Author Topic: Serious Travel HELP! (Read 23006 times)

Dakine · « **Reply #15 on:** May 24, 2006, 04:45:46 PM »

Hey Searcher,
thanks!
think hold luggage is looking the choice. Just hate the SKB case to start with! Actually, guitar is heavily insured and apart from hassle a payout would not upset me too much, just takes time and whole idea is a guitar there to relieve stress/tension.

maybe Feline or a Luthier will chime in on pros/cons of taking the neck off for "carry-on" choice.

_tom_ · « **Reply #16 on:** May 24, 2006, 05:00:05 PM »

I've seen somewhere of someone that took off the neck from their guitar and put it all in his suitcase.. I think all necks have the trussrod in the neck only so that wouldnt be a problem but listen to someone more experienced as the last thing you want is a messed up guitar

38thBeatle · « **Reply #17 on:** May 24, 2006, 05:11:51 PM »

Nick, as everyone else has said, real sorry about your folks. I know how you feel. I saw a fellow passenger carry a guitar case on board a European flight recently and she stuck it in the overhead. Admittedley not a transatlantic hop. I have had my guitars apart on odd occasions and had no problems putting them back together and I am about as inept as they come. Another thought, I'd lend you one of mine to tide you over if you want- which airport are you arriving at?- I live about 15 mins away from Gatwick.

Steve

PhilKing · « **Reply #18 on:** May 24, 2006, 05:16:27 PM »

I travel with guitars a lot. But I travel BA. They quite often let me take it on the plane and put it in the wardrobe in business class. When they do put it in the hold, they hand carry it and unload it into the oversize and fragile area. They will also let you have it loaded at the gate, which means that you carry it to the plane.

I have only had damage through Homeland Security. Let me give you a warning, don't lock anything! It seems to be like a red flag to them, and they will break the locks. They ruined a new PRS case because I had locked it (and you can open the locks with a paper clip in about 2 seconds!). I had done it for security. Now I put tape over the locks so they don't get knocked open. This way they can open it if they want. Another thing you can do at some airports is have them wrap the case. As long as they check it for HS before they do this, it is probably the best way to go.

Sorry about your father, and I hope that you don't have too much hassle in traveling. If you want to take the neck off, it is not difficult and I can give you some points to check if you want to PM me about it. I have carried Ben's Strat and Gajic neck in my cases with no problems, but again don't lock the cases.

Dakine · « **Reply #19 on:** May 24, 2006, 05:29:59 PM »

Thanks Guys,
I just spoke to Ernie Ball (not that they are my fave people, although I like their guitars) and they advised against taking neck off at all poss.

Steve that is a MEGA generous offer. I actually fly into Gatwick (I always fly Continental as have miles, continental bank card and they fly direct). Problem is Continental was in chapter 11 for along time (close to bankrupt) and closed alot of bases. Their HOME base is Houston so all the "walking dead" now operate from there. Their flight attendance is cr@p! They only wanna talk to each other about arthritus creme's and such LOL. So them being "attentive to my plight/concerns" is not a good bet. In fact just speaking to them on the phone they were NOT receptive.

As I said, if the axe breaks it is insured and for more than I payed for it. BUT the issue would then still be I am guitarless.
I hope this does not sound cold or misplaced. I am trying to be "on topic" here as this is not a "grief" forum. I am devastated! I have ALWAYS felt some guilt for moving so far away (I am 36yo and my folks are 74yo and I am an only child), so now I just dunno how to express my thoughts/feelings.
However, apart from getting angry and looking for some violence, my best outlet is playing music right now! The guitar does HELP, hence my desire to take one with me.

I just dunno.

sambo · « **Reply #20 on:** May 24, 2006, 05:36:05 PM »

must be difficult for you man, good luck with everything...

im not gonna say im praying for you or anything as im not religious...

but im thinking of you mate,

hope all goes well.

Dakine · « **Reply #21 on:** May 24, 2006, 05:38:39 PM »

Thanks Sam,
basically it is "coming to terms" with it, as now the outcome is inevitable/close.

Nick

sambo · « **Reply #22 on:** May 24, 2006, 05:48:31 PM »

i know what you mean... i also kinda know the guilt you described... a couple of years ago my aunt died of cancer, and in all my life id barely tried to speak or meet with her accept when i HAD to... it was like a chore... now i feel so guilty that i hadnt made more of an effort... it was cause she lived in Devon you see, quite a way from me, and me being a teenager didnt care for going to visit..... quite ironic actually as my uncle (well he WAS my uncle-in-law anyway) is/was a guitar teacher and if my aunt was still alive i would be wanting to visit all the time... that only adds to the guilt in a way..

anyway, yer... i (half) know what your going through although i cant imagine what its like with a parent...

Johnny Mac · « **Reply #23 on:** May 24, 2006, 06:03:30 PM »

Sorry to hear about your Dad. Bring your guitar if it makes you feel better man as it'll help you take your mind off things and focus on the future. Thoughts are with you.

When i used to travel abroad doing photo jobs i used to have to carry some mega expensive kit which is fragile. I used to check a big lens in as fragile goods or fragile something anyway. Just ask at check in. They carry the items on to the planes cargo hold for you and in some cases hand it to you personally at arrivals otherwise you pick it from the carousel if not. I've got a lens that i paid 5.5 grand for second hand and never had any probs, but i did worry about it.

willo · « **Reply #24 on:** May 24, 2006, 06:15:17 PM »

Hey Nick, I don't know much about travelling with guitars, but I'm sure I read somewhere that you should release the tension on the strings if you are putting the guitar in the hold - it's something to do with the hold not being pressurised like the cabin (I think?), it can cause all your strings to snap - and the last thing you need after a transatlantic flight is a re-string.

Have you thought about buying a really cheap small-scale acoustic or similar, because that could definitely go in as hand luggage.

Regarding your parents, all I can do is echo what everyone else has said and wish you all the best thoughts I can.

Dakine · « **Reply #25 on:** May 24, 2006, 06:15:41 PM »

JC, darn bro!

Now ya know whats coming next.....

POST SOME PICS u ave taken :)

Nick

Dakine · « **Reply #26 on:** May 24, 2006, 06:21:50 PM »

Hey Willo, thanks bud.
Buying another guitar seems abit silly (although good idea). Cannot stand Steinberger shape btw :)
Thing is, well, extra cash is tight (till sell house here, fingers crossed that goes ok, finished all work, put in new deck this weekend PHEW) and am looking at a M-Audio Black Box to use for my trip, which is costing too.

Still undecided.

Erring towards padding out the case as best as I can. Steve "Mr.Beatle"s offer is VERY generous though! Hmmmmmmmmm

You know what though....

This shows BRITISH SPIRIT.

yeah I am emotional right now, but I love you guys! I KNOW your sentiments are heartfelt and honest and I MISS that overall feeling. I am NOT dissing USA but I MISS BRITISH SPIRIT!!!!!!!!!!! I dunno how I feel right now but I DO know where HOME is!!!!

And, when I am back at least I can finally meet some of ya (although missed LGS :( ), but Music Live etc. is coming.

I know/feel owe ALOT of ya a beer/or coke (Sam ')).

Nick

sambo · « **Reply #27 on:** May 24, 2006, 06:30:15 PM »

Quote from: Dakine

I know/feel owe ALOT of ya a beer/or coke (Sam ')).

Nick

:lol: i dont think coke is a good idea- (according to my dentist) i did 30 years worth of damage to my teeth in 2 years due to that substance :D

maybe an orange juice?

anyway.. off to do a merry paper round... how fun... :?

38thBeatle · « **Reply #28 on:** May 24, 2006, 06:35:25 PM »

Well Nick let me know if you do want to borrow it and PM me.
Steve

snipesace · « **Reply #29 on:** May 24, 2006, 06:44:51 PM »

This is just an idea, but as I work at a big music chain I know how guitars arrive to the store. I'm thinking what you could do is go down to your local music store and ask for some boxes. preferably ones from american fenders or else a gibson box (I say this because those guitars come in their hardshell cases inside the box...guitars like epiphones just come in a box..no case so the box is smaller) and then bubble wrap it like crazy and put it in the box. I am sure those stores have PLENTY of boxes everday as I know the store I work at does, and I am sure they would be more than willing to toss a couple your way. it will of course make the size bigger but hey...can you put a price on the safety of your guitars? even better, would be to get an american fender bass box, even bigger, more room for bubble wrap or packing foam etc.