Cymbal Bags are an absolute necessity in a drummer’s inventory. These seemingly unassuming pieces of gear are vital to keeping a drummer’s precious cymbals well kept and maintained.
For the most part, Cymbals are the most expensive and valuable percussion instruments in a drum kit. Unlike drums, cymbals cannot be tuned thus, a drummer cannot simply just settle for more affordable pieces and tune them well to have great sounding instruments.
A cymbal when bought will sound the way it did throughout its lifetime with constant and proper maintenance and storage. A drummer cannot tune a cymbal the way they can with drums and repairing options for times when cymbals get damaged are limited. These factors make cymbals bags a vital need for keeping your cymbals safe for storage or transport.
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What are Cymbal Bags?
Cymbal bags are simply storage for your cymbals. These are bags that may fit one or more cymbals in them and are generally where cymbals are stored when not in use. They also serve as the primary transport vessel for when cymbals need to be transported to gigs or practice venues.
Different Types of Cymbals Bags:
Cymbal bags generally come in two forms: hard cymbal bags and soft cymbal bags. While each has its strengths and weaknesses, one type is not necessarily better than the other. It all depends on what type of drummer you are and how you use your cymbals.
Hard Cymbal Bags:
These types of cymbal bags are for those drummers who are transporting their cymbals for long distances frequently, either via land or air. Since transporting fragile instruments like cymbals will require its cases to be made of hard materials to survive the rigours of the road and air freight cargo handlers, hard cymbal cases are the go-to solution for the professional drummer who is constantly on the road. These are usually made of plastic resin to form a shell that protects the cymbals. These are generally more expensive than soft cymbal bags, however.
Soft Cymbal Bags:
Since this review focuses on the beginner and student drummer, We will recommend using soft cymbal bags for general use. Unlike hard cymbal bags, soft cymbal bags make use of interior padding which is layered by a rugged fabric on the outside. While not as hard as hard cymbal bags, these still provide an adequate level of protection for your cymbals. These are great for simple storage or transport around a city for gigging drummers or students. These are also more affordable to boot, allowing a beginner drummer or a professional on a tight budget to have a great option for protecting their cymbals from moisture and rust when in storage or from damage while on the move.
Check out our review of the best drum bags to go along with your cymbal bags here.
Top Ten Best Cymbal Bags:
Tosnail 22″ Cymbal Gig Bag
Material: 600D Nylon Fabric
Dimensions: 22-inch Cymbals and below
Features:
- 4 Cymbals Sleeves
- Reinforced Handles
- Comfortable Carry Straps
Description:
The Tosnail 22″ Cymbal Gig Bag is a soft cymbal case that is designed to carry 4 cymbals at a time. It is made of 600D nylon fabric that is usually used for camping equipment and bags and is known for its strength. Lined with 6mm internal padding, the Tosnail 22″ Cymbal Gig Bag will provide sufficient protection for your cymbals while being stored or transported.
Pros:
The great thing about the Tosnail 22″ Cymbal Gig Bag is that it can hold up to 4 cymbals which is enough capacity to carry the usual amount for a standard drum set. There is no need to buy individual cymbal bags for each one of your cymbals because the Tosnail 22″ Cymbal Gig Bag can carry it all.
Cons:
One negative that the Tosnail 22″ Cymbal Gig Bag is that it is quite heavy when transported fully loaded. It could be quite tiring to carry all of your cymbals especially for those who do not have vehicles and have to rely on public transportation.
Protec HR230 Heavy Ready Series – 22” Cymbal Bag
Material: 600D Polyester/Nylon Fabric
Dimensions: 22-inch Cymbals and Below
Features:
- 1 Cymbal Sleeve
- Rugged Nylon Exterior
- Reinforced bottom
- Handle and Carry Straps
Description:
The Protec HR230 Heavy Ready Series – 22” Cymbal Bag is a cymbal bag that is designed to fit 1 22-inch cymbal but could potentially fit more. It is made of the same 600D nylon fabric that most bags and gear are made of. This makes it a very rugged bag. It has 10mm of internal padding, offering a great amount of protection for your cymbals.
Pros:
It has a reinforced bottom which makes it great for cymbals because it adds quite a bit of protection. However, the best thing about this reinforcement is that it extends the life of the bag. Cymbals are heavy and the bottoms of cymbal bags wear out quickly. The reinforcement of the Protec HR230 Heavy Ready Series – 22” Cymbal Bag allows you to get the most bang for your buck for a long time.
Cons:
Even if it can potentially carry more than 1 cymbal, the Protec HR230 Heavy Ready Series – 22” Cymbal Bag is designed to fit only 1. When placing two or more cymbals in this bag, they will scrape against each other due to lacking internal sleeves.
AKOZLIN 22″ Cymbal Gig Bag
Material: 600D Nylon Oxford Fabric
Dimensions: 22-inch Cymbals and Below
Features:
- 3 Cymbal Sleeve
- Double Zipper Design
- Reinforced Carry Handles
Description:
The AKOZLIN 22″ Cymbal Gig Bag is a cymbal bag that can hold 3 cymbals separately. It is made of 600D Nylon Oxford fabric and has 10mm of internal padding. Waterproof and dustproof, the AKOZLIN 22″ Cymbal Gig Bag will provide sufficient protection for your cymbals while stored or transported.
Pros:
It contains 3 cymbal sleeves. This is great because you can carry a full complement of cymbals for a standard drum kit. However, the top and bottom hi-hats will have to be stored together.
Cons:
While great for transporting around the city due to its capacity, the AKOZLIN 22″ Cymbal Gig Bag lacks a shoulder strap. This makes it quite hard to bring your cymbals around especially if you do not have a vehicle. Still, a folding hand cart could be used when travelling via public transportation and it also is arguably a useful tool for drummers in general.
Sabian Quick 22 Black Out Cymbal Bag
Material: 600D Nylon Fabric
Dimensions: 22-inch Cymbals and Below
Features:
- 1 Cymbal Sleeve
- Large External Pocket
- Reinforced Carry Handles
- 2 Comfortable Back Straps
Description:
The Sabian Quick 22 Black Out Cymbal Bag is a cymbal bag produced by Sabian; one of the big four cymbal manufacturers. You can be sure that this bag is a high-quality bag for your cymbals because Sabian made it. It has a single cymbal sleeve which can fit more than 1 cymbal if you don’t mind them resting against each other inside. It also has a large external pocket that could potentially fit hi-hats or other accessories.
Pros:
Because it has comfortable back straps, the Sabian Quick 22 Black Out Cymbal Bag is a great choice for cymbal bags especially for drummers on the move. These can be easily carried to your next gig across the city even when you have to use public transportation.
Cons:
Although 1 main cymbal sleeve is good enough for more cymbals, it would still be better to have dividing sleeves to prevent your cymbals from scratching up against each other inside when on the move.
Gibraltar Pro Fit 24″ Cymbal Bag
Material: 600D Nylon Fabric
Dimensions: 24-inch Cymbals and Below
Features:
- 4 Cymbal Sleeve (Main Compartment)
- 4 Cymbal Sleeves (Outer Compartment
- Reinforced Carry Handles
- Seatbelt-Grade Back Straps
- Seatbelt-Grade Shoulder Straps
Description:
The Gibraltar Pro Fit 24″ Cymbal Bag is a great solution to the problem of having to carry many cymbals with a limited budget. It is material is 600D nylon for the exterior and foam padding with extra EVA foam padding at the bottom to protect your cymbals. It can store up to 4 cymbals in the main compartment and an additional 4 (15-inch) in the outer pocket.
Pros:
The Seatbelt-Grade Back Straps might probably be the best soft cymbal bag on this list due to the number of cymbals it can carry. It also features seatbelt-grade shoulder and back straps as well as Duraflex buckles to support the weight of the cymbals inside.
Cons:
There aren’t many issues with the Gibraltar Pro Fit 24″ Cymbal Bag that could be listed as a con. However, because it can carry a lot of cymbals, the weight will always be a problem. Even though the straps, handle, and buckles could support the weight of the cymbals, it could still be potentially too heavy.
Paiste 24″ Cymbal Bag 24 in
Material: 600D Nylon Fabric
Dimensions: 24-inch Cymbals and Below
Features:
- 5 Cymbal Sleeve (Main Compartment)
- Large Outer Compartment
- Reinforced Carry Handles
- Comfortable Shoulder Straps
Description:
The Paiste 24″ Cymbal Bag 24 is a cymbal bag that could carry up to 5 cymbals at a time. It is made of 600D nylon fabric and is lined with padding in the interior. The Paiste 24″ Cymbal Bag 24 also features a large outer compartment that could fit a small cymbal like a splash cymbal or other drum related accessories like sticks and drum keys.
Pros:
The number of cymbals the Paiste 24″ Cymbal Bag 24 can carry make it a great cymbal bag to purchase. Because it also features a large outer compartment, extra cymbals such as splashes or cymbal stacks could be placed inside.
Cons:
The only con of the Paiste 24″ Cymbal Bag 24 is that it does not feature back straps. This makes it slightly hard to carry for times when you are transporting your cymbals via public transportation.
Gator Cases Protechtor Series Cymbal Slinger Gig Bag
Material: 600D Nylon Fabric
Dimensions: 22-inch Cymbals and Below
Features:
- 8 Cymbal Sleeve (Main Compartment)
- Large Outer Compartment
- Reinforced Carry Handles
- Comfortable Shoulder Straps
Description:
The Gator Cases Protechtor Series Cymbal Slinger Gig Bag is a cymbal bag that could fit an astounding capacity of 8 cymbals in its interior. This cymbal bag is made of the usual 600D nylon fabric which forms a tough outer layer for protection while the insides are padded providing secure interior protection for your cymbals.
Pros:
The sheer number of cymbals that could fit inside the Gator Cases Protechtor Series Cymbal Slinger Gig Bag is the main consideration for it being a great choice of cymbal case to spend your cash on.
Cons:
As is usual for large-capacity cymbal cases, the weight will be the main con. And because the Gator Cases Protechtor Series Cymbal Slinger Gig Bag does not have a back strap, transporting your cymbals around the city via public transportation could be pretty hard.
Material: 600D Nylon
Dimensions: 22-inch Cymbals and Below
Features:
- 4 Cymbal Compartment
- Fast Hat Pocket
- Hi-Hat Clutch Support
- 2 Comfortable Back Straps
Description:
The Sabian FAST 22 Cymbal Bag is a cymbal bag that could carry up to 6 cymbals both in its main compartment and its outer compartment. Its material is 600D nylon for the exterior and padding in its interior. It has robust handles and backstraps for easy handling and transporting.
Pros:
The greatest feature of the Sabian FAST 22 Cymbal Bag is the Fast Hat pocket that has a clutch support for your hi-hats. This dedicated hi-hat compartment allows you to store your hi-hats with the clutch attached. This saves time for gigs where time for setting up is limited.
Cons:
As with the other cymbal bags in this list, there are not many flaws to point out for the Sabian FAST 22 Cymbal Bag. However, the added price to accommodate the Fast Hat System may seem frivolous for some. It really does not take too much time to install the clutch to the hi-hats and some may see the Fast Hat System as an expensive gimmick.
Gator Cases Protechtor Series Classic Cymbal Case
Material: PE Plastic
Dimensions: 22-inch Cymbals and Below
Features:
- 1 Cymbal Compartment
- Molded Carry Case
- Securing Metal Wing Nut
- Limited Lifetime Warranty Against Cracking
Description:
There are times when a soft cymbal case simply won’t do. For out of town gigs on the road or via air, you may need hard cymbal bags. The Gator Cases Protechtor Series Classic Cymbal Case is a hard cymbal bag that could fit a single 2-ich or lower cymbal. Though it lacks interior padding, the cymbal will be secured by a wing nut system that inserts through the center hole of your cymbal. It is made of PE plastic that forms an outer shell to protect your cymbals inside.
Pros:
The Gator Cases Protechtor Series Classic Cymbal Case is a hard case. Damage to your cymbals will be minimal whenever you use a hard case.
Cons:
Because it is a hard case, it might be quite hard to transport it without a vehicle. The lack of straps further adds to this problem. Hard cases are more suited for drummers with the option of vehicles for transporting.
MONO M80 Cymbal Bag 22″ ASH
Material: 600D Nylon
Dimensions: 22-inch Cymbals and Below
Features:
- 4 Cymbal Compartment
- 2 Outer Compartments
- Radius Piping Lining
- Clip and Tuck Shoulder Straps
- Riveted Handle
- Hypalon Sole
Description:
The MONO M80 Cymbal Bag 22″ ASH takes the available technology for soft instrument cases and takes full advantage of it. While borrowing some of the properties of hard cases such as shock and drop protection, MONO retains the comfort of carrying a soft case on your person for long periods of time; great for urban living and gigging. Able to accommodate 5 cymbals in its main compartment, the MONO M80 Cymbal Bag 22″ ASH also has 2 outer compartments that can store a pair of 15-inch hats and
Pros:
There are a lot of features that make the MONO M80 Cymbal Bag 22″ ASH one of the best soft cymbal cases in the market. The Hypalon sole that lines the interior of the case prevents premature wearing that cymbals inflict on cases. The MONO M80 Cymbal Bag 22″ ASH also features a high standard of build quality that MONO utilizes in all of their soft cases.
Cons:
The only downside of the MONO M80 Cymbal Bag 22″ ASH is that all its luxurious features come at a hefty price tag. MONO cases are premium soft cases that some beginners may not be able to afford
FAQs:
Do cymbal cases protect against damage?
Cymbal cases are necessary for protecting cymbals when not in use or when stored. These cases protect cymbals from bumps and scratches when being transported by serving as a layer of protection against the environment.
How do cymbal cases prevent corrosion?
Metal starts to corrode when exposed to moisture in the environment. Being made of metal, cymbals are no exception. Because of this, cymbal cases are necessary to prevent moisture from corroding cymbals. Some cases go to extreme lengths to maintain an isolated environment conducive to making cymbals last longer. Some more basic cases don’t go to these lengths but simply keeping cymbals inside a case when stored will work in prolonging the life of cymbals.
How to find a suitable cymbal case?
The kind of case to get will largely depend on how you use your cymbals. If you like in an urban environment and take your cymbals out to gigs every day, you might need a soft case that is comfortable to carry on your person or on public transport. If you are the type of drummer who regularly goes on tour and transports your gear via trailer, a hard case might be more suitable to protect your cymbals from being worn out or damaged on the road.
Do you need a case to transport cymbals?
Transporting cymbals will definitely require a case of some sort. Whether for city gigs or on-the-road tours, fragile cymbals need cases to protect them from the rigours of being transported The kind of cymbals you need will depend on how you use your cymbals.
How should cymbals be stored?
A cymbal should be stored safely inside a case especially between long periods of being not in use. A cymbal case will protect cymbals from moisture in the environment and from being physically damaged.
Conclusion:
Cases to store your precious instrument are as necessary as the instruments themselves. As the primary tools of our trade as musicians, we must take care of our instruments by keeping them in proper cases. Even as beginners, it is important to understand that protecting our investments is crucial to our growth as musicians. Even if we expect to get better gear as we develop, even our affordable starter gear needs some protection.