Double Bass Is this a suitable hardcase for flying

[ConorMurray]

Hi all!

I just wanted to drop a quick message to receive some advice on more experienced flyers. I'll be travelling to NYC this August to attend school for 6months. I currently have this hard case that a teacher helped me purchase. He was sure that it was suitable for flying as he had known a friend that did the same. I just wanted to check in with some more players here to see what there opinion on it might be.

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Thanks for the advice!

Conor

 

[jimmyb]

Sub'd. Interested in people's opinions on this one

 

[Sam Sherry]

I owned one years ago.

My impression is that it was good for one bounce at most.

If you're in a regional band tossing your plywood bass in a truck or trailer every weekend, the styro-box is better than a bag.

I wouldn't fly with it. I sure wouldn't plan to fly with it twice. Things keep happening.

Also, FWIW the zippers self-destructed after a few months.

Enjoy school and NYC!

 

[SAlcott]

It's totally inadequate for being tossed around by baggage handlers.

 

[ILIA]

I've known one person who actually flew to an audition with one of these things, and the bass actually survived the round-trip journey.

Personally, no way would I use this thing to fly with the bass in the cargo hold in this case. Airport baggage handlers are a bunch of savages at best, animals at worst.

I use this case on long road trips, where there are also a bunch of other things packed in the vehicle, next to the bass.

I reiterate what Sam said, zippers on these things will break sooner rather than later. At least, that was my experience.

 

[Carl Hillman]

4 centimeters of foam will not protect your bass under the plane. Sometimes, an A-grade flight case won't even protect your gear.

I once had a top of the line Anvil keyboard case come back from a flight with a hole the size of a grapefruit punched all the way through it.

 

[Earl]

No, and I think you are in the wrong forum.

 

[SAlcott]

Which forum should a query about a double bass case be in?

 

[StyleOverShow]

The US has ordered airlines to accommodate musical instruments in the passenger area although pretty sure that doesn’t apply to DB’s given their size and you’re trip is prolly international.

Have you considered renting a bass while you’re in the US?

 

[Earl]

Which forum should a query about a double bass case be in?

Maybe Accessories? Probably not Jazz Technique.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I’ve been told those are good for three flights at most, which doesn’t seem worth the environmental cost of putting that much styrofoam in a landfill.

 

[walking_line]

I would most definitely not fly with a case like that.

 

[Five or Six]

I guess I equate cases like motorcycle helmets. What's your head worth. In this case,, what's your bass worth? Your call for sure.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I know for a fact that airlines have destroyed basses in much, much better cases than that one. No way would I send my -- or anyone's -- bass via air in that case.

 

[Paps]

Instead of buying a bass flight case, why don't you try to rent or get a lone of one?
You could try contacting a bassist at a professional symphony orchestra, worth a try.

 

[Sam Sherry]

I guess I equate cases like motorcycle helmets. What's your head worth?

40+ years ago somebody sold a very skeptical 20-yo Sam a bike helmet. It went like this:

Seller: "I can sell you a bike helmet in one sentence."
Sam: "No, you can't."

Seller: "Picture yourself riding down the road . . . at 30 miles an hour . . . on your head."
Sam: "Well done -- nice sale!"

 

[Bass Momma]

Hi all!

I just wanted to drop a quick message to receive some advice on more experienced flyers. I'll be travelling to NYC this August to attend school for 6months. I currently have this hard case that a teacher helped me purchase. He was sure that it was suitable for flying as he had known a friend that did the same. I just wanted to check in with some more players here to see what there opinion on it might be.

Invalid Link Removed

Thanks for the advice!

Conor

Drive!

 

[Five or Six]

I got hit on the xway at high speed by some dork not paying attention. I pay for stupid everyday. I watched one of my guitar players just randomly open the tailgate on my Ramcharger (years ago). On top of the stack of several guitars was my 70s P bass. Out it came landing in the concrete driveway. Good hard shell case, no damage. Good helmet saved my gord. Blunt trauma wasn't so kind to my body. Sorry bout the derail.

 

[DrayMiles]

A bass deserves better…

 

[ConorMurray]

Hi everyone,
Thanks for the advice. To be honest i thought this was the case. I'm coming from Ireland or U.K. so driving is out of the question . I'll try to get a loan of one!