"Pro Djembe Travel Case"?

[snargle]

I see that djembedirect.com has a new(?) high-end djembe bag available on their web site. http://www.djembedirect.com/item/djembe_cases/Pro_Djembe_Travel_Case It bears a striking resemblance (a copy, maybe?) to the TKL bags, but there are some minor differences.

It's also available as the "Tempo Djembe Case" from Eagles Nest Outfitters, Inc. http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/tempo-djembe-case.html, who may be the actual manufacturer. It's not totally clear from the web site, but it does provide additional information and images.

Just wondering if anyone has seen (or purchased) this bag and, if so, what's your evaluation? It's not particularly cheap (US $140), but if it's good quality and value, it might be an alternative to the higher-priced Drumskull bags. It seems plenty large, and I'm hoping it might fit a drum with a large base and a rubber tire bumper on the bottom (approx 11.5" diameter). I own an older TKL bag, but I'm not particularly thrilled with the construction quality.

[Garvin]

Those look like great bags. I can't believe I never came across them before. I just bought one of the Drumskulls cases, but would've given a look to these for sure. If you get one, give us a review.

[Djembe-nerd]

No experience with this one, but would like to hear how is it.

No pictures of the construction or padding thicknes etc. on their website like the other one they have.

I would have taken this for a try but already ordered a BUdget one from DS. The flexibility to accomodate all size of djembes looks a plus.

[michi]

Looks very nice. Better quality than the TKL bags too, by the looks of things. Certainly, the harness system looks much better than the one on the TKL bag. (The harness on the TKL bag is quite flimsy, and doesn't have a waist band.)

One thing that's missing is the maximum dimensions of a djembe that will still fit into it. Getting max diameter for top and bottom, and max height would be useful.

If anyone gets this bag, I'd be most interested in getting more detail!

Cheers,

Michi.

[Rhythm House Drums]

These guys are in Asheville (the manufacturer, not djembe direct) I think... I'm heading up that way this weekend... Maybe I'll stop by and have a look.. .

[michi]

These guys are in Asheville (the manufacturer, not djembe direct) I think... I'm heading up that way this weekend... Maybe I'll stop by and have a look.. .

If you could and report back, that would be great!

I just checked the two sites. Both ship internationally. Shipping cost with Eagles Nest Outfitters to Australia is $106. With Djembe Direct, it's a paltry $163. It's the same old story all over again

Michi.

[snargle]

I just sent Eagles Nest Outfitters a message through their web contact form asking them about interior dimensions. If I get a response, I'll be sure to post it here.

[michi]

I just sent Eagles Nest Outfitters a message through their web contact form asking them about interior dimensions. If I get a response, I'll be sure to post it here.

Thanks for that, much appreciated!

Cheers,

Michi.

[michi]

I wonder what the story is with the flap that's at the top of the bag:

Tempo djembe case

2524_4L.jpg (107.07 KiB) Viewed 443 times

You can see a zipper hanging down on the left-hand side, so it looks like that is actually a pocket?

Also check out this image, which presumably shows an older design that is closer to the TKL bag:

Older(?) design

tempo-banner.jpg (42.7 KiB) Viewed 443 times

That version has the same drawstring as the TKL bag for cinching the bag at the waist. Not a great design: the eyelets for the drawstring on the TKL bags have a tendency to rip loose. Also, the bag shown in the banner is yellow, but the only colors available for purchase are red, green, and blue. There is definitely some shared ancestry with the TKL bags here though...

The images they show for the bags that are actually available for purchase have a nylon webbing belt instead of the drawstring:

Tempo djembe case, front

tempo-studio-moss.jpg (22.33 KiB) Viewed 443 times

That's probably a more sturdy option than what TKL use.

Cheers,

Michi.

[e2c]

I'm wondering about the quality of the plastic cinches and buckles used on various straps...

[michi]

I'm wondering about the quality of the plastic cinches and buckles used on various straps...

The Drumskull bags use plastic buckles and carabiners too and, so far, I haven't had a problem with any of them. Just because it's plastic doesn't mean it won't last.

And just because it's metal doesn't mean it's strong either: I've seen plenty of cheap backpacks and the like with metal hardware that simply bent under load. For metal hardware to actually be strong, it's got to be forged, making it rather expensive.

That doesn't mean that the plastic parts on this bag will be as good as the Drumskull ones. But I wouldn't be worried just because they are plastic. How well they really hold up is something we'll only find out once people have used this bag in earnest for a few months.

Cheers,

Michi.

[Garvin]

I think the stitching is what makes or breaks a drum bag. Whether its congas, djembes, or drumset, my experience has been that when bags break down quickly, its because of shoddy or minimal stitching at the obvious pressure points. Congas and djembes are just heavy instruments, I think even the best bags will eventually break down. The difference between a $150 bag, and a $25 bag is just a matter of how quickly it breaks in my experience. Maybe I'm just really hard on gear though.

[Djembe-nerd]

Stiching and the material.

Last year I bought a Meinl professional djembe bag. The tear came at the place where the starps are knitted into the cloth, the stiching is holding but the cloth (I think its nylon) is ripping.

[Dugafola]

can't say that i've ever had a TKL bag, but i've had/have many different generations of DSD bags, RT bags and a Modoo.

for protection when traveling, i think the Rhythm Trader bag is the best value at $150. it's got the thickest foam insert with a pretty rigid top. the shortcomings of this bag are the side pocket zippers. mine have held up decent, but i've seen others that have fallen apart. if i have to fly with a drum, i usually use my RT bag.

the DSD bags are also very nice but more spendy. the latest model has increased padding all around with a hard top. the plastic shoulder straps(not the backpack straps) are budget. toss em out when you get them. if you like to use a shoulder strap, go to REI and get a nice one with metal hardware. the backpack straps are sewn on with heavy duty stitching. if your drums are particularly heavy like mine(20+lbs), you will eventually see some wear at the contact points. i do need to take a bag to a luggage repair store to see if they can reinforce the stitching on one bag. the zippers on this bag are great all around, no problems. these bags are made in the US. DSD stands behinds their products so if you encounter any defects in matrl. or workmanship, they'll work with you to correct the problem.

there's a separate thread on the Modoo.

[snargle]

Just received a response back from my inquiry to Eagles Nest Outfitters on the dimensions:

Hi Larry,

Thank you for your inquiry. The top diameter of our djembe case is 18".
The bottom diameter is 10 1/2". The height is 28".

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Best Regards,
Jessica

Eagles Nest Outfitters Inc.
2000 Riverside Drive
Suite 21, Box 15
Asheville, NC 28804
828.252.7808
fax: 703.832.1144

The 10 1/2" bottom diameter is not going to work for the djembe I have in mind (11 1/4" - 11 1/2" OSD) Those rubber tire bottoms are nice, but they certainly add a complicating factor!