- Thread starter ashiin
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Aussie Mark
Well-known member
Cathay are a great airline, but these days your bass will have to travel downstairs.
If you've got a flight case that you don't mind getting beat up a little, flying is no problem at all. Just don't expect to be able to carry-on.
If you've got a flight case that you don't mind getting beat up a little, flying is no problem at all. Just don't expect to be able to carry-on.
Aussie Mark
Well-known member
Insert some thin cardboard (like cereal box thickness) or a tee shirt between the strings and the fingerboard, to prevent the (roundwound) strings gouging the fingerboard while the case is being squashed and tossed around. Leave the case unlocked so it can be checked for security purposes, and remove any goodies from inside the case (eg. tuner, strap, lead, etc).
If it helps your peace of mind, slather the case with "fragile" stickers, however this may have the reverse effect when the baggage handlers are looking for something to propel during their lunch break Olympic throwing events.
If it helps your peace of mind, slather the case with "fragile" stickers, however this may have the reverse effect when the baggage handlers are looking for something to propel during their lunch break Olympic throwing events.
OnlyMe
Well-known member
Maybe it's better to take the string off alltogether...
PocketGroove82
Well-known member
loosen strings.
Although I've traveled without loosening strings, and I believe EBMMs leave the factories with strings tuned and ready to go (correct me if I'm wrong).
pressure changes+tension=not good.
Get a REAL flight case.
Not some SKB molded plastic crap that will warp after 30min. in a hot car.
If your case doesn't weight 400lbs with your bass in it, it's not a real flight case.
p.s. spend 100extra bucks on the one with wheels.
try Gator brand cases if you can find them in HK
Although I've traveled without loosening strings, and I believe EBMMs leave the factories with strings tuned and ready to go (correct me if I'm wrong).
pressure changes+tension=not good.
Get a REAL flight case.
Not some SKB molded plastic crap that will warp after 30min. in a hot car.
If your case doesn't weight 400lbs with your bass in it, it's not a real flight case.
p.s. spend 100extra bucks on the one with wheels.
try Gator brand cases if you can find them in HK
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silverburst
Well-known member
It probably would, but it wouldn't be the same at the other end. Molded cases like that tend to bend where the aluminum runs around the edges when they are dropped, and I've had a few that never shut quite right again after just one trip through the baggage handling circus. A flight case is relatively cheap compared to how much it would cost if your case popped open.
BTW. Baggage Handling Circus would be a good band name.
bassmonkey
Well-known member
DaveB took a guitar on as hand luggage in a gig bag on his way back from Dallas. This was British Airlines. Call the airline and check that is okay.
Psycho Ward
Well-known member
Mark, show that picture of your double flight case, that's THE way to go!
... well a single bass version, but that's a killer case.
PocketGroove82
Well-known member
I'm not saying a molded plastic case can't do the job, in fact the design of the EBMM one is great. Compared to the old metal rivet things that used to break off when it slammed into something.
But molded plastic will bend and warp and get start looking like crap.
If someone is paying you to fly from HK to LA to do a gig. Tell them they are also buying you a flight case.
unfourtunately, i'm not getting payed. So i guess i should either get a flight case or let my hard case get trashed
Should i call and ask them if i can hand carry it?
bassmonkey
Well-known member
See my post above! Yes, call them. The worst they can say is no and that would cost you exactly the price of a call.
PocketGroove82
Well-known member
call away bro, but in my experience the actual airline policy differs from airport to airport. (although it's not suppose to)
case in point, I'd carry my ray on an airtran flight from atlanta to boston, no problem. It would get stashed with the coats in the 1st class area closet.
Then trying to fly airtran from boston to atlanta a few months later, I was told I had to check it. So I stonewalled them and said, "either the bass and me both get on the plane, or neither of us do." so i missed the flight
I came back the next morning at 4:30am, and managed to b!tch so much that I got on a flight with the bass and I scored 2 free roundtrip tickets to anywhere in the US. lol. ; )
case in point, I'd carry my ray on an airtran flight from atlanta to boston, no problem. It would get stashed with the coats in the 1st class area closet.
Then trying to fly airtran from boston to atlanta a few months later, I was told I had to check it. So I stonewalled them and said, "either the bass and me both get on the plane, or neither of us do." so i missed the flight
I came back the next morning at 4:30am, and managed to b!tch so much that I got on a flight with the bass and I scored 2 free roundtrip tickets to anywhere in the US. lol. ; )
bassmonkey
Well-known member
So, call LAX too, and check their policy. This aint rocket science!
PocketGroove82
Well-known member
I just realized something...
you are gonna be jet lagged and feeling like total crap when you land!
I really hope you get some serious sleep on the plane and wake up feeling good and refreshed when you land!
I flew from the Virginia Beach, VA. to Seoul a couple months ago and I was a wreck for 2 weeks.
Regardless of what case you use, I wish you the best on that gig!
