Packing your drum set into storage boxes is neither an enjoyable nor an easy task. Therefore, for drummers who have found themselves in this situation, this guide is here to help you navigate the sometimes intimidating process of safely storing your instrument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you\u2019re preparing to store a drum set long term:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, I\u2019ll walk you through how to store a drum set long term. We’ll go over the best storage methods to help protect your drum set when not in use. Keep reading to learn some of the best tips and techniques that will help keep your instrument in excellent condition for years on end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To best protect your drum set, you\u2019ll need to store each set component individually. However, before you start disassembling your instrument for storage, make sure you have the right number boxes or containers you\u2019ll need to use to hold each piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To accurately determine the number of boxes you\u2019ll need for storage, you\u2019ll need to consider the type of drum set<\/a> you have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 5-piece drum set is the most common type of drum configuration. It includes a bass drum, snare drum, floor tom, and two additional tom-toms. Most drum kits include cymbals; however, the number of cymbals can vary.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The size of the storage containers you\u2019ll need will heavily depend on the size of your bass drum. Remember that it\u2019s always a good idea to measure the pieces of your drum set before you begin disassembly to make sure you have appropriately-sized containers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bass drum is the largest part of the set. It typically sits on the floor and produces sound when the player steps on a pedal with their foot. As you might expect, the bass drum is the component that produces the lowest sound within the set. Its lower frequency comes as a result of its large volume and notable drum head thickness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bass drums typically range from 16-22 inches (40.64-55.88 cm) in diameter and can be as deep as 22 inches (55.88 cm). When storing your drum set, your largest box will likely need to be at least 24 inches<\/a> (60.96 cm) in height, width, and depth. While packing your drums, you should aim to have no less than 2 inches (5.08 cm) of space between your instrument and the box on all sides while the drum shell is inside the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arguably the most effective method of drum set storage involves \u201cnesting\u201d small drums inside larger drums. This method is particularly helpful when you\u2019re packing a drum set with many pieces, such as the traditional 5-piece set. Using the nesting method, you\u2019ll ideally only need one box for all of the drum shells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the size of your set\u2019s cymbals and external hardware, you\u2019ll most likely need at least one smaller box measuring at a minimum of 20 inches (50.8 cm) in width, height, and depth. This box will be used to store any additional hardware that may come with the set, including claws, tension rods, holders, and stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Disassembling your drum set into several individual components will make storage much more manageable. Not only will this process help protect each piece, but it\u2019ll also make for a more space-efficient storage layout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve never taken apart or put together a drum set before, you may be surprised by just how many pieces make up the whole set. In addition to the five drums that make up a 5-piece drum set, your instrument requires additional hardware to produce an optimal sound. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This hardware, as mentioned, can include claws and tension rods, in addition to the stands and holders<\/a> that accompany the tom-tom drums. These pieces will need to be packed separately from the drum shells to save space and protect the shells from damage during transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of the disassembly process, remove the hoops from either end of your drums. Then, wrap each of them in bubble wrap before placing it back on the drum. This layer of bubble wrap will add protection to both the drum and its hoops, which can be critical especially if you need to transport your drums to their storage location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once fully disassembled, you should wrap each metal piece<\/a> of your drum set individually. Surrounding the legs with packing paper, bubble wrap, or another thick padding material will ensure they aren\u2019t damaged during transport. If you wrap more than one leg together, you risk denting the metal as the legs move around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your drum set will be held together through some small components such as washers, claws, and tension rods. For easy reassembly in the future, keep all of these pieces organized. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping separate resealable bags for each drum is an excellent way to ensure that these compact, easy-to-lose parts stay organized and safe. This process will make it easier for you to find and identify them whenever you need to put the drum set back together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To avoid any dents or punctures throughout the packing and transport process, you\u2019ll need to surround each of your drum shells with bubble wrap. Once you have stripped the drums of their hardware and packed their drum hoops accordingly, you can start wrapping the drums themselves. Wrap each drum at least twice around for optimal protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve disassembled each drum and wrapped it with bubble wrap, you\u2019re ready to begin the \u201cnesting\u201d process. As the largest drum in the set, the bass should be sizable enough to hold both the floor tom and rack tom inside itself. Think of it as a similar concept to a Russian Nesting Doll; the smaller drums can nestle<\/a> within the larger drums to save space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With the heads removed, start by placing the floor tom within the bass. Afterward, add a layer of packing paper between the two to fill the empty space and stop them from moving around too much during transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most rack toms are small enough to fit inside a floor tom. Therefore, after placing the floor tom within the bass drum, you should be able to put a wrapped rack tom inside the floor tom. To do so, follow the same process mentioned in the previous paragraph, and don\u2019t forget to add a layer of packing paper between the drum shells. Continue nesting your drums until they\u2019re all securely packaged within the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have more than five drums to store, or your tom-toms won\u2019t nestle inside each other, you can use spare pieces of cardboard to create platforms within your box. Then, you can set any additional drums or pieces on top of the layer of cardboard. Using cardboard platforms to divide your storage box is an excellent way to protect all the drum components while maximizing storage space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some drummers prefer to pack their drums using drum bags<\/a>. However, it\u2019s essential to note that most drum bags aren\u2019t very space-efficient, making them better suited for temporary storage. They can also be a very expensive alternative, especially compared to cardboard boxes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if you have ample storage space and no budget limitations, purchasing a set of drum bags to store your drum set might be an excellent option for you. Drum bags are a safe and time-efficient alternative to packing all your drum components into a box. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think you might need to frequently take your drums in and out of storage over the years, drum bags are an excellent way to speed up the process of packing and unpacking them. If you\u2019re interested in taking this route, consider this 5-piece padded Gator Drum Bag Set<\/a> (available on Amazon.com).<\/p>\n\n\n\n These drum bags are made out of a durable nylon material perfect for long-term use. Additionally, they come equipped with convenient carrying straps, making their transport much more manageable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s crucial to be careful about any small or loose parts that could shift around in the box and damage your drums during transport or shipping. To avoid any unnecessary harm to your instrument, make sure to include additional padding to the resealable bags containing the drums\u2019 hardware. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A few layers of bubble wrap around the bags should do the trick and keep all the small metal pieces adequately contained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve packaged and padded any additional hardware, you can place the resealable bags inside the innermost tom-tom of your nesting setup. After placing the bags safely inside the drum, place the head back onto the tom-tom to ensure the bags stay contained within the drum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that all of the drum heads and their additional hardware are securely packaged into the box, you can think about securing the larger metal components into the storage setup. Make sure you\u2019ve filled all empty space within the box with packing paper for the utmost protection. It\u2019s worth reiterating this step, as it\u2019s crucial in preventing the pieces from shifting around and getting damaged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With all the empty space filled, you should be able to lay the floor tom\u2019s legs on top of the packing paper. At this point in the packing process, you\u2019ll want to evaluate your current situation to determine the safest way to pack the legs. If your drums are larger than average, it may be challenging to fit the legs inside the box in a way that won\u2019t damage the drums. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If this is the case, use a separate, smaller box for the metal legs. Overall, it\u2019s better to be overly cautious than risk damaging your instruments. The same packing technique applies to cymbals; if you don\u2019t have enough space to safely store them with the shells, feel free to keep them in a separate box. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve found a safe way to store your tom-tom legs and stands, you can finish packing the final pieces of your drum set. Any relatively flat components like the drum heads can lay safely on top of the box. Packing them this way will ensure they don\u2019t get broken by any heavier pieces within the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s crucial to maintain a relatively consistent environment for your stored drums, especially when it comes to climate. Environmental conditions like extreme temperatures, sunlight, and humidity can affect the quality of your drums over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Prepare Your Storage Boxes Ahead of Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Is a 5-Piece Drum Set?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Storage Boxes Should Be Large Enough To Hold the Bass Drum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Number Storage Boxes Will Vary Based on Components<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Disassemble Each Drum Completely and Strip Its Hardware<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Stripping Drum Set Hardware Will Save Space in Storage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wrap Drum Hoops With Bubble Wrap for Added Protection<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wrap Legs Individually To Avoid Denting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Keep the Small Drum Set Parts in a Separate Resealable Bag<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Surround Each Drum With Bubble Wrap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Place the Drum Shells in a Box or Drum Bag<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Create Cardboard Platforms for Storing Additional Drum Shells<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Drum Bags Are an Effective Alternative to Boxes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Package Tension Rods and Claws in Padded Bags<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7. Secure Drum\u2019s Metal Legs and Stands Safely Within the Box<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Place Flat Pieces at the Top of the Box<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Maintain a Consistent Storage Environment for Your Drum Set<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Avoid Direct Sunlight<\/h3>\n\n\n\n