Trumpet players, clarinet players, and even piccolo players have cases for their instruments. Why is it then, that many drummers don't think they need cases? Trust me...as soon as you bring your tubs to a rehearsal or your first gig, it will sink in quickly (usually in-between the 6th and 7th trip from the car) why you need cases.
Cases can be expensive with prices as high (in some instances) as your drumset and cymbals. That's what makes the decision so tough when you get your first set. You've just spent a fortune on drums, cymbals and a throne, and now you have to buy cases? If you want to save the look and condition of your equipment AND your back, the answer is "yes".
Now I am old school and use a fiberboard rolling trap case on wheels. It has handles on the side and top for lifting into and out of the car. In it I store my snare stand, hi hat stand, three cymbal stands, throne, tambourine, cowbell, hi hat cymbals, a single bass drum pedal, extra sticks,brushes, & mallets, microphone cables and my microphone in a hard and padded case. I also have fiber cases for my snare, two toms, a bag for my cymbals, and a padded case for my double pedal. I mentioned "old school" earlier and have to say that my stands, while professional, are flat based, lighter in weight, and fold up small. That's important. Double braced stands are heavier and too big for a trap case of this sort.
Ready? I put the bass drum on top of the trap case and roll it into the venue. I go back to the van and use a Rock and Roller cart to load the toms, snare , cymbals, stick bag, double pedal, and microphone stand. That's it...two trips. Done. Finito. And my equipment looks shiny and not scratched. How are you moving your drums?
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Great article. Thanks. What do I do if I have stands that don't fit in the traditional rolling trap cases? They are so freakin' heavy too.
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Hi and thanks for leaving a comment. I use a Rockbag transport on wheels. It sort of looks like a cross between a golf bag and a trucking dolly. Made of rip stop material, this is a great bag when you need to carry stands that are oversized and won't fit into a
ReplyDelete"traditional" trap case.
I use mine as part of my "classical" rig when I have to carry a tall concert snare stand, crash cymbal caddy, cymbal stand, and the base of my trap table. Gator, SKB, and Kaces are three other manufacturers who make similar items. Not cheap but they come $150-$400. These can get heavy so be advised to get a model that includes wheels. Hope that helps.
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A post script on cases (and Bags). Congas? Bongos? Dumbecks? Bodhran? Djembe? Tambourine? Put them all in cases or padded bags. Drums with animal skin heads are especially susceptible to damage by even the smallest nick in the head. Nicks and scratches occur most often when instruments are transported, moved on stage, or stored incorrectly. Let the case or bag take the "hit" instead of the instrument.
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