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Topic: Distant gig: fly with steel or ship ahead? |
Bob Knetzger
From:
Kirkland, WA USA
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Posted 13 Apr 2011 10:05 am |
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I've got a couple gigs coming up I'll need to fly to. I'm trying to decide: should I fly with my steel or ship it ahead. Anybody have a good experience either way?
In the distant past, I actually bought a ticket for half fare and brought a steel and a banjo onboard and strapped them both in a seat next to me.
What's next best these days? Gate check a steel so as to keep it off of the conveyor belts/luggage destroying system? Do you pack the case inside a shipping box. I'd guess TSA will rip that apart.
As for shipping carriers who is least worst these days? UPS? FedEx Ground? I have time to ship ahead so I don't need overnight speed or expense. I'm assuming I'd need to pack it up with an extra large box with solid foam protection.
Funny, ten years ago, my Carter came shipped to me with a just tight cardboard carton around the case, and the little 2x4 supports blocks inside the pedal rack compartment. It arrived fine, no problem. So, how do steel makers ship and pack these days? |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 13 Apr 2011 10:17 am
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Bob,I can only speak for Desert Rose guitars they are also shipped in a very tight box as the Carter Was,FedEx.Everytime that I fly my guitar they walk it over to the AFT table no conveyer belts and that sort of stuff.Take a pic of the guitar in it's set-up state because otherwise the agents have no idea of what they are looking at because it sets up up side down,Put that in the case with a nice note explain that this is your baby please take good care etc, include your cell number in case they need to get in touch with you,The will put fragile stickers all over the case because that's what they do,and above all be nice,If the guitar arrives the way that it left send them a nice email,Good luck,Stu
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Nic du Toit
From:
Milnerton, Cape, South Africa
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Posted 13 Apr 2011 10:18 am
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| Quote: |
| my Carter came shipped to me with a just tight cardboard carton around the case, and the little 2x4 supports blocks inside the pedal rack compartment. It arrived fine, no problem. So, how do steel makers ship and pack these days? |
I ordered a Mullin G2.....and it arrived safely in South Africa.....not a mark or dint!! And packed the way you described. I shipped an Emmons out to CA, USA, using the same method. I was informed that it arrived in perfect shape...... So, I reckon you have your answer.
Regards, Nic.
By the way, USPS shipped the Mullin, and I used BAX Global to ship my Emmons to the USA.
_________________
1970 P/P Emmons D10 flatback 8x5, BJS Bar, J F picks, Peavey Session 500, Telonics pedal. Boss GX700 effects.
Skype : nidutoit |
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Stu Schulman
From:
Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
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Posted 13 Apr 2011 10:18 am
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Hey Bob,I just noticed that you live in Kirkland? Do you know my friend Chris Middaugh? 
_________________
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952. |
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Gary Richardi
From:
SoCal, USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2011 8:23 am
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| I bought a case for my Starter and kept the box it shipped in. I cut the ends off and cut out the handle area. When I flew with it, I slipped the cardboard on the case and put a belt through the handle to hold it on. TSA could easily slip it off and back on and the case and especially the latches were protected on the conveyor system. Of course the Starter is really light and pretty hard to damage. I crammed a bunch of extra stuff in the case and it still came in under 50lbs. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 16 Apr 2011 8:59 am
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When I fly with my steel I just check it and that's it. (SD10 Jackson, about 55 pounds in the case). They make you haul it down to oversized for scanning and away it goes. I wouldn't think any more of it than that if it's in a hardshell case. Besides some support with the wood blocks (as you mentioned), you shouldn't have to do anything special. Some players are anal about scratching the case. If so, wrap it in plastic or something. I just let my case get scratched. That's what it's for.
I like to have my instruments with me when I travel as opposed to shipping them. That way they're there when you arrive and there's no fooling around. Sometimes the airline will waive the fee if you're friendly and sell the "poor musician" vibe. Ha. Shipping will be more expensive anyway.
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Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 16 Apr 2011 2:08 pm
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I'm with Chris -- the biggest problem with forwarding equipment ahead of time is that you can almost guarantee it will not arrive until the day after the gig !!
_________________
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases. |
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2011 2:15 pm
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Chris, are you talking about just a regular case, or do you have a flight case?
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Amor vincit omnia |
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Tyler Hall
From:
Mt. Juliet, TN
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Posted 16 Apr 2011 3:05 pm Just fly it...
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I'm always a nervous wreck about it, but as many times as I've flown my guitars I've never had a problem. I flew them in a regular case before getting a flight case. I blocked the part for the pedal bar like they were talking about. We just flew from Nashville to Sydney, Australia and my guitar was still in tune when I took it out of the case. I always put a little note in my case and explain that it's a steel guitar and it's fragile. Only problem I ever had was a latch got busted on my case, and my case takes more abuse being thrown under the bus than it does at the airports. Just fly it...
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www.joshturner.com
www.ghsstrings.com |
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 16 Apr 2011 4:31 pm
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The one time I flew with a steel, I boxed up the case in a carton with styrofoam taped to the inside of all sides of each corner of the carton. This is with the blocks in the leg compartment and a towel wrapped around the body of the steel and bubble wrap filling all the empty spaces in the case. I included a picture of it set up with a note that said: "Dear Inspector: This is a pedal steel guitar. I am enclosing a picture of it when it's assembled. Please re-pack it as it is packed now. Thank you." It came through fine, they re-packed it perfectly (if they ever unpacked it), and with a note from the inspector that said "Thank you!"
My packing may have been overkill, but I'd rather err on the side of caution. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 16 Apr 2011 10:45 pm
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Edward, I just have a regular had shell case with wheels. It's no stronger than a standard Sho~Bud case, per se.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Dean Parks
From:
Sherman Oaks, California, USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2011 7:43 am
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I only checked a steel once, but they told me they would only insure for loss, not damage, and the amount they pay you upon loss is $100.
Anyone with different info, please inform me.
As I understand it, when you ship, you can insure at a real amount, payment of such reflected in shipping price. |
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Gary Richardi
From:
SoCal, USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2011 8:37 am
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| Dean Parks wrote: |
I only checked a steel once, but they told me they would only insure for loss, not damage, and the amount they pay you upon loss is $100.
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Some quick searches show that, not surprisingly, the airlines don't tell you about a few things:
http://www.frommers.com/articles/6210.html |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 17 Apr 2011 8:46 am
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Yes Dean they gave me that warning the times I checked mine. I didn't realize they didn't cover the whole amount with regard to loss. But now that you mention it, that makes sense. Remember when they got you to sign a waiver for instruments? I haven't signed one of those in a while, but I think you agree to all that when you purchase the ticket now.
I have flown with steels about 6-7 times, and have yet to experience any problems with regard to damage or loss. But the notion of loss without coverage is a scary one.  Thanks for the heads-up!
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Bob Knetzger
From:
Kirkland, WA USA
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Posted 17 Apr 2011 9:55 am
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Yeah, I'm learning a lot here. Thanks to all the posters!
Another potential problem is that even with purchasing "excess evaluation" insurance coverage on checked baggage, there are limits that defeat the whole purpose. American Airlines specifically states that they are not liable for any damage unless the CASE shows obvious damage on the outside--and even then they dismiss any scuff or dings as usual and ordinary. So, just dropping the case from a few feet could do all kinds trouble to the instrument inside, without any incriminating damage to the case. Awp!
And depending on the guitar I take or ship, the costs add up fast. AirTrans charges $20 for any bag, $49 more for 51-70 pounds, and $49 for oversize, times two for both legs of the trip. My D-10 Carter might squeak by, but if I took my old Fender 800 that would easily incur weight and size charges.
Per the online shipping cost calculators, shipping the Fender UPS ground 4 day with insurance would be $78.63, via Fed Ex 4 day, $66.33. Shipping the Carter with insurance would be $68.13 via UPS ground and $55.99 Fed Ex. Anybody like any other carriers? |
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Gary Richardi
From:
SoCal, USA
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Edward Meisse
From:
Santa Rosa, California, USA
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Posted 23 Apr 2011 11:10 am
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| Chris LeDrew wrote: |
| Edward, I just have a regular had shell case with wheels. It's no stronger than a standard Sho~Bud case, per se. |
Thanks.
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Amor vincit omnia |
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