Is there an affordable alto trombone gig bag out there?

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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

I am interested in a gig bag that could hold a Conn 36H. Not a tenor bag or a double bag. And not the Cronkhit bag -- waay too expensive. Is anyone aware of a basic alto sized gig bag?
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Matt_K
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Joined: Mar 21, 2018

by Matt_K »

:O Wow I'm glad I got my Cronkhite before he retired. I think I paid $220 for mine. I think the best option that will fit an alto (which is to say, does not satisfy the requirements specifically) is the [url=https://www.wwbw.com/Protec-Tenor-Trombone-Explorer-Gig-Bag-with-Sheet-Music-Pocket-L37277-L37277000000000.wwbw]protec "explorer series" gig bag. I picked up one of the larger [url=https://www.amazon.com/Protec-PL239-Platinum-Tenor-Trombone/dp/B017EVRH4O]platinum series recently and I really dig it, actually. We'll see how long it holds up. But it's way too big for me to want to use it for an alto. The explorer seems compact enough that it would at least be functional (and is like 25% the price of the current Cronkhite!)

I'd be interested to hear if someone knows of something else for sure though.
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harrisonreed
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by harrisonreed »

Apparently somebody is still making Cronkhite bags because Hickeys just got a new shipment in. I currently use a Ritter bag from 17 years ago for the very rare occasion that I need one for my tenor, and I have no complaints. I would love something cheap like that that could hold an alto, be slung on a shoulder, and keep the instrument from moving and hurting itself while I am on foot. Honestly, the only time I use a gig bag is when I've flown with my horns in The Tank case. That thing is too big to use as a case once I've arrived, and a gig bag can be checked full of clothes like a duffle bag, and thus pull double duty.

People talk about protection like that is what gig bags are for, but no, that's what a case is for. I could care less about a gig bags ability to withstand a fall, and that is why they are often so dang expensive. Totally not what I need, when I'd rather use a case 99% of the time.
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Matt_K
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by Matt_K »

Glenn sold the rights to... Torpedo! (Corrected), who now operates the lines independently from what I can tell.

I will say that I absolutely love the Cronkhite case for that reason. It's super convenient. Although in hindsight, I half wish I would have gotten the small tenor gig bag because it isn't that much larger and I could use it for tenor too since I really like it as a "get the horn from point a to point b" if I'm not carrying anything else.
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harrisonreed
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by harrisonreed »

Also I am aware of the Gard alto bag... but it's $200. Nope!
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BGuttman
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by BGuttman »

At one time Quinn the Eskimo had an alto trombone gig bag on Ebay for $70. I suspect it was a one-off.

Meanwhile I have mine in one of those awful $20 bags that have no protection whatsoever. Not good for Matt because the shoulder straps are awful as well. I improved the protection by putting some corrugated board in the slide section and found a cheap bag for mouthpieces. Not a great solution but it works for me.
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jthomas105
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Joined: Apr 08, 2018

by jthomas105 »

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Mrgrzesk
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Joined: Jul 16, 2018

by Mrgrzesk »

Protec propac bag for mine. 279- on Amazon. Quality is great.
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

Yikes. 279....

Gucci should get into this business. I just got the "mute bag from hell" and that is more of what I'm talking about for price vs. functionality.

it's really too bad Ritter only has tenor and bass cases.
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bcschipper
Posts: 205
Joined: Sep 23, 2018

by bcschipper »

I think I paid EUR 120 for a Gard Alto gig bag. Pretty good. Putting in the trombone could be easier but I don't really have a comparison to other gig backs. They are well made.
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CalgaryTbone
Posts: 1460
Joined: May 10, 2018

by CalgaryTbone »

Is the Woodwind & Brasswind still in business? I had an inexpensive alto gig bag from them that was pretty well-made and protective. I used it with a Conn 34H, so I'm pretty sure that it would work with the 36H (the difference is no B flat attachment vs. with one).

Jim Scott
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MTbassbone
Posts: 558
Joined: Apr 21, 2018

by MTbassbone »

I had a 36H for quite a while. I put a handle on the side of the case so I could carry in a vertical orientation. I felt that was easiest, and cheapest. If you have a pop rivet tool you probably could just add the handle yourself. If you don't then either buy one or have a tech do it. Yes the Cronkhite bag is a bit of money, but consider what you get compared to other trombone gig bags. On Facebook they seem to advertise a sale very frequently. Personally, if you want a gig bag I wouldn't consider anything else.
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doctortrombone
Posts: 146
Joined: Apr 21, 2018

by doctortrombone »

There's an AMR on eBay right now that looks nice.
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Schlitz
Posts: 259
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by Schlitz » (edited 2020-04-24 12:37 a.m.)

.
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

[quote="Schlitz"]Messina covers? Anyone? Bueller?[/quote]

何?
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doctortrombone
Posts: 146
Joined: Apr 21, 2018

by doctortrombone »

[quote="Schlitz"]Messina covers? Anyone? Bueller?[/quote]

He did a pretty good cover of "Wake up Little Suzy" when he was singing with Loggins.
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Schlitz
Posts: 259
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by Schlitz » (edited 2020-04-24 12:27 a.m.)

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DougHulme
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by DougHulme »

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BGuttman
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Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

[quote="DougHulme"]...(or am I not supposed to paste links?)

,,,[/quote]

Of course you can paste links. Looks really nice. Wonder how expensive it would be shipped to the US.
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sungfw
Posts: 257
Joined: Jul 17, 2018

by sungfw »

[quote="BGuttman"]<QUOTE author="DougHulme" post_id="73279" time="1545171532" user_id="3157">
...(or am I not supposed to paste links?)

,,,[/quote]

Of course you can paste links. Looks really nice. Wonder how expensive it would be shipped to the US.
</QUOTE>

€50.
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harrisonreed
Posts: 6479
Joined: Aug 17, 2018

by harrisonreed »

Are there any US Gewa dealers?
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sungfw
Posts: 257
Joined: Jul 17, 2018

by sungfw »

Looks like they [url=https://www.amazon.com/Gewa/b/ref=bl_dp_s_web_2592542011?ie=UTF8&node=2592542011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Gewa]sell directly through Amazon, though the alto case isn't listed.

Maybe an email info(at)gewamusic.com to ask about US distributors/dealers?
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pedrombon
Posts: 417
Joined: Apr 11, 2018

by pedrombon »

I own a Precieux alto gig bag in black leather and it's great. Protective, well built, compact, also beautiful and elegant. I think I bought it at Thomann Germany, but it seems that it is not available.