darbuka.orgby Ibi Malik

Darbuka Cases, Bags, Stands and Accessories

Whether you need a case, gig bag or hard case, stands, and the accessories actually worth buying with your drum.

6 questions answered

BUY-083 Do I need a case for my darbuka? #

Yes. Transport the drum in a case at all times — the head is the most vulnerable part, and dents in metal or cracks in clay cost real money. The minimum is a padded gig bag with a reinforced bottom. Specialist retailers sell basic bags from about $45, and padded or premium bags around $100–$150.

BUY-084 Gig bag or hard case? #

A padded gig bag is lighter, cheaper and perfectly fine for lessons and local trips. A hard case — roughly $150–$160 for solo or sombaty sizes at specialist shops — is what you want for flying, checked luggage and anything made of clay. Plenty of players own both and pick by the journey.

BUY-085 Will any darbuka bag fit my drum? #

No. Bags are sized for standard solo, sombaty or doholla drums, and Egyptian and Turkish bodies are different shapes. Measure your drum’s height and its widest diameter, check those against the bag’s internal dimensions, or just buy the bag made for your model.

BUY-086 What accessories should I buy with my darbuka? #

The essentials:

  • a padded bag or case
  • the correct tuning key (Egyptian drums usually need their own key; Turkish drums take a hex key) — and keep a spare, because keys disappear
  • a spare head in the right size

Useful extras:

  • a darbuka stand, or a leg strap and non-slip pad
  • a head upgrade such as Remo Skyndeep or PowerBeat
  • earplugs, because metal darbukas are genuinely loud

BUY-087 Are darbuka stands worth it? #

They’re handy for standing performance, for keeping a drum off the floor and safe, and for anyone who can’t comfortably balance the drum on their leg. For ordinary seated practice you don’t need one. If you do buy a stand, check it fits the shape and base diameter of your drum.

BUY-088 Do “zills” or jingles on some Turkish darbukas matter? #

Some budget Turkish drums have small cymbals or jingles fitted to the body — Dest’s ZKD-222P, for instance. They give you a tambourine-like shimmer, which is good fun and suits some folk playing. For a clean sound, though, most serious players want a plain drum.