Transporting of drums to a Venue
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jeepers
New member
Also really depends on what kit you're using. SKB cases would prolly do the job for you.
DrumRolls Drum Cases - Product Page - would be a whole lot easier, and a more economical (perhaps?) option to drum cases but you risk your drums getting damaged more easily i reckon.
0.02; cheers!
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beboptang
New member
Depends... If you wanna keep your drums in good condition for the next 10-20 years, then cases -- either soft-padded, or hard, flight cases -- are the way to go. Then you don't have to worry about the inevitable knock, rain, puddles of water, etc... If it's a cheap set, that you'd be looking to replace in the next few years, then just move it as efficiently as you can.
My stands and hardware used to go in a hard, flight case, but it's really heavy. So I bought a long trolley duffle bag from a luggage shop and it stores all my hardware. I'll use my flight case if and when I go on a World Tour, haha!! (right... i can dream!)
I put all my drums in cases (bass in hard case, all the rest in Tuxedo soft cases) on to a great trolley -- check out the Blue Max on this site Hand Truck - Folding Carts - Hand Trucks R Us: Hand Truck Supplies. So everything I have can move in 1 trip on wheels
My church drums have no cases. It's a cheap set and we have a budget problem, so can't get cases. I don't think the drum exterior and chrome parts are going to last as long as my own set with cases. I've had mine since 1995 and they still look and work great. I've only had to replace 1 cymbal stand which I've had since 1992.
Peace,
Beboptang
My stands and hardware used to go in a hard, flight case, but it's really heavy. So I bought a long trolley duffle bag from a luggage shop and it stores all my hardware. I'll use my flight case if and when I go on a World Tour, haha!! (right... i can dream!)
I put all my drums in cases (bass in hard case, all the rest in Tuxedo soft cases) on to a great trolley -- check out the Blue Max on this site Hand Truck - Folding Carts - Hand Trucks R Us: Hand Truck Supplies. So everything I have can move in 1 trip on wheels
My church drums have no cases. It's a cheap set and we have a budget problem, so can't get cases. I don't think the drum exterior and chrome parts are going to last as long as my own set with cases. I've had mine since 1995 and they still look and work great. I've only had to replace 1 cymbal stand which I've had since 1992.
Peace,
Beboptang
guitarlover
New member
perhaps can check shop like Drum Resources or Luther,whether do rental for drum cases..cause i believe you will not be transporting all the time...furthermore drums cases sometimes do take up space too.....
just my opinion...
just my opinion...
mel80
New member
Thanks for the link to the trolleys beboptang! I bought a cheap trolley from the luggage shop. It serves its purpose well but my cymbals are so heavy, sometimes I'm afraid the thing will snap one fine day lol.
I remember being amazed by your heavy duty and easily foldable (like Transformers man! lol) trolley at the exchange back then! Definitely going to consider ordering this.
I remember being amazed by your heavy duty and easily foldable (like Transformers man! lol) trolley at the exchange back then! Definitely going to consider ordering this.
USADRUMMER
New member
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mel80
New member
Bruce:
For those who don't drive here, we have no choice but to call for a taxi booking. I have my cymbal bag on a luggage trolley, and haul the other stuff (pedals, snare etc) in their own bags on my shoulders.
Sometimes I arrive at a gig venue panting from all that hauling of gear! lol.
For those who don't drive here, we have no choice but to call for a taxi booking. I have my cymbal bag on a luggage trolley, and haul the other stuff (pedals, snare etc) in their own bags on my shoulders.
Sometimes I arrive at a gig venue panting from all that hauling of gear! lol.
USADRUMMER
New member
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jeepers
New member
Well, I guess most local gigging drummers do not bring a whole kit along with them. Like I said though, I guess. Most of the drummers I know just bring a snare, the necessary cymbal setup and whatever other miscellaneous items like the stickbag, hardware bag, pedals and all. Those would fit nicely on a trolley, like that of what Beboptang owns.
Beboptang brought her kit to one of the meet-ups but I wasn't present on that day so it'd be cool if she could further elaborate on how she brought the whole shebang to the venue. She drives though, but a whole kit with the works is still a tough order.
Well, with regards to your concluding sentences, the drummer could work with the people who are organising the gig? Maybe have someone, be it at the taxi stand/wherever else the drummer would alight at, wait with a trolley (those used for the delivery of goods).
If I am carrying that many things, I'd definitely get a couple of people along to help. Groupies maybe, eh?
Beboptang brought her kit to one of the meet-ups but I wasn't present on that day so it'd be cool if she could further elaborate on how she brought the whole shebang to the venue. She drives though, but a whole kit with the works is still a tough order.
Well, with regards to your concluding sentences, the drummer could work with the people who are organising the gig? Maybe have someone, be it at the taxi stand/wherever else the drummer would alight at, wait with a trolley (those used for the delivery of goods).
If I am carrying that many things, I'd definitely get a couple of people along to help. Groupies maybe, eh?
Haiz... you all must help me during the next DrumExchange and see how I move the drum set! ha..ha..
Basically, I just put everything into my Kangoo van. Just try to place the drums nicely so that they will not 'rock&roll' as I drive. All stands are lay down.
To my surprise, I was able to put in 1 drumset, 2 guitar amp (head&cab) and 1 big bass amp into the van! And still sit another passenger in the front. Just got to find space to put the PA system. he..hee... band on the run.
Basically, I just put everything into my Kangoo van. Just try to place the drums nicely so that they will not 'rock&roll' as I drive. All stands are lay down.
To my surprise, I was able to put in 1 drumset, 2 guitar amp (head&cab) and 1 big bass amp into the van! And still sit another passenger in the front. Just got to find space to put the PA system. he..hee... band on the run.
jeepers
New member
It helps to have a van of some sort! I thought the Kangoo would be kinda tight but you managed to fit quite a bit in. I think Bruce's concern here is regarding drummers who do not possess their own vehicles, and how these drummers go about bringing along their gear.
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mel80
New member
Bruce,
I understand that over at your side, you usually have to haul your entire drumkit setup to the venue. Over here, we are a little more fortunate in the sense that most gigs (at least for most of the gigs that I have performed in) provide with a basic drum setup. So I only have to bring my own cymbals, snare, pedals and a couple of spare stands. Sometimes I will enlist the help of my vocalist or some friends though.
So basically over here, a trip down to the venue on a taxi will suffice.
I understand that over at your side, you usually have to haul your entire drumkit setup to the venue. Over here, we are a little more fortunate in the sense that most gigs (at least for most of the gigs that I have performed in) provide with a basic drum setup. So I only have to bring my own cymbals, snare, pedals and a couple of spare stands. Sometimes I will enlist the help of my vocalist or some friends though.
So basically over here, a trip down to the venue on a taxi will suffice.
USADRUMMER
New member
**deleted**
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mel80
New member
Bruce,
The reality of it here is that not everyone can afford to own a car/van. The taxes and all to own a car here is killer. Moreover, if we want to purchase a van here, we need to register a company under our name before we can own a van.
So a lot of times, at least for me, I learn how to make do with whatever drumkit that is available at the gig. Tune it, set it up and adapt to it.
Over here, if you would prefer to use your own drumkit, it is still possible. You will just have to make prior arrangements with the event/gig organiser so that they know you are bringing in your own drumkit. As for how to haul the stuff to the venue, there are companies that rent out vans and MPV taxis for booking. My band once borrowed a van from my bassist's relative's company for a day so we could haul our setup for a gig.
The reality of it here is that not everyone can afford to own a car/van. The taxes and all to own a car here is killer. Moreover, if we want to purchase a van here, we need to register a company under our name before we can own a van.
So a lot of times, at least for me, I learn how to make do with whatever drumkit that is available at the gig. Tune it, set it up and adapt to it.
Over here, if you would prefer to use your own drumkit, it is still possible. You will just have to make prior arrangements with the event/gig organiser so that they know you are bringing in your own drumkit. As for how to haul the stuff to the venue, there are companies that rent out vans and MPV taxis for booking. My band once borrowed a van from my bassist's relative's company for a day so we could haul our setup for a gig.
beboptang
New member
Yup guys, I've had my fair share of moving drums -- the whole kit and caboodle! But strangely I did it a lot more -- like everyday -- when I was in the US, then now in Singapore.
As the other bros said, we usually have a drumset in the clubs here already. Bruce, the bistro that I play in now doesn't have a great drum set -- a 22" in a small and very resonant room, 12", 13" & 16". Honestly, I did contemplate bringing my 16" Gretsch bass drum & my 10" & 14" toms, but maybe moving back to Singapore has made me soft about moving drums, haha! No actually, I spend a lot on fixing my back with physios & chiropractors, so I got used to dealing with the less-than-ideal set and just bring my cymbals.
When I was in the US, I had my drums stored in the Berklee lockers. Back in the day, ALL the drum rooms & ensemble rooms were just rooms. So we had to move, set up and tear down drums EVERY time we practised, had ensembles, jammed, or gigged. I didn't have a car then, so whenever I gigged, I would have to take a cab.
The cabs in Boston are quite big (not like our Comfort cabs in Singapore), I could put my bass drum hardcase in the front passenger set, load the rest of the drums & hardware in the trunk; my singer would then load her powered mixer, speaker & speaker stand in the trunk as well. Then the keyboardist, would put her bloody heavy weighted keyboard on our laps in the backseat! The bassist always took the train. So yeah, that was really a band on wheels! We did this weekly gig at a gourmet pizza joint for $20 and a pizza. Haha!! Those were the due-paying days man! But I did try to haul all my drums at 1 go; and once I walked nearly 2 blocks with it to do a gig -- American blocks are long! I've never done that again since!! Haha!
Anyway, yes, now I have a car. And I mostly only move my drums when I play for church, cuz my church doesn't have a permanent building yet. But I still have the same system of loading my drums. Maybe next time I move my drums, I'll take a photo and then you can see how I do it in 1 go -- ie not have to make several trips.
I have my Bass Drum in a hardcase on my "Transformer" trolley, then my Cymbals go on top of the Bass Drum, followed by Snare, Small Tom & Seat. Everything is securely strapped, so they don't fall off the trolley. My hardware goes in a long duffel roller bag (bought from luggage shop). I sling my Large Tom on my shoulder, then pull both the "Transformer" trolley and the hardware bag along. So there, 1 trip! You guys have stronger upper body muscles than me, so it's not as bad for you. I have to train in the gym to make sure there are enough muscles to protect my joints to carry and haul all that weight. Sometimes, I'm able to get someone from church to help me out.
If it's a commercial gig, then I usually rent drums and save my spine!
As the other bros said, we usually have a drumset in the clubs here already. Bruce, the bistro that I play in now doesn't have a great drum set -- a 22" in a small and very resonant room, 12", 13" & 16". Honestly, I did contemplate bringing my 16" Gretsch bass drum & my 10" & 14" toms, but maybe moving back to Singapore has made me soft about moving drums, haha! No actually, I spend a lot on fixing my back with physios & chiropractors, so I got used to dealing with the less-than-ideal set and just bring my cymbals.
When I was in the US, I had my drums stored in the Berklee lockers. Back in the day, ALL the drum rooms & ensemble rooms were just rooms. So we had to move, set up and tear down drums EVERY time we practised, had ensembles, jammed, or gigged. I didn't have a car then, so whenever I gigged, I would have to take a cab.
The cabs in Boston are quite big (not like our Comfort cabs in Singapore), I could put my bass drum hardcase in the front passenger set, load the rest of the drums & hardware in the trunk; my singer would then load her powered mixer, speaker & speaker stand in the trunk as well. Then the keyboardist, would put her bloody heavy weighted keyboard on our laps in the backseat! The bassist always took the train. So yeah, that was really a band on wheels! We did this weekly gig at a gourmet pizza joint for $20 and a pizza. Haha!! Those were the due-paying days man! But I did try to haul all my drums at 1 go; and once I walked nearly 2 blocks with it to do a gig -- American blocks are long! I've never done that again since!! Haha!
Anyway, yes, now I have a car. And I mostly only move my drums when I play for church, cuz my church doesn't have a permanent building yet. But I still have the same system of loading my drums. Maybe next time I move my drums, I'll take a photo and then you can see how I do it in 1 go -- ie not have to make several trips.
I have my Bass Drum in a hardcase on my "Transformer" trolley, then my Cymbals go on top of the Bass Drum, followed by Snare, Small Tom & Seat. Everything is securely strapped, so they don't fall off the trolley. My hardware goes in a long duffel roller bag (bought from luggage shop). I sling my Large Tom on my shoulder, then pull both the "Transformer" trolley and the hardware bag along. So there, 1 trip! You guys have stronger upper body muscles than me, so it's not as bad for you. I have to train in the gym to make sure there are enough muscles to protect my joints to carry and haul all that weight. Sometimes, I'm able to get someone from church to help me out.
If it's a commercial gig, then I usually rent drums and save my spine!
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Drummers in Singapore are by and large a spoilt lot. Unless one is over fussy, most make do with the club or gig set provided. Maybe lug a snare and a few cymbals along. I haven't had to haul a full set of drums to a gig since my schoolboy band days and that was 40 odd years ago hey !!
These days, I may just bring along a snare and a couple of cymbals if the gig venue drums are beyond my control. But quite often I am able to tell the equipment vendor (once I know who that is) my personal preference. I have a good arrangement with Boon on my setup and saves me a lot of hard labour.
This is not so with gigging in Australia, the UK and the US. A gigging drummer has to own a utility or a van to get around..unless of course he plays in a fixed venue most nights. I did a bit of gigging back in the 60s when I was a student in OZ..and learnt how to make do with a small 4-pc kit, HH one ride and one crash. I remember Ringo Starr had that similar setup in the early Beatles days.
But then again, the old timers will say it's not what you have - but what you do with it.
But it's nice to hear drummers talking about this perennial problem...I envy the piano player !!
These days, I may just bring along a snare and a couple of cymbals if the gig venue drums are beyond my control. But quite often I am able to tell the equipment vendor (once I know who that is) my personal preference. I have a good arrangement with Boon on my setup and saves me a lot of hard labour.
This is not so with gigging in Australia, the UK and the US. A gigging drummer has to own a utility or a van to get around..unless of course he plays in a fixed venue most nights. I did a bit of gigging back in the 60s when I was a student in OZ..and learnt how to make do with a small 4-pc kit, HH one ride and one crash. I remember Ringo Starr had that similar setup in the early Beatles days.
But then again, the old timers will say it's not what you have - but what you do with it.
But it's nice to hear drummers talking about this perennial problem...I envy the piano player !!
alvinthedrummer
New member
First of all, to answer the question:-
If you have any sports bags, use them for the smaller drums and racket bags are great for hardware. For bass drum, I used to use an old Fleece blanket to wrap it around and I would hold it together with those huge safety pins. But if you have some budget, get the Tama bag set, its only like $150 for a whole set (padding is not excellent but for occasional transportation it'll do).
As for lugging your own kit for gigs:-
I think Singaporeans are spoilt in the opposite sense. Times have changed and I think we should re-think the old-school "zen" way of "making do" with what you get. I learnt a whole deal when I was living in Melbourne (for almost 5 yrs) and although I've gotten a double slip-disc from all the lugging around, my drum sound was always good. Since the kit was my own, it means that I always had good heads on, appropriate configuration and most importantly, my own sound!
Many times I really wish the local venues here do not have a house kit...so I can actually bring my own. I'm still feeling the aftermath of the double split-disc but I'm willing to pay a little money just to get help with moving my kit about for I think it is crucial to not just play well but provide the best sound possible. Why settle for just sounding good when you can sound GREAT!!!
If you have any sports bags, use them for the smaller drums and racket bags are great for hardware. For bass drum, I used to use an old Fleece blanket to wrap it around and I would hold it together with those huge safety pins. But if you have some budget, get the Tama bag set, its only like $150 for a whole set (padding is not excellent but for occasional transportation it'll do).
As for lugging your own kit for gigs:-
I think Singaporeans are spoilt in the opposite sense. Times have changed and I think we should re-think the old-school "zen" way of "making do" with what you get. I learnt a whole deal when I was living in Melbourne (for almost 5 yrs) and although I've gotten a double slip-disc from all the lugging around, my drum sound was always good. Since the kit was my own, it means that I always had good heads on, appropriate configuration and most importantly, my own sound!
Many times I really wish the local venues here do not have a house kit...so I can actually bring my own. I'm still feeling the aftermath of the double split-disc but I'm willing to pay a little money just to get help with moving my kit about for I think it is crucial to not just play well but provide the best sound possible. Why settle for just sounding good when you can sound GREAT!!!
USADRUMMER
New member
**deleted**
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alvinthedrummer
New member
Hi Bruce, how's things?
There are a few solutions me thinks and might I humbly suggest:-
Get a relatively small kit and play around with tuning for versatility. For example, I drove a very, very tiny car when I lived in Melbourne. I purchased the HipGig Al Foster where I could easily pack into 2 cases. All in all, I only had to make 3 trips from doorway to car: one for the main drum case, one for hardware case and one for cymbal case + Stick bag. So loading and unloading is relatively quick. Therefore, getting in and out of cabs shouldn't be too hard.
As for the sizes, I had a config of 10, 12, 14, 13 snare, 18 X 22" bass drum....so I can go jazzy and I can rock out too by tuning then differently.
Booking for transport here is not that difficult. Advanced bookings can be arranged with cab companies but if you intend to gig much with such arrangement, I would consider coordinating with small courier companies (which I once did). You spend a bit more (I found a company that charged $50 for 2 trips) but they help you load and unload (you just do the packing and unpacking). This way, you don't break your back!!
There are a few solutions me thinks and might I humbly suggest:-
Get a relatively small kit and play around with tuning for versatility. For example, I drove a very, very tiny car when I lived in Melbourne. I purchased the HipGig Al Foster where I could easily pack into 2 cases. All in all, I only had to make 3 trips from doorway to car: one for the main drum case, one for hardware case and one for cymbal case + Stick bag. So loading and unloading is relatively quick. Therefore, getting in and out of cabs shouldn't be too hard.
As for the sizes, I had a config of 10, 12, 14, 13 snare, 18 X 22" bass drum....so I can go jazzy and I can rock out too by tuning then differently.
Booking for transport here is not that difficult. Advanced bookings can be arranged with cab companies but if you intend to gig much with such arrangement, I would consider coordinating with small courier companies (which I once did). You spend a bit more (I found a company that charged $50 for 2 trips) but they help you load and unload (you just do the packing and unpacking). This way, you don't break your back!!
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