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Does anyone have any experience, good or bad, with Wiseman tuba cases? My son’s going to be schlepping around NYC for a time this summer (not to mention the flight there and back) with his horn. He likes the idea of being able to “backpack” it while navigating the sidewalks versus using a wheeled case, and neither of us is a big fan of gig bags because of their relative lack of protection.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Know nothing about Wiseman cases. Only that they are expensive.
Could this perhaps be an alternative?
I use 2 top-loader gigbags, that fit exactly into each other (inner Meinl/Weston, outer Soundline). Perfect protection. Weight is hardly 6 kg (a case would be twice that weight). When I take out the instrument, I leave the gigbags as they are, stuck together. I only open both the tops.
Best, Hubert

The case itself starts at nearly $4000 and that doesn't factor in shipping to the States. I'm not sure of the build time but that must also be a consideration. For the pro that travels with their horn frequently, it would seem like a good option. One should also investigate buying a second airline seat for the tuba in a good gig bag. This avoids the overweight/oversize fees that almost always accompany flying with a tuba.

Another option is Unitec's Fly Vault which holds the tuba in its gig bag. They run around $1000 (last I checked) but overweight/oversize fees will still most likely be assessed. The good side is that the bag is available for immediate use. The bad side is that those cases won't likely fit into a NYC cab (unless it's a van), if that is the mode of transport from the airport. And storing the case during the visit could be a challenge.

I have seen one in use for a 6/4 CC and the horn has been protected.

4k for a nice box??

I don't think my fathers coffin cost half that!!

I bought a Wiseman case back in 2017 or 2018. I bought both lids and they threw in a foam jacket for the outside of the case. It took about 6-8 months to get the case, they're easy to communicate with, I've flown maybe 7-8 times with it, I love it.

Not cheap, I have mine insured, like a tuba. The foam jacket lasted one leg of a trip, I figured it would get torn up and it did. The case has rings for shoulder straps and they sent some material similar to a thin belt, I tried the straps and then took them off. Very uncomfortable and when traveling, you really don't want anything loose or dangling.

It has big skateboard wheels on it and it's easy enough to move around without being on my back. I covered the bottom and the bottom edges with Gorilla tape as I noticed it was getting scuffed up when I would slide it down curbs at the airport. Never been charged for it being overweight and only once was it deemed oversized. That's saved me a ton of money but I still haven't paid it off in savings.

It will fit all of my tubas except for my 5/4 Rudy and my 2165, but I've got an old Meinl Weston aluminum case for the 2165 and I'm never going to fly with the Rudy. I've enjoyed throwing it in the back of the SUV when the family goes on long trips and I want to bring a horn. We can just pile stuff on top with no problems.

The only way I could see a horn getting damaged is if it falls off the side of the plane and in that instance, the carbon fiber will crack and the horn will be damaged. Knock on wood, I've had no problems so far. I'm going back to Brazil in June, fingers crossed.

JB

Though I use them seldom (and though they are a bit on the heavy side), I guess I should feel really fortunate that I was able to pick up slick-condition 6/4 and 4/4 Walt Johnson cases for $250 ea.

bloke "They'll do."

I have one that was prompted by need to securely transport a 6/4 horn; but was specifically configured, in terms of the base (non-removable) blocking, and placement of provided inserts, to support a 5 specific horns, the 6/4 down to Fs. For those of us of the older "persuasion" it is by far the most manageable of available cases I have seen for large horns.

I have only carried it on my back once, which was okay, but not necessarily something I would want to do everyday. While light by comparison, with a 26 lb horn in it, it is still heavy, and with the volume, is not nearly as manageable as a good gig bag (though of course it provides far superior protection).

A reality of the case, is that the wheels are relatively narrowly spaced, and the case can wobble on angled or rough surfaces (and I would not think of using them on rough surface (like cobblestone), and so has to be managed (with one sturdy flexible handle), or carried with another sturdy flexible handle. That's not typically hard, but it's not a totally carefree walk in the park (though such wouldn't normally include pulling a tuba). Wheeling it through a crowd might not be fun, but that would be true of any large size tuba case for various reasons. I have not had occasion to fly with it.

To be clear--I'm a fan of the case. Also of value for some situations, with a pad put in place on a vertical support in the lid, it can hold a tuba on its bell supported against tipping, with the lid sides protecting against pesky passing viola-player feet.

Wiseman is great to work with. And they did a great job providing blocks to support the specific set of tubas.

Mike