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What ATA Bass Flight Case do you use?

#2
I have 2 cases made by Rockhard (both made to order). I went with them because I liked the idea of supporting a smaller business. Quality-wise, I've never had a problem with them...but I don't know how different these cases are from the others. After all, a flight case is a flight case right?
 
#3
i have ATA cases from rock hard and anvil. to be honest, i was disappointed with the quality of the rockhard products. the mitres on the corners of the aluminum extrusions are sloppy and don't line up nice, and the washers on the back of some of the rivets are cockeyed. the rack rails are not perfectly lined up so things aren't quite level. i'd spend a few bucks more and get an anvil. i went through cases2go for my anvil's and had great service. rock hard was not on the ball and i had to make a few calls to find out where things were and get everything rolling. i have a case for my pedal board from angstrom off of ebay and they are very nice for the price. nicer than rockhard. the road ready stuff at GC seemed pretty good too... calzone is another good brand you can find at cases2go... check their specials.. some good deals.

JR
 
#5
Wow, I just checked cases2go; their sale price in an anvil ATA was 50 bucks higher than what I paid at GC last year for my SR5. Have they gone up that much? I've been thinking about getting another one coz my 35" won't fit my old case!?!
Yea, only used it twice, but NO PROBLEMS... other than it weighs a ton.
 
#6
markjazzbassist said:
I need to get an ATA flight case for my bass. I got a gig where I gotta fly.
Click to expand...


Please note that the newest airline weight limits on checked baggage are VERY restictive!

up to 50 pounds MAX per piece (2 pieces maximum) - for FREE

50-70 pounds - per piece - $25 fee for EACH flight (ANOTHER reason why I prefer direct flights). For a connecting flight that means $50!

per piece OVER 70 pounds - fagetaboutit!


For the last year and a half or so I've been using a SKB "staff golf case" for my bass (inside of its' gig bag), pedals and cables AND all of my clothes . . .
usually weighs in at 47 or 48 pounds for a 4-day weekend trip.


EDIT: I've been taking an Ampeg SVT-3PRO along in a shock-mount ATA case, too. 69 pounds WITHOUT any cables, etc.
I found that by checking curb-side with the skycaps I could save a bit ($2 per piece plus a $5 tip = $9 verses that $25 or $50 - with a connecting flight)

But NO MORE! I just bought an Ampeg SVP-PRO preamp . . . I'll be able to put it in a rack bag and CARRY IT ONBOARD!!
 
#7
I bought an SKB Bass Safe. I like it because it's light and I can carry my bass around in a gig bag when I get to my destination. But I don't like the flimsy locks that always come loose, and I didn't like SKB's solution, which was to send me a bunch of rivets and new locks and make me drill out the old rivets and put in new ones. I thought that was bogus. However, a bungee cord tied around the handles of the two halves seems to be working quite well to hold it together, so I'll stick with it.
 
#8
There is a company on Ebay that does ATA 300 flight cases for Jazz and MM basses for $200 and it's as good as a flight case needs to be.

Keep the airline weasle clauses in mind. If it doesn't have a full length piano hinge, ball corners and all recessed hardware (including the handle), you're giving them an out to not pay the claim.
 
#9
bikertrash82 said:
There is a company on Ebay that does ATA 300 flight cases for Jazz and MM basses for $200 and it's as good as a flight case needs to be.

Keep the airline weasle clauses in mind. If it doesn't have a full length piano hinge, ball corners and all recessed hardware (including the handle), you're giving them an out to not pay the claim.
Click to expand...

+1

Can you point us to where we can find them thar weazel words? :p

I have used one of these, before I switched to using Fed-Ex:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

N.B. I don't know if you can get a TSA approved lock from them now, or not. Mine does not have one. :bawl:
Get recessed hardware! 1/4" abs sides seem enough to me. Specialized instrument insurance is mandatory, IMHO! :cool:
 
#11
SSCBA said:
What's the difference with having TSA approved latches and not?
Click to expand...

N.B. those were TSA LOCKS, not latches. I don't think the TSA cares about latches. The TSA has keys to "TSA-approved locks." If I were a crook, I'd have one too...or I'd just swipe the instrument AND the case. :rolleyes:

In effect, if you don't have TSA locks, you have to check it unlocked, or the TSA will BREAK your lock. You can also use tape or tie-wraps. Those are a joke, IMHO. Once the instrument is out of your hands, no lock, tape, bubble-wrap, etc., actually matters. What we need are security cameras along every inch of the journey our bags/instruments go on. Believe me, you are already on "candid camera," at all times in an airport, so why not the baggage handlers? :confused:


Or.....maybe you meant ATA latches. The best "ATA" cases have recessed latches, recessed handle(s), ball corners, armored/gusseted seams, rivets everywhere, and a "piano lid" hinge, which is just a hinge that runs the full lenth of the case.

No disrespect to other posters intended here. It's just that I am so exasperated with flying, as are no doubt, many of you. It's not the TSA's fault, it's the airlines. :scowl:
 

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