Flying or shipping a bass from Berlin

[El Diablo Rojo]

Hi all I'm going to Berlin at the end of April and while I am there I buying a bass I can't get here in the states. The bass comes with a fitted hard case. Would you trust the bass being shipped by the shop in Berlin or should I bring it home with me on the plane. If I knew that I could guarantee that I could carry it on I would of course opt for that but if it could get checked thats what worries me. Thoughts?

 

[mongo2]

If not carry-on, I think shipping with replacement level insurance is safer.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Carry on is a tough sell due to the size, but most airlines will let you purchase a seat for your bass if you want to tend it personally. I suppose that it comes down to whatever makes you feel okay about it. There is risk involved moving anything anywhere and insurance for about everything. The benefit of buying your bass a seat is getting all of the instrument's in-flight accommodations as well as your own.

 

[blacktocomm]

Can I assume CME was a no go?

 

[El Diablo Rojo]

Can I assume CME was a no go?

Well I don't know as they never got back to me. So after much consternation I decided to just buy it, have it shipped to Berlin and then bring it home. I found a smokin' deal on CL for a Les Paul TSA flight case and I'll bring that with me and use it bring the bass home. If it ends up in the cargo hold I'll feel a little safer. We are returning to the states on British Airlines and they are more accommodating. What got me spun out was that we are flying over on American and they suck for letting you carry on a guitar.

 

[blacktocomm]

Well I don't know as they never got back to me. So after much consternation I decided to just buy it, have it shipped to Berlin and then bring it home. I found a smokin' deal on CL for a Les Paul TSA flight case and I'll bring that with me and use it bring the bass home. If it ends up in the cargo hold I'll feel a little safer. We are returning to the states on British Airlines and they are more accommodating. What got me spun out was that we are flying over on American and they suck for letting you carry on a guitar.

I’m looking forward to your NBD post.

 

[El Diablo Rojo]

I’m looking forward to your NBD post.

Me too! I better love this damn thing!!

 

[James Collins]

https://www.fim-musicians.org/wp-content/uploads/fim-cites-handbook-2021-EN.pdf

Just in case it has something like Brazilian rosewood in it, this handout might be helpful. But just in case i would make sure that i had documentation of the species of wood it is made of from the store.

 

[El Diablo Rojo]

https://www.fim-musicians.org/wp-content/uploads/fim-cites-handbook-2021-EN.pdf

Just in case it has something like Brazilian rosewood in it, this handout might be helpful. But just in case i would make sure that i had documentation of the species of wood it is made of from the store.

The facepalm I'm making right now is epic. All I want is to buy this G'damn guitar!!!!

 

[James Collins]

The facepalm I'm making right now is epic. All I want is to buy this G'damn guitar!!!!

I've shipped a lot of basses from Warwick with no problem including before the instrument exemption went into effect. As long as you have proper documentation you should be fine. Unless it has Brazilian Rosewood or ivory. Then you will have to do some harder work.

 

[MrLenny1]

I'd gate check it to make sure it gets on the plane.

 

[El Diablo Rojo]

I'd gate check it to make sure it gets on the plane.

Thats the plan. We are flying American from Berlin to London then British Airways back to LAX. The AA flight is the only one I'm worried about. My GF is a retired BA flight attendant so we get free upgrades to First Class if they are any openings. If that works out I should have no issues carrying it on for the flight from London to LA