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This is something I have been thinking about lately. I have concluded that trombonists rarely use the BP straps on trombone bags. So, I now default to a single BP strap on trombone bags. Regular BP can be ordered.

But tuba players? I thinks results of a survey would be a mix of opinions and practices. I generally prefer to throw the tuba over my right shoulder, for anything less than two blocks. So, for my bags, I plan to let tuba bag buyers specify regular BP or a single BP positioned to the left (for right shoulder) or to the right (for left shoulder). Same for euphonium.

Like.

I use one of the backpack straps often, and sometimes two, depending on what I have to carry. Carrying a tuba in each hand requires me to have a third arm for the music bag, which is often fully of lots of stuff and heavy. My Hirsbrunner in a gig bag, with another bag that has the stand and all my other stuff, weighs about 45 pounds total. Bloke may not mind that, but I do, if I have to go farther than about 200 feet.

I use the backpack straps for the larger instrument I'm carrying, and my hand for the other one. I had to find alternative shoulder straps for my Goetz Supersac, but the RB/GC bags are all functional. You guys complain that the straps are too high on the case, but I'm tall enough that it isn't a problem even with the Holton. Now, Protec was the very worst about that--the tuba would be banging against my calves. With the Goetz bag, I usually use the shoulder strap. The provided one was uncomfortable, and I replaced it with a high-strength non-slip shoulder strap from Red Oxx.

I have the hard case for my Eastman, but it's just too dang big and heavy. It takes two arms to hoist it into the Expedition, and if I'm carrying two instruments, that doesn't always work. I'm often enough (pre-Covid) leaving a rehearsal when it's snowing, and need to be able to put both tubas in the back of the Expedition without putting either one on the ground.

Rick "who wears a 44 jacket and doesn't need more separation between the shoulder straps" Denney

Rick Denney wrote: ↑Sat Dec 12, 2020 3:00 amRick "who wears a 44 jacket and doesn't need more separation between the shoulder straps" Denney

My screen name *is* rather descriptive…

Wade "the elephant" Rackley

More often than not, I am able to park pretty darn near a stage door.
If I am not afforded a parking place near a stage door, there is almost always paving very close to the stage door, so I will drive up to a stage door unload one, two, three, or maybe even four instruments...maybe even an additional bass and amp - carrying all of that gear inside and placing it near some friendly colleagues who know whose equipment it all is, and then go park.
In particular, when there is precipitation this tack makes all sorts of sense, but - with or without precipitation, it just makes the most sense to me.
Don’t harp and even keyboard players do this routinely?

the elephant wrote: ↑Sat Dec 12, 2020 8:42 am

Rick Denney wrote: ↑Sat Dec 12, 2020 3:00 amRick "who wears a 44 jacket and doesn't need more separation between the shoulder straps" Denney

My screen name *is* rather descriptive…

Wade "the elephant" Rackley

Wade,
Ah. I'd thought it was about the ears.
Tim

I've owned a Cronkhite for a 186 and my current King 2341 and never had any discomfort with the backpack straps. I'm a rather thin guy (not broad shouldered by any stretch of the imagination).