Posted by old case for a case on April 17, 2003 at 17:30:38:
In Reply to: Re: gigbags posted by David on April 17, 2003 at 16:52:50:
I never see professional trumpet players use bags anymore. They tried 'em for a decade or so and learned their lessons. Their nicer-grade instruments are worth, on average, $900.
A tuba (averaging all grades and conditions together) is worth about three times as much as the average nice trumpet, is exponentially harder to repair, yet most put their tubas in bags and discuss which almost-the-price-of-a-case bag is the most (snicker) protective.
Anti-case tuba players sing the "my achin' back" mantra, yet percussionists grow just as old and lame as tuba players and continue to play timpani, xylophones, chimes, and bass drums - all which much be elevated and carried.
For less than $500 (some perhaps $700, and a few for a bit more), there are servicable tuba cases with wheels.