Flight Case Recommendations

The Owl · #1 09-06-2006, 02:34 PM

Looking for recommendations for a good flight case to carry me Schecter in (stiletto 5-string). With airlines being all paranoid and anal and all nowadays, it seems the likelyhood of getting to carry and stow my instrument in the overhead bin is nonexistent.

Definitely looking for something that will protect my beastie and withstand those brutal baggae handlers-------

WillBuckingham · #2 09-06-2006, 02:41 PM

One piece of advice: Do not gatecheck your bass or put "fragile" stickers on it. In my experience, this makes them enjoy banging up your luggage extra hard.

wwittman · #3 09-06-2006, 08:10 PM

Checking in a flight case is always the best idea.

Calzone is a great co. and very HELPFUL.

if you're looking to save some money, you might be able to find a used keyboard case that's long and wide enough, and have Calzone refoam it to fit your bass (about $100)

The Owl · #4 09-08-2006, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwittman

Checking in a flight case is always the best idea.

Calzone is a great co. and very HELPFUL.

if you're looking to save some money, you might be able to find a used keyboard case that's long and wide enough, and have Calzone refoam it to fit your bass (about $100)

Much thanks amigo!! Calzone's been around forever I seem to recall.

Richard Lindsey · #5 09-08-2006, 07:44 AM

You might also consider the SKB Bass Safe; you just put the bass inside, in its gig bag, and latch it up. It's worked fine for me so far (not that I've flown with it a lot, just a few times), and it's easier to deal with than a flight case IMO.

http://www.skbcases.com/product/musi...s/skb-r44.html

Steve · #6 09-09-2006, 09:10 AM

One of the many reasons to get a REAL flight case is to prevent the airline from squirming when they destroy your instrument. To that end it's really important that the case is in fact ATA 300 compliant. Most are not.

What you're looking for are Ball Corners, Recessed Handle and Latches and a Piano Hinge.

As nice as that SKB case is, I can see the exposed wheels of that thing getting caught in a conveyer and slung 30' only to be run over by a 747 on the taxiway. Not that an ATA case would survive that but it's one less loop hole for the carrier.

**Freddels** · #7 09-09-2006, 09:47 AM

Is there any padding inside the SKB Bass Safe or does it rely on your gig bag for protection? I wouldn't want my bass being banged around inside.

Also, has anyone been charged extra by the airline due to the size of the SKB Bass Safe?

I've been thinking about getting the SKB Golf case (since golf cases are listed by airlines as being exempt to the oversize charge).

Richard Lindsey · #8 09-09-2006, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddels

Is there any padding inside the SKB Bass Safe or does it rely on your gig bag for protection? I wouldn't want my bass being banged around inside.

Also, has anyone been charged extra by the airline due to the size of the SKB Bass Safe?

I've been thinking about getting the SKB Golf case (since golf cases are listed by airlines as being exempt to the oversize charge).

No, no padding. You need to have a good gig bag. IME it doesn't move around that much, and if it did, you could just slip some foam in there to stabilize it. I've never been charged extra for using the Bass Safe.

d8g3jdh · #9 09-09-2006, 10:25 AM

Make absolutely certain that it says ATA approved. Otherwise airlines won't insure it.

**Freddels** · #10 09-09-2006, 10:37 AM

I'm also looking at the RoadReady cases. They have some keyboard cases that would fit and they have pick and fit foam that could be customized to fit the bass.

I've sent an email off to SKB to see if they are ATA 300 rated since it's not quite stated on their website.

BassGod · #11 09-10-2006, 09:36 AM

Get a Gator case. I've had mine for a while, and though I have no use for it now (the Sterling came with a case), it's a very durable case.

This one is ATA approved: http://www.gatorcases.com/productsmo...&PID=32&MID=48

Graeme

**Freddels** · #12 09-10-2006, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassGod

Get a Gator case. I've had mine for a while, and though I have no use for it now (the Sterling came with a case), it's a very durable case.

This one is ATA approved: http://www.gatorcases.com/productsmo...&PID=32&MID=48

Graeme

I was looking at that one this morning but it's listed at 33 lbs empty. Yikes!

dhadleyray · #13 09-10-2006, 12:37 PM

Hey Guys,

I've been posting my horror stories in various places, but I wanted to check something..

In one of my last flights, I had to sign a form stating the airlines would be exempt for loss or damage. (One of the two..) I vaguely remember asking her, "what if it's stolen?" The reply was something like "they're not responsible."

I remember thinking that damage would be better than stolen under the circumstances.

It's the first time I've ever signed something like that. The other weird thing was the baggage handlers, at one of the airports, put my bass on the floor. It didn't go with everyone else's lugggae. I found it sitting on it's own near the belt. I don't know whether they were doing me a favour or not, though I suspect so...

**Freddels** · #14 09-20-2006, 09:06 PM

I went to the local GC today to check out the RoadReady keyboard cases. They have one that will allow my bass (in a gig bag) to be put inside the flight case. The length just about makes it so they're ordering the next larger keyboard case for me to look at next week. These cases seem to be well built, meet the ATA standards, and have wheels!

doctordrew · #15 09-20-2006, 09:33 PM

I too use the SKB vault for all my basses. It's a standard purchase whenever I invest in a bass nowadays!

I've done quite alot of travelling with all my basses and for all flights this is all I use. Never had a problem.

The last tour I did (USA/Canada from Australia) included 12+ flights and both basses I took with me came back in the same condition they left in. A few scuff marks on the cases, but that's obviously expected.

Only suggestion I have is make sure your gear is insured when travelling.