Double Bass Czech-ease flying charges?

[JoeLurker]

Anyone on this list still touring with a Czech-ease? If so, are you getting charged over size and overweight?

PS my last post was about calluses, and I promise I’ll never do that again!

 

[Mike Carr]

I haven't flown anywhere with mine in a while but if I remember correctly the last time I got charged for one extra piece of baggage as my baggage allowance provided on my ticket was already used up.

 

[JoeLurker]

Thanks! Seems like with airline belt tightening, the dimension, for what’s considered oversize, keeps creeping, lower and lower. Just wondering whether it would pass muster today.

how long ago did you fly with it and how frequently?

 

[Mike Carr]

Last was about 10 years ago. Los Angeles to Hong Kong. Before about a half a dozen trips to and from different Asian cities to the States and Hong Kong flying with the bass. The flight case is great! I never suffered any damage. The last long trip the bass made was Hong Kong to Bangkok about a year ago but this time I used a shipping company to send the bass ahead of me as I had lots of lead time and my flight baggage allowance was used by other items. The Czech Ease does indeed travel well!

 

[JoeLurker]

Thanks! Yes I’m convinced it travels well. The damage I’m concerned about is financial. Just wondering whether it can still be checked without oversize charges. I’m thinking about getting some kind of travel bass and weighing the available options. I’m seeing CE ply available with the flight case for a good price compared to what’s out there, and just trying to make sure I’m not behind the times. Alright, well I’m probably behind the times anyway but you know what I mean.

 

[Mike Carr]

I really couldn't give a an answer. The airlines now find a way to take every penny they can from us. For me the Czech Ease remains viable because it's easier in taxis and on subways and trains than my normal sized bass. It's a good sturdy plywood and amplifies well. I still have my flight case should the need arise. I also have and often play a Clevinger EUB that gives a great EUB sound. But it's not the real bass sound that the Czech Ease provides. There's really no substitute for a real wood hollow vibrating cavity, even if it's a somewhat reduced size as the Gage Bass features.