Congas on the Road

[Thomas]

Hi all!
How do you guys protect your congas in planes?
Custom-made Flightcases? Or are there any cheaper and less heavier opportunities?
Are there any cases that fulfill the same requirements?
What do you think about the LP Road ready case?
http://www.lpmusic.com/Product....se.html

Or "hardcase", http://www.hardcase.com ?

Please share your thoughts and experiences!

Tom

[akdom]

Hi

I travelled a lot and on long distances with my drums, but I never had the budget to buy these fancy cases.

I untuned the drums, wrap them in a thick blancket, tie the whole thing with a rope and that's it.

It works fine for me and in addition, you can stuff the drums with extra things too (bells, sticks, cloths etc....)


B

[onile]

Alafia Abure Akdom!
No offense my brother, but that would not be recommended by anyone who cared about their equipment. What I mean is, have you seen what those people do to suitcases at the airports, the baggage handlers? The way they toss things around, if your drums were made of wood, you could run the risk of having them come apart, providing you were traveling by plane. Unless your drums are made of some material that won't be affected by bumping, falling, crashing either against another object or the ground, then I would not suggest just wrapping them in a blanket.

If you've invested some $ into your equipment, you may want to take better care of them and purchase some cases made for travel. I'm sure that others on this forum have creative ideas in regards to cost-effective (cheap) ways to protect your drums so you don't loose an arm and a leg in the process!

I think I remember reading that someone bought plastic garbage cans that were tall enough to fit their drums in, and then put thick foam inside of it to help cushion the drum. I'm not sure how they secured the top though, but I'm sure that his was a cost effective way of protecting your drums.

Again, no offense is intended with my post brother Akdom!

Many blessings!

Onile!



Edited By onile on 1150411426

[+pablo+]

Once heard someone mention using a Rubber Maid trash can (the heavy duty ones) and duc taping the lid on. While I haven’t checked dimensions, in my mind’s eye I can see a conga fitting in and being nicely padded with thick blankets (like movers use). While I wouldn’t use this on regular gigs (too cumbersome and plus I load/pack/move/watch my stuff like a mother hen), maybe it would work and be cheaper than actual hardshells $$$$.

One thing to weigh in on is how often do you need hard shells? I’ve thought of this cause because of offers to go down to Mexico. But my drums would be loaded into the cargo space of a Grey Hound bus.. with all other stuff being loaded on top. Do not be mistaken, even the best padded bag will not protect a drum from impacts that ding shells and bend hardware. Watch a plane or bus being unloaded…scary…

[onile]

Vaya Pablo!
That's exactly my point, and your memory is correct on the Rubbermaid example, someone posted that on this forum, I just can't remember who!

Peace!
Onile!

[Thomas]

Yes, the guys at the airport don't care, they just throw it. A salesman told me that he got a case shipped with cymbals. The case was o.k, exept scratches, but inside the cymbals were like 1000 pieces.
So if you really want to play the instrument after flying, you have to get something very durable to protect it!
Tom

[akdom]

hi

onile, you didn't offend me at all.

I was just saying how I do it, but of course, I never bought expensive new drums, so when you already have scratched congas, one more scratch doesn't really matter.

Now, there are some soft cases that are just perfect too.


B

[onile]

Alafia Abure Akdom!
Many blessings my brother!

I for one, do not have any "hard" cases, all of the ones I use to take my drums to gigs locally, are the "soft" ones. You're absolutely right Abure Akdom, soft cases can be used to keep your drums relatively safe, but I wouldn't recommend entrusting them to an airline baggage handler.

I wish you many wonderful blessings my brother Akdom!

Respect!

Onile!

[mjw]

If you have to gig somewhere that requires a flight to reach, can you not get the gig promoter to hire drums in? That must be more cost effective than paying the excess (taking into consideration the weight and size) involved with checking in a set of congas in well-padded cases...

So far, at all the gigs I've done that the band could not be expected to drive to the promoter has rented all backline equipment - I have only ever had to carry bongos and small items of hand percussion.

Good luck!:D