Author Topic: Flight Case Recos? (Read 407 times)

ox_junior · « **on:** December 23, 2004, 02:02:02 PM »

I will be looking into getting a flight case made for my Spyder. Anyone have any recommends? Is there an Alembic authorized flight case maker? It's obvious that this bass won't fit into any standardized cases so...have to drop some coin into a customized one.

Appreciate everyone's feedback. Happy Holidays!

Mike Bisch

bsee · « **Reply #1 on:** December 23, 2004, 02:35:21 PM »

Hey, Mike-

Here are a couple of thoughts for you to consider, if they haven't already occurred to you.

While it's probably more expensive than dealing direct, I bet Alembic can have one made for you through their dealer and nail the size/shape dead on. Certainly, quality would be beyond question.

I believe there are different grades of flight cases as well, so you probably want to make sure you get something extra protective. You're going to have a lot of surface area on the sides with that big bass, so I wonder if you need some thicker plywood for the strength? Do those cases have any sort of internal support frame to support the sides in this cse, or is it all on the thickness/stiffness of the sides plus the foam?

For that monster, you probably also want to consider one of those cases with wheels on the bottom.

-Bob

lbpesq · « **Reply #2 on:** December 23, 2004, 02:59:42 PM »

Mike:

I recently bought a new design flight case called The Clam. It is basically a large sort of coffin-shaped box made of some new corrogated plastic material. The guitar (in my case an acoustic dreadnaught) sits in its regular case, suspended in foam, inside the Clam. I recently flew with it from San Francisco to Key West, Florida, with a plane change in Miami each way. The Clam worked great. No problems whatsoever, and I even packed my dirty clothes in the Clam on the way back to make more room in my suitcase for the presents we bought in Key West. They have Clams for electrics and basses too, though I think you just put the bass/electric in a custom foam pocket, without the regular case. The Clam is relatively inexpensive compared to the other cases I looked at (Calzone, Anvil, etc.) and MUCH lighter. They have a web site where the inventor has videos where he jumps on the Clam and other demos. He travels with his Taylor acoustic in the Clam in a gig bag only!
I probably wouldn't use this for constant heavy touring, but for the occasional flight, I think it is a great product.

Here is the link:

http://casextreme.com

Happy Festivus!

Bill, tgo

senmen · « **Reply #3 on:** December 23, 2004, 03:06:25 PM »

Mike, Guys,
happy holidays and a happy new year also from me.

Oliver (Spyderman)

poor_nigel · « **Reply #4 on:** December 23, 2004, 08:14:05 PM »

Linda.Tilson@CalZoneCase.com
Linda Tilson
Pro Tour Division
800-243-5152 ext 127

Hey Mike, Bob is correct on the different grades of cases made. The person listed above can save you about $100 off the price of a new Calzone 1/2 Touring Case (Under $400 working directly with Calzone). You will work with the actual builder of the case (Or Alembic, if your bass is still there - I cannot remember) and the guy I worked with did an exceptional job in how nicely the cases fit my basses.

Bill points out a nice alternative. If you want the case just for flights, 'The Clam' sounds very inviting. The Touring case with a heavy bass in it weighs a ton and I use hand trucks to move mine around - I am serious. However, I want premium protection, so that is the price I pay for it.

dannobasso · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2004, 12:37:39 PM »

I have used Discount Distributors on Long Island. They make Hybrid and other brands. I found their prices to be excellent. Doomtree vocalist Steve Zing deals directly with Calzone and they have also been outstanding. It never hurts to check out a few sources. I have my cases made in yellow so they can't be lost in a dark venue. Good hunting!
Danno

gbarchus · « **Reply #6 on:** December 25, 2004, 10:43:36 PM »

Mike,

I've been very happy with Keal cases (http://www.kealcase.com)out of Austin, TX. They have the Clam Shell case and others. But I've been lucky enough to walk in with my instruments and they make a template. Working with Alembic may be the best route. You won't suffer in quality.

Gale

kmh364 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2004, 09:34:44 AM »

Mike,

I would go with Calzone or another manufacturer outside of Alembic's supplier. No disrespect to Alembic intended, BUT my flight case from ASA (Alembic's supplier) was a min. SIX MONTH lead time item that seriously delayed the delivery of my Alembic. While the case is high quality, you're also looking at a non-discountable $600 or so (I paid $550 incl.shipping) because the thing is so heavy to ship. There is also a problem with lack of neck support for the instrument which has yet to be straightened out with ASA's new owners.

poor_nigel · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2004, 11:51:42 AM »

It took Calzone two weeks to deliver my cases and shipping was $35 a piece. I probably spend 15 minutes going over measurements on the phone with the builder and sent in tracings of both basses I had cases made for. I went through Cases 2 Go (Some name like that) and them I had problems with. So I called the factory and dealt with them. I had no problems with Calzone at all, and I was given the contact info I listed in the above post as a direct person to do business with next time. This is all FYI. Good luck on which ever road you go down, and do have fun on the way.

gbarchus · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2004, 08:51:42 PM »

My last case, made by Keal for an Azola Bug Bass, was only $400! It was 7 years ago though.

Gale

dfung60 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2004, 11:33:21 PM »

My Series I Exploiter has what appears to be what was a factory Anvil. It is crazy large and insanely heavy because of the long length of the body and pointy headstock. It's the only instrument case that I have that has (and needs) wheels. For what it's worth, it's hard to beat the quality of Anvil. Don't forget to have them cut covered storage for the power supply, cords, etc.

David Fung

jazzyvee · « **Reply #11 on:** December 29, 2004, 07:07:54 AM »

If you think the spider needs a specific flight case for it, then how about getting one for this Russian bass.

I took this photo of the bass player in a Russian band called Terem Quartet when I was at Womad, Gran Canaria recently.

It only has 3 strings and sounds very much like a double bass. It is played with a large leather plectrum about the diameter of a big mac.

http://www.jazzyvee.freeserve.co.uk/WOMAD2004/pages/Dscf0079_jpg.htm

dfung60 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 30, 2004, 10:49:50 AM »

What is that Russian thing? A bass balalaika?

It would have fit in the top of the flight case for their grand piano, except that their piano is round, right? :-)

One of the few guys around for whom an Alembic Classico would be a radical improvement in portability.

David Fung

lothartu · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2004, 02:46:41 PM »

Actually I don't think you have to have a flight case for that Russian bass. I'm pretty sure that if you have an amateur pilots license that you can just strap yourself in and fly the bass to wherever you're gigging.

btw, why doesn't Alembic include jet engines and landing gear like those Russian bass makers do?

- Jim

dgcarbu · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2004, 05:47:43 PM »

jazzyvee,

Yeah man, I kinda go with Jim's interpretation of that Flying 3-string bass-like instrument. Seriously, that is a very interesting picture of a distant relative of the bass. Thanks for that.

Darrell