Gard 71-MSK Gigbag for Sousaphone

I bought the Gard case as replacement for my 20 year old Reunion Blues sousa bag which is now sadly out of production. It has proved to be exactly what I needed and fits my Conn 32K very snugly. Initially it took a bit of fiddling with the Gard "suspension" system as the Conn has a slightly longer bell section than most other makes but it does go in and is held very firmly. The back pack straps are perfectly placed which allows the case to sit quite high on your back making it very comfortable to carry. They have also been rivotted through the case rather than sewn as some of the cheaper ones do. This is the only case I have seen which comes close to the durability and design of my old case - it is light, easy to carry and, witgh the extra handles, easy to move around. The added raincover is a nice touch. I only have a couple of minor issues. Firstly, the leather fittings are bonded leather rather than solid leather (hence 4 star for quality) and one of the fittings has torn slightly - it's not a problem as everything is so well attached but I'm surprised a more solid piece of leather was not used as it is put under a lot of pressure. The only other critisism is for Thomann. This case should be the number one seller as there is nothing else on the market in it's league (except the Gard all leather version!) but I nearly didn't buy it as the pictures and listing said nothing about the backpack straps which are essential for a case of this type. I only found out by looking at the much more expensive leather version and guessing that it was the same design which then made me read a French customer review. The Thomann guarantee gave me the confidence to take the risk and I'm glad I did as the case is excellent but come on Thomann - describe it properly and you will make more sales!

Très bon portage par rapport à la Protech dont les sangles ont été conçues pour des géants. Le souba est porté haut et bien collé aux épaules et au dos ce qui rend les déplacements largement plus agréables...
La poche est facilement accessible. Elle intègre aussi sur le côté un protège-pluie dont je n'ai pas encore fait l'usage.
La mousse est là aussi plus épaisse que sur la protech et recouvre plus l'instrument au niveau de la fermeture éclair. Le cône intérieur garantit une bonne stabilité du pavillon en particulier et de l'instrument dans la housse lors du portage.
Seuls inconvénients constatés : le prix (plus cher que la protech mais je trouve que cela vaut le coup) et la taille. J'ai eu des grandes sueurs froides le jour où j'ai reçu cette housse car je me suis demandé comment j'allais rentrer dedans mon Conn 20K de 1956 (métal épais). La première fois, j'ai dû mettre 1/4h. Cela rentre au chausse-pieds mais en même temps, c'est cela qui permet cette stabilité. La housse est livré avec des coussins intérieurs de calage que je ne peux pas utiliser faute de place. Le 20K étant un des plus grands soubas, ce point devrait poser moins de problèmes pour les autres modèles et les autres marques.