SKB iSeries Waterproof ATA Bass Guitar Case

[Geri O]

What a fine time to ask for thoughts on this case after I’ve ordered it, right?

I found out that I have not one, but two international flights for gigs coming up very soon, so I went a-searching and this looked pretty good and has good reviews. Thanx, Sweetwater.

Just curious if anyone around here has traveled with this case.

Thanx,
G

 

[squish]

No personal experience but it was on the short list for me. I got the GruvGear Kapsule instead for its ability to pack more than the bass.

 

[Geri O]

No personal experience but it was on the short list for me. I got the GruvGear Kapsule instead for its ability to pack more than the bass.

Yeah, I’m thinking that now.

I can make the first trip, then sell the SKB and grab the Kapsule if the fly dates continue…

 

[Bob_Ross]

I don't own an iSeries but I've looked at them in the past, they definitely seem like a good contender for offering better-than-average protection at a less-than-premium price.

My only other observation (and I apologize for harping on this; frequent readers of TB will note that this is my personal bugaboo/soapbox) is that I believe SKB is misusing the "ATA" nomenclature. I'm pretty sure any case with a non-recessed handle cannot meet ATA Spec. 300, Category 1 (which is the standard for multi-use musical instrument case designed for air travel). Doesn't mean the case sucks or that the handle will break, just means that A) your options for reimbusement should the case contents ever get damaged are limited (versus if the case was actually demonstrably able to meet ATA Spec. 300, Category 1) and B) SKB is guilty of false advertising.

But I'd certainly rather fly my bass in an SKB iSeries case than anything lesser.

 

[Geri O]

I don't own an iSeries but I've looked at them in the past, they definitely seem like a good contender for offering better-than-average protection at a less-than-premium price.

My only other observation (and I apologize for harping on this; frequent readers of TB will note that this is my personal bugaboo/soapbox) is that I believe SKB is misusing the "ATA" nomenclature. I'm pretty sure any case with a non-recessed handle cannot meet ATA Spec. 300, Category 1 (which is the standard for multi-use musical instrument case designed for air travel). Doesn't mean the case sucks or that the handle will break, just means that A) your options for reimbusement should the case contents ever get damaged are limited (versus if the case was actually demonstrably able to meet ATA Spec. 300, Category 1) and B) SKB is guilty of false advertising.

But I'd certainly rather fly my bass in an SKB iSeries case than anything lesser.

Good points.

And I’m kinda concerned about the wheels on the bottom of the case. Is there a specification for that in the ATA specs section you spoke of?

The Gruv Gear Kapsule dual bass case (which I almost went with, but decided that taking one bass is enough. For now…) has received criticism for its wheels not being removable and being at risk during the typical baggage handling processes. Didn’t think to check to see if this particular SKB’s wheels were removable. I kinda think not.

Thanx.

 

[squish]

The Gruv Gear Kapsule dual bass case (which I almost went with, but decided that taking one bass is enough. For now…) has received criticism for its wheels not being removable and being at risk during the typical baggage handling processes...

Points of clarity:

Although there is a Dual Kapsule, GruvGear does indeed make a single bass Kapsule. That's the one I have.

Also, the wheels are removable on both models. The criticism I saw was that the mounting plate where the wheels attach could be damaged by baggage handlers dragging the case (with the wheels removed) over rough surfaces. The literature states that the wheels are to be removed when checking in the case for flight.

 

[Geri O]

Points of clarity:

Although there is a Dual Kapsule, GruvGear does indeed make a single bass Kapsule. That's the one I have.

Also, the wheels are removable on both models. The criticism I saw was that the mounting plate where the wheels attach could be damaged by baggage handlers dragging the case (with the wheels removed) over rough surfaces. The literature states that the wheels are to be removed when checking in the case for flight.

Excellent, great to know. And thanx!

 

[Bob_Ross]

I’m kinda concerned about the wheels on the bottom of the case. Is there a specification for that in the ATA specs section you spoke of?

I don't recall whether wheels are explicitly noted in the spec. I do know that all Spec 300, Cat 1-compliant cases must be stackable, and that above a certain size (much larger than most musical instrument cases) they must include skids so that a forklift blade can get under them, but I don't know whether the presence of wheels on the end of the iSeries precludes any of that.

 

[carsonchilders]

Currently sitting in an airport with one. I think it’s actually my first time flying with it. No way it’ll fit in the overhead bins but I’m more than comfortable gate checking it. I’ll update this thread with my experience.

flying Delta today
United Thursday and Sunday

playing Fairwell Festival

 

[Geri O]

The SKB flight case came in today.

Both my Mike Lull (pictured) and my Stingray Special fit the inside very nice.

I should be ready for an international flight now….

 

[carsonchilders]

Currently sitting in an airport with one. I think it’s actually my first time flying with it. No way it’ll fit in the overhead bins but I’m more than comfortable gate checking it. I’ll update this thread with my experience.

flying Delta today
United Thursday and Sunday

playing Fairwell Festival

Forgot to update this. Had a great time with delta. You don’t have to pay for oversized luggage if it’s your carry on. Obviously it’s too big for the bins, so all the airline workers were actually very helpful when I asked them to gate check it.

 

[carsonchilders]

UNITED:
day 1 flights, flight case was denied entry. They would not allow a gate check. I was all the way at the gate inside the airport and they gave me a baggage tag and the bass will be at my final destination… hopefully. She kept saying that it’s because my instrument was in a hard case, but online United’s website says instruments must travel in hard cases.

As far as I can tell, they haven’t charged me for this or hit me with fees. We’ll see what happens when I fly United on the way home. I bought this case for this circumstance.

 

[Geri O]

Update on my SKB flight case.

It came in. Looks great. Both Lulls and my Stingray fit very nicely. I’m happy and all set.

Today, I receive a message from the organizer of the trip:

“What bass would you like to be waiting on you when you arrive in the Czech Republic?”

“Can I not take my own bass?”

“You can, but we’re trying minimize the amount of gear besides the luggage the group is taking”….

Long sigh…..

“Very well, then. Any Fender or Squier 5-string Jazz style bass will be fine”.

“Easy enough, we’ll have one waiting for you.”

I guess I’ll hold on to the flight case for the foreseeable future…..

 

[carsonchilders]

Update on my SKB flight case.

It came in. Looks great. Both Lulls and my Stingray fit very nicely. I’m happy and all set.

Today, I receive a message from the organizer of the trip:

“What bass would you like to be waiting on you when you arrive in the Czech Republic?”

“Can I not take my own bass?”

“You can, but we’re trying minimize the amount of gear besides the luggage the group is taking”….

Long sigh…..

“Very well, then. Any Fender or Squier 5-string Jazz style bass will be fine”.

“Easy enough, we’ll have one waiting for you.”

I guess I’ll hold on to the flight case for the foreseeable future…..

ha! I don’t think you’ll regret having the case anyways.

 

[carsonchilders]

UNITED Day 2 Flights:
I didn't try to push my luck (or push it tooooo much more). I brought my bass similar to when I would gate check, but since United overbooks their flights so badly I waited for them to offer to check bags for free and I took my bass up. It made it safely from Redmond, OR to San Francisco, CA to Nashville, TN safely. San Francisco had a 3 hour delay.

If I have any say, I will never be flying United again with or without an instrument.

 

[roccobass]

No personal experience but it was on the short list for me. I got the GruvGear Kapsule instead for its ability to pack more than the bass.

I like the solo Kapsule definitely. It looks snazzy.

But that’s a bit of weight in the Duo. Not bagging it. My back would lock up for sure if I had to schlep it fully loaded with the shoulder straps. The wheels are a good addition.

Believe me, I’m always for compactness and efficiency. The Duo has both. But both cases are airport worthy? I guess they’re tough enough. Just a worry wart here. Haven’t flown with my instruments since 1984 in the Anvil case days, but I think I might be in the near future.

 

[AlfBrewdog]

I’ve got this case and also a Kapsule. I’ve done hundreds of flights with both - domestic and international. The Kapsule is easier to get around with and I love being able to pack it with clothes etc… One thing I hate is having to take the wheels and straps off before checking it in.

I’d trust the SKB over the Kapsule for ultimate protection and also water proofing but the Kapsule has held up remarkably well - better than I thought it would.

 

[AlfBrewdog]

Here is a warning for any of you looking at the Kapsule. If this happens, which it did to mine, there is no way to repair it. The screws are threaded through from the inside and then the fabric is sewn over the top. Gruv Gear confirmed this when I emailed them and if your 2 year warranty is up, you’re on your own. Stick to your SKB iSeries and the good folk at that company. I’ve had baggage handlers snap parts off that and they’ve always sent me new parts that are easily replaceable.

 

[squish]

View attachment 5242355
Here is a warning for any of you looking at the Kapsule. If this happens, which it did to mine, there is no way to repair it. The screws are threaded through from the inside and then the fabric is sewn over the top. Gruv Gear confirmed this when I emailed them and if your 2 year warranty is up, you’re on your own. Stick to your SKB iSeries and the good folk at that company. I’ve had baggage handlers snap parts off that and they’ve always sent me new parts that are easily replaceable.

Oh no. That's terrible luck. I've got five fly gigs lined up for the next few months. If they break my Kapsule I'll be covered for a little while. LOL
What airline and city did this happen?

 

[AlfBrewdog]

Oh no. That's terrible luck. I've got five fly gigs lined up for the next few months. If they break my Kapsule I'll be covered for a little while. LOL
What airline and city did this happen?

This happened to me on a Jetstar flight between Melbourne and Hobart in Australia. If it’s any consolation, I’ve had my Kapsule since 2019 and it’s been checked into hundreds of flights (I fly every week).
Gruv Gear are sending me a new handle for $41 AUD postage (lol, joke’s on me) and I’m going to see if my wife can remove some of the stitching so I can reattach the handle, then stitch it back up for me.

The other thing worth noting and being aware of, is the foam inside the bass compartment. It’s absolute garbage and compresses so a minimum very quickly. Mine has compressed to nothing on the sides where the body is and I’ve had to put extra foam in there to cushion the body. You could also use a pair of socks, etc…

Overall, I love the design of this thing, and the ease of getting around with it, but a lot of the materials in it are absolute rubbish. I don’t feel it holds up to what they market it as - a case to be checked in. I think I’ve just gotten lucky over the years with Virgin Australia (95% of my flights are with them) maybe putting it on top of other luggage? I would never ever take it internationally, like I have with my SKB iSeries.

Another thing I’ve done in the past is to fly my bass in the SKB, pack my clothes into my Mono Vertigo, and then swap the bass into it once I’ve checked into my hotel. I may go back to doing this, as I don’t have total peace of mind with the Kapsule.

If SKB could make a two compartment injection-molded case in the shape of the Kapsule, with integrated wheels and removable shoulder straps, it would be shut up and take my money!