Topic: Best protective cymbal cases?

[Matthew Warwick]

I recently went on a trip to Texas to lead worship at a kids church camp for a week and a half. They have a drumset there (albeit a pretty junky one), but I have to bring my own cymbals. For about 8 years I've been using a case that is just a basic 20" single pocket cymbal carrier that has padding on the inside.

When I got there and set up, however, I noticed a crack in my top hi hat. I don't hit as hard as I used to, although I do tend to hit the edge of the hi hat more than I used to, so my playing might be responsible for the crack. However, since the case doesn't hold cymbals in place in separate pockets, I think there might be a chance that a cymbal slid the wrong way while the case was on the ground on edge (or I put the case down on edge too hard).

The hi-hats are Sabian B8 13" (aka entry level cymbals), and I've had them for over 10 years, so these could have been contributing factors as well.

Is it possible that my case could be responsible for the crack? If so, what cases are the best for protecting cymbals during transport?

[Ryan Smith]

I like the SKB cymbal vault.  You can get them with wheels or not.
http://www.skbcases.com/music/products/proddetail.php?f=&id=34&o=&offset=1&c=77&s=77

[Chip Donaho]

I use the old padded case inside the SKB case. I also have slip covers between my cymbals. The cracks I have in cymbals are from my abuse playing them and not the cases. 

[Tim van de Ven]

I have two Paiste cymbal bags; both are backpacks; one is 22" and the other 24". They have the dividers between the cymbals (which really matter when one or more of my cymbals has rivets) plus a pouch on the outside, ostensibly for hi-hats, but I use it for all sorts of things.

I used the 22" bag to take my cymbals to a show in Brussels; it fit into the overhead on the airline that I used.

[Tim van de Ven]

Oh, the hi-hat cracks are likely from playing; not from transporting, unless the bag was dropped or something heavy was dropped or placed on it.

[Matthew Warwick]

Okay, I guess it makes sense that it was most likely my playing that cracked the cymbal.

But I play softer than I used to, so what could have caused it to crack? I highly doubt it's my technique as that's generally gotten better over time. Again, they were only Sabian B8's and they were about 10 years old, so could it have just been that playing on them for 10 years finally made the top one crack as well?

I think either way it'd be a good idea for me to get a hard case with separate pockets. I'll check some of you guys' suggestions out. Thanks!

[Jon E]

I use a 22 inch "store brand" cymbal bag that has an outside 14" pouch for the HHs and splashes.  I want to say it was $40 or so.  Money well spent.

[Mister Acrolite]

Ten years is a pretty good stretch for a pair of low-end hihats.

Think about it - chances are the hihats get hit more often than any part of your drum kit, unless you mostly keep time on your ride cymbal. Ten years of nice sounding hats for a minimal investment was money well spent,in my opinion.

[Matthew Warwick]

^Haha. The guy at Guitar Center today told me basically the same thing. I cracked my B8 crash after 3 years of playing, so I guess it is a miracle of sorts that the B8 hi-hats lasted as long as they did. I'd be curious to know how long better ones will last (I've decided on Sabian's AAX X-Celerators, which I tried out again in Guitar Center today and further confirmed that I want a set of them).

Since I'm going back to school in a month and I also need to save up for a possible major repair on my truck, I think I'll probably hold off of the new hi-hats til around Christmas or so.

As for the case, I'll probably get one of those SKB cases Ryan mentioned here. It'll be right after the next school year ends. I won't need it until then since I doubt I'll be taking my cymbals on the road anywhere until late next June. That case is a little pricey, but it looks like it'll do an awesome job of protecting my cymbals, so again, I'll probably get one.

[Bart Elliott]

I've owned quite a few cymbal cases/bags/safes, and the SKB Cymbal Case is fantastic. Not only has it held up better/longer than other cymbal cases I've owned, but SKB case has a life-time warranty. Can't beat that!

[Jon E]

The only thing that can muck up a perfect cymbal packing job is.........China cymbals!   The big ones are often more concave than regular cymbals, and some have those square-top bells.  Not to say that some case, bags or vaults can't handle them, but can be a challenge sometimes.  Noting says you can't take your cymbals to the drum store and see which me works best for your cymbals.

[Larry Rankine]

I will echo Bart's sentiments on the SKB cases!  They are awesome for cymbals and your tubs!

[Matthew Warwick]

I gotta ask, Larry, what are "tubs"?

Once again, I think I'll give the SKB a try. I'm not really in a position to buy new drum stuff at this time (I need to save up for a big repair on my pickup truck). I guess when I do get it it'll be on the same order as the replacement hi-hats (again, the 14" Sabian AAX X-celerator hats).

[Bart Elliott]

I gotta ask, Larry, what are "tubs"?

I'm not Larry, but "tubs" is slang for drums, just like "pies" is slang for cymbals. We're just showing our age; sorry, Matthew. 

[Matthew Warwick]

Ooooooh, I gotcha! Haha!