A suitcase drum is perfect for street musicians who needs that extra projection in open space. In addition, this type of drum also passes as a portable drum for quick live performances. That’s why if you’re always on the road, a suitcase drum would be a great addition to your drumming arsenal.
2 Incredible Suitcase Drum in this Guide at a Glance
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Toca Percussion Kickboxx Suitcase Drum Set | Check Latest Price |
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Pan American Drum Company 20" Super Bass | Check Latest Price |
Let’s face it, lugging your entire drumkit around is surely a hassle. That said, getting yourself a drumkit with a suitcase feature can make gear transportation a lot easier. Being able to have your gear conveniently lugged around could help you reduce stress during gigs.
Not to mention, suitcase drums are incredibly capable of faithfully replicating the sound of bass drums. Therefore, if you have a gig downtown, consider getting a suitcase drum.
If you’re interested in the best suitcase drums currently, then you’re in for a treat. In this guide, I collected 2 of the best suitcase drums on the market.
The Best Suitcase Drums You Can Get Today!
Toca Kickboxx Suitcase Drum Set
Product Overview:
If you’re a drummer who wants a portable drumset without losing the essence of an acoustic drumkit, this is for you! The Kickboxx Suitcase Drum Set features the necessary specifications that you’ll see in a drumkit.
Furthermore, the Toca Kickboxx is extremely expandable, allowing users to customize it according to their will. That’s why if you’re a drummer always on the go, you can’t go wrong with the Toca Kickboxx.
Key Features:
- Suitcase carrying bag construction
- 14” bass drumhead
- 10” snare
- Throw-off snare functionality
- 10” tom drum
- Accessory posts
Suitcase Construction
The Toca Kickboxx utilizes a suitcase construction that comes with a 14” bass drumhead embedded in it. This provides this drum’s construction with better durability, except for one weak point— the bass drumhead. That said, the Toca Kickboxx can take a beating, as long as its bass drum head has ample protection.
Although I said that the Toca’s bass drumhead is its durability weak point, it’s still a great asset overall. The suitcase’s body acts as the bass drum’s shell, allowing its sound to reverberate for a deeper thump. In addition, its body features a sound port on the back for better tone and sound projection.
Furthermore, the Toca Kickboxx’s suitcase compartment is extremely roomy. This allows the Kickboxx to accommodate both the included tom and snare with extra space for a bass drum pedal.
Snare Drum
Toca includes a small snare drum that features an extremely thin shell. This specific feature makes the snare extremely lightweight for transport. Its compact construction also helps with storage, allowing it to fit seamlessly within the suitcase.
The included snare drum also delivers a highly versatile performance thanks to its included snare throw-off. Through this specification, users can easily engage and disengage the snare to create different sounds that will fit any musical setting.
Tom Drum
Similarly, the tom drum also features the same thin-shell construction as the Toca Kickboxx’s snare drum. This allows the tom drum to boast a compact and lightweight construction like roto toms minus the tuning versatility.
Furthermore, the tom features storage compatibility with the snare drum. Consequently, allowing the two drums to stack on each other for minimal storage space, especially when inside the suitcase.
Expandability
The Toca Kickboxx suitcase drum set comes with retractable accessory posts. This feature helps users to position their snare and tom around according to their preference. In addition, the case comes with a durable handle that can act as a mounting point for auxiliary drums and cymbals.
Sadly, if you’re packing more gear, the Toca Kickboxx Suitcase Drum can handle only so much. However, you can still use other drum hardware, such as cymbal stands and a drum rack to expand the kit further.
Transportability
Toca designed this suitcase drum with enough room to fit all its inclusions within its hollow body. However, its room for extra gear is extremely limited. Therefore, you might want to get extra drum bags if you have more gear.
Moreover, due to the compact construction of its components, the Toca Kickboxx boasts a lightweight construction. This makes the Kickboxx an extremely portable drumkit that’s easy to bring virtually anywhere!
The Toca Kickboxx Suitcase Drum — The Verdict
The Toca Kickboxx is an incredible portable kit that you can bring virtually anywhere. Its utilization of small-sized shells also makes it lightweight and compact, perfect for gigs in tight spaces.
Furthermore, its utilization of 3 retractable accessory posts makes it highly versatile and flexible despite its compact construction. Paired with a durable handle, users can also mount extra cymbals and drums with ease.
Moreover, the Kickboxx suitcase drum features a stable construction throughout. The kit’s base feet anchor within crucial stability points where the kit could topple. This results in a highly fun and stable playing experience.
On the other hand, the Toca Kickboxx features a few weak points. First, Toca embedded the kit’s bass drumhead on its surface. This construction compromises its durability against sharp and blunt objects during transportation.
Second, its sound port hole exposes its internal to external elements, such as dust, moisture, and more. Still, users can curb this con by periodically maintaining and cleaning the drumkit.
Finally, the kit doesn’t come with rollers— like an actual suitcase would— due to stability reasons. That’s why you’ll have to carry this suitcase around instead of just pushing it.
Nevertheless, the Toca Kickboxx is still one of the best suitcase drums out on the market. Its ingenuity and innovation when it comes to transportability and portability make it a must-have for gigging drummers. Despite its shortcomings, its pros outweigh the cons. Therefore, if you’re in the market for the best suitcase drums, this one is for you!
A Great Suitcase Drum Alternative to the Toca Kickboxx
Pan American Drum Company 20″ Super Bass
Product Overview:
If you love a more vintage and premium approach to suitcase drums, you’ll love the Pan American 20” Super Bass. Although it comes with a more hefty price tag than the Kickboxx, it still contends the former toe-to-toe.
Starting from its bigger construction, this suitcase drum delivers a deeper thump than the Kickboxx. However, you’ll have to consider choosing these over the former since its flaws are sometimes questionable. Therefore, read closely as we discuss the nitty-gritty of this portable kit.
Key Features:
- 20” Aquarian Super Kick II Bass Drum Head
- 10” snare
- Big Fat Snare Drum overlay
- Extra batter head snare
- Vintage-style wooden travel case body
- Base wheels
Suitcase Construction
This Super Bass Suitcase Drumkit utilizes a refurbished vintage American Tourister suitcase that can take a beating. Its interior is extremely roomy for storage and better bass drum reverberation.
For its bass drum head, the Pan American Drum Company features the world-renowned Aquarian Super-kick II. Thus, allowing the suitcase drumkit to deliver a sharp and well-defined tone that easily cuts through a mix. The suitcase also comes with a pedal bracket that provides users with a stable bass playing experience.
Furthermore, the suitcase comes with a 4” mic port at the back, allowing users to easily mic up the bass drum. This feature also helps the bass drum to project its sound better.
The manufacturing process of this suitcase utilized CNC machines, allowing for better precision. Consequently, providing users with well-made gear that’s perfect for all musical environments.
Expandability
This is where this suitcase drum lags in comparison with the Toca Kickboxx. Unlike the former, this suitcase doesn’t come with a robust handle where you can mount auxiliary drums and cymbals.
In addition, this suitcase doesn’t come with accessory posts or any mounting gear. That said, you’ll have to purchase other hardware to expand this kit, making it more expensive to maintain in the long run.
Transportability
Let’s get straight to the point, this suitcase is highly portable! Thanks to its base wheels, you can easily lug your gear around just like a suitcase. However, the shell of the bass drum protrudes deep into the body, reducing its storage space significantly.
Is this Suitcase Better than the Toca Kickboxx Suitcase Drum?
The Super Bass suitcase is a close competitor to the Toca Kickboxx. Even though it features great specifications, there are some reasons why you should pick the Toca over this suitcase.
First, the Pan American Drum Company Super Bass costs more than the Toca Kickboxx. Considering the features of this suitcase, you’ll be paying more for a refurbished suitcase fitted with a bass drum. The Toca already delivers this function with more in its arsenal. In addition, the Super Bass doesn’t come with other additional features, such as a tom drum.
Second, its body is bigger, but fitting gear inside its storage space proves a bit problematic. You can easily fit a pedal or two inside its body, but you’ll find it difficult to store another drum without damaging it. Nevertheless, this suitcase beats the Toca Kickboxx in terms of transportability thanks to its built-in bottom rollers.
In a nutshell, I prefer this suitcase in terms of bass drum sound and transportability. However, it lacks in other facets, that’s why I would only recommend this as a second to the Toca Kickboxx. Still, if you care about your sound more than cost-effectiveness, you could go with this suitcase drum.
What Should You Look for When Buying Suitcase Drums?— A Buyer’s Guide
When you’re scouring the market for the best suitcase drums, you should have a proper criterion. This ensures that you’ll find the best-performing suitcase drumset according to your needs. That said, I crafted this buyer’s guide to tell you about the three important things to consider when buying a suitcase drum.
Storage Space
Good storage space allows a suitcase drumkit to be compact and easy to transport from point A to point B. However, how will you gauge a decent storage space on suitcase drums?
Decent suitcase drums allow users to fit a bass drum pedal and at least a snare drum within its shell. That said, you should look for suitcase drums that offer this level of storage space. If ever you stumble upon a suitcase that can store more than these two drumkit essentials— that’s definitely a steal.
Mounting Features
Since you’re building a whole drumkit out of a suitcase, the suitcase you’re buying should have a decent mounting feature. This can help you save money by eliminating the need for a drum or cymbal stand.
Furthermore, having a good decent mounting feature on a suitcase drumkit can allow you to expand your sound. Consequently, increasing your drumkit’s versatility and flexibility.
Transportability
I cannot stress enough how crucial transportability is within a portable drumset. This feature allows you to conveniently lug your gear to different places effortlessly! As a result, this gives you more energy to spend during your performances.
When looking for a highly transportable suitcase, you should look for lightweight but durable suitcases. In addition, having rollers under a suitcase is a plus since you won’t have to exert force to carry your gear around.
Frequently Asked Questions about Suitcase Drums
What is a suitcase drum?
Suitcase drums are suitcases refurbished as bass drums. Not only do they sound great but they also allow for better transportability through their humongous storage space. Typically, suitcase drums should feature a pedal mounting accessory and an anchor to ensure stability.
How do you make a drum suitcase?
You can easily make drum suitcases by attaching a bass drum pedal to a suitcase. If you have the woodworking know-how, you can also fit a bass drumhead on the front of your suitcase. Even better, you can also cut a sound port behind the suitcase for better sound quality and projection.
However, if you really want to make your own drum suitcase, then here’s a quick guide for you:
What can I use as a kick drum?
A kick drum could be almost anything! You can even use a Cajon as a kick drum in a Cajon drum set. However, if you have an extra suitcase lying around, you can attach a kick pedal to it. This doesn’t only save you tons of money, but it also can provide you with a decent bass drum tone.
How do you make a homemade kick drum?
Making a homemade kick drum requires extensive knowledge in woodworking. To make a homemade kick drum, you’ll have to fit a bass drum head on the front of a suitcase and cut a sound port at the back.
This is a lot of hassle, especially if you don’t have the required tools to do the job. Therefore, I recommend getting the Toca Kickboxx to save you time and effort since this suitcase drum sounds excellent right off the bat.
How do you travel with a drum set?
When traveling with a drum kit, you can utilize drum bags to help you carry all your gear. However, this process requires a lot of manpower and energy. That’s why if you run a portable drumkit, consider getting a suitcase drum to help with lugging your gear around.
Enjoy your New Suitcase Drum!
Suitcase drums are ingenious pieces of equipment that help drummers lug their gear while sounding good. When finding a decent suitcase drumkit within the market, you should look for decent storage space, transportability, and mounting features. Therefore, I’d recommend you get the Toca Kickboxx as it boasts all these features at an affordable price point.
However, if you’re a tone freak, you can also opt for the Super Bass Suitcase Drum. Although it lacks the expandability and flexibility of the Kickboxx, it still boasts a good bass drumhead and overall construction. Not to mention, its built-in rollers provide users with a convenient way of bringing their gear to a performance.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you find the best suitcase drumkit according to your needs. If you enjoyed reading this article, make sure to check our other drum-related guides!