Fly Dates and Bass Cases

[wes stephenson]

Mono M80, ALWAYS carry on; there's always room in an overhead bin or coat closet and federal law now mandates that you're always allowed to carry on if there's room.

The only fly dates I've ever done (and it's been literally dozens) where carry on wasn't possible, due to a small commuter aircraft, you could still gate check your instrument.

This.

 

[chris merrill]

Im surprised this thread is still going and so many of you think checking a flight case or hard case is the only answer.

I'm curious if anyone has had any damage done to a robust instrument, say a J or P bass. I've seen lots of acoustic guitars and angled headstocks broken, but never a solid body fender bass

 

[B-line]

Im surprised this thread is still going and so many of you think checking a flight case or hard case is the only answer.

I'm curious if anyone has had any damage done to a robust instrument, say a J or P bass. I've seen lots of acoustic guitars and angled headstocks broken, but never a solid body fender bass

I'm not surprised its still going on; why would I be? As long as someone (like yourself) wishes to comment, on it goes!

Checking a bass in a HSC or ATA is not the only answer, but it IS simply the BEST and safest answer.
Maybe someone will come along with a tale if a broken bass; I hope not.

Also have to add to the quote above:
there's always room in an overhead bin or coat closet and federal law now mandates that you're always allowed to carry on if there's room.

There is absolutely not "always room" and Federal Law will mean nothing if/when the flight crew says "NO".

Take it to the Bank on that!

 

[MrLenny1]

My buddy used a golf case he had to do a fly date.
Gig bag and a few towels and all went well.

 

[Kevinlane]

SKB Waterproof Jumbo Bass Case

One of the BEST pieces of gear I've ever bought.

there was the more open one linked earlier, but this is a "fender" style.
NEVER let me down, and yes, I do check it. This thing is a pleasure to tote thru airports.
It also can be "emptied" and put in your gig bag. (Yes even my Sadowsky bags)

The Bass Safe (I've had one since they came out) is pretty good and cheaper, BUT the I series SKB cases are the shizzle! Bass Safe went into the attic (somewhere) and my 2 I series are ready to go.

 

[dairyman3833]

SKB 3i-5014-OP
Get a hard shell case and put extra tshirts or whatever in it, gotta check it. Never had a problem. Have done it with a regular SKB cheapo case hundreds of times. But the case itself might get damaged, has happened. Cracked etc. If you can get one of those Warwick cases that are built like a tank. You won't regret it except that it weighs a ton, but it will keep your bass safe until you die! Not gonna get that kind of guarantee with a cheap hardshell case. But if you don't have the funds($300)then just get a hardshell case, make sure the bass doesn't move around inside, and check it.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I've never done a " fly date " gig, always traveled on the road, so to speak. There maybe a few coming up for me in the future, where I can take my bass with me. Since I've been using a gig bag for the last 20 years or so, I was wondering what types of cases you guys use for your instruments while flying ? do you check your bass in as luggage or as a carry on of some sort ? Any other tips, info, advice you can supply would be greatly appreciated. BTW, I play a 4 string MIA Fender Jazz.

I would take the advice of someone who does it all the time with an insanely expensive bass at that.

 

[B-line]

Anyone ever use a Bialetti Italian style coffee-maker??

Recommended! It makes a fantastic cuppa, either use espresso roast or even "regular" coffee!

When I got mine, I was surprised to see that there were hundreds of individual demo videos posted by their happy owners!

Yes, we can find it ALL on the 'net, thank goodness I guess.

Now we know how to stow our Fodera, or Squier Bass.
Yet still- Wait for it....

"I've been flying to gigs for years, and I always use just my gig-bag! Never an issue!"

Wait for it....

 

[JimmyM]

Janek is totally right about the SKB Bass Safe! Including the part about needing something to keep the handles together because they can't figure out a way to make locks that work. How he gets away with zip ties, I don't know, though. I would think TSA would cut them when they invariably inspect your case. I use one of these because it's easier to take on and off:

Nite Ize Original Gear Tie, Reusable Rubber Twist Tie, Made in the USA, 18-Inch, Black, 2 Pack - Ratchet Tie Downs - Amazon.com

 

[Bassmunnky]

I use the Gator Titan case -

I always check the bass

It's water proof and pretty much bullet proof

I do many many fly dates with a Sadowsky

Don't even think of Carry On - I call ******** on anyone who would say otherwise - they will make you check it -

Why risk it - fly southwest and you're good to go

 

[zaiten]

Hi, what about the standardized dimensional limit? I don't think anyone had brought it up. Most airlines nowadays have a limit of 62 linear inches for check-in luggage, meaning Length + Width + Depth. A guitar case measures exactly 62", but most bass hard cases are 72". Technically, since a bass case is 10 inches past the limit, it incurs the over-size fee (usually $100). Has anyone here been hassled for the size of a hard shell case at check-in?

 

[Ddshel]

I have traveled many times to Europe from So. Cal. with my bass in the SKB Bass Safe. I have never been charged an oversize fee.

 

[JimmyM]

Hi, what about the standardized dimensional limit? I don't think anyone had brought it up. Most airlines nowadays have a limit of 62 linear inches for check-in luggage, meaning Length + Width + Depth. A guitar case measures exactly 62", but most bass hard cases are 72". Technically, since a bass case is 10 inches past the limit, it incurs the over-size fee (usually $100). Has anyone here been hassled for the size of a hard shell case at check-in?

Bass cases are 6 feet long? I don't think so! Usually they're slightly longer than 48" at the most. The SKB Bass Safe, for example, is 48.5" long. Seen them a few inches longer, a few inches shorter, but nowhere near 72". And no, I've not been hassled about the Bass Safe or any other hardshell case I've used.

 

[zaiten]

Bass cases are 6 feet long? I don't think so!

not 6 feet of length, what airlines refer to as "linear inches" is Length + Width + Depth, the average Gator hard case is 49.5"+16"+6.5" therefore 72". I'm hesitant to buy a hard case for that reason, technically, they can charge the fee if they feel inclined to measure. I'm glad to hear you and Ddshel weren't charged, that means whichever airline you traveled with did not enforce the dimensional limit clause.

 

[JimmyM]

not 6 feet of length, what airlines refer to as "linear inches" is Length + Width + Depth, the average Gator hard case is 49.5"+16"+6.5" therefore 72". I'm hesitant to buy a hard case for that reason, technically, they can charge the fee if they feel inclined to measure. I'm glad to hear you and Ddshel weren't charged, that means whichever airline you traveled with did not enforce the dimensional limit clause.

Usually I fly on Delta but I've traveled on many different airlines over the last 20 years using hard shell cases and the Bass Safe and have never gotten charged. I don't know anyone who has, either.

 

[markjazzbassist]

Usually I fly on Delta but I've traveled on many different airlines over the last 20 years using hard shell cases and the Bass Safe and have never gotten charged. I don't know anyone who has, either.

depends on the agent. i usually try being as nice and sweet as possible and they just charge me for baggage (under 50 lbs). if they did measure (and some have) i have to pay 250 for oversize. luckily when i did i was playing for a label artist and it just went on the "company credit card".

 

[Karl Kaminski]

SKB Waterproof Jumbo Bass Case

One of the BEST pieces of gear I've ever bought.

there was the more open one linked earlier, but this is a "fender" style.
NEVER let me down, and yes, I do check it. This thing is a pleasure to tote thru airports.
It also can be "emptied" and put in your gig bag. (Yes even my Sadowsky bags)

The Bass Safe (I've had one since they came out) is pretty good and cheaper, BUT the I series SKB cases are the shizzle! Bass Safe went into the attic (somewhere) and my 2 I series are ready to go.

hey kevinlane,
when you say, "It also can be "emptied" and put in your gig bag. (Yes even my Sadowsky bags)"
Do you mean lifting out the inner liner? Im hoping to go that route, lifting out the liner for fly gigs where I need a gig bag too.

SKB already makes the same waterproof iSeries case Invalid Link Removed, but I like the idea of lifting the bass liner out for the best of both worlds.

BTW, SKB also makes the same empty case in 56" as well (for those with long scale basses or cases)