gig bags

[zgatt]

Does anyone advocate a gig bag for the bari? I'd like something better to carry my zephyr around in than it's original case. The concept of padding has evidently come a long way since the 50s. I tried a (huge) protec anvil for a while, it protected A+ IMHO but it was quite the pain to maneuver.

I've been thinking that for just going to practice and local gigs that a soft gig bag might be the trick. But I have some major concerns about the protection, both to denting impacts and to being bent along the length. It would be one thing for an alto or tenor, but baris seem to be prone to this. For example, if it's laid down in a car so that the weight is supported at the ends (like if there's not enough room for it to be flat so it's leaning against the side), is the sax the only structure, and will it bend?

For context, it wouldn't be a loss to the world or a financial impact beyond the cost of repair if something happened to this sax; I'm not talking about a mint VI here...

Specifically, I was looking at the ww&bw deluxe cordura gig bag, only $110.
http://www.wwbw.com/Item/?itemno=78595
I'd love a BAM case, but wow, the $$.

[justbari]

I think you should stay away from gig bags no matter how padded and protected they might seem to be. Unless you think of your sax as disposable, stick to the cumbersome but safe hard case. All it takes is some jackass in a crowd to bump into you and you've got a bent bari or a key out of place. (In my limited experience...) I'm inclined to think that the money you're saving on the case will more than likely be spent many times over on repairs...

[George Briscoe]

Yes, stay away from a soft bag. There are hard "gig cases" available, but the choices for a low Bb bari are limited. Protec and Berkeley of London offer contoured hard gig cases that should fit that Zephyr. Talk to Steve Goodson at www.saxgourmet.com. He sells the Protec and he has enough vintage horns around to tell you if the Zephyr will fit.

[super20dan]

i recently got a protech for my super20 bari. it fits well but the case is so big i might as well use the stock case. the best bag i have seen (and bought one) is the tuxedo bag from humes%berg. it is for low Bb .i am carring my conn 12m in it . lecture me all you want but i have too much stuff to carry to gigs. i bought one of those woodwind &brass bags but sent it back as it was very flimsy and didnt offer much protection. i f i ever get out of debt i am going to get a berkeley case .

[Bootman]

Zgatt,
Don't buy a gig bag, your horn will get damaged in one of these no matter how careful you are. A hardcase is the only way to go. The extra cost initally will save you having to pay out for many big repairs on your horn in the future. It is a case of false economy.

Dan,
Get a Winter case for your Conn 12M, they fit like they were made for them.

[MojoBari]

I been using an Altieri "bag" for over a year. They have 3 plastic panels sewn in the bag in a "U" shape. The bell is still unprotected but faces up towad the handles away from the floor. I used to use a Reunion Blues, but I had to get major dent work done every few years. So far the Atieri has been a great solution for me.

http://www.altieribags.com/

[bari_sax_diva]

Oh gawd... I remember, like it was yesterday, the night my alto slipped out of my hand protected in nothing but a gig bag and hit the pavement with a sickening "crunch." I nearly cried when I saw that the tubing was bent from the bow up, to the extent that the bell keys were a half inch off the toneholes. Nearly three hundred dollars later it was fixed, but I will NEVER again use anything but a hardshell case on any of my horns.

BTW, my repair guy at the time couldn't help but mention how much *he* loves those bags...

-Leanne