A lot of students ask me about the duffle bag I use for my drums. Unless you’re traveling by plane, the typical fiberglass Tabla case is a total pain for lugging drums to gigs, practices, classes, or whatever else you need them for. They’re bulky, heavy, and may not be terribly convenient for carrying other accessories. Most canvas Tabla bags are either poorly made or lack wheels, making them a pain if you have to walk anywhere.
Over the years I’ve used a lot of duffle bags to transport my drums so I know what I need. I want a wheeled duffle so I don’t have to carry it, I need a nice big opening so it’s easy to get drums in and out, and it needs to be strong. And this, ladies and gentlemen, may be the very best Tabla bag on the market: the Timberland 28-inch wheeled duffle.
This bag may be a little oversized for some tabla sets. One reason it works for me is because I also pack a cushion inside, and because I have very large and heavy rings. So the 24-inch version of the same bag may work for some people, or perhaps even most. But I personally tried the 24-inch size once and found that it didn’t fit my drums, although I don’t remember if I tried packing it with smaller rings or not. Maybe I’ll give it another try one of these days.
Here’s how I pack my bag up: I use one ring to protect the telescoping handle from getting crushed by the Dayan (which did happen to my first bag; this is the second); I use the second ring as a buffer between the Dayan and the Bayan; and I use my cushion as a buffer between the Bayan and the floor when the case is upright. On top is a compartment where I keep my tuning hammer and a container of talc. When it’s all closed up, the drums stay perfectly in place and are well protected against abrasions and the elements.
I get a lot of questions about my cushion too, so I’ll use this opportunity to mention that it’s a J/fit 13” fit disc. It’s inflated with air so it doesn’t get compressed over time like a regular cushion, and I’ve never had to reinflate mine after three years of use.
Lastly, this bag also works wonderfully well for pakhawaj. In fact, Pandit Akhilesh Gundecha told me that he uses this exact same bag for his drums!
If you know of another duffle bag solution for Tabla that you'd like to share, please leave a comment below with details because it’s good to know of other options that are out there.
-Chaz