Recommend a Bass Trombone Gig Bag
- tbdana
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Apr 08, 2023
I recently bought this Greenhoe Bach 50B and need to buy a gig bag.
<ATTACHMENT filename="Big Bertha bass trombone greenhoe bach 50b.jpg" index="0">[attachment=0]Big Bertha bass trombone greenhoe bach 50b.jpg</ATTACHMENT>
It will be for local gigging, so I don't need more than basic protection. Priorities are:
1. Soft bag
2. Lightweight
3. Ease of use
4. Enough storage for my glasses, hand grip, etc.
5. Not outrageously expensive
What are some good choices?
<ATTACHMENT filename="Big Bertha bass trombone greenhoe bach 50b.jpg" index="0">
It will be for local gigging, so I don't need more than basic protection. Priorities are:
1. Soft bag
2. Lightweight
3. Ease of use
4. Enough storage for my glasses, hand grip, etc.
5. Not outrageously expensive
What are some good choices?
- cwaage
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Jul 07, 2022
Budget-wise, you can’t beat the Pro-Tec Gig Bag. From there, unless you can find a used one, it jumps to Cronkhite. The Pro-Tec is in the $100 range, and the Cronkhite Cordula is around $500.
- Matt_K
- Posts: 4809
- Joined: Mar 21, 2018
No problem, I moved to the right place. You're welcome to put up a WTB ad if you'd like too
- Matt_K
- Posts: 4809
- Joined: Mar 21, 2018
1. Soft bag
2. Lightweight
3. Ease of use
4. Enough storage for my glasses, hand grip, etc.
5. Not outrageously expensive
IMO you can pick maybe 3 of these, but all five might be a bit of a stretch, depending on what "outrageously" means! Another consideration: Able to get it within 12 months. It's not as easy as it used to be. A lot of things aren't carried in stock anymore. ANd some things that used to e a bit of a wait are now a really long wait (Chronkhite for example).
I agree with Chris on this one, pro-tec might be your only option if you are not willing to budge on budget and it doesn't offer much in the way of storage. Preowned might be the way to go with this one.
- Matt_K
- Posts: 4809
- Joined: Mar 21, 2018
Moved this to the wrong forum, my bad! Should be fixed now
- hyperbolica
- Posts: 3990
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
I bought a Protec bag for bass, and it's ok, but given the quality of everything else you have, I don't think you'd be satisfied with it. It's pretty basic.
Short of waiting for the leadtimes involved with some of the more expensive bags, you might try a Gard bag. They are more expensive than Protec, but you can get them in leather, and they seem more protective. I have a Gard for small bore, and it's a nice looking leather bag. The problem with Gard seems to be that the better bags especially are sold out everywhere I've looked. They also have a bass bag on wheels, which is interesting, for about $360. Gard appears to be from India, although their quality is higher than Indian instruments. And yes, leather goods from India. <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.musicarts.com/gard-bass-tro ... xSEALw_wcB">https://www.musicarts.com/gard-bass-trombone-wheelie-bag-main0077433?variantid=1100573&source=LWWRCKEBA&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzva1BhD3ARIsADQuPnXuSFwoG-mMqlFDJDe6yd1Sm5zxmiFjDZ9RtUnvfeOVcymo6HMnXeIaAhxSEALw_wcB</LINK_TEXT>
Soundwear are also nice but pricy. They look like very high quality, and I think they're German. The bass bag looks to be about $750. <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.soundwear.com/en/bags-cases ... ofessional">https://www.soundwear.com/en/bags-cases/for-brass-instruments/tenor-/-basstrombone/tenor-/-basstrombone-professional</LINK_TEXT>
Short of waiting for the leadtimes involved with some of the more expensive bags, you might try a Gard bag. They are more expensive than Protec, but you can get them in leather, and they seem more protective. I have a Gard for small bore, and it's a nice looking leather bag. The problem with Gard seems to be that the better bags especially are sold out everywhere I've looked. They also have a bass bag on wheels, which is interesting, for about $360. Gard appears to be from India, although their quality is higher than Indian instruments. And yes, leather goods from India. <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.musicarts.com/gard-bass-tro ... xSEALw_wcB">https://www.musicarts.com/gard-bass-trombone-wheelie-bag-main0077433?variantid=1100573&source=LWWRCKEBA&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzva1BhD3ARIsADQuPnXuSFwoG-mMqlFDJDe6yd1Sm5zxmiFjDZ9RtUnvfeOVcymo6HMnXeIaAhxSEALw_wcB</LINK_TEXT>
Soundwear are also nice but pricy. They look like very high quality, and I think they're German. The bass bag looks to be about $750. <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.soundwear.com/en/bags-cases ... ofessional">https://www.soundwear.com/en/bags-cases/for-brass-instruments/tenor-/-basstrombone/tenor-/-basstrombone-professional</LINK_TEXT>
- TomInME
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Jan 03, 2024
I had an Altieri bag for decades - very lightweight with a huge pouch that could hold a trombone stand, a wire music stand, some music, and even a mute. (backpack straps for heavy loads). They made a double bag too.
Edit: you could also set it against a wall and pull everything out vertically, rather than horizontally.
Anything like that still available? Leather is usually heavy, and many bags are lacking backpack straps and that big pocket.
Edit: you could also set it against a wall and pull everything out vertically, rather than horizontally.
Anything like that still available? Leather is usually heavy, and many bags are lacking backpack straps and that big pocket.
- hyperbolica
- Posts: 3990
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="TomInME"]I had an Altieri bag for decades - very lightweight with a huge pouch that could hold a trombone stand, a wire music stand, some music, and even a mute. (backpack straps for heavy loads). They made a double bag too....[/quote]
I also have an Altieri, but I think they aren't in production at the moment, and while they have really great slide protection, they have terrible bell protection. I've creased a bell in mine.
I have a friend with a Fusion bag, and he seems to love it. Very protective bell area.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://us.fusion-bags.com/collections/ ... utm_term=c">https://us.fusion-bags.com/collections/trombone-gig-bags?utm_campaign=cat_r&utm_source=https://www.fusion-bags.com&utm_medium=wi_proxy&utm_content=en_GB&utm_term=c</LINK_TEXT>
I also have an Altieri, but I think they aren't in production at the moment, and while they have really great slide protection, they have terrible bell protection. I've creased a bell in mine.
I have a friend with a Fusion bag, and he seems to love it. Very protective bell area.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://us.fusion-bags.com/collections/ ... utm_term=c">https://us.fusion-bags.com/collections/trombone-gig-bags?utm_campaign=cat_r&utm_source=https://www.fusion-bags.com&utm_medium=wi_proxy&utm_content=en_GB&utm_term=c</LINK_TEXT>
- bassclef
- Posts: 337
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
The Marcus Bonna Soft Case is the best gig bag ever made. Very lightweight shell on the bottom, soft & semi rigid foam top half with a very protective slide compartment.
I have one for bass and another for my large bore tenor. Not quite as protective (or nearly as heavy) as the regular MB cases. In my opinion, it is the perfected design of my favorite gig bag - The Reunion Blues O-series bags. They are also the cheapest trombone offering from MB and won't cost more than a few bucks more than any other soft bag which would even be worth considering.
I have one for bass and another for my large bore tenor. Not quite as protective (or nearly as heavy) as the regular MB cases. In my opinion, it is the perfected design of my favorite gig bag - The Reunion Blues O-series bags. They are also the cheapest trombone offering from MB and won't cost more than a few bucks more than any other soft bag which would even be worth considering.
- tbdana
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Apr 08, 2023
[quote="bassclef"]The Marcus Bonna Soft Case is the best gig bag ever made. Very lightweight shell on the bottom, soft & semi rigid foam top half with a very protective slide compartment.
I have one for bass and another for my large bore tenor. Not quite as protective (or nearly as heavy) as the regular MB cases. In my opinion, it is the perfected design of my favorite gig bag - The Reunion Blues O-series bags. They are also the cheapest trombone offering from MB and won't cost more than a few bucks more than any other soft bag which would even be worth considering.[/quote]
I might be able to hang with this, though the soft half does make me a little nervous. Do you know how much this bag weighs? I can't find any weight info on the MB website.
I have one for bass and another for my large bore tenor. Not quite as protective (or nearly as heavy) as the regular MB cases. In my opinion, it is the perfected design of my favorite gig bag - The Reunion Blues O-series bags. They are also the cheapest trombone offering from MB and won't cost more than a few bucks more than any other soft bag which would even be worth considering.[/quote]
I might be able to hang with this, though the soft half does make me a little nervous. Do you know how much this bag weighs? I can't find any weight info on the MB website.
- muschem
- Posts: 372
- Joined: Jan 17, 2021
Horn Guys lists the "baby" soft version at 7.1 lbs, and the regular soft at 8 lbs.
- bassclef
- Posts: 337
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
[quote="tbdana"]I might be able to hang with this, though the soft half does make me a little nervous.[/quote]
I'm not sure the best way to describe it via text, but the "soft" half of this case is far more generally protective than the foam used on other fully soft options such as Cronkhite bags. You have to apply decent pressure to get it to move at all and it's "structural" enough to not deform under the weight of the loaded slide compartment which is attached to it.
It's as rigid as can be for something not made of fiberglass like the bottom half of this case is.
I'm not sure the best way to describe it via text, but the "soft" half of this case is far more generally protective than the foam used on other fully soft options such as Cronkhite bags. You have to apply decent pressure to get it to move at all and it's "structural" enough to not deform under the weight of the loaded slide compartment which is attached to it.
It's as rigid as can be for something not made of fiberglass like the bottom half of this case is.
- TomInME
- Posts: 315
- Joined: Jan 03, 2024
[quote="hyperbolica"]<QUOTE author="TomInME" post_id="250727" time="1723735205" user_id="17474">
I also have an Altieri, but I think they aren't in production at the moment, and while they have really great slide protection, they have terrible bell protection. I've creased a bell in mine.[/quote]
That's unfortunate. I used one for decades with a 10.5" bell and it fell over on the bell side more than once with no damage. But I never took any risks with it.
Everything else about the bag was great though.</QUOTE>
I also have an Altieri, but I think they aren't in production at the moment, and while they have really great slide protection, they have terrible bell protection. I've creased a bell in mine.[/quote]
That's unfortunate. I used one for decades with a 10.5" bell and it fell over on the bell side more than once with no damage. But I never took any risks with it.
Everything else about the bag was great though.</QUOTE>
- Dennis
- Posts: 404
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
[quote="tbdana"]<QUOTE author="bassclef" post_id="250755" time="1723746569" user_id="114">
The Marcus Bonna Soft Case is the best gig bag ever made. Very lightweight shell on the bottom, soft & semi rigid foam top half with a very protective slide compartment.[/quote]
I might be able to hang with this, though the soft half does make me a little nervous. Do you know how much this bag weighs? I can't find any weight info on the MB website.
</QUOTE>
I'll second this.
You don't want anything dropped on it, but that's true about Cronkhite bags, too. I have one in leather that is right at 8 pounds. I prefer the original version to the Baby version--the outer fiberglass box that holds the slide serves to protect the bell, too.
The Marcus Bonna Soft Case is the best gig bag ever made. Very lightweight shell on the bottom, soft & semi rigid foam top half with a very protective slide compartment.[/quote]
I might be able to hang with this, though the soft half does make me a little nervous. Do you know how much this bag weighs? I can't find any weight info on the MB website.
</QUOTE>
I'll second this.
You don't want anything dropped on it, but that's true about Cronkhite bags, too. I have one in leather that is right at 8 pounds. I prefer the original version to the Baby version--the outer fiberglass box that holds the slide serves to protect the bell, too.
- mrdeacon
- Posts: 1225
- Joined: May 08, 2018
If you can find one Superfine cases are still the best in the business!
- MStarke
- Posts: 1031
- Joined: Jan 01, 2019
I like the Cronkhite-style bags with the slide compartment on the inside. At least the slide seems quite well protected and I just like the overall design. Also they are comfortable to carry and relatively light.
However you need to be careful with these bags of course. I don't use public transport much and in the car they always go on top of everything else. Whenever it makes sense I add some further shirts etc. for further protection.
Until now I have not had any issues.
I have Cronkhite, Reunion Blues and Gard examples. Cronkhite might be slightly better quality than RB and Gard. RB isn't really available any more, Cronkhite has long lead times. Reg Gard I think you have to be careful about the size. They seem to be smaller than officially described.
However you need to be careful with these bags of course. I don't use public transport much and in the car they always go on top of everything else. Whenever it makes sense I add some further shirts etc. for further protection.
Until now I have not had any issues.
I have Cronkhite, Reunion Blues and Gard examples. Cronkhite might be slightly better quality than RB and Gard. RB isn't really available any more, Cronkhite has long lead times. Reg Gard I think you have to be careful about the size. They seem to be smaller than officially described.
- flyingcow
- Posts: 58
- Joined: May 17, 2023
[quote="bassclef"]<QUOTE author="tbdana" post_id="250760" time="1723747907" user_id="16498">
I might be able to hang with this, though the soft half does make me a little nervous.[/quote]
I'm not sure the best way to describe it via text, but the "soft" half of this case is far more generally protective than the foam used on other fully soft options such as Cronkhite bags. You have to apply decent pressure to get it to move at all and it's "structural" enough to not deform under the weight of the loaded slide compartment which is attached to it.
It's as rigid as can be for something not made of fiberglass like the bottom half of this case is.
</QUOTE>
Yeah, I have a Pro-tec for my tenor and a Bonna for my bass. The "soft" half on the Bonna is very thick and mostly rigid. On my Pro-tec, there are definitely spots where it would be very easy to crease the bell from. I feel a lot safer tossing the Bonna in the back seat of the truck.
I might be able to hang with this, though the soft half does make me a little nervous.[/quote]
I'm not sure the best way to describe it via text, but the "soft" half of this case is far more generally protective than the foam used on other fully soft options such as Cronkhite bags. You have to apply decent pressure to get it to move at all and it's "structural" enough to not deform under the weight of the loaded slide compartment which is attached to it.
It's as rigid as can be for something not made of fiberglass like the bottom half of this case is.
</QUOTE>
Yeah, I have a Pro-tec for my tenor and a Bonna for my bass. The "soft" half on the Bonna is very thick and mostly rigid. On my Pro-tec, there are definitely spots where it would be very easy to crease the bell from. I feel a lot safer tossing the Bonna in the back seat of the truck.
- jpwell
- Posts: 154
- Joined: May 11, 2018
I have a fusion I really like. Way more protection than a Cronkite. Separate compartments for stand mps and lubs. Not much room for music or mutes. Nice backpack straps.
- monte
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Jul 02, 2024
[quote="hyperbolica"]Soundwear are also nice but pricy. They look like very high quality, and I think they're German. The bass bag looks to be about $750. <LINK_TEXT text="https://www.soundwear.com/en/bags-cases ... ofessional">https://www.soundwear.com/en/bags-cases/for-brass-instruments/tenor-/-basstrombone/tenor-/-basstrombone-professional</LINK_TEXT>[/quote]
I once got a Soundwear with a bass trombone I bought. I could imagine that it protects the horn really well, but one should be aware of its huge size. It's almost like a euphonium gigbag, or 2 Bonnas.
I once got a Soundwear with a bass trombone I bought. I could imagine that it protects the horn really well, but one should be aware of its huge size. It's almost like a euphonium gigbag, or 2 Bonnas.
- BGuttman
- Posts: 7368
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
I've had an Altieri since the early 1990s (actually I'm now on my second). Bell protection is OK. Slide protection is fantastic. Huge pocket with a sub-pocket. The sub-pocket holds several mouthpieces, a sprayer, 2 oil appliers, some business cards, and a lot of lint. The main pocket holds the trombone stand, sometimes a wire stand, and sometimes a music folder. The backpack straps are fair, but I usually use the shoulder strap. Sometimes I just carry it by the handles.
I also carry one mute and my SofTone in the bell.
Note: I have a 9½ inch bell bass; you might be able to squeeze a 10 incher in there, but not a 10½.
I understand these are probably not made any more. Too bad.
I also carry one mute and my SofTone in the bell.
Note: I have a 9½ inch bell bass; you might be able to squeeze a 10 incher in there, but not a 10½.
I understand these are probably not made any more. Too bad.
- heldenbone
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Aug 21, 2018
[quote="Burgerbob"]For this horn, I'd get a Bonna case.[/quote]
I'm with Aidan - you should protect this horn better than just wrapping it in a "dent bag." The Eastman fiberglass bass case is good protection, and with a set of backpack straps is about the easiest way to haul a bass around. Hickeys has the straps priced reasonably.
Richard
I'm with Aidan - you should protect this horn better than just wrapping it in a "dent bag." The Eastman fiberglass bass case is good protection, and with a set of backpack straps is about the easiest way to haul a bass around. Hickeys has the straps priced reasonably.
Richard
- sf105
- Posts: 433
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
With Aiden.
Don't mess about. For this horn, get the proper Bonna case. The first dent you get will cost more than the difference in the cost of the case.
Don't mess about. For this horn, get the proper Bonna case. The first dent you get will cost more than the difference in the cost of the case.
- ssking2b
- Posts: 487
- Joined: Sep 29, 2018
Here's the link to the Horn Guys. In stock in black.
<LINK_TEXT text="https://hornguys.com/products/marcus-bo ... 84b4&_ss=r">https://hornguys.com/products/marcus-bonna-bass-trombone-case-1?_pos=1&_sid=c291d84b4&_ss=r</LINK_TEXT>
Best Case EVER!!
<LINK_TEXT text="https://hornguys.com/products/marcus-bo ... 84b4&_ss=r">https://hornguys.com/products/marcus-bonna-bass-trombone-case-1?_pos=1&_sid=c291d84b4&_ss=r</LINK_TEXT>
Best Case EVER!!
- tbdana
- Posts: 1928
- Joined: Apr 08, 2023
Well, how did this thread get resurrected?
Ended up kind of taking Aiden's advice in a roundabout way. I was actually gifted this fancy 'gator carbon fiber Bonna case for Christmas last year.
It definitely gets attention. LOL! And it's amazing protection for a great horn.
Ended up kind of taking Aiden's advice in a roundabout way. I was actually gifted this fancy 'gator carbon fiber Bonna case for Christmas last year.
It definitely gets attention. LOL! And it's amazing protection for a great horn.
- hornbuilder
- Posts: 1384
- Joined: May 02, 2018
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- JTeagarden
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Feb 24, 2025
[quote="tbdana"][/quote]
Someone definitely pimped your ride, Dana.
[/quote]Someone definitely pimped your ride, Dana.