[djembeweaver]

I bought a beautiful new djalla djembe a while ago. It came from Famoudou's compound and is one of those huge ones that he likes to play. Oh my god it sounds amazing but I digress...the problem is the base of the djembe is somewhat flared so it's very wide at the bottom (11.5 inches / ~29cm) and I can't find a good bag to fit it.

The problem's exacerbated by a rubber foot making it even harder to squeeze into a tight space.

Protection racket's biggest bag is 10.5 inches (~27cm) so that's no good.

A friend of mine had the sister drum to mine. He had a Stagg bag but the drum destroyed it in 2 months (these drums are heavy too). He said he found a company called TKL who were making good bags, but that they've stopped distributing in the UK.

Anyway, we both need bags now. Any suggestions?

[Dugafola]

i had DSD make me a custom bag for my big ivorienne shell. i normally wouldn't drop the coin for a custom order, but i plan on having that drum for the rest of my life so i might as well have a case for it that fits.

this one is also an option: http://www.eaglesnestoutfittersinc.com/ ... TEMPO.html

[djembeweaver]

Thanks but that would cost me about £200 to get shipped to the UK.

I've found a company distributing TKL bags for around £100 all in. Are they any good?

[Dugafola]

Thanks but that would cost me about £200 to get shipped to the UK.

I've found a company distributing TKL bags for around £100 all in. Are they any good?

bops rocks one of those bags.

i've also seen them in person. seems like they are good for awhile but fall apart.

[michi]

I've had two of the TKL bags, one of which is still in use. They are OK, but not brilliant. The outside fabric is fairly thin and tends to tear with extended use. In particular, it tears at the seams where the differently-colored panels are sown together with tape.

The design of the straps is also problematic. The integrated zippers won't last long and just tend to get in the way, making the drum less comfortable to carry on your back. Also, the handle on top of the lid is better left unused because it transfers the full weight of the drum onto the zipper that closes the lid.

Your drum would not fit into the large model TKL. Maximum foot diameter for the largest model is 11". (That model also is ridiculously large at the top: a little over 17" diameter, which means that the drum just rattles around in the bag, no matter how big.)

The Tempo bag is very similar to the TKL one, but with better and more sensible features (from what I can see in the photos; I haven't seen one in the flesh yet). You could ask them whether they have a model that's the right size.

I'd second Bops recommendation to go with a custom Drumskull bag. They are very well made and will last near enough forever, I suspect. (I have three of these; after several years of intense use, they still look very good, with no serious signs of wear.)

Cheers,

Michi.

[Waraba]

...and then, there are those great army duffels for 25 bucks.

[michi]

...and then, there are those great army duffels for 25 bucks.

Too bloody true!

Michi

[e2c]

A trick that I've found useful: slip a plastic grocery bag over the bottom of the drum before putting it in the bag. Makes pulling it out a breeze! (Two of my drums have a rubber foot and would likely have ripped up the bag I have if I hadn't come up with this makeshift solution...)

[djembeweaver]

Thanks for all the help. A custom drumskull bag is a little over my budget I think.

I know a few other people in the UK with a similar problem and I'm trying to arrange a deal with tempo on several bags + postage.

Dugafola: you recommended the tempo. Have you actually had one and how good are they?

e2c: Brilliant idea. Why have I never thought of that?

[Dugafola]

Dugafola: you recommended the tempo. Have you actually had one and how good are they?

i do not have one but Bolokada has been using one for the past 2 years or so. they look nice and have adequate padding, but they often fall short when it comes to stitching etc. he was just here last month and i noticed that he had busted seams all over the bag. keep in mind that he travels all over the world so that bag gets put through the ringer.

i have/had a master series bag from rhythm traders, modoo custom, and many different iterations of DSD bags. they are all adequate. the problem with almost all of them is the stitching of the backpack straps to the case. how often do you grab your bag by one or both of the straps and/or carry it over one shoulder? that's usually what causes the stitching to pull apart since the cases aren't made to handle that type of point stress on one strap.

i'm currently product testing the latest generation of DSD case and so far it's been holding up nicely. the bag has reinforced stitching on the shoulder straps, shoulder strap tuck away (for airplane travel), metal hardware, shoulder strap in a different position, 2 larged padded pockets, rain flaps, and an insert in the lid to resist punctures. the bag fits my 14+" drums just fine. i haven't measured the bottom diameter, but i think there'd be a problem with a rubber tar bottom with width.

[EvanP]

A couple options:
1) find a local seamstress/tailor to make a custom bag for you.
2) North Face makes a great rubberized duffel. No padding, but shoulder straps and handles for less than $100.

[Paul]

Had a mate who got a canoe bag before for a massive mali shell..

e.g.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GUL-50-L-WATE ... 1737wt_905

Not sure on the dimensions though, but would be great for the british summer/winter

If you have a few mates who are in the same boat (no pun intended) try baragnouma they will make balafons to your specs, so they would surely make bags.. Their tailor is very good..

[nkolisnyk]

I know you're looking for a case TO buy, but may I suggest a case NOT to buy, incase you're looking at them: Protection Racket from Cornwall, UK. I bought one thinking it was the catsass (fake sheep skin lining!) but it is obvious that the makers obviously didn't try carrying the drum around in the case, before they put it on the market.

The thing is way too top heavy to wear right side up, and you can only carry it for 15 seconds on one shoulder before shifting uncomfortably while talking to bandmates after a rehearsal. I end up just using the handles 95% of the time (which are placed so low down that you have to support the drum with your other hand. Iy. Good stitching though... I guess.

I feel like Leopold from "Kate and Leopold" when he encounters a toaster that only burns toast. If you're not going to think something through right till the end, why bother at all?

[bounci]

I bought a beautiful new djalla djembe a while ago. It came from Famoudou's compound and is one of those huge ones that he likes to play. Oh my god it sounds amazing but I digress...the problem is the base of the djembe is somewhat flared so it's very wide at the bottom (11.5 inches / ~29cm) and I can't find a good bag to fit it.

The problem's exacerbated by a rubber foot making it even harder to squeeze into a tight space.

Protection racket's biggest bag is 10.5 inches (~27cm) so that's no good.

A friend of mine had the sister drum to mine. He had a Stagg bag but the drum destroyed it in 2 months (these drums are heavy too). He said he found a company called TKL who were making good bags, but that they've stopped distributing in the UK.

Anyway, we both need bags now. Any suggestions?

try these guys for something unique http://www.mamukko.ie/products.html

[DonaldQ2]

Blue Heron Drums in New York state, USA. Mr. Anderson will custom-make your bag precisely to your drum's measurements for under $100 US.

http://blueherondrums.com/bag_djembe.html