cases vs. bags

[Neal]

what do you prefer? are cases really neccesary or would bags be enough for me? i only move my drums once every couple months maybe, what would you reccomend?

[MisterSeth]

id rather have cases b/c i move my drums atleast once a month at the least.......but if you only movethem that much id say bags are fine....cost less ......i have niether.....b/c my set is cheap only thing i care a/b is my ludwig snare which came with a bag and i use that and its fine

[Monday317]

Beato Bags or Protection Racket bag; unless you're shipping the kit on a plane. Then you need the heavy-duty stuff!

[weps]

I voted cases.

I have and use both cases and bags depending on the mode of transport for my drums.

Right NOW you're only moving your drums once a month. Aren't you hoping to increase that and get out gigging on a regular basis? Plan ahead accordingly.

Bags are fine if YOU are the one always hauling your drums and they aren't jammed in with a bunch of other band gear. For my regular band we haul EVERYTHING in a 10x6x6 cargo trailer. I built a shelf for the smaller drums in that but floor toms and bass are jammed in with amp racks, speakers, ect. For other gigs, especially using a scaled down kit, I now use bags that I have accumulated.

weps

[k_macmillan]

I agree with WEPS

Bags are fine if you are the one moving them around. But if your gear is lumped in with other harder stuff, then hard cases may be necessary.

[drummerboy223]

omg, cases r way better than bags. do bags protect from scratchess? yes, do cases? yes. do bags protect from dents and breaking of drums? no, do cases? yes

[Tabla_Man]

I've used tuxedo bags for a while and have rammed by drums in to doors/walls, and have never had a dent. They have 1" thick rubber foam, and if you take a little caution in transportation there's little risks of dents

Now if your traveling by plane, cases are the only way to go. Also if you transport your drums in an open or exposed cab, like a truck bed, than you need cases. I Always throw my stuff in the Van so I don't have a need for cases. Also it's nice at the house because I can store my bags inside each other to save room.

[Monday317]

Tabla_Man:

Could you make any comparison between Tuxedo Bags, Beato Bags, and Protection Racket? I understand Beato and Protection Racket are completely water proof; does that apply to Tuxedo? Beato says they are fire resistant--not the first thing to look for in a bag, I'll grant you--but I was just wondering how these three compare if you have first-hand information, which I don't. Just bought a Beato Pro 1 for the ol' snare, mostly as a test case, but would switch if there was a good reason to do so.

Right now, I think I'm just asking about the differences between three kinds of apples; if Tuxedo is another fruit altogether, it would be great to know.

Thanks,
Kev

[SLIPKNOT1]

How often do you gig? (once a week, get hard cases)

How far are your travelling? (More then 100 miles often, get hard cases)

Will you ever be flying or shipping them anywhere? (If yes, DEFINATLEY get hard cases)

What kind of vehicle are you transporting them in? (If its a van or truck, Get hard cases)

Will you be the ONLY person handling your drums including being with the in the vehicle? (If other people will be moving your gear, DEFINATLEY get hard cases)

How gentle and patient are you? (If you have very little of both, get hard cases)

How much do you value your kit and can you live with an occasional scratch or nick? (If you are obsessive and want you kit to be flawless, get hard cases)

If you answer all those questions honestly to yourself, it will help you decide. For the extra money hard cases cost, i think its worth it since its alot more expensive to have drums repaired or refinished plus can you afford to have your drums being away during repair.

[Fixxxer]

I have to agree, hard cases rally have benefiets, but they are expensive

[drummer4JC]

cases protect ur drums better, unless, like everyone else has said, u dont go anywhere, or when u do, its not far or frequent.

[Richard Skinner]

My vote goes for cases. Look at it this way - a sharp object can puncture through a bag and ruin your gig if you do not have spare heads on hand. If a bag drops and cracks your drum, you have an expensive repair. If your drums are older and have residual value, cases are the only way to go. $150 in cases to protect a $1000+ investment makes good sense.

[MatthewWD]

you won't get new cases for $150. you may get new bags for $150. i have put my drums through hell and back and my bags have been fine. i also can't fit a hard case bd in my civic like i can w/ a bag. you have to have something serious to puncture a bag, anyway. they're tougher than you think.

[Wickerman]

Man where do you go shopping?? I paid 300.00 for bags alone!!!.
I like the bags because I drive a small car and I like the fact i can squish the bags to make more room.
I gig 2 to 3 nights a week most weeks, and travel alot of miles. I've been using the same bags for over two years now, and never had a dent, scratch, puncture, or anything happen to my kit using the bags. For cases I'd be looking at close to 1,000 for really good cases. Cheap cases like Nomad cases are absolute crap. They have so much play in them that your drums bounce around inside the case more then if they didn't have cases. I had them and couldn't wait to ditch them. The 22" kick drum case was so friggin big that i couldn't get it in the car.
I actually put a 24" kick in the case.
I spent 300 bucks on absolute junk.

Now one day when i quit buying kits and can afford really good cases for my MHX( which never leave my house anyway) I'll get the best of the best... Humes & Berg