Flying with a guitar

Head416 · Head416's Garage

I just started guitar lessons last week (I've been trying to teach myself for a while, so I can strum some chords, etc.) After four weeks of lessons I'll be going out of town for four weeks. I really don't want to go four weeks without practicing and have a big setback, lose my calluses, etc like has happened in the past when I stopped practicing for a while.

I also don't want to break my guitar on the airplane. I have a hard case but it's pretty cheap. Really good acoustic guitar cases cost as much as my guitar is worth, so I don't really want to spend $100+ on a case. Anybody here have experience checking a guitar with a typical chipboard case? I'm thinking of padding it with all my socks and underwear. That might get interesting on the way home.

And, since I know it's coming:

I'm also wondering if I could rent a guitar for a week at a time while out of town. (I'm going to three different cities.)

kaisen · 06-18-2012, 12:15 PM

Buy a shredneck at guitar center for $50

craigster59 · craigster59's Garage

Chipboard case won't cut it, you'll end up with firewood. Get a RoadRunner case at GC for around $100, or I have a dread one you can borrow if you can pick it up in Burbank before your trip.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I haven't done it in many years, but am flying with an expensive guitar in August. I have a serious Gibson case for my ES-335. I'll try to carry it on and expect they'll make me check it at the gate.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I haven't done it in many years, but am flying with an expensive guitar in August. I have a serious Gibson case for my ES-335. I'll try to carry it on and expect they'll make me check it at the gate.

scottmandue · 06-18-2012, 01:04 PM

Sounds like you are on a tight budget...

But one of my coworkers used to rent a guitar when he went on work trips for a few weeks.

Another option would be to pick up a cheap guitar at a pawn shop when ou get there then sell it on craigslist when you come home.

But then your home guitar will know you have been out whoreing around.

Head416 · Head416's Garage

Craigster, that's a great offer, thanks! But that Shredneck has given me something to think about... it would be nice to not lug around a second piece of luggage. (Although, I couldn't practice Everlong on it, which I'm currently working on... and need the practice!)

Scott... I am admittedly cheap. I just have a hard time spending 100 bucks on a case for a guitar that I might be able to get 50 bucks for. Add checked baggage fees times four (four flights) and I will have spent 300 bucks to take my guitar with me. I could get a newer, nicer guitar for that!

Shredneck is sounding better and better.

9dreizig · 06-18-2012, 01:35 PM

I travel with mine almost every week.. I've never checked it... I have a road runner from GS for about $40 but have used the chipboard case as well. the FA's will usually let you put it in the front closet if you don't have room in the over head..
I've also bought one at a pawn shop and pre-agreed on the buy back price.. cost like $20 for a week when I returned it.. no need to have to sell it on CL..

Head416 · Head416's Garage

You've never been stuck in a situation where the flight attendants said it was too big and made you check it?

Rick V · 06-18-2012, 02:52 PM

Cases, Gigbags & Covers | Musician's Friend

schamp · 06-18-2012, 03:00 PM

This time of year you ought to be OK checking it if you have to. I have a friend that flew home from Denver non-stop to PA. They made him check his guitar a Martin, an they left it out on the tarmack for at least an hour. The finish checked. The airline ended up paying for the guitar to be sent back to Martin to be redone. If you have a nice guitar take a picture before you fly.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Don't buy a fancy one, get an old beat up one from a pawn shop. the reason is if someone sees a flashy high $$$ case on the belt they might just pick it up & walk away with it.

rouxroux · 06-18-2012, 03:58 PM

The bad thing about that video is that they fail to mention that the doofus was NOT using an ATA-approved case. You assume the risk when you don't. I have no sympathy for him.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

The last time I flew, the airline drove a vehicle of some sort over my bag and destroyed everything in it. This is the third time they have destroyed my bag, so I wouldn't trust those apes with bricks, let alone a guitar!

Head416 · Head416's Garage

Yeah, I think the Shredneck is the way to go for this trip. I just need something to use in the hotel room to keep my fingers in shape and not forget everything I've learned. And that way I can just throw it in a bag and not have to even worry about it.

id10t · 06-18-2012, 05:24 PM

Get a big azz pelican case or similar that will let you mold the inside. Make a spot for your guitar, and make a smaller spot that will fit a single shot shotgun's receiver.

Print the FAA and your airline's regulations about declaring a firearm, get your bag preinspected and labeled as a "dont screw with it" - but NOT as containing a firearm (felony to do so). You get to put a *real* lock on it (are required by law again), they *do not* get a copy of the key/combo. Should it get lost, you get to look at 'em and ask if they are gonna call the BATFE or should you do it?

9dreizig · 06-18-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Head416

You've never been stuck in a situation where the flight attendants said it was too big and made you check it?

Nope never,,

fritzgator · fritzgator's Garage

take it as carry-on. depending on aircraft size, they may have to put it in cargo, but at least it would be at the jetway and go directly to the hold. In 20 yrs of touring, i've never had airlines damage my gear.misplace for awhile, yes, but not damage. Might be karma, as some of my co-workers haven't been as lucky. Buy a hard case, better protection any way you cut it.

StiltnerCor · 06-18-2012, 07:18 PM

I'll try to carry it on and expect they'll make me check it at the gate.

Shuie · 07:54 PM

Do you really need to bring it? There is nothing you are going to lose in 4 weeks after 4 weeks of lessons that you wont relearn in 4 more weeks after you get back. Seriously, short of buying an extra seat for the guitar, there is no good way to do this. How big is the plane? If it's a small regional jet, the guitar will have to be gate checked. If the airline gate checks it, it really needs to be in a good hard case or a really heavy duty gig bag with the strings loosened so there is no tension on the neck. Anything bigger than a regional jet, and you may have a chance of storing it in a coat closet. If you have status with the airline make sure you get on the plane early and very politely smile and beg the flight attendant to allow you put it in the coat closet. Good luck. Again, there is no good way to do this.