Author Topic: Flying with Series bass (Read 425 times)

edwin · « **on:** October 05, 2010, 12:18:07 AM »

I have a one off in Boston coming up in about a week and really want to bring my new Series I. I'm trying to figure out options. I have Calton case for my Starfire. The bass fits into it, but there is a fair amount of wiggle room on the body side that I could fill up with foam.

Option 2 is the original factory case, but it doesn't inspire huge confidence in the face of airline gorillas.

Option 3 is to try to carry it on in a gig bag, but the idea of failing to talk my way on board is daunting.

Option 4 is to get an SKB bass safe, but I hear they have a nasty habit of separating.

Option 5 is borrowing a suitable flight case, but I know anyone with one. There was one on Craig's List earlier this year, but I missed it.

Any other ideas, experiences? I will be flying on United.

jazzyvee · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2010, 01:08:54 AM »

Be careful cos United breaks guitars!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

I think if Jimmy Johnson see's this he should be able to offer some concrete advice as a well travelled musician.
Jazzyvee

crobbins · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2010, 06:50:01 AM »

Ship it overnite UPS, and pick it up before the gig... Not sure of the cost, or risk.

811952 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2010, 07:03:42 AM »

I have travelled with a bass packed as though it were being shipped. I.e. bass in the case, case in a box large enough for a couple of inches of foam between case and walls of box. It's big, unwieldy and joyful to drag through the airport, but it worked well for me when I brought my Conklin 7-string tendonitis machine home from Los Angeles post-9/11.

A flight case would be better, but there are no guarantees.

The UPS option doesn't sound bad, if you can stand letting go of the instrument for that long.

Insurance is your friend.

John

lbpesq · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2010, 07:36:04 AM »

Edwin:

Among your options, I'd go with the Calton case. So long as you make sure the bass is secure inside, you won't have any worries (it is a direct flight, right?). I flew several times that past summer with my Further in a Calton case. Even so, I never had a problem carrying it on. Though I saw several people carrying on instruments in gig bags, they scare me too. What if the airline says no to carrying on? At least with the Calton you can gate check it and not worry about damage from luggage handlers. Have fun in Beantown.

Bill, tgo

JimmyJ · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2010, 12:06:39 PM »

Hey Edwin,

I'm with Bill, my vote would be to use the Calton with some extra stuffing. Check it, and don't worry about it. Do the latches lock? If not, tape them. As John says, insurance is your pal. I've got an all risk policy with a lot of gear on it and I never think twice about paying that premium.

Gig bag makes me nervous too. Some guys do it all the time (Haslip!) but it is at the airline's whim and if they say no you're just screwed.

Shipping case as checked bag can work, except TSA might want to open it ... and the airline will likely charge oversize fees.

UPS or FedEx option is good too but needs a signature required destination, packing, unpacking, and repacking to ship back, insurance again...

You've gotta bring it though!! Have a good trip and gig!
Jimmy J

edwin · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2010, 01:19:34 PM »

Thanks for all the input, guys, Calton it is! Eventually I will get an equivalent case made for this bass. I've flown with my Starfire in that case a few times and had no issues at all. That bass rides more comfortably than I do!

What cases are you using, Jimmy? I've been talking to different companies, including Pegasus and Hoffee. Pegasus seems interesting, although it would really only be worth it if I got together with a bunch of other people who wanted small body Series cases. Paying for the initial mold fee myself would be pricey.

I do have insurance through Heritage. It's a company that specializes in musical instruments owned by gigging musicians. So, I'm reasonably confident in that regard.

And you are very right, Jimmy, I gotta bring it!

JimmyJ · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2010, 03:47:49 PM »

I'm still using these.

My long-scale basses just barely fit (thanks to cone headstocks) and I figure aluminum and foam is about as lightweight as I can get. I do mod them a bit; oak runners along the bottom, 90 degree lid stays, locking latches and custom foam. They last quite a while but since aluminum can't remember it's shape they eventually get so bent they won't close. I've been lucky with these and haven't found a handy replacement yet.

I hope someday one of the companies you mentioned will make a large mold that can handle these axes. Carbon fiber, or a nylon shell would be swell!

Jimmy J

edwin · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2010, 04:00:01 PM »

Wow, who makes that? It looks like a large Zero Halliburton spy briefcase! Aluminum seems pretty nice although I really like the idea of the Calton configuration as it seems like that material (fibreglas of some sort) will transmit shock and vibration less efficiently than metal. It may be a moot point once you factor in the interior foam, however.

Carbon fiber does look like a nice option, although very spendy. I would imagine that Calton would accommodate you.

Edwin

JimmyJ · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2010, 06:49:09 PM »

That's what it is but not for spies and not so brief. Ha! Probably originally made for some nasty weapon (I can't think about it), in the 70's Gibson shifted the handle and latches off-center and sold them as guitar cases. It's pretty thin aluminum, more like a skin on the foam...

I've seen the Colton acoustic guitar cases (one of my employers has a few) but I don't know what their electric cases look like. And there seems to be no sizing info on their website. I'd be surprised if they had a shell big enough for a long-scale Alembic bass. It would be nice though!

Jimmy J

cje · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2010, 06:44:48 AM »

Not to derail...

Bill - Did you have Calton make you a case to specifically fit the Further? I'd like to talk to you about that, as I want to do just that and have the case sent to Alembic before my guitar is ready.

Thanks!

lbpesq · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2010, 07:06:08 AM »

CJ:

Calton has the template for a Further as mine was the second. Scott got one for his Owl Further, January, 2006, featured custom. They have quite a long wait - the last time I checked it was about 8 months or so. I went through Gryphon Music in Palo Alto, CA. They have (or had) a standing order with Calton, but they don't have to tell Calton the exact case size until it's their turn. As a result, my wait was less than 3 months, as I recall. The case is everything you could want. It fits Woody like a glove and includes full headstock support - something I've never seen in any other case. Shoot me an email with your phone # if you'd like to discuss the Calton.

Bill, tgo

sonicus · « **Reply #12 on:** October 12, 2010, 07:22:17 AM »

In a prior thread regarding Caltron I believe it was mentioned that they did not have a template for a long scale standard point Bass,is that still true? I might be interested in obtaining one as well. I suppose I should just contact Caltron and ask .

edwin · « **Reply #13 on:** October 12, 2010, 07:27:05 AM »

Someone just needs to jump in and order one. Thanks to me, they now have a template for a Guild Starfire bass. That took a long time, but there was a big screwup on the part of The Pickin' Parlor, who measured my bass completely wrong. I won't go there again.

Although they are under new management at Calton, I would imagine that they are as friendly as ever.

cje · « **Reply #14 on:** October 12, 2010, 05:49:58 PM »

Bill, any chance of seeing a picture of Woody all tucked in to a Calton??