Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Foam bass trunks for airline transport?
- Thread starter Steve Swan
- Start date
I keep a smaller 5/8 bass that I use for flying purposes when bringing a regular bass & trunk is not possible. This bass fits in one of these styrofoam cases, smaller size as well. I got the case from a shop in the UK (Invalid Link Removed. It has served me great so far. Just one missing wheel once but right after that I replaced the wheels with new and stronger ones. When you check in with just 16kg you do it with a BIG smile in your face 
I have a guitar case for my Martin that is made of EPP -expanded polypropylene- the stuff inside of dashboards-It is very , very durable and very, very lightweight. I sure wish someone would make an URB case out of that.
BTW, I'm not seeing a price on the foam case on the links I went to . Can soneone tell us what the cost is? (maybe i just missed it somewhere)
Missy
BTW, I'm not seeing a price on the foam case on the links I went to . Can soneone tell us what the cost is? (maybe i just missed it somewhere)
Missy
Those EPP cases are great--I have no idea why they aren't more common. They're strong and light, provide thermal insulation and can be stiffened with a shell without getting really heavy
We have 8 of these bass trunks that are shown in this picture of Mike Asetta at his old barn.
www.mikeasetta.com
www.mikeasetta.com
Attachments
Jake deVilliers
Commercial User
- May 24, 2006
- 6,349
- 607
- Disclosures
- Owner of The Bass Spa, String Repairman at Long & McQuade Vancouver
i really want one of these babies, i used one to fly my bass to new york, but the bass didn't really close all the way. i wish they had a bigger model for basses on the large side of 3/4
i remember measuring in exactly 49 pounds. it was a nice laugh when one of my moving boxes was heavier
pm me if these are being sold and can hold a larger 3/4. i'm in new york
i remember measuring in exactly 49 pounds. it was a nice laugh when one of my moving boxes was heavier
pm me if these are being sold and can hold a larger 3/4. i'm in new york
Yes, Mike is selling these trunks.
$600 if you pick up in central Connecticut. He finds that "D" necks fit better than "E flat" necks. 3/4 size D necks fit perfect.
Thanks
www.mikeasetta.com
$600 if you pick up in central Connecticut. He finds that "D" necks fit better than "E flat" necks. 3/4 size D necks fit perfect.
Thanks
www.mikeasetta.com
i bought a case from mike asetta and used it to bring a bass to cairo. no damage to the instrument. the case is showing some wear already after one trip. for example straps and zippers do not seem durable enough. wheels are flimsy and i think they'll break soon. but the case didn't cost much, and it did its job to protect my instrument.
Theo, man, is your shift broken? If We Hooked You Up With A Certain Poster You Would Be A Perfect Match!
My $0.02: "OK for occasional use overland but expect no more than one bounce from an airplane."
Have fun in Cairo, man. What an experience!
I owned one of these for a few years of occasional use and that is exactly what happened to me. I was ALWAYS stitching that thing up!
Glad it worked for you.TBeers said:
My $0.02: "OK for occasional use overland but expect no more than one bounce from an airplane."
Have fun in Cairo, man. What an experience!
A few years back, I saw a bassist with a trunk made of a thick hard foam ,but with a hard plastic shell. The comments about a car dashboard seem appropriate to describe it. With the bass it was about 50 lbs. The bassist was a woman from France and she says that the( French) maker of this case doesn't build too many. It looked very durable and well thought out. After two BAD mishaps with my Gage case, I travel with a fabulous electric upright called The Volante bass. Really plays and sounds like a real double bass. Completely breaks down and fits into a hard shell golf club case. No overweight, no excess baggage, no waiting at the airport for the big van. I'm a happy camper.
- Mar 1, 2002
- 4,237
- 52
- 74
- Disclosures
- Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
Several Chinese firms ship the Basses out in those trunks. I have a bunch of them as well. I took my Martini and put it in the 7/8ths case and it fit well. Awhile back my Batchelder was shipped over to Germany and back in the same type of trunk.
Invalid Link RemovedInvalid Link Removed
When I recently saw these trunks in a Wholesalers catalog I figured out 'why' they have them. It's not because they imported them for re-sale. It's because the Chinese Basses they imported came with the trunks for ease of packing. It seems that the Basses and trunks are sold seperately afterwards. I sold one of my imports the other day and included the trunk as a sweetener. I don't see many people buying them seperately unless their Bass fits it perfectly. Most of my old Basses do not fit these trunks.
Having the trunks helps save rack space for me with the new Basses I brought in. The Basses can just sit in them and save room.
Thanks for that advice. It would good to find the French case as described. The only problem is that the foam can crack and along with the instrument, but maybe with the better coating it would be a lot stronger? Re the Volante - how can one obtain these? What are the electrics involved etc? I know there was a mention in another thread but not much detail it seems.....
Ken, that bass is so gorgeous. How nice that it stays with a player able to put it to good use.
- Jan 25, 2006
- 1,292
- 6
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist; Arnold Schnitzer/ Wil DeSola New Standard RN DB
- Mar 1, 2002
- 4,237
- 52
- 74
- Disclosures
- Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
Thanks Sam. The Martini is one of my younger aged Basses (1919) but for some reason, is one of my favorites to play and listen to. As we speak, it is on Arnold's workbench getting restored, re-restored and improved. I am sure it will be even better when it comes back.
The Case fit in the pic above was only an experiment as to its use. I am not using a trunk personally as I have not flown with a DB since about 1972. The luxury of being a NY Studio musician most of my playing career... lol
Any case will work "IF" the baggage handlers are good, I just got back from a tour in Europe where the handlers were great, I was even allowed to walk my bass out to the plane in Copenhaggen, but on my way home from switzerland I had a stop over in Washington Dulles, apparentley now if you are not american you need to get off the plane go through customs and recheck your baggage to the same plane. Needless to say I missed my plane, but what really made me sick was seeing my Czechease bass in it's flight case being towed behind one of the carts that the luggage is loaded into, I also saw it flip over and continue to be dragged after one of the wheels burnt off. Good news is the bass was ok and I can get my neighbour to repair my case, but I'm not sure how much I'd trust anycase if you get a ass of a baggage handler.
I know a reseller who unloads quite a few inexpensive Chinese basses, and he always has surplus of those sitting around. He can't even give them away with the poorly set-up basses he sells to unsuspecting customers. Sometimes the Chinese come up with some pretty odd ideas!
A week ago, I got onto a parking lot shuttle at Newark airport and there was bass in a case in the aisle. Sitting next to it was Todd Coolman. He said the case was from Australia and was of styrofoam and lightweight. He did not mention if he ever had any damage using it, but he did say it was not his number one bass.
