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Double Bass Removable neck flight case recommendations

#21
Richard Simon said:
Tom,

My 1990's-vintage Gage bass case is still in good shape, but I've listed it For Sale and am seriously contemplating 'de-capitating' a bass and finding a lower-profile case like the one you posted here.
Who did your bass modification, if I may ask? and did you make your travel case?
I'm also asking around if anyone would be interested in trading my Gage case for a smaller one.
Thank you.
Click to expand...
My DB was ordered by Lemur Music in California, probably from a Chinese maker, so it was a removable neck bass from the start. I think their neck system is quite smart and works well for me. It's very nice to be able to adjust the string height with the turn of a screw. Lemur made my travel case but they took a few months to get it done and were very difficult to work with. I seriously considered doing it myself and I'm confident that I could have by following their design as a model. It's just cutting and gluing corrugated plastic panels together and wrapping some stress joints with tape. With pictures, I expect that any handy craftsperson could assemble the case and save themselves a lot of money because Lemur really gouges you for the case.
There are a number of luthiers around who do neck conversions. I'd take a look at their reviews and make a choice. HTHs!
 
#23
Tom Lane said:
My DB was ordered by Lemur Music in California, probably from a Chinese maker, so it was a removable neck bass from the start. I think their neck system is quite smart and works well for me. It's very nice to be able to adjust the string height with the turn of a screw. Lemur made my travel case but they took a few months to get it done and were very difficult to work with. I seriously considered doing it myself and I'm confident that I could have by following their design as a model. It's just cutting and gluing corrugated plastic panels together and wrapping some stress joints with tape. With pictures, I expect that any handy craftsperson could assemble the case and save themselves a lot of money because Lemur really gouges you for the case.
There are a number of luthiers around who do neck conversions. I'd take a look at their reviews and make a choice. HTHs!
Click to expand...
All your information is helpful. Thank you.
From what I gather, here in L.A. a 'convertible' Chinese bass can be had for around $3k; haven't heard back about the cost of the case from that same dealer. Two of my annual out-of-town stops continue to provide basses: one, an above-average Kay; and the other, an exceptional, restored German flatback. A third travel gig is driveably-close, so I can haul my own bass with me.
If I traveled as much as you road hounds, I'd pursue the modification option - 'stick my neck out,' so to speak...
 
#24
Richard Simon said:
All your information is helpful. Thank you.
From what I gather, here in L.A. a 'convertible' Chinese bass can be had for around $3k; haven't heard back about the cost of the case from that same dealer. Two of my annual out-of-town stops continue to provide basses: one, an above-average Kay; and the other, an exceptional, restored German flatback. A third travel gig is driveably-close, so I can haul my own bass with me.
If I traveled as much as you road hounds, I'd pursue the modification option - 'stick my neck out,' so to speak...
Click to expand...
I think there's no doubt that if you need to fly a bass, the removeable neck bass is the best option.
 
#25
American Airlines says they would accept a bass case as big as the Gage, but with oversize AND overweight charges.
That was also the 'case' back before the Millennium - and my Gage flew a Pfretzschner-with-attached-neck to Hawaii, Japan and Thailand - but these days air travel is the Wild, Wild West, with arbitrary decisions being made by airline employees about baggage and even carry-on. (Two weeks ago I was allowed to bring a conventional carry-on bag, and to hang a suit bag in the plane's closet, on two consecutive flights. On the first flight the day of return, the suit bag was again allowed to hang. On the final leg, however, a clerk insisted I check either the carry-on bag or the suit bag. I could imagine one airline clerk accepting my bass and another one rejecting it...)
 
#26
Richard Simon said:
American Airlines says they would accept a bass case as big as the Gage, but with oversize AND overweight charges.
That was also the 'case' back before the Millennium - and my Gage flew a Pfretzschner-with-attached-neck to Hawaii, Japan and Thailand - but these days air travel is the Wild, Wild West, with arbitrary decisions being made by airline employees about baggage and even carry-on. (Two weeks ago I was allowed to bring a conventional carry-on bag, and to hang a suit bag in the plane's closet, on two consecutive flights. On the first flight the day of return, the suit bag was again allowed to hang. On the final leg, however, a clerk insisted I check either the carry-on bag or the suit bag. I could imagine one airline clerk accepting my bass and another one rejecting it...)
Click to expand...
Yes, it appears very arbitrary, and the law pretty much leaves the decision to the airline, which is probably as it should be, but makes for a stressful travel experience. The airlines could do better by requiring all guests to check their bags prior to the flight, with early birds getting priority over the last served. That way, those who need their bags with them most, have them. We all know bassists who've been denied bringing their bass on board, but the smaller the case, the less likely.
 

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