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Topic: Light, travelling steels |
Dermot Watson
From:
East Sussex, UK
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Posted 21 Apr 2008 8:13 am |
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Hello everyone,
I play a Williams D10 (which I absolutely love) but now find myself having to take it across the Atlantic (from the UK). Being faced with exorbitant excess baggage charges - not to mention questionable airline care - I fancy the idea of a second, light weight/portable steel to carry around more easily (perhaps taking it on board flights with me).
I've come across Lone Star Lite pedals (and people seem to have nothing but good to say about Lone Star and Jim). Will there be any compramise in using a lite PSG? Are there other alternatives I should be looking at (I just need one E9 neck).
Thanks |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 21 Apr 2008 8:27 am
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A keyless Williams S10 single body will fit in the overheads if you have the right case.
To deal with your current problem of getting your steel on the plane put the pedal bar, legs and rods in a large duffel bag along with your luggage. The body of your steel alone in the case should be well under the limit.
I bring a hockey player duffel bag to the airport to deal with the sometimes complex repacking that I need to do. I just cram everything in there till I hit the per piece weight limit. You can even fit a pac seat in them. I get everything together so I can avoid the per piece and weight charges.
_________________
Bob |
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Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 21 Apr 2008 8:28 am
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The MSA Millennium is very light. I often have people pick mine up to see how light it is, and they are always amazed.
it's also a great guitar, with possibly the smoothest pedal action on any guitar on the market.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
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Roger Rettig
From:
Naples, FL
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Posted 21 Apr 2008 9:01 am
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Dermot
I'm about to face the same issue, but in reverse. In September I'll be coming back 'home' for a tour during October.
I simply will not 'check' my steel along with all the other baggage - it's just too risky. In the past I've managed to sneak my D10 Emmons packed in the Wheel-Ez case past the check-in clerk, then got it through Security. Once I'm on the 'plane I've found that the cabin-crew are only too eager to co-operate and help me stow it somewhere - they just want to get the doors closed and on their way.
However, things have only got tighter in the last couple of years, so this time I'm going to try putting the Emmons body in a 36" x 14" x 5" keyboard gig-bag (I have one coming), and I'll stow the pedal bar, legs and rods in one of my suitcases.
If this works out, I'll have my D-10 with me without having to compromise for the tour. I'm pretty sure the gig-bag will fit easily into an overhead bin, too.
I'll do anything to avoid buying a new steel JUST for one tour!!! If I was to opt for a Millennium, that'd pretty much wipe out the profit..... 
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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Marc Jenkins
From:
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Posted 21 Apr 2008 9:07 am
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| What is profit? |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 21 Apr 2008 9:47 am Re: Light, travelling steels
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| Dermot Watson wrote: |
Hello everyone,
I've come across Lone Star Lite pedals (and people seem to have nothing but good to say about Lone Star and Jim). Will there be any compramise in using a lite PSG? Are there other alternatives I should be looking at (I just need one E9 neck).
Thanks |
Have Jim at Lone Star make you a keyless guitar as narrow as he can make. That will take several inches off the length. It will help get the guitar in the overhead bin and you can send all the pedals and stuff not so damage prone in your regular baggage.
In regards to your "compromise" it will never sound or play like your Williams, how could it???.....but at least you can put it in an overhead bin, and not be charged any extra for it....providing you can get it past security. When they see it, they may catagorize it in the "Can be used as a blunt force weapon" category and you might not be able to carry it on anyway. |
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Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
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Posted 21 Apr 2008 11:32 am
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Dermot, it will be hard to beat the weight of your Williams. I have an MSA Millennium, and it's weight is very close to my Williams D-10. I haven't weighed the Williams out of the case, but by lifting both, they are pretty close. The Millennium has a wheeled flight case which is much heavier than the Williams standard case. A gig bag like Roger is getting may be your answer.
BTW, I have a bag for an MSA Superslide that is for sale in the For Sale section, that your Willy may fit into with a little foam modification. I would ship it across the pond.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro. |
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John Coffman
From:
Wharton,Texas USA
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Posted 21 Apr 2008 4:27 pm
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| I carry my SD10 keyless Lonestar to lessons and it is great. The S8 lite will get you most all the licks most people play anyway. Con of buying one is that you find yourself playing it more than the others. A least that's what I have found. Jim is a great guy and he has always giving great service. |
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Dermot Watson
From:
East Sussex, UK
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Posted 21 Apr 2008 11:24 pm Many thanks everyone
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Just a quick note to say 'thanks' for all your help, guys. I now have plenty of food for thought.
Happy Steelin'
Dermot |
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Olli Haavisto
From:
Jarvenpaa,Finland
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Posted 22 Apr 2008 12:45 am
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Hi Dermot,
I have a keyless Williams 7x6 U12 , 50 lbs in a flight case.
_________________
Olli Haavisto
Finland |
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 22 Apr 2008 12:49 am
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Hi Dermot, sometimes it depends on the airline you fly with. I've had to take my old "heavy" Sho-Bud universal twice to the States. I flew from Gatwick both times to Minneapolis. Once was direct and the second time I changed at Boston. The first time was no problem with excess baggage payment. The second time the girl at the check in wanted to charge me, but her superior overheard her and said to waver any charge as the flight wasn't completely full. Both occasions I flew with Northwest airlines. Their home base is Minneapolis. On both occasions the staff at the other end were really good and hand carried my heavy 'Bud off and handed it to me. My pakka seat went under the seat in front of me on the aircraft 
Micky Byrne United Kingdom www.micky-byrne.co.uk |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2008 2:53 am
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| Micky Byrne wrote: |
I flew with Northwest airlines. Their home base is Minneapolis. On both occasions the staff at the other end were really good and hand carried my heavy 'Bud off and handed it to me. My pakka seat went under the seat in front of me on the aircraft
Micky Byrne United Kingdom www.micky-byrne.co.uk |
Delta Airlines here in Atlanta just merged with Northwest and the new company will be Delta. You can forget any of that great service and no charge stuff from now on. |
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Micky Byrne
From:
United Kingdom (deceased)
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Posted 22 Apr 2008 3:32 am
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Hi Bill, has Delta got a bad reputation then?? Will have to remember that should I ever need to get across the pond again
Micky Byrne United Kingdom www.micky-byrne.co.uk |
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Billy Carr
From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
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Posted 22 Apr 2008 3:54 am light psg
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| Sounds like a new CARTER STARTER might work here. Checkout Seymour/ Crisp on SGN website. Impressive! They really do sound this good. |
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Doc Rickles
From:
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2008 5:55 am Light Guitars
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I have a SD10 Millennium and carry it in a keyboard bag. Its 21 lbs. I put the cover upside down and put the steel in and cover it for no damage. Then pedal board and rod bag . Can even put foot pedal in if you want too. Never use Texas wheel case. Heavier than the steel. Pick it up and go,ride, walk or fly.
Doc
_________________
GFI Red and Black SD 10 3/4 Keyless, Fender Jazzmaster Head, Special Jensen 12" Speaker Cab, New Hilton Pedal, Epiphone ES 295,60th Aniv 52 Custom Shop Tele,Tacoma Chief CKK9C Koa Wood
Wonderful Wife who loves all this stuff.
"Steel Away and Pray Everyday." |
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HowardR
From:
N.Y.C.-Fire Island-Asheville
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Posted 22 Apr 2008 7:04 am
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| A GFI keyless also has to be one of the most compact, lightest steel also....... |
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Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2008 7:31 am
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| Micky Byrne wrote: |
Hi Bill, has Delta got a bad reputation then?? Will have to remember that should I ever need to get across the pond again
Micky Byrne United Kingdom www.micky-byrne.co.uk |
They are not a bad airline, I am just warning you that the airline that was nice to you is fixing to be no more. |
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Ken Pippus
From:
Langford, BC, Canada
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Posted 22 Apr 2008 8:05 am
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For those of you unaware, Delta stands for "Doesn't Ever Leave the Airport".
KP |
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 22 Apr 2008 8:39 am
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I agree with others that it'll be hard to beat the weight of your Williams without giving up one neck. Don't know how important the back neck is to you. I believe my Williams SD-10 is not much, if any, heavier than my GFI keyless SD-10. A Millennium is probably lighter, but expensive!
I have taken my Williams SD-10 overseas. I packed it meticulously inside the case, with bubble wrap (rolled up when needed) everywhere necessary to keep the steel body or leg bag and pedal bar from moving at all, and a towel wrapped around the body. I put the case in a carton with 1" sheet styrofoam between case and carton at the corners. The whole package weighed 52 pounds. I checked it, and the airline let me slide on the extra 2 pounds both ways. I put in the case a photo of the guitar set up and a note explaining to the inspectors what it was, and politely asking them to re-pack it the same as I had it--they did, and wrote "Thank you!" on my note. The guitar (and case) came through just fine. It's only one experience, but FWIW. |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 24 Apr 2008 10:00 pm
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I just bought a Desert Rose s10 for this very purpose. The magic number is 50 lbs (used to be 65). My new guitar is something like 48 in a not so light case. I'm going to get a gig bag so I can carry it on, it's easily light enough.
Last edited by Dan Tyack on 25 Apr 2008 6:22 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Jim Sliff
From:
Lawndale California, USA
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Posted 25 Apr 2008 4:28 am
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Another GFI vote - not only a great guitar but my Ultra weighs 41 lbs in the case; I think it's just under 30 pounds without the case, which is very sturdy. It would not be difficult to get a lighter flight case and really knock the weight down.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional |
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