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Cymbal Bags & Cases

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Shop Cymbal Bags and Cases for Gigging Drummers


Cymbal protection should be straightforward. That’s why Sweetwater’s cymbal bags and cases are built with two simple goals: keeping your bronze sounding its best and getting you to the gig in style.


At their core, cymbal transport solutions fall into two camps: soft cases (also called cymbal bags) for lighter travel and hard cases for maximum protection on the road. A cymbal bag’s soft lining and exterior padding help reduce scuffs and minor dings. Hard cases provide more protection for frequent transport and heavier use. Stepping up in quality tends to result in finer attention to detail and add-ons aimed at increasing portability.


Sizing Your Cymbal Case for Proven Protection


The first step when shopping for cymbal cases and bags is to verify sizing. Obviously, a 20-inch cymbal bag won’t hold a 24-inch cymbal, but the opposite can also be ineffective. Storing a 20-inch cymbal in a 24-inch case may cause the cymbal to shift around during transport, which could create additional wear and potential damage.


Storage capacity is another factor. While most cymbal bags and cases are built to hold a modest gigging set of cymbals, chest-style cases can offer increased space for even more sounds and textures. Whichever model of bag or case you choose, ensure that your cymbals are well secured.


Hard and Soft Cymbal Case Materials Compared


The greatest difference between a cymbal case and a cymbal bag is the level of protection each offers. Soft cymbal bags are lightweight and protect against everyday wear and tear. However, without rigid construction, their canvas exteriors may not fully protect cymbal edges or prevent crushing or denting during transport. Rigid cymbal cases offer better impact protection but are heavier and often lack convenient shoulder straps or backpack systems. Drummers often select cymbal bags for ease of use at local gigs and hard cases for touring and protecting expensive cymbals.


Padded Dividers Keep You in the Pocket


If you plan on loading more than one cymbal into a case or bag, look for an option with an included pocket or padded dividers to ensure that your cymbals don’t rub against one another. These pockets are also helpful for keeping drumsticks, drum keys, and other small accessories from coming into contact with the cymbals. Avoid overloading pockets with heavy items (such as hi-hat clutches, heavy clamps, or tools), which could press against the cymbals in a concentrated area. Internal storage capacity can be a significant factor in determining cost, so clarifying your additional storage needs prior to purchase can help you prioritize your needs and preferences.


Cymbal Protection That’s Built to Take a Beating


While cymbal cases help during storage, their primary purpose is to protect your investment during transport. Consider comfortable backpack straps for navigating stairs, or tow handles and wheels for moving across flat areas.


Find the Cymbal Case That Suits Your Style at Sweetwater


Many aspects of cymbal bag design are preference-driven, like soft vs. hard casing or backpack vs. roller. Invest in the product that best matches your lifestyle. If you’re simply moving cymbals from point A to point B, a simple solution may be all you require. But if you have a range of destinations and a lot of gear, then finer details can make all the difference when it comes to traveling with confidence that your gear is protected and ready for use.

Why shop Cymbal Bags & Cases at Sweetwater.com?


With a massive selection of Cymbal Bags & Cases, free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, 24/7 access to award-winning support - and more - Sweetwater gives you more than any other retailer! If you have any questions about Cymbal Bags & Cases, make sure to give your personal Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.