Most of my gigs are in the UK but every now and then - maybe once a year, this year twice, I fly to a gig. Until now I have always taken the bass onboard as I just put it in a soft bag, but I am now thinking about getting a hard case so that it can go in the hold. It seems like "proper" flight cases can cost almost as much as the value of the guitar - and I really don't want to be dragging a big heavy monstrocity around the airport. Can the cheaper and lighter ABS cases stand up to flying. Any recommendations? Ideally less than £100 or perhaps slightly more if the quality and weight is significantly improved. For this trip - next week I will be using a Yamaha TRB5 but for other gigs I normally use either standard 4 string Fender Jazz or Warwick Corvette. Most of the time the case will probably be stuck up in the loft as I prefer the practicality of soft carry bag.
Any of the Fender SKB made cases should do it, and I see them used all the time. Make sure whatever you buy has TSA locks, or the bastrds will crowbar it open just to prove it's a bass.
Since the OP is in Britain, hopefully he won’t be troubled too much by the TSA, unless he flies to the US.
I just bought a Yamaha Hiscox case. £97 from Yamaha. I have been using guitar bags for years and it seems a bit bulky but definitely looks well made. Typically when I spoke to the agent for the gig he informed me that all the bands just bring their guitars and bases in bags as hand luggage. Oh well - the venue are paying for over weight but I really dont like the thought of the bass being thrown around on conveyor belts etc.
Be sure to use additional padding inside the case as well to keep the bass from rattling around inside the case.
Well....3 days after purchase the case got a dent in the side and split underneath ! Of course I didn't notice it until we were about to board the next flight so couldn't make a claim against the airline. I have since managed to push the dent out but of course the split remains. Guitar was fine. I am guessing they must have dropped the case from some height! Even more annoying the check in attendant told me it would not have been a problem to take the guitar onboard if it was in a soft bag!