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Double Bass Touring/traveling with an EUB

B

Betsy

Dec 30, 2004
15
0
#1
I bought a Yahama Silent Bass, which I enjoy playing, but it's really impractical for me for touring (I'm 5' tall and would much prefer something that folds down to very little, but is also very playable for pizz and arco). I'm also very short on time, so haven't been able to do much research. I'm wondering if anyone else has found and is happy with a particular EUB for plane travel. I heard of one that passes for golf clubs because of its size knocked down, but I don't know the brand.

Thanks for any advice/sharing of experience.
 
#2
I've flown internationally twice with my EUB (NS CR5M) and have never had any problems with it. This year I packed it with a ton of extra stuff and it was still under weight. I've never been charged for anything, which has been great. The flight case from NS does it's job, but I would be sure to bring a soft case to carry around after you arrive, the flight case is a pain to lug around.
 
#6
Hi Betsy,
Thanks to Damon for mentioning the AlterEGO. I endorse them, and am having a great time traveling around with an Acoustic Figaro. Here is a review of the instrument that I wrote a little over one year ago: Invalid Link Removed

I flew with the bass in February and again two weeks ago to Europe. I have dates in England coming up, and some other very likely places later this summer. Anyway, I'm just about done with a review of the tour that I will post to my blog. It's almost entirely about traveling with this bass. The neck comes off, and packs away into a small gig bag. I had a flight case made for it, just to be safe. In the flight case, it weighs 44 pounds and is deemed "normal" size, so there are no additional air charges. It takes about 5 minutes to break down and about 10 to put back together.

I'll get the review up ASAP - it has a bunch of photos. But in the meantime, be sure to check out the website: http://www.alter-ego.it.

Thanks,
Rick McLaughlin

PS - Damon: I had a gig in Germany 2 weeks ago and was absolutely positive you were playing in one of the other bands - apparently you have a Norwegian doppelganger
 
#7
Basso Musico said:
Hi Betsy,
Thanks to Damon for mentioning the AlterEGO. I endorse them, and am having a great time traveling around with an Acoustic Figaro. Here is a review of the instrument that I wrote a little over one year ago: Invalid Link Removed

I flew with the bass in February and again two weeks ago to Europe. I have dates in England coming up, and some other very likely places later this summer. Anyway, I'm just about done with a review of the tour that I will post to my blog. It's almost entirely about traveling with this bass. The neck comes off, and packs away into a small gig bag. I had a flight case made for it, just to be safe. In the flight case, it weighs 44 pounds and is deemed "normal" size, so there are no additional air charges. It takes about 5 minutes to break down and about 10 to put back together.

I'll get the review up ASAP - it has a bunch of photos. But in the meantime, be sure to check out the website: http://www.alter-ego.it.

Thanks,
Rick McLaughlin

PS - Damon: I had a gig in Germany 2 weeks ago and was absolutely positive you were playing in one of the other bands - apparently you have a Norwegian doppelganger
Click to expand...

I am mostly Nordic, Swedish/Norwegian. I do love my Ergo and have flown with it many times, it was just the last time it was a hassle.
Klaus Janek a great bassist in Berlin endorses Alter Egos, that is where I tried it.
We are at least going to start getting nailed for extra luggage regardless of how small we can get it.
 
#9
I have an Azola Lightning Bug and it's served me well the past year and a half. I've flown to several foreign countries, had it on cruise ships, all sorts of places and not been charged a dime so far for oversize or weight. It fits in it's own case(SKB double rifle case) that it was designed for or you could get the gigbag and a golf case for it. The whole thing in the hard case is about 35 lbs, has wheels, which SKB will replace for free if broken. They also guarantee up to 1500 on the contents if damaged while being in the case. My drummer saw it fall recently 6 ft. from the luggage belt onto the asphalt without a scratch. A minor drawback is the Ltg. bug only accepts 1/2 size strings. I ended up with Spiro solos on it and they work well, pizz and arco. Jill and Steve are great to work with - check out the Azola megathread on this board and their website - Azola.com.

Ike
 
#10
I have an eminence bass with a detachable neck. i've flown several times around the continental U.S. with it with great success and i've gone back and forth to mexico via aeroplane as well. It works out to be just under the weight limit and just under the size limit, which is nice....this is the bass that fits in the golf club case, by the way.

I usually find the little card saying that TSA has gone through it, but that's no surprise to me. I'm sure it's a little bit of a curiosity to them.

The gig bag fits in the hard case by acting as the padding for the bass.

it's quick to tear down and quick to reassemble and once you've gotten to your destination, it's got enough volume to do a little practicing and warm up.

i've just realized that i drank too much coffee and have typed way more than necessary.

Good luck!

excellent point, damon. we ARE going to be getting screwed no matter how small we make it.
 

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