• 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 Removable neck or large case for air travel

djc03006

djc03006

Apr 4, 2011
278
129
#1
Hi,

I may be travelling internationally more going forward (say 3 - 4 times a year) and staying extended periods of time (i.e. a few months) in each locale. If I wanted to bring my bass, would it make more sense to convert it to a removable neck (I live near Upton and could take it to them, they also have travel cases), or use one of those giant hardshell cases to transport?

The removable neck option sounds better on the surface, but wanted to check on any pros/cons of the two approaches in case there was something I wasn't thinking of. Also not sure how much it costs to ship in a large hardshell case if I go that route.

Thanks
 
#4
IMO the removable neck conversion is an investment, the large full size hard case is a depreciating expense.

Go for the removable neck and the smaller squarish hard case to protect it. (IMO)

You can learn to set your bass sound post with traditional tools, or have a nifty magnetic port on the side to do it by hand. Or it could be kept in place by foam so it won't fall in transport. Talk the the luthiers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Monabass, djc03006 and HateyMcAmp
#5
Regardless of my perspective as a craftsman, as an every weekend gigging bass player, I've had a removable neck bass in my quiver since 2009. I can't imagine not having that as one of my options on the job.

We dream about international travel and the glory life, but those pale in comparison to being able to break down my bass on family vacations and throw it in the back of the minivan, or heading out with my homies for a festival. That isn't EVER going to happen with one of those giant fiberglass aircraft carrier size cases that may offer great protection, but take up the entire van. With the necks removed, my personal record is four (4!!!!!!) basses in the back of my prius...
 
  • Like
Reactions: robobass, Monabass, djc03006 and 4 others
#6
Depends on what your bass is, as well. I have a hybrid Chadwick for travel, which is adequate. It is really nice to NOT have my old bass in the hands of baggage handlers. So a removable neck if your bass is not special or get a lesser instrument for travel.
As @james condino says, you will find it useful for all sorts or things and as he says, you can bring on trips that are not even for music. Having a back up instrument is great, I can let my bass go to the shop without putting it off before things get bad and I keep it set up and have two practice areas.
I went to Cleveland for the holidays last year, and since Southwest rarely charges for the bass I was able to do a nice bookstore gig:
 
  • Like
Reactions: djc03006 and james condino
#7
I used to have a Stevenson fibreglass flight case.
I saw it on eBay in London, UK, one day when a studio equipment hire place was clearing out stuff it no longer used, and I picked it up for GBP100. It had clearly been used by multiple orchestras for multiple world tours. It did a great job protecting my bass when I shipped to to California, and then three years later, back to New Zealand. By cargo ship, it’s important to note, with other household items, not in the hold of an aircraft.

But it was really big and heavy and difficult to store. It was seven feet tall, and weighed nearly 40kg empty. It was really awkward to move. I could theoretically lift the weight, but the size of the thing means it was a two person job. At seven feet long lying down, it was too big for any vehicle except for a moving van, and it had a massive girth around the bridge-hump.

Two years ago, when we moved to Berlin I got a quote for air-freighting a few extra suitcases of stuff, so we wouldn’t have to wait so long for shipping. It was about US$2500 for 50kg, (but that is New Zealand to Berlin, which is about the farthest distance you can go on the globe, and it was at the end of the COVID shipping crunch). But, for a weirdly shaped thing like a double bass, they would charge for volumetric weight. Which goes, all in cm, (length x width x height /1,000,000)x167 = … holy shirt, circa 150kg equivalent. Let’s say, optimistically, you could get 150kg equivalent shipped for $10/kg between the US and Europe, it would be $1500 each time you moved (without extra handling charges they typically place on individuals with one-off shipments rather than companies that do it regularly). Pretty soon you can afford a new bass in each location.

I’ve seen prices for removable neck conversions at around the US$2000-3000 mark.
Hope that helps!
 
  • Like
Reactions: djc03006 and longfinger
#9
People still fly with those checked into the flight they are on, I saw lots of them around ISB, my friend Thomas Helton is in NY now with a case like that.
The issues are that you are going to pay every single time and if someone at the airline wants to tell you they don't accept it you can really run in to trouble.
You can fly a lot without paying extra for removable neck basses, especially with curbside check in - though a tip really helps.
You would pay similar rates shipping a neck off bass in its case internationally since international shipping is expensive. It would be cheaper but not by much.

Anthony White said:
I used to have a Stevenson fibreglass flight case.
I saw it on eBay in London, UK, one day when a studio equipment hire place was clearing out stuff it no longer used, and I picked it up for GBP100. It had clearly been used by multiple orchestras for multiple world tours. It did a great job protecting my bass when I shipped to to California, and then three years later, back to New Zealand. By cargo ship, it’s important to note, with other household items, not in the hold of an aircraft.

But it was really big and heavy and difficult to store. It was seven feet tall, and weighed nearly 40kg empty. It was really awkward to move. I could theoretically lift the weight, but the size of the thing means it was a two person job. At seven feet long lying down, it was too big for any vehicle except for a moving van, and it had a massive girth around the bridge-hump.

Two years ago, when we moved to Berlin I got a quote for air-freighting a few extra suitcases of stuff, so we wouldn’t have to wait so long for shipping. It was about US$2500 for 50kg, (but that is New Zealand to Berlin, which is about the farthest distance you can go on the globe, and it was at the end of the COVID shipping crunch). But, for a weirdly shaped thing like a double bass, they would charge for volumetric weight. Which goes, all in cm, (length x width x height /1,000,000)x167 = … holy shirt, circa 150kg equivalent. Let’s say, optimistically, you could get 150kg equivalent shipped for $10/kg between the US and Europe, it would be $1500 each time you moved (without extra handling charges they typically place on individuals with one-off shipments rather than companies that do it regularly). Pretty soon you can afford a new bass in each location.

I’ve seen prices for removable neck conversions at around the US$2000-3000 mark.
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: djc03006
#10
But the OP is not talking about shipping, right? He wants to take his bass with him when he travels, so my assumption is that he wants to get on an airplane with his bass. For a full size bass trunk, in These Days of Modern Times, you will be charged EVERY TIME for oversize and overweight. Check your linear measurements (H x W x L) to see how much that adds up to and you can calculate oversize charges. Then weigh the shager to calculate overweight charges. And then calculate how many times you'll get on a plane (4 times a year that's 8 flights, right?) and add those overage charges and see if the cost of a neck off conversion (including the cost of the neck off case) is cost effective.
Since most of the world's professional (non-classical) players are switching to "portable" basses (Czech-Ease, Eminence, etc.) or the removable neck (or just doing the bass du jour), I'm seeing some pretty reasonable prices (like under $1000) for full size bass trunks as folks are getting rid of theirs.

The heaviest part of my bass is the neck and scroll and, as I have the Gage removable neck case, I can separate the two (neck and body cases) and check the body case (which checks as undersize and underweight, i.e. regular checked baggage) and take the neck case (which easily fits into most overhead bins; I had to gate check it once, but it is also undersize and underweight) as carry-on. The only down side for me is, since I play guts on top (Oliv D and Chorda G), the disassembly/assembly devours the gut strings after twice through the procedure. So that adds a couple of hundred dollars if I want to keep those on.

2A9DA48E-64F8-4390-8A99-C14C4766D76A_1_105_c.jpeg
C9254910-790D-41B7-8868-F87893642893_1_105_c.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: djc03006, longfinger, damonsmith and 1 other person
#11
As someone who almost never flies anyway, I'd love to have a removable neck... But my wish for a removable neck is simply because it would be so much easier to pack into vehicles and to schlep.

But then there's setup... We have two folding kayaks in the hall closet that are chronically under-used because of a 25 minute x2 setup/breakdown cycle, so I'm leery of having a double bass to assemble if due to traffic I'm late to a jam or worse, a gig, anyway.

In my case it would have to be a new DB with a removable neck; my Alcoa doesn't have an option for a removable neck (??yet??). Even if something was available in wood, the original Alcoa aluminum neck is a beautiful thing that would be hard to say goodbye to. (Although I might seriously consider a CF removable neck.)
 
  • Like
Reactions: djc03006
#12
You are not wrong - you never are - about the math. Still, I'd calculate in being able to do more things on a whim, like little gigs and/or practice on non music trips, as well as travel for artistic reasons. There was a recording I wanted to do two years ago in Texas that did not pay (the album will make money but is still not out yet!). It was at the end of a tour that paid well but ended in Chicago. So I had my Chadwick and I flew from Chicago to Texas, did the recording and flew back to St. Louis. No extra fees. On that one, I had a backpack with my bowcase strapped to it, my AI head in ihe backpack & the Upshot under the seat in front of me. Anyway, I got to do the recording and get home to St. Louis. I will still do a known bass du Jour, but it has been worth every penny to have a travel bass that works for me.

Recently, I flew to the East Coast for a 10 day tour. I brought a wheel and borrowed a softcase so I didn't have to break down every night.

Ed Fuqua said:
But the OP is not talking about shipping, right? He wants to take his bass with him when he travels, so my assumption is that he wants to get on an airplane with his bass. For a full size bass trunk, in These Days of Modern Times, you will be charged EVERY TIME for oversize and overweight. Check your linear measurements (H x W x L) to see how much that adds up to and you can calculate oversize charges. Then weigh the shager to calculate overweight charges. And then calculate how many times you'll get on a plane (4 times a year that's 8 flights, right?) and add those overage charges and see if the cost of a neck off conversion (including the cost of the neck off case) is cost effective.
Since most of the world's professional (non-classical) players are switching to "portable" basses (Czech-Ease, Eminence, etc.) or the removable neck (or just doing the bass du jour), I'm seeing some pretty reasonable prices (like under $1000) for full size bass trunks as folks are getting rid of theirs.

The heaviest part of my bass is the neck and scroll and, as I have the Gage removable neck case, I can separate the two (neck and body cases) and check the body case (which checks as undersize and underweight, i.e. regular checked baggage) and take the neck case (which easily fits into most overhead bins; I had to gate check it once, but it is also undersize and underweight) as carry-on. The only down side for me is, since I play guts on top (Oliv D and Chorda G), the disassembly/assembly devours the gut strings after twice through the procedure. So that adds a couple of hundred dollars if I want to keep those on.

View attachment 5190515 View attachment 5190516
Click to expand...
 
#13
Ed Fuqua said:
But the OP is not talking about shipping, right? He wants to take his bass with him when he travels, so my assumption is that he wants to get on an airplane with his bass. For a full size bass trunk, in These Days of Modern Times, you will be charged EVERY TIME for oversize and overweight. Check your linear measurements (H x W x L) to see how much that adds up to and you can calculate oversize charges. Then weigh the shager to calculate overweight charges. And then calculate how many times you'll get on a plane (4 times a year that's 8 flights, right?) and add those overage charges and see if the cost of a neck off conversion (including the cost of the neck off case) is cost effective.
Since most of the world's professional (non-classical) players are switching to "portable" basses (Czech-Ease, Eminence, etc.) or the removable neck (or just doing the bass du jour), I'm seeing some pretty reasonable prices (like under $1000) for full size bass trunks as folks are getting rid of theirs.

The heaviest part of my bass is the neck and scroll and, as I have the Gage removable neck case, I can separate the two (neck and body cases) and check the body case (which checks as undersize and underweight, i.e. regular checked baggage) and take the neck case (which easily fits into most overhead bins; I had to gate check it once, but it is also undersize and underweight) as carry-on. The only down side for me is, since I play guts on top (Oliv D and Chorda G), the disassembly/assembly devours the gut strings after twice through the procedure. So that adds a couple of hundred dollars if I want to keep those on.

View attachment 5190515 View attachment 5190516
Click to expand...

Nice looking set up you have there. I'm curious - do you know what the total linear outside dimensions of your case adds up to (length plus width plus height)? Per Chadwick's website, their case is 45 x 27 x 10, which puts it at 82" total. Most airlines oversize starts around 62", or a few at 80" (2022 Checked Luggage Size and Allowance Chart for 62 Airlines).
 
#15
longfinger said:
IMO the removable neck conversion is an investment, the large full size hard case is a depreciating expense.

Go for the removable neck and the smaller squarish hard case to protect it. (IMO)

You can learn to set your bass sound post with traditional tools, or have a nifty magnetic port on the side to do it by hand. Or it could be kept in place by foam so it won't fall in transport. Talk the the luthiers.
Click to expand...
I like the idea of a magnet on the side, thanks for the idea
 
#16
damonsmith said:
Depends on what your bass is, as well. I have a hybrid Chadwick for travel, which is adequate. It is really nice to NOT have my old bass in the hands of baggage handlers. So a removable neck if your bass is not special or get a lesser instrument for travel.
As @james condino says, you will find it useful for all sorts or things and as he says, you can bring on trips that are not even for music. Having a back up instrument is great, I can let my bass go to the shop without putting it off before things get bad and I keep it set up and have two practice areas.
I went to Cleveland for the holidays last year, and since Southwest rarely charges for the bass I was able to do a nice bookstore gig:
Click to expand...

I actually have a Chadwick, don't really enjoy playing it so will be looking to sell, but glad you enjoy yours
 
#17
Anthony White said:
I used to have a Stevenson fibreglass flight case.
I saw it on eBay in London, UK, one day when a studio equipment hire place was clearing out stuff it no longer used, and I picked it up for GBP100. It had clearly been used by multiple orchestras for multiple world tours. It did a great job protecting my bass when I shipped to to California, and then three years later, back to New Zealand. By cargo ship, it’s important to note, with other household items, not in the hold of an aircraft.

But it was really big and heavy and difficult to store. It was seven feet tall, and weighed nearly 40kg empty. It was really awkward to move. I could theoretically lift the weight, but the size of the thing means it was a two person job. At seven feet long lying down, it was too big for any vehicle except for a moving van, and it had a massive girth around the bridge-hump.

Two years ago, when we moved to Berlin I got a quote for air-freighting a few extra suitcases of stuff, so we wouldn’t have to wait so long for shipping. It was about US$2500 for 50kg, (but that is New Zealand to Berlin, which is about the farthest distance you can go on the globe, and it was at the end of the COVID shipping crunch). But, for a weirdly shaped thing like a double bass, they would charge for volumetric weight. Which goes, all in cm, (length x width x height /1,000,000)x167 = … holy shirt, circa 150kg equivalent. Let’s say, optimistically, you could get 150kg equivalent shipped for $10/kg between the US and Europe, it would be $1500 each time you moved (without extra handling charges they typically place on individuals with one-off shipments rather than companies that do it regularly). Pretty soon you can afford a new bass in each location.

I’ve seen prices for removable neck conversions at around the US$2000-3000 mark.
Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Wow, thanks for the insight. Removable neck hopefully in my future
 
  • Like
Reactions: slappahdabass
#18
djc03006 said:
I actually have a Chadwick, don't really enjoy playing it so will be looking to sell, but glad you enjoy yours
Click to expand...
Only the hybrid is tolerable, you have to replace the end pin and get a precise setup. Then it is solidly adequate- not more.
Golihur has a much thicker carbon pin that stabilizes the bass. It makes a world of difference. Night and day. It fits on the side of the bass in the casecabd keeps it under 50 pounds.
 
  • Like
Reactions: djc03006

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back