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!

La qualité de fabrication est remarquable. Nettement au dessus de la Protec (terriblement mal conçue) et de la Ritter (mieux, mais un peu en dessous). La housse est très étroite pour un Conn 20K, ça rentre au chausse-pied, mais ça confère un stabilité certaine à l'ensemble. Les mousses supplémentaires sont inutiles pour un 20K mais pourraient servir pour caler un soubassophone plus petit type 14K. Les matériaux respirent la solidité. La mousse est épaisse et protège convenablement l'instrument.
Comme sur toutes les housses du marché, le portage totalement insuffisant pour des longs trajets (parisien sans voiture : je fais tout à pied, en transports, en vélo)... Après bricolage et installation d'un dos de sac-à-dos à la place des bretelles, c'est nettement mieux.