Cymbal Bags

Why is a good cymbal bag important?

It is important to have a good cymbal bag for your cymbals. Quite simply because moving your cymbals around without a bag can be rather impractical.

But also because cymbals are actually quite vulnerable during transport.

A cymbal can handle being played. That is the whole point, after all. But that is not the same as saying it benefits from being placed directly on a hard concrete floor, lying loose in the boot of a car or being squeezed together with stands and other hardware.

And those kinds of small damages can, in the worst case, matter if the cymbal later cracks or breaks. The warranty on cymbals may no longer apply if there are signs of misuse – for example edge nicks, warping or other damage that can happen during transport.

So a good cymbal bag is not just practical. It is also cheap insurance for your cymbals.

Which cymbal bag should you choose?

At CymbalONE, you will find several different cymbal bags, because not every drummer has the same needs.

If you simply need to keep your cymbals together so they can get safely from A to B once in a while, a simpler cymbal bag may be perfectly fine. It gives you a practical way to transport your cymbals and protects them better than if they were just lying loose.

On the other hand, if you play out regularly, rehearse with a band, take on gigs or often transport your cymbals, you should consider a better and stronger cymbal bag.

The more solid deluxe models are typically made from stronger materials, have better padding, more robust zippers, better handles and often separate compartments or dividers, so the cymbals do not lie directly against each other. That makes the bag both more comfortable to use and better at protecting your cymbals.

Consider the backpack version

Some cymbal bags also have backpack straps, so you can carry the bag on your back like a backpack. That can be a really practical detail if, for example, you cycle to rehearsal, teaching or smaller gigs.

But backpack straps are not just about cycling. They can also save your hands and arms from a fair bit of strain. If you have ever carried a heavy cymbal bag a long distance in one hand, you may know the feeling afterwards: your hand and forearm get tired, and your hand may start to shake a little. That is not exactly ideal if you are about to play drums shortly after.

With backpack straps, the weight is distributed better, so you can better spare your hands, arms and shoulders before you even get to the drum kit.

Think about the size

It is also worth thinking about how large the cymbals are that you need to bring.

Some cymbal bags fit cymbals up to 20" or 22", while others can take larger rides of 24" or even more. If you have a large ride cymbal, it is of course important to choose a bag that it will actually fit in.

Many cymbal bags also have an exterior compartment for hi-hats, splashes or smaller effects cymbals. That can be really practical if you want to keep the smaller cymbals separate from the larger ones.

Cheap bag or deluxe cymbal bag?

A cheap cymbal bag can be fine if your needs are simple.

But if you have invested in good cymbals, it rarely makes sense to save too much on the bag. A good cymbal can cost many times more than the cymbal bag itself, so it is a bit silly not to protect it properly.

A deluxe cymbal bag is especially worth considering if you:

• Play out with your cymbals
• Bring several cymbals at a time
• Own expensive or unique cymbals
• Want better padding and longer durability
• Want to carry the bag more comfortably
• Want to avoid unnecessary knocks and marks during transport
• Want to carry the bag on your back, if the model has backpack straps

At CymbalONE, you will find both simple, budget-friendly solutions and stronger cymbal bags for those who use their cymbals more actively.

The most important thing is not necessarily to choose the most expensive bag.

The most important thing is to choose a cymbal bag that fits your cymbals – and the way you use them.