Flight case?

[MSilvers]

I have to think about getting a flight case so I can fly safely with a bass. I'd need it for my Stingray 4 and eventually a Reflex TGC 4, so one that would work well for either bass would be best. Any recommendations?

 

[Freddels]

I have and use the SKB Bass safe. You put your bass in a gig bag and then inside the Bass Safe. You can also put extra padding in there like a pillow that you can use to sleep at the hotel with.

 

[keko]

I see in Your signature that TGC reflex is on the way, ...so what's wrong with original factory cases?

I'm very pleased with two of mine!

 

[Lynottfan]

Have you seen some of the baggage handlers at airports ??? The ohsc is a sturdy beast, but for the hold of an aeroplane a proper flight case is piece of mind, Ns Design, bass safe both very good.

 

[MSilvers]

I see in Your signature that TGC reflex is on the way, ...so what's wrong with original factory cases?

I'm very pleased with two of mine!

I have the hard case for my Stingray too. Are they sturdy enough to be stowed under an airplane safely?

 

[Lynottfan]

As I said above there is nothing wrong with the ohsc at all, a very sturdy beast very well made, but if you are going to be doing a lot of gigs that require aeroplane transport, or just for piece of mind a full on proper "flight" case is the best option by far.

 

[keko]

I have the hard case for my Stingray too. Are they sturdy enough to be stowed under an airplane safely?

Well, ...both of my EBMM basses were shipped from factory by airplane to my far, far away country, ...so...

 

[MSilvers]

Well, ...both of my EBMM basses were shipped from factory by airplane to my far, far away country, ...so...

I guess. For some reason I always feel like when stuff is shipped it's safer than when you just travel on an airplane with it. For now I'm not going to be traveling a lot, mainly just between home and school.

 

[five7]

I put my bass in a gigbag and take it right on the plane with me. That feels pretty good. Have you ever lugged a bass around in an anvil flight case, damn heavy!

 

[MSilvers]

I put my bass in a gigbag and take it right on the plane with me. That feels pretty good. Have you ever lugged a bass around in an anvil flight case, damn heavy!

I would totally do that, but I'm always worried they're gonna tell me that it's too big to bring on board and then I'd be screwed!

 

[nurnay]

There's a thread over at talkbass talking about flight cases. Lots of people recommend using a gig bag and taking it on the plane with you. They usually have a closet on board where you can store it. Some airlines are better about this than others, so do some homework.

 

[Golem]

Well, ...both of my EBMM basses were shipped from
factory by airplane to my far, far away country, ...so...

.... and the cases were enclosed in their shipping cartons ....
.... and the basses were not traveling on a tour schedule and
accompanying a player who would depend upon them. So, if
they get damaged they get replaced whenever the insurance
company gets around to it .... etc etc.

But worst of all, no matter how sturdy the molded cases may
be [which in my experience is not so impressively sturdy] the
hardware on the OEM case is all wrong for baggage conveyor
systems [too exposed].

Farz I can see, the ultimate packaging is an SKB KB case for
a 76 key KB, with none of its internal foam padding in place,
into which goes the bass in its gig bag. These cases have the
snag-free hardware for the conveyors and are available with
wheels built into one end. They are also of a heavier plastic
than the SKB bass cases that EBMM [and others] provide as
OEM hard shell cases.

My SKB KB76 holds my Turner Ren-5 in its bag, and a Ren-5
is a 35" semi-hollow 5-string, a genre which is bulkier than a
SR5 in every dimension no matter whose design you choose.

 

[Freddels]

I would totally do that, but I'm always worried they're gonna tell me that it's too big to bring on board and then I'd be screwed!

Then take a look at the Reunion Blues Continental gig bag.

 

[MSilvers]

Then take a look at the Reunion Blues Continental gig bag.

I actually have that bag.

 

[LawDaddy]

Then take a look at the Reunion Blues Continental gig bag.

I love that bag. Been awhile since I did a fly date, but I'd feel safer gate-checking that bag than putting anything through the luggage route. Also, you know it's on the plane with you.

 

[Psycho Ward]

We did a lot of flying when I was touring with the Bellamy Brothers. I have seen guitar players with gig bags have to put their guitars in the bottom of a plane more than once. I have seen SKB guitar cases totally destroyed and the ax in it ruined. I would never place one of my basses in anything less than a true ATA insurable case for a flight, period. ATA approved is not the same as ATA insurable.
That said, I have had three flight cases badly damaged, though they did their job and the instruments survived. If you are going to fly a lot get a flight case!

 

[Aussie Mark]

What Chuck said.

And, these days, rocking up to the check in counter with just a gig bag is a lottery. You might strike a friendly staff member who lets you carry on, but if you don't, I'd hate to be watching my bass go down the baggage conveyor in just a gig bag.

 

[Freddels]

We did a lot of flying when I was touring with the Bellamy Brothers. I have seen guitar players with gig bags have to put their guitars in the bottom of a plane more than once. I have seen SKB guitar cases totally destroyed and the ax in it ruined. I would never place one of my basses in anything less than a true ATA insurable case for a flight, period. ATA approved is not the same as ATA insurable.
That said, I have had three flight cases badly damaged, though they did their job and the instruments survived. If you are going to fly a lot get a flight case!

Which ones are ATA insurable? I've only seen the ones that are advertised as ATA approved but never the other.

 

[Psycho Ward]

The case builder will have a certificate from the ATA, ask for it.

 

[syciprider]

ATA Flight case.

Even BP will advise against sending your bass into the cargo hold in the OHSC