Padded Drum Bag Suggestions...They All Look The Same?!

[ghetto3jon]

hello. i'm looking for a set of padded drum bags. i found all of these at musiciansfriend, but they all pretty much look the same. has anyone out there used any of these, and perhaps can help me make a selection?:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Beato-Cordura-5Piece-Drum-Bag-Set?sku=549659

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Gator-GP-5Piece-Standard-Padded-Drum-Bag-Set?sku=544775

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Beato-Pro-3-Cordura-5Piece-Standard-Drum-Bag-Set?sku=549681

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Road-Runner-Prepack-Drum-Bag-Set?sku=541821

any other suggestions?

 

[fritzmusic]

The way I see it, padded drum cases do absolutely nothing to improve the sound of the drums so I buy from price alone. Cases are designed to defer damage from the drums to the cases instead so if they get ripped or torn, it's better than a swipe on your drums. So buying sommething that is designed to take damage/protect drums and not contribute to the sound is sommething I would not invest alot of money in and would get the cheapest product possible.

 

[ghetto3jon]

yeah, i agree with that...but wouldn't you say a well maintained drum sounds better than a drum that is beat to hell? ever heard a tom with a warped rim or crack shell?

all of those bags are in the same price range, and the pictures don't tell me anything. i'm just willing to bet they are not all indentical...perhaps one brand has more padding or stronger zippers and therefore protects the drum better? just wondering if anyone out there knows anything about any of these models or brands since i've never heard of these brands or models.

thanks, though!

 

[mikeh]

In general, soft shell bags are all about the same. I've owned a set of Beato and I've seen the Gator bags up close and they are both about the same quality. I suspect you realize that often the same company may manufacture items for more than one company and simply change the logo on the item (in this case - bags.)

Keep in mind, soft shell cases simply protect the drum from surface impact (scratches, etc) and purhaps limit the potential for something to damage the heads in transit - however, they do little to protect against the kind of impact that could dent a rim or crack a shell. If a tom rolls out of the back of the van and bounces off the curb, soft cases may prevent the shell from a scratch - but maybe not from a crack.

If I were buying soft shell cases and I could get a set for $99 vs. $129 (assuming general sizes are the same) - I would get the $99 cases. While I agree cases don't contibute to an improved drum sound, your logic that a drum maintained in good shape will have a much better chance or maintaining a good sound than a drum that is beat to hell. No drummer should haul drums without some kind of case - anymore than a guitar player should haul a guitar without a case.

I only use soft cases if I'm hauling my own gear in my vehicle (local one night gigs, etc). If my drums are going in a band truck with other potentially damaging gear and if others will be handling my drums - then I use my hardshell cases. Also, when I use the soft cases, I normally wrap each drum in a blanket first - for a little extra protection.