MM case okay to fly a bass in?

[Aussie Mark]

This may sound silly now, but... I thought the whole idea of the SKB cases was that you can travel only using them on the plane.
Why would disassembling the bass and putting it in your regular (soft bags) luggage be more safe than using the original hard shell case?

The weakest link of an "assembled" bass is where the neck joins the body, since the neck can exert a lot of leverage if it gets hit hard. Hence, I've always felt more comfortable shipping a bolt-on bass in pieces, packed in one or two well padded boxes, than using a standard (non-ATA) moulded ABS or plywood/tolex hard case. Standard cases leave only a thin layer of the case between the instrument and the outside world, and they're flimsy enough to transfer any hard hit from the outside to the contents via pressure and shock. Therefore, I'd feel more comfortable with a neck and body wrapped up in t-shirts and underdaks inside a hard shell suitcase, where you can really pad the bass parts to the max, ensuring there is plenty of shock protection so that a hard hit on the outside of the suitcase will not be transferred to the bass. And, when you think about it, it's pretty hard to destroy a neck or a bass body when they're separated - the assembled entity is a lot more vulnerable to serious damage.

 

[syciprider]

Take your car to Newport. With your cheap fuel prices (did someone say only $3/gallon?) it would be cheaper than buying a flight case or having one made.

Not only am I not up for a 2500mi (4,000km) solo drive across the US, I also have zero experience with driving in winter conditions in places where there may be snow and/or ice. ORM prevailed in this one

I wish I could really. I don't wanna be stuck on base for 40 days in the winter
I'm gunna get real buff.

 

[Hellboy]

Not only am I not up for a 2500mi (4,000km) solo drive across the US, I also have zero experience with driving in winter conditions in places where there may be snow and/or ice. ORM prevailed in this one

I wish I could really. I don't wanna be stuck on base for 40 days in the winter
I'm gunna get real buff.

Be glad that you don´t live in the northern part of Sweden. People drive 4,000 km just to get a pizza and the sun doesn´t rise during 6 month of the year. And there are lots of snow. Lots of it.

//Jan

 

[Colin]

People drive 4,000 km just to get a pizza

surely they'd deliver?

 

[oli@bass]

And, when you think about it, it's pretty hard to destroy a neck or a bass body when they're separated - the assembled entity is a lot more vulnerable to serious damage.

Mark, thanks a lot for that explanation. Didn't consider this...

 

[roburado]

I was on the same plane as Dave LaRue, Pete & Nick DuBaldo, fsmith, and Stanky going from Phoenix to Palm Springs for Desert Domination. Dave LaRue checked in his bass in the SKB. No problems, as far as I could tell. I'm not saying that it's not a risk, but things worked out okay for him. I'd just ship the thing, personally. And, because it's winter, when I receive it on the other end, I'd make sure the thing came to room temperature before opening it.

 

[grinch]

Those get a bad rep here. TSA (the airport security folks) may open the case after it is checked in. The problem begins when the they try to close it again. They may not do it correctly and expose the bass to damage.

I will probably ship the bass the way that EB and the dealers do it. Case in the box.

I agrees with this assessment. I travel with my bass often. TSA may open the case and not close it correctly but you will find a tag inside, indicating that they searched it. The standard skb case is NOT enough!!! I converted an ATA Rated SKB staff golf case into my bass air travel case (with plenty of foam padding inside plus a gig bag) it (the case) gets punished EVERY time. This case is rated for 1 million miles I believe. It has been opened and not closed properly a few times but I've been fortunate that my Bongo survived without a scratch (and sometimes still in tune which still amazes me) with no nicks or scratches. Last time I travelled I had a TSA locking strap (because you can lock your luggage with a TSA approved lock) around it that was gone by the time I got the case.

Save yourself the hassle. For that length of time ship it (don't forget to put fragile all over the box).

Do not trust the airlines with you pride and joy. No way, no how!!!

 

[oli@bass]

With all these stories, I am amazed that you guys don't sue the hell out of your airlines... for national flights that's completely unaccetable, IMO.

 

[tadawson]

Well, the minor little detail that they basically get you to waive the right to get much of anything for damages as a condition of selling you a ticket . . . .

Certainly sucks though - they basically empower the neaderthal retards that they have handling baggage to do as they please . . . that and the frickin' unions, and it looks like the old monkey from the luggage ad from the 70's or so . . .

- Tim

With all these stories, I am amazed that you guys don't sue the hell out of your airlines... for national flights that's completely unaccetable, IMO.

 

[Kirby]

I only fly with flight cases. I use Showcase custom cases out of Nashville and they really do take a beating with no damage to the inside. They are a bit heavier to lug through an airport, but they are under the 50 pound limit. It is worth it to have the security of knowing the basses will be fine when I arrive. As far as theft, just make sure it is insured and don't travel with a bass you are not afraid to lose.

 

[syciprider]

I only fly with flight cases. I use Showcase custom cases out of Nashville and they really do take a beating with no damage to the inside. They are a bit heavier to lug through an airport, but they are under the 50 pound limit. It is worth it to have the security of knowing the basses will be fine when I arrive. As far as theft, just make sure it is insured and don't travel with a bass you are not afraid to lose.

I just scored an Angstrom flight case from TB for $100. I just might fly with this thing.

I don't have a that bass I'm not afraid to lose.

 

[Kirby]

I just scored an Angstrom flight case from TB for $100. I just might fly with this thing.

I don't have a that bass I'm not afraid to lose.

Congrats on the score. It should definitely yield more protection than the SKB case. As far as having a bass you are not afraid to lose, I really don't have on either. They are all special to me. I usually fly with one that I can replace that is not an LE or a one off. Believe me, I would be crushed if one did disappear or was damaged.