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Post subject: Planes and guitars
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:01 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Location: Dublin, Ireland
When bringing a guitar on a plane (in with the luggage), does it get examined by someone, or do they just process it like ordinary baggage? I'm asking this, because I'm planning to bring s strat back from the States.....Which also brings me onto the next question, what it the best flight case for around 250 USD?
Any insight would be great!


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 8:52 am
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I've never taken any of my gear through an airport, but I wouldn't be surprised if they took the thing apart 100% to check it for terrorist devices. As for a case, I would suggest a gigbag (more lightweight and its padded down). Personally I use a Fender DX Gigbag (and it only burned $40 out of my pocket!), and can you say "Pockets Galore"?


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:18 am
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DO NOT USE A GIG BAG!!!!!!! I have flow wiht my guitars some, an i always amange to get them as carrie on cause they will fit in an over head compartment

i would just go with a good hardshell case. that locks. That should do the trick


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:35 am
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Hi Sandwich, I use to work for the airlines in the cargo department for many years. The best advice I can give you, is to put the guitar in a hard shell case with a LOCK or its going to disappear. Also, theres a very good chance customs is going to want to inspect it so you may want to be present when that happens or their going to ask you to leave a key to the case. Get the best case you can afford because it may get banged around during shipping. Make sure you label the case FRAGILE, but don`t add what the contents are on the label. If you can, get the rectangular case like the new ones that came out for the `08 Strats that lock and not one that`s in the shape of the guitar. Insure it so if anything does happen you`ll be reimbursed. Good luck and I hope it arrives without any damage.


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Post subject: Re: Planes and guitars
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:52 am
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Hobbyist
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Any Fender Medal Cases


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:59 am
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Location: metro Chicago USA
'Bout 4 years ago, 'bought a Washburn Rover travel guitar. It has a case like a violin, cheap but functional. 'Carry it on and use the overhead. It usually gets x-rayed but occasionally opened for inspection.

Full length scale, mass-factory-China-produced, plays fine for travel. It's been coast to coast and holding up good. Well worth the $149.00


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 10:18 am
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Aspiring Musician
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JPD wrote:
Hi Sandwich, I use to work for the airlines in the cargo department for many years. The best advice I can give you, is to put the guitar in a hard shell case with a LOCK or its going to disappear. Also, theres a very good chance customs is going to want to inspect it so you may want to be present when that happens or their going to ask you to leave a key to the case. Get the best case you can afford because it may get banged around during shipping. Make sure you label the case FRAGILE, but don`t add what the contents are on the label. If you can, get the rectangular case like the new ones that came out for the `08 Strats that lock and not one that`s in the shape of the guitar. Insure it so if anything does happen you`ll be reimbursed. Good luck and I hope it arrives without any damage.


Thanks for the great advice! One of my main concerns it that they try to open the case to inspect the guitar, or worst of all, lose it.

I was thinking of this case (or a similar one to it anyway)...



http://www.zzounds.com/item--PSGPSGFC


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 11:24 am
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I wouldn't go with anything less than a plastic molded hard case. But...I'd probably even go with one of those metal cases, meant for airlines travel.

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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:33 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Guitars sent with regular baggage on aircraft usually get processed by the Sampsonite Gorilla. If you don't know what that means, ask your parents or grandparents. For all I know, the old commercial is probably on YouTube.

Dan Erlewine (in the Guitar Player [magazine] Repair Guide, 3rd Editon, describes putting threaded steel inserts in Bill Kirchen's Tele in the neck base, so that the neck could be bolted/unboltedfrom the body at will and be carried it in a small bag on the plane. It's on P. 165.


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:45 pm
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Sandwich wrote:
JPD wrote:
Hi Sandwich, I use to work for the airlines in the cargo department for many years. The best advice I can give you, is to put the guitar in a hard shell case with a LOCK or its going to disappear. Also, theres a very good chance customs is going to want to inspect it so you may want to be present when that happens or their going to ask you to leave a key to the case. Get the best case you can afford because it may get banged around during shipping. Make sure you label the case FRAGILE, but don`t add what the contents are on the label. If you can, get the rectangular case like the new ones that came out for the `08 Strats that lock and not one that`s in the shape of the guitar. Insure it so if anything does happen you`ll be reimbursed. Good luck and I hope it arrives without any damage.


Thanks for the great advice! One of my main concerns it that they try to open the case to inspect the guitar, or worst of all, lose it.

I was thinking of this case (or a similar one to it anyway)...



http://www.zzounds.com/item--PSGPSGFC


That is good but i want to add one thing, wrap it with shipping tape
that makes a world of difference, wven if it is locked


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:37 pm
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Put in a good case as luggage. You can't lock it, nowadays unless you buy those TSA approved locks so they can still open it. I've travel numerous times and nothing has happened(yet). They've left me a note and said they inspected my gear - TSA and passed. Nothing was missing. All I put in the case was just my bass. Also, put on a luggage strap on it, incase they inspect the case and not put the lock on properly. They will put the luggage strap on properly as they did mine. Good luck.

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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:35 pm
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I just saw a Musicians Deluxe metal flight case that was blemished at GC online... check that out. My Musicians Deluxe case which isn't a metal flight case is quite nice and I would recommend it to a friend. However if you spend more you usually get more.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:37 pm
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Oh yeah... maybe you should catch a ship next time. More room and I would think it would be a nicer trip.


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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:47 pm
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This case had 4 feet before it went on a flight from Ontario, Ca. to Ogden, Ut. It happened on the way back. The Guitar Was Just Fine!

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Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 6:56 pm
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They will eyeball the thing prior to shipment.

And, sad news folks....on one side, you're going to want a bulletproof case for that guitar (I've got a Gator for my HWY 1) but on the downside, you're still going to have to check it. I've seen hippies drag their acoustics on the plane with gig bags...but would you really want to have your guitar knocked around by people and their stupid carry-ons?

Some advice?

1. Detune the strings a little. Trust me, 20-3000 feet of elevation and the severe temperature changes can whack out your guitar. The airport will ask you if you've detuned the strings on it. They ask this for a reason...

2. If you can? Ship it! No, I'm not kidding. After freaking out because my luggage was lost/late, I decided to ship it overnight on the way back. My guitar was waiting for me! (I even paid insurance and had it marked as fragile.)

3. Get a "travel guitar". I don't know how long you're going to be gone or what it is you'll be doing, but one thing you might want to look into is a travel guitar, ie, a guitar where if something gets dinged, or broken, it's not going to break your heart. Squier guitars....good stuff.....and it's great stuff if you're a frequent flyer.

4. Oh yeah...on the case....get one you can lock after it's been checked by TSA. Stuff happens.

The bottom line? Airports and guitars do not mix. There is no good failsafe way to guarantee that luggage handlers will handle your guitar like you do...or that it will get missplaced and will sit on a tarmac (outdoors either in blistering heat or freezing cold and rain) for hours on end. It happens.[/i]


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