Cymbal Bag

I've been thinking long and hard about five bags I've shortlisted. Tama Powerpad, Ahead with trolley & wheels, Protection Racket AAA, Mono and Reunion Blues.

Reunion Blues was my first choice but is probably going to be just that bit too expensive coming from the US with import duties. I don't know if Mono has a hard shell for reinforcing the edges. Ahead might be a good idea if it's kept on the trolley to reduce wear on the bottom. Tama Powerpad is pretty good, I've got a couple of their products but not sure how it would hold up for cymbals.

I'm thinking that your suggestion of the AAA case might be just the ticket. It has a polycarbonate frame. Do you think that would be about the same as what Reunion Blues describe as their 'shock absorbing flexoskeleton' in terms of durability? Maybe they also use a polycarbonate frame? I'd be happy if I knew it was basically the same material. Reunion Blues does seem indestructible according to a video I watched by a jazz drummer who's had his for 5 years. His has been well used and travelled with no signs of wear and tear. His is an older model RB Continental before the RB Continental Voyager.
I can't speak of the RBs, but the AAAs always served me well (I sold them when gigging was at an all-time low, and space was more needed).

My late father dropped the 22x16 from a full flight of stairs by accident, and the drum inside didn't even have a scratch (thanks to the teddy lining).

And in a rainy country, I wasn't the least concerned about that either.

I recently got a set Hardcases and the fact that the lid rests on top of the drum (so when stacking, all the weight is on the bd drum too) feels weird to me.
 
I can't speak of the RBs, but the AAAs always served me well (I sold them when gigging was at an all-time low, and space was more needed).

My late father dropped the 22x16 from a full flight of stairs by accident, and the drum inside didn't even have a scratch (thanks to the teddy lining).

And in a rainy country, I wasn't the least concerned about that either.

I recently got a set Hardcases and the fact that the lid rests on top of the drum (so when stacking, all the weight is on the bd drum too) feels weird to me.
Thanks. Would you say the polycarbonate frame of the AAA cymbal case would pretty much guarantee cymbals not breaking through at the bottom, even if the black fabric over the frame wears or tears? That's my main concern as generally speaking I've not had issues with other parts of cymbal bags breaking except zips on my earlier cheaper bags.
 
I just spoke to a drum shop and the guy said Ahead are made in the US and way superior to Protection Racket whose products are now made in somewhere like China. His Ahead bag lasted 15 years which sold it for me. I thought it would be a bonus to have wheels on it too. So I've just bought this. Hopefully this one will last a few years longer than my others have. Thanks for all the help guys.

 
I just spoke to a drum shop and the guy said Ahead are made in the US and way superior to Protection Racket whose products are now made in somewhere like China. His Ahead bag lasted 15 years which sold it for me. I thought it would be a bonus to have wheels on it too. So I've just bought this. Hopefully this one will last a few years longer than my others have. Thanks for all the help guys.

I have the Ahead with wheels and love it. It's much better than my PR (not the AAA PR). More protection and the dividers don't collapse on themselves. They stay rigid.
 
I have the Ahead with wheels and love it. It's much better than my PR (not the AAA PR). More protection and the dividers don't collapse on themselves. They stay rigid.

Glad to hear that, I hate the way the fleece dividers collapse on my old PR bag, makes it a faff straightening them out before I can put the cymbals in. Is it true the wheels are noisy?
 
Thanks. Would you say the polycarbonate frame of the AAA cymbal case would pretty much guarantee cymbals not breaking through at the bottom, even if the black fabric over the frame wears or tears? That's my main concern as generally speaking I've not had issues with other parts of cymbal bags breaking except zips on my earlier cheaper bags.
I would say it would protect enough the fiber plates are really strong and should hold up long after any wear could be detected.

And especially in the uk the warranty and contact with dealers and dean should be the best of the world as its so close to home for you.
 
My Ahead Armor Deluxe is more than 10 years old and going strong, thats with a minimum of 130 gigs a year average for that time. no rips, no zipper issues. Its the all black model with wool style removable liner. I love the soft protection it provides for each cymbal. it carries a 20 inch ride 16/18 crashes, 15 inch hats and 2 splashes at all times. I treat it normally, drag it from the trunk of the car, slide it on hardwood floors at gigs and nothing is wrong with it.
I would recommend this bag all day long.
 
Back
Top