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Topic: flying with pedal steel and seat and amp... |
Lynn Kasdorf
From:
Waterford Virginia, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2011 6:11 am |
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I am considering flying to Austin next spring to play during not SXSW.
I'm trying to visualize how I would do this. I have a huge anvil case that will hold my D10 Emmons. My pakaseat is definitley not luggage worthy- way too easy for it to pop open during handling.
The anvil case is big enough that I can also fit the stuff that normally lives in my pakaseat (volume pedal, cords, stomp boxes, strings, etc).
But then I wouldn't have a seat of consistent height for playing. Or an amp.
That anvil case (which is really a keyboard case) will be crazy heavy with a steel and stuff in it. Maybe I could build wheels into it?
I guess I can try to rent an amp in Austin- maybe from a fellow steel player. i could also buy one of those teeny GK amp heads and come up with a 12" speaker. Hmmmm...
Any ideas?
Lynn Kasdorf
_________________
"You call that thing a guitar?" |
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Rick Schmidt
From:
Prescott AZ, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2011 7:29 am
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Lynn...I don't enjoy being the bearer of bad news, but things aren't in your favor when the airlines are concerned. You'll be lucky to get your steel there without paying large extra fees. There's a 50 pound limit on most carriers. Your best bet is to try to line up an amp and seat (maybe a drum throne or keyboard seat)in Texas ahead of time. Unfortunately you might have to adapt. I had an anvil case at one time that was way too heavy for today's new regulations. You might consider bringing something like a PODxt so you can have some control over your sound once you get there, even if that is not your ideal rig.
I know that there are guys here on the forum who fly occasionally with D-10s, but I'm pretty sure they either have to pay overcharges, have split lightweight cases, or just use S10 travel guitars. I know there are people making light travel cases now that you might want to look into. I've only flown once since 9-11 with a steel, and it was a nightmare. I feel your pain...I feel naked on the bandstand without a double neck. |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 20 Oct 2011 8:37 am
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You'd better off driving. Flying all that stuff is gonna cost you a mint.
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Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Lynn Kasdorf
From:
Waterford Virginia, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2011 9:11 am
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Getting even a single neck steel to weigh < 50lb in a travel case would be a trick. And, even if I could borrow a steel, it would probably be too short for me (I have to extend my pedal rods 2") and the setup would likely be different.
Sheesh...
Alas, driving is not an option- I'm in Virginia. I drove there years ago and it was a long, long drive.
I'll call Southwest and see what their luggage restrictions and fees are.
_________________
"You call that thing a guitar?" |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 20 Oct 2011 9:16 am
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(A Sho~Bud Pro 1 in its original case will come in under 50 pounds.)
I don't think you need a road case for flights. Just pack the steel tight in its case. It will be fine. You might incur some extra fees if it's over 50, but it shouldn't be a whole lot. What is the weight of your steel in its original case? Pack your VP and cables in your bag, and rent/borrow an amp in Austin. Away you go. 
I've flown from Dallas to Eastern Canada, and also back and forth around Atlantic Canada, with my Jackson in its standard case. No problems.
_________________
Jackson Steel Guitars
Web: www.chrisledrew.com |
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Rick Schmidt
From:
Prescott AZ, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2011 9:21 am
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and you can always try packing your legs and pedal bar in a suitcase too....although I've had that bag not show up on the baggage carousel, and I had to play the gig as a lap steel while wearing my travel clothes on the gig. 
Last edited by Rick Schmidt on 20 Oct 2011 9:22 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 20 Oct 2011 9:22 am
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Another option would be to find someone you can trust there and ship the stuff Fedex ahead of time. It will be expensive too, but maybe not as much as the airlines. You could fly with some and ship some, different combinations of options. Checking the prices would be a good place to start. Breakage possibilities are probably the same with either.
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 55 years and still counting. |
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Dylan Schorer
From:
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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Posted 20 Oct 2011 10:19 am
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I’ve flown a few times this month, so the hassles are fresh in my mind.
The fees are getting more expensive all the time. During my last few flights, anything over 50 lbs was $100 (each way), and anything over 70 lbs was $200. This was in addition to the base $35 baggage fee (each way). As you know, all the airlines have different rates, but all of them charge a hefty fee for anything over 50 lbs. My ShoBud is 55 lbs in the flight case, but I got it under 50 by putting the legs/rods in a soft guitar gig bag and carrying it on the plane.
You can likely rent an amp for less than it will cost to fly with it.
Austin is easy because there are probably a dozen backline rental companies that can provide any amp you want. Just Google ‘Austin backline rental’ and you’ll get a number of options. Any rental company can provide a Fender Twin, and many of the Austin companies can also provide several flavors of Peavey steel amps. Most will deliver the amp to the venue for a small fee or for free, or you can pick it up.
Leave the seat at home and borrow a chair at the venue, or if you’re worried about the height of the chair, have the backline company provide a drum throne that can be adjusted to any height.
Occassionaly I do fly with the pac-a-seat, and I’ll wrap a nylon belt/strapping around it so it doesn’t pop open. |
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Mickey Adams
From:
Bandera Texas
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Posted 21 Oct 2011 4:08 am
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Lynn if you'll give me a heads up when your coming, Ill be happy to setup a guitar and amp for you to play while you're here in TX...Provided my flight schedule has me home at that time..
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Lynn Kasdorf
From:
Waterford Virginia, USA
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Posted 21 Oct 2011 7:03 am
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Micky- that would be amazing! I have sent you an email.
The time frame is March 14-18 2012.
Thanks-
Lynn
_________________
"You call that thing a guitar?" |
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