How to Store a Drum Kit for Long Term Storage

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Your drum kit allows you to rock out and keep the beat steady. Whether you’re a touring musician or play the drums for fun, finding a place to keep them safe while you’re in a transitional season can be difficult. Not only do drums take up a lot of space, but they also require special conditions to not wear out or lose their tone. With diligent care and some proactive measures, you can keep all your drum gear safe and in good condition in long-term storage. Here’s how to properly store a drum kit so that the beat goes on after you retrieve it.

Acoustic vs. E-Drums: Know the Difference

The process for storing drums is different depending on the type of set you have. For instance, you may have a traditional acoustic set, or you may have an electronic drum (E-drum) kit. It's also possible to have a hybrid of acoustic and electronic elements in your kit. When you integrate electronic sounds in enhancements to your drum kit, you’ll also need to consider your audio cables, software, sample pads, amps, subwoofer, and any other gear that requires special care. The more sophisticated your setup is, the more fine-tuned your storage situation needs to be. This guide will first discuss storing acoustic drums then get into the details about E-drums.

Storing Acoustic Drums

Acoustic drums are simpler to store because they don’t have any electronic components. Therefore, it just takes about one hour to store an acoustic kit. Overall, each drum should be packed into a protective bag or box and be protected against impacts. Before you start, have these materials available:

• Paper or bubble wrap for padding
• Cardboard scraps
• Packing Tape. Avoid masking, duct, or scotch tape because they will damage the drums.
• Drum Key. A drill bit also works if you don’t have a drum key.
• Packing Boxes of various sizes or gig bags
• Strong scissors or utility knife
• Waterproof bag for hardware

If you have gig bags for your acoustic drum kit, then this process will be easier and more efficient. First, separate the drums from their stands and hardware. Then, take each drum and wrap them in packing paper or bubble wrap. Since professional gig bags already come with protective padding to separate the drums while they are in transit, you just need to place them in the bag with the separators in place. Then, zip up the gig bag and send it off to storage. The same method applies to the hardware like the tom legs, stands, and kick pedals. The drumsticks should be wrapped in bubble wrap and placed in a box or waterproof bag. Remove all cymbals from their stands and place them in a dedicated cymbal bag.

If you don’t have gig bags, then get a large box and line it with packing paper or bubble wrap. Remove the hardware, then place your largest drum inside first upside down. Line its interior with packing paper and then place the second largest drum inside. Repeat the process until all your drums are neatly arranged like nesting cups. Then, top the drums with more packing paper and seal the box. Cymbals should be individually wrapped with packing paper and gently stacked in a large box.

• Pro Tip: Acoustic drums are usually fine when they are stored in a standard storage unit, attic, or garage, but overly humid, hot, or cold conditions can affect the drums’ tuning and longevity. For the best results, keep your drums in a climate-controlled place. If you can only store your drums in a place without an HVAC, then see if you can run a dehumidifier or only keep your kit there for a short time.

Storing E-Drums

Storing electronic drums is a more complex process due to the electronic components. However, the good news is that you can use a similar process to packing acoustic drums. Here’s how to protect and store your e-drum kit.

• Unplug all cables from the drum triggers and remove the hardware.
• Take off all your drum triggers and place them in their original boxes. If those aren’t available, then wrap them individually and place them in a box.
• Store your drums in a gig bag in the same manner as with acoustic ones.
• Take all your audio cables, coil them neatly, and use a twist tie to keep them from unraveling. Place these in a waterproof bag.
• Electronic cymbals can be stored in their original boxes or wrapped and stored in a cymbal bag.
• All hardware should be wrapped with bubble wrap and placed gently in a box with heavier items on the bottom.

Storing e-drums in a temperature-controlled place is non-negotiable. The sensors on your drum kit are sensitive to temperature fluctuations and humidity. If you can’t find a climate-controlled storage unit, it’s best to keep your packed e-drum kit somewhere in a closet or a corner of a room in the home.

Climate-Controlled Storage for Drum Kits

For the best results, store all musical instruments in a temperature-controlled unit. To find a climate-controlled storage unit for your drum kit, contact us.

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