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Double Bass Picking up a bass in Europe

H

Herbet

Guest
Mar 2, 2013
26
1
Toronto, Canada
#1
Hi guys,
I live in Canada and am planning to get a bass from France in the near future. How would you go about bringing something like that back? Has anyone here done it? Most airlines seem not to accept as checked baggage even by paying extra fees.
thanks , Herbet
 
#2
At the moment, this is pretty hard to do. It seems like things will get better soon with Invalid Link Removed in the US and Invalid Link Removed from the European Parliament. However, at the moment, no major airlines have rewritten their policies to reflect new rules.

Your best bet may be with British Airways. You will likely need to schedule a layover in London, and you will definitely need a flight case (which you will have to pay excess fees for), but Invalid Link Removed about checking double basses.

From their website:

Larger instruments can be carried as part of your free checked baggage allowance or as part of an additional purchased allowance if required. We'll even carry instruments larger and heavier than the standard checked baggage limits, up to 45kg (99lb) and 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in), providing you notify us at least 24 hours before your flight. (A double bass will be accepted even above these dimensions.) Instruments over 23kg may incur a heavy bag charge.
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#3
A lot of touring musicians regularly travel back and forth between EU and North America with basses. Also many North American luthiers, who bring their instruments to trade shows and such in Europe. You definitely need a flight case, and a modern light one is highly preferred. I think most airlines will be accommodating, but call first and expect to pay fees. I'd call some of the big US shops like Gage, Kolstien, and Upton, and see if you can get any advice.
 
#5
I took a Poellmann bass from Germany to the U.S. a few years ago (2006). Not a single airline was helpful or accommodating in any way. It was a nightmare dealing with them.

I finally bought a ticket for the bass (which cost about half as much as a flight case would have) and transported it in a good quality gig bag in the seat next to me.

This turned out to be a pretty safe way to transport the bass as it was with me the whole time, but some TSA idiots in Atlanta still managed to put a scratch in it by snatching it from the conveyor and dragging it around to the other side of the x-ray machine to rip off the cover and examine it before I could get through the machine.

No apologies, of course. They were protecting me from terrorists.
 
#6
robobass said:
A lot of touring musicians regularly travel back and forth between EU and North America with basses. Also many North American luthiers, who bring their instruments to trade shows and such in Europe. You definitely need a flight case, and a modern light one is highly preferred. I think most airlines will be accommodating, but call first and expect to pay fees. I'd call some of the big US shops like Gage, Kolstien, and Upton, and see if you can get any advice.
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That's true, but things have tightened up in the last couple years. The few airlines which were "bass-friendly" have changed their policies and raised their prices. Continental was one of the best, but they got absorbed by United. Most airlines have a strict 70-pound limit, which is difficult to get around. Without an ultra-light case or a removable neck bass, travel can be a real hassle.

Herbet said:
thanks guys. it sounds like a lot of trouble and expensive considering I'd have to buy a flight case. is there a safe way to ship the instrument?
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You can always borrow or rent a case from somebody. Many shops offer such a service, and most professionals have their own case. Ask around, and make sure the case is as light as possible (avoid any cases over 70-pounds empty) and will fit your bass.

As for shipping, I would not recommend it. General trans-Atlantic shipping is expensive and slow, and can likely result in damage. Specialized art shippers would be safer, but would cost thousands of dollars. Air cargo is a better option, but would also be at least as expensive as a plane fare. You may as well get a trip to France out of the deal.
 
#8
I bought a bass in france and went there with an empty case. I brought it back but if asked I was told to say I brought it there for repairs insuring I would not pay tax on it. on the trip there the case was not in baggage claim but was delivered to the spot where I was purchasing the next day. I had to make sure the taxi I ordered to go to the airport was big enough. no problems. in philly it was there in baggage claim.
 

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