BFR case question

[StevenC]

Hi guys,
I'm hopefully getting a JPX7 this week and I have a question about the BFR case that comes with it. I'm going to be buying it in the states and bringing it home to Ireland in the plane's hold, and I need to know if the case and guitar are going to be alright when I pick it up at the other end. I've taken other guitars across the pond before, but just wanted to check with you guys that these cases were safe enough.

Thanks, Steven.

 

[roburado]

That's a difficult question to answer. I think that much depends on the handling of the guitar and case. I have had numerous BFR cases shipped to me. Most were fine. One came a little bent out of shape. I have seen the regular Music Man SKB case (Dave LaRue's Dargie Bongo in fact) go through without an issue--presumably on a transcontinental trip. I have also seen an SKB housing an ASS get a bit cracked going from Detroit to Boston. The instruments were fine in all cases (no pun intended).

 

[njhammer]

I brought a BFR Luke over to the UK on a BA flight a couple of years ago for a friend and was allowed to carry it on and have them stow it in the rear of the main cabin (I asked nicely at the check-in desk). Worked out great. I have also flown over on BA with a DD2 Luke in a HC which I had to check. This also worked out OK as they tend to carry larger items (guitars, golf clubs, etc.) out to the baggage carousels rather than on them.

Get there early, be nice and smile at check-in. You never know.....Good luck.

 

[the24thfret]

Don't put it in the hold. Don't let it out of your sight. There will be room in the cabin -- just insist upon it.

 

[andynpeters]

Don't put it in the hold. Don't let it out of your sight. There will be room in the cabin -- just insist upon it.

Insisting on anything on aeroplanes is difficult. I think most overhead lockers are too small for guitars, and you will probably find you are not allowed to take it through security (just in case you threaten to play "Stairway" at the pilot!!).

I have flown with a Gibson 335 (BA lost it but it showed up 3 days later), a Silhouette Special (EasyJet smashed one of the case locks, but the guitar survived) and a Martin 00028 (EvaAir to China.....no problems).

I agree with njhammer about using your best smile & plenty of charm......good luck

 

[Spudmurphy]

You should be ok in the hold, but as everybody has said try taking it on as personal luggage. Just out of interest here's of photo of Albert Lee's case - tattered and torn but the guitar is still intact !

 

[jmmp]

Let me preface what I say by saying I have never seen any befriended in any cases other than in pictures. Having that in mind, when I see a picture of a jpx in its case, it nonstop worries me that the lower horn and neck seem to take all of the weight of the guitar when it is upright, and never looked right. I highly doubt any airline would damage the case enough to damage the guitar, but it would tick me off because I try to keep my cases looking as good as the guitars.

 

[andynpeters]

Let me preface what I say by saying I have never seen any befriended in any cases other than in pictures. Having that in mind, when I see a picture of a jpx in its case, it nonstop worries me that the lower horn and neck seem to take all of the weight of the guitar when it is upright, and never looked right. I highly doubt any airline would damage the case enough to damage the guitar, but it would tick me off because I try to keep my cases looking as good as the guitars.

I think all EBMM cases do a pretty good job of protecting the guitar in "normal circumstances".
For me the case exists to take knocks so the guitar doesn't have to. I have some pristine cases, but they are for guitars that don't travel. My SS case hase a broken look and a variety of tears & airline stickers.....but the guitar never got damaged.

 

[beej]

I've checked guitars in cases many a time. Best advice is ... don't, if you don't absolutely have to. Very likely chance of damage. The case is great for everyday use and light abuse, but it's not designed to be a flight case.

If you can, get a gig bag and try to carry it on. Most likely you won't have any issues. Then check the case. If it gets damaged your guitar will still be safe.

 

[mindstorm]

insist you take it on with you. if you put it in the hold in a normal case you risk finish checking {damage to paint} mention that to help you get it on with you.

 

[WillyD]

StevenC, keep in mind it is not a flight case. Contact the airline ahead of time and ask what their policy is regarding carry on guitars. If they allow it your in with a gig bag that can be stowed by the attendants. If not, check it in and ask for fragile stickers then tape over the latches. I have tried both ways and never had damage to any of my instruments.

 

[StevenC]

Thanks very much guys, I think I'm going to try a lot of charm to get the guitar into the cabin. I know some airlines let you take guitars and things on board, but acoording to Aer Lingus' site I have to buy another seat for the guitar. I'd be alright with this except coming over I saw how big the overhead bins were and I know I could fit two cases up there.

 

[ThatsAgood1jay]

I have flown with my guitars in the hold before and there were no marks on them after either flight. Although, if the case has a lock on it, do not lock it. I had a case lock cut open for security reasons once, it was not a built in lock, but it still made me mad that they cut it and looked through my case.

I also think it depends on what airline your going on, my trips with American had no issues.

 

[mojomkr]

Scary Stuff, Brian Kellner @ the Welcome to Musicman UK

Music Man website, Says in all of his demo's that he is able to get his MM

guitars in a Gig Bag in the overhead storage compartment in the cabin.

The headstock makes it short enough to fit perfectly. BTW, if you guys have

not already, check out the UK MM Website. Great stuff, Awesome Demo's

and some great playing. Good Luck !

 

[Spudmurphy]

... ... I try to keep my cases looking as good as the guitars.

Me too!

 

[Marcus2]

My suggestion: Get the shipping carton and ship just the case back as checked luggage. Buy a EBMM gig bag for the guitar and take it on board with you.

The BFR cases are very nice. But also have a decorative side to them. You do not want it scuffed up. Plus, I do not think they have TSA approved locks on those cases.

Good luck.

Marc

 

[straycat113]

Well we all know about the guy who recently had his guitar destroyed during a flight. Dont think for a minute the guy handling your guitar cares if it is a guitar or a ming vase as it is just a box to him that he has no regard for, and will fling and bang it to fit. I think I would agree with everyone that said to try and get it on with you in a gig bag as the guitar is the most important thing to protect first. Secondly I would box the case in the cardboard box it came in and keep my fingers crossed.Personally I hve never had to deal with this, but reading subjects on it flight shipping has the highest rate of damages when it comes to guitars. If they will not let you bring the guitar in the cabin I would breakout the bubble paper, rags and newspaper to pack it as secure as you possibly can. I have had some guitars that I had won on ebay that guys had packed come cross country, and they were packed so good they looked like they could survive a nuclear blast.Good Luck and I feel you will get her home just fine.

 

[jmmp]

Me too!

Whoah!!! I hope none of my cases look that bad. I know the case's job is to protect the guitar, but I baby the cases as much as I can. The gig bag and ship the case back definately sounds like the best idea. I have a link somewhere that regards one's rights to bringing musical instruments with them on an airplane travelling inside the US. And it is definately that you CAN carry them on. Idk why an international flight should be that much different. Best of luck!

 

[Sweat]

Do Not Allow a BF case to be check as luggage, great cases, heavy and protect the guitar well but also very cosemetic and easily scuffed scratched and damaged if sent like normal luggage, Marcus2 had a great idea and if not just by a true flight case to protect al of it, oh BTW great choice, congrats and remeber you must post pics

 

[StevenC]

The guitar will be here on Thursday and I will take pictures of it on the balcony in the Florida sun if I can, I cant wait!