Guitar case on plane

[vicsnake]

Hey everyone, I'm planning on going to the US for a JP guitar. The thing is, I'm not sure how I'm supposed to bring it back to my country. What would you recommend?

a) Take the case inside the box and send it with the luggage
b) Same as option a but without the box
c) Hope they let me take it as a carry-on

I once, bought a Dual Rectifier head and was able to take it with me, but the case is so much bigger.
Anyone has any experience with this???

Thanks

 

[MJK28]

Well I've never flown with my guitar but I might in the near future. I found this article a few days ago which might be helpful to you also:

You CAN Carry On Your Guitar. It

 

[Capelo]

I bought my first EBMM in NYC while visiting a friend and took it back to the UK as hand luggage. The case fitted perfectly in the overhead compartment. Always best to check with your airline though. Happy buying!!

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

When I moved from the UK to the USA, three of my guitars came with us on the plane. They came on three separate trips and all were in hard cases. They all rode in the luggage hold as I could not be bothered with arguing with airline check-in staff!

I am pleased to report all my guitars arrived un-damaged. Only one case was damaged on the outside which I can live with!

 

[uOpt]

I am usually having luck convincing them to do cabin storage, which is you give it to them and they put it into a closet.

For checked luggage a typical music man case is not sufficient. If the instrument is important to you you put a box around it or you get one of those ninja TSA cases (I have two, one for flying).

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I am usually having luck convincing them to do cabin storage, which is you give it to them and they put it into a closet.

For checked luggage a typical music man case is not sufficient. If the instrument is important to you you put a box around it or you get one of those ninja TSA cases (I have two, one for flying).

None of the guitars that went in the hold were MM cases. They were Hiscox Lightflight cases. Very strong cases indeed!

I was surprised that they managed to crack one of them!

 

[beej]

I've checked a MM guitar in the SKB case a few times. Not a great idea, but I've found the odd gem during my travels and it was the easiest way to get it back from parts unknown. Happy to say I've never had a significant incident.

 

[uOpt]

None of the guitars that went in the hold were MM cases. They were Hiscox Lightflight cases. Very strong cases indeed!

I was surprised that they managed to crack one of them!

Yeah. People really underestimate how hard exactly the airlines and airports can be. They shred cases like Music Man's regular ones easily.

Here is what I use. Next to the flight recorder that should be the strongest thing on the plane.

Amazon.com : SKB Injection molded Les Paul Flight Case - TSA Latches, w/wheels : Electric Guitar Cases : Musical Instruments

 

[PaoloGilberto]

I would prefer shipping it to Mexico from US, why risking and being anxious about what the airline might decide about how to carry it?
the music man cases seem pretty strong, I have 2 music man guitars shipped in my country from US to Europe, and both were in perfect condition even the case.

I would be curios also if a sterling music man in a sterling gig bag would be aloud to carry on board as a hand luggage and store in in the overhead compartment.
I want to ask a friend to bring a 7 string from US, but don't wanna cause him trouble...

 

[DrKev]

I think airports are a little more dangerous in terms of machinery but the people who work for shipping agents can be as rough with things as airport baggage handlers. I've prepared a lot of guitar for shipping when I worked at the music store and I've seen those guy throw things into the back of truck, dump Marshall cabs on top of Ukuleles, etc. Believe me, it's all just another cardboard box to those guys. But we pack our instruments better for shipping and they survive intact and often intune. The moral of the story is.... travelling by air - pack well!

I'd pack it as if it was to be shipped, assume it's going the hold but ask them to gate check it. You hold onto it until you board the aircraft and retreive it as soon as you leave the aircraft, and the guitar never sees another suitcase, only baby buggies.

Tim, I had a Hisocx case punctured after getting lost enroute from London to Paris. Guitar not a scratch though.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

In Steve Morse's clinic, he said he carries his #1 in a gig bag and exactly twice was told he could not bring it on. He borrowed a screwdriver in both those cases, removed the neck and put it under the seat in front of him.

I don't know that there exists a person who has brought a guitar on an airplane more than Steve.

 

[Spudmurphy]

If you believe all the info you read, it is said that when the concept of a bolt on neck (rather than a through neck ) was introduced, the advantages of this was to make guitar maintenance a lot more easier, and to aid transportation via the removal of the neck.
So, as long as you are not getting an Armada, consider unbolting the neck and packing it in your suitcase or carry on case.

Remove the neck. slacken the truss rod and you should be ok.

 

[uOpt]

I think airports are a little more dangerous in terms of machinery

But the machinery *is* the problem.

We have seen several example how they crush wood cases and thin plastic cases like Music Man's just in the last years.

The neck removal trick is good but I'd leave the truss rod alone.

 

[megaroel]

I thinks it a law in the states you can carry you're guitar on board with you !! I didn't know this till recently!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I know that Steve Morse loves his #1, but if I had a signature guitar that was sold internationally I would not bother taking my number 1.

I would just make sure the local distributor had one for me to use when I got there!