. I didn't really look at the SKB, because the price of the Gator was so good (at that time).

MStarke · by **MStarke** » 2022-12-30 1:21 p.m.

Thanks! I would also be buying from Thomann and price is still absolutely okay.

Any direct comparison to SKB?

boneberg · by **boneberg** » 2022-12-30 3:46 p.m.

I think they are similar. By the way, when I bought my case in the summer of 2021 it was only €65!

MStarke · by **MStarke** » 2023-01-31 2:43 p.m.

I got the Gator case a few days ago and it fits the 6h quite well. It seems to be just a little bit bigger - and maybe even more robust - than the old SKB I have, so it's a good solution.

If there were a bass trombone equivalent I would immediately buy it for when my Réunion Blues is not stable enough.

greenbean · by **greenbean** » 2023-05-05 11:28 p.m.

I am also using the Gator and am happy with it.

jacobgarchik · by **jacobgarchik** » 2023-05-11 10:17 a.m.

Whats the difference between a Gator and a Gator andante?

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... e-trombone">https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GCTBN23--gator-andante-case-trombone</LINK_TEXT>

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... mbone-case">https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GCTROMBONE--gator-gc-trombone-trombone-case</LINK_TEXT>

ithinknot · 2023-05-11 10:22 a.m.

[quote="jacobgarchik"]Whats the difference between a Gator and a Gator andante?

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... e-trombone">https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GCTBN23--gator-andante-case-trombone</LINK_TEXT>

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... mbone-case">https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GCTROMBONE--gator-gc-trombone-trombone-case</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]

Looks like they've added a sleeve and padded lump to discourage the french case/slide/bell Bad Thing from happening

greenbean · by **greenbean** » 2023-05-11 10:49 a.m.

The Andante case is 2" shorter, a bit slimmer, and a bit heavier.

They also have another new Andante case for F-att horns. A very different animal: <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail ... attachment">https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GCTBNF23--gator-andante-case-trombone-with-f-attachment</LINK_TEXT>

From the cases I have handled, it seems that Gator makes pretty decent stuff. I have owned an ABS case and a Tolex-over-wood case for bass guitar that were quite robust and lightweight for what they are.

ithinknot · by **ithinknot** » 2023-05-11 11:55 a.m.

FWIW the new Gator Presto would seem to be the same as the Fibertech case that Thomann has sold for years, with the exciting new features of no color choice and a 116% price increase

jacobgarchik · by **jacobgarchik** » 2023-05-12 9:33 a.m.

Why would they offer two cases with different length?

Does it fit a bach 36? (pretty sure it doesn't :( )

greenbean · by **greenbean** » 2023-05-12 3:17 p.m.

I just tried a 36 in the Gator (non-Andante model), and it won't work. The slide is too long.

MStarke · by **MStarke** » 2025-07-16 9:59 a.m.

Coming back to this thread.

I am pretty happy with the Gator case. But: My Conn 100h and Minick smallbores actually have longer slides than my 6h. So they do not fit in the Gator case. As I need a really stable case this summer for the 100h I finally ordered a new SKB and hope that it has the same dimensions as the old one which does fit the longer slide (maybe with some little "adjustment" which is easily done on the SKB).

So if you have a smallbore with a longer slide, you may want to check which case fits your horn.

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Skb vs Gator case