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Best case for traveling overseas?

bordinco90

bordinco90

Dec 7, 2011
3,017
4,081
SW Louisiana
#1
I need some help on which hardshell case to buy. I just been asked to play a festival in France. I need a hardshell case with TSA that will fit my warmoth 4 string p bass. I've been looking at SKB or Gator. I've never traveled overseas or had a bass on a plane and I just want something to keep my baby protected. Thanks!
 
#3
One of these SKB iSeries Waterproof ATA Bass Cases:

sku_view_image.png


sku_view_image.png
 
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#5
I really like my SKB Bass Safe, which I've used on countless international and domestic flights during the last several years with no problems whatsoever. I used to always carry a bass on board, but you can't always depend on that being possible anymore because there are a significant number of newer planes in use that have smaller overheads.

Plusses:
You can use any bass as long as the gig bag fits - you're not restricted to a certain type like you would be with a form-fitting case
You can remove the bass and carry it around in the gig bag when you arrive at your destination (i.e. if you want to take the bass to your hotel between sound check and gig)
Lightweight
Wheels
Pretty damn durable
Has good quality, TSA compliant combo lock
Affordable ($150 new at present)

Minuses:
Not every gig bag will fit in it - you need one that is kind of on the thinner side. I have a Levy's bag which I use with it that is fairly durable.
The gig bag will move around a little bit inside the case, but not enough to be a serious issue. I sometimes wedge a strap or other object inside to help with that.
The strap holding the lock in place could probably be cut with a saw or carpet shears, but I suppose any case can be broken into if someone is determined enough.
Not quite as bulletproof as an ATA case, but I think you would need to run over it with a truck or drop it off a high building to do significant damage.

You probably know this already, but I think it's a good idea to detune the bass a bit before you check it to decrease tension on the neck. I don't always do that, but it might be a good precaution.

skb.png
skb 2.png
 
Last edited:
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#7
lermgalieu said:
Pretty much any good hard case
Click to expand...

I think you're taking a chance that way - I've seen enough regular hardshell cases munched in transit to learn that it's not worth the risk. An ATA case gives you an added amount of protection that is well worth the expense, though even that is no absolute guarantee.
 
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#10
ad9000 said:
I think you're taking a chance that way - I've seen enough regular hardshell cases munched in transit to learn that it's not worth the risk. An ATA case gives you an added amount of protection that is well worth the expense, though even that is no absolute guarantee.
Click to expand...
To each his own. I've flown with a wide variety of, as I said, *good* hardshell cases and none have been "munched in transit."
 
#11
All the above advice is good. If it's a one-off tour and you want to save some money, big backline companies often rent Anvil style flight cases. If any airline employee bitches about the weight of your case, just remind them it is less than a golf bag, which always flies free. That should work.
Heads up. If it does not have TSA approved locks DO NOT LOCK IT!!! TSA will jimmy the locks and reclose the case with packing tape.
 
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#12
lermgalieu said:
To each his own. I've flown with a wide variety of, as I said, *good* hardshell cases and none have been "munched in transit."
Click to expand...

I don't doubt that. I think a majority of baggage handlers treat instruments carefully, but if your axe ends up in the hands of someone who is having a bad day or who just makes it a practice to abuse the pieces they handle, why take a chance with a case that might be more vulnerable?

Once I was forced to gate check a bass in a gig bag, and I happened to look out the window just as a baggage handler lifted it over his head and checked it full force down the luggage chute. The bass survived with just a slightly tweaked neck, but after that I made sure to be more protective of instruments I travel with. I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm just relating my personal experience as a 25-year plus road musician.
 
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#15
ad9000 said:
I don't doubt that. I think a majority of baggage handlers treat instruments carefully, but if your axe ends up in the hands of someone who is having a bad day or who just makes it a practice to abuse the pieces they handle, why take a chance with a case that might be more vulnerable?

Once I was forced to gate check a bass in a gig bag, and I happened to look out the window just as a baggage handler lifted it over his head and checked it full force down the luggage chute. The bass survived with just a slightly tweaked neck, but after that I made sure to be more protective of instruments I travel with. I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm just relating my personal experience as a 25-year plus road musician.
Click to expand...

No worries, I don't even have the energy to argue since I currently have the flu lol. Just talking about my experience. I am sure you're right - the safer the case, the less risk.
 
#16
ad9000 said:
I really like my SKB Bass Safe, which I've used on countless international and domestic flights during the last several years with no problems whatsoever. I used to always carry a bass on board, but you can't always depend on that being possible anymore because there are a significant number of newer planes in use that have smaller overheads.

Plusses:
You can use any bass as long as the gig bag fits - you're not restricted to a certain type like you would be with a form-fitting case
You can remove the bass and carry it around in the gig bag when you arrive at your destination (i.e. if you want to take the bass to your hotel between sound check and gig)
Lightweight
Wheels
Pretty damn durable
Has good quality, TSA compliant combo lock
Affordable ($150 new at present)

Minuses:
Not every gig bag will fit in it - you need one that is kind of on the thinner side. I have a Levy's bag which I use with it that is fairly durable.
The gig bag will move around a little bit inside the case, but not enough to be a serious issue. I sometimes wedge a strap or other object inside to help with that.
The strap holding the lock in place could probably be cut with a saw or carpet shears, but I suppose any case can be broken into if someone is determined enough.
Not quite as bulletproof as an ATA case, but I think you would need to run over it with a truck or drop it off a high building to do significant damage.

You probably know this already, but I think it's a good idea to detune the bass a bit before you check it to decrease tension on the neck. I don't always do that, but it might be a good precaution.

View attachment 3721913 View attachment 3721914
Click to expand...

I have one of those too. The biggest con is that some airlines will charge you extra for the size. They didnt charge me for the reg. hardcase but the bass safe, they charged me.

Also safety pretty much depends on the soft case that is inside and you might have to buy an additional good soft case. .
 
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#17
Whippet said:
I have one of those too. The biggest con is that some airlines will charge you extra for the size.
Click to expand...

That's bs, it should fit within allowable dimensions of checked baggage before you're charged for oversize, but maybe some airlines have reduced their dimensions. I wouldn't be surprised with the ever increasing greed of the airline industry.
 
#19
ad9000 said:
I really like my SKB Bass Safe, which I've used on countless international and domestic flights during the last several years with no problems whatsoever. I used to always carry a bass on board, but you can't always depend on that being possible anymore because there are a significant number of newer planes in use that have smaller overheads.

Plusses:
You can use any bass as long as the gig bag fits - you're not restricted to a certain type like you would be with a form-fitting case
You can remove the bass and carry it around in the gig bag when you arrive at your destination (i.e. if you want to take the bass to your hotel between sound check and gig)
Lightweight
Wheels
Pretty damn durable
Has good quality, TSA compliant combo lock
Affordable ($150 new at present)

Minuses:
Not every gig bag will fit in it - you need one that is kind of on the thinner side. I have a Levy's bag which I use with it that is fairly durable.
The gig bag will move around a little bit inside the case, but not enough to be a serious issue. I sometimes wedge a strap or other object inside to help with that.
The strap holding the lock in place could probably be cut with a saw or carpet shears, but I suppose any case can be broken into if someone is determined enough.
Not quite as bulletproof as an ATA case, but I think you would need to run over it with a truck or drop it off a high building to do significant damage.

You probably know this already, but I think it's a good idea to detune the bass a bit before you check it to decrease tension on the neck. I don't always do that, but it might be a good precaution.

View attachment 3721913 View attachment 3721914
Click to expand...
For anyone going this route, I’d recommend this thread as well:
The ultimate SKB Bass Safe thread - what gig bags actually fit?
 
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