If anyone else has had experience in checking in your bass at the airport, I want to know your stories and what kind of case you used. I'm going to be going to Germany next month and I want to know what kind of case I should buy for my bass. Is it safe to use a case made out of ABS plastic or plywood? Any help would be appreciated!
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Help me choose a hardshell flight case!!!
- Thread starter OmegaZ27
- Start date
There was a whole thread on this a few weeks back. I have travelled back and forth betweeen US and UK for a a couple of years now and alwasy take my bass in the cabin. Best to use a soft gig bag and ask the cabin crew to put it in a closet for you. I never had a problem so far and I know it is relatively safe, not in the hands of the baggage guys (god bless 'em!) or in sub zero temperatures. Someone did say they had had a problem with security tho once so to be sure you might want to check ahead with the airport/airline. Good luck.
It's not a safe thing to assume that you will get a bass guitar in a soft bag onto a plane anymore.
Many have had good luck with the SKB Roller Case for Bass. It's a hard outer shell with wheels and a handle. You put your bass in its gig bag (which acts as padding) into the shell, and then you check it through. It's very rigid, and it is a breeze to wheel around. Just over $100.
The coolest thing is that once you get to your destination, you have your gig bag versus some huge, heavy road case. Nice! The only downside that I found with this case is that the fit is quite tight with a gig bag, so you need to empty the outer pockets and carry your tuner, cables, strap, etc. in your luggage.
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Many have had good luck with the SKB Roller Case for Bass. It's a hard outer shell with wheels and a handle. You put your bass in its gig bag (which acts as padding) into the shell, and then you check it through. It's very rigid, and it is a breeze to wheel around. Just over $100.
The coolest thing is that once you get to your destination, you have your gig bag versus some huge, heavy road case. Nice! The only downside that I found with this case is that the fit is quite tight with a gig bag, so you need to empty the outer pockets and carry your tuner, cables, strap, etc. in your luggage.
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Last time I travelled with a soft gig-bag was 6 weeks ago, British Airways, but not all airlines are the same, so always best to check ahead if you can. If at all unsure that SKB flight case looks the business!! Nice find.
if you want the protection of a proper hardcase but without the awkwardness of a solid wood beast, I had an SKB case that was slimmer than usual... it's called a transporter or a slimline or something like that, I think they've discontinued them now in favour of a bigger, bulkier, probably slightly sturdier version.
even still though, I was never a hardcase guy until I picked up this baby, and I haven't dinged my bass in transport since.
sorry to state the obvious here too but make sure that you don't get a moulded case - you want one that can definitely fit your bass. if in doubt, e-mail the manufacturer.
even still though, I was never a hardcase guy until I picked up this baby, and I haven't dinged my bass in transport since.
sorry to state the obvious here too but make sure that you don't get a moulded case - you want one that can definitely fit your bass. if in doubt, e-mail the manufacturer.
I don't think I'll have a problem with a molded case because I'm not going to find one for my bass anyways. But I have made a mold for one of my previous bass's case by getting a foam block, cutting it, and getting some sheepskin fabric and re-did the whole case.
I use the SKB 44. I've checked my bass a few times and it's been fine so far. It even has a nice built-in TSA approved lock. Latches seem pretty solid as well.
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Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
- 16,223
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- fEARful Kool-Aid dispensing liberal academic card-carrying union member Musicians Local 72-147
If you want semi-indestructable:
From http://www.affordable-cases.com/ It's full ATA, which I then painted. Heavy.
From http://www.affordable-cases.com/ It's full ATA, which I then painted. Heavy.
