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Topic: Shipping a Pedal Steel on an airplane. Help! |
Rich Gilbert
From:
Freeport, Maine
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Posted 28 May 2009 10:21 am |
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| Hey, anybody got any ideas or solutions for this? I have an early 70's Sho Bud Pro I in a flight case that weighs 68 lbs in the case. The problem is, every time I have to fly somewhere with it for a tour or a gig, unless I can sweetly persuade the clerk at the check in counter otherwise, the airline charges me a ridiculously high fee to check it with the luggage. Has anyone come up with a solution for this? Is anyone manufacturing a lightweight solid and protective case (ala SKB) that would keep the weight below 50 lbs? How about lighter legs than the standard Sho Bud metal legs? I would like to keep the legs and rods in the same case as the steel, as I usually have to check my personal luggage also, and most airlines draw the line at 2 checked pieces these days, particularly if it's an overseas flight. Or is there a good quality lightweight steel (3 pedals, 5 knee levels preferably) being manufactured these days that comes to less than 50 lbs in the case? I'd love to hear what other experiences other steel players have had with this issue, and if they've found a workable solution for this. I know I can't be the only steel player out there who's run into this problem. Thanks guys, let me know what you think. |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 28 May 2009 10:28 am
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| I put the legs and pedal bar in the suitcase with my underwear. |
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 28 May 2009 9:30 pm
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I sometimes carry a duffel bag for the legs and pedal bar and my cloths. The airline thing is getting worse and worse. Domestic flights charge for every bag now. I just count the baggage fees as part of the budget. I know a European steel player who buys a seat for his steel because its the only way to get it on the plane over there.
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Bob |
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K.J. Tucker
From:
Texas
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Posted 28 May 2009 9:47 pm Just a thought ............
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What about Air Freight by the airline you are flying ?
It is just a thought
Later
Tuck
_________________
In Memory of My Friend http://rickalexander.com/BigSteel/
If you can read this Thank a Teacher , If it is in English Thank a Soldier !
Luck is preparation meets opportunity............ My Grandmother |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 29 May 2009 6:44 am
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| Rich, a standard Pro 1 case would bring the weight down considerably. My Pro 1 in its original case weighed under 50 pounds. Something to consider. It's pretty safe in the wooden case, really. Pro 1's are wicked guitars, but they are also fairly easy to replace. So you could take a bit of a chance with a lighter case and save some big money in the long run. |
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Barry Hyman
From:
upstate New York, USA
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Posted 30 May 2009 5:44 am lightweight Willy
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My new Williams S-12 (5 pedals + 5 knee levers, wood body, wood neck) weighs 48 pounds with the case. Although I'd pay to buy a seat for it before I would dare to put it in baggage...
_________________
I give music lessons on several different instruments in Cambridge, NY (between Bennington, VT and Albany, NY). But my true love is pedal steel. I've been obsessed with steel since 1972; don't know anything I'd rather talk about... www.barryhyman.com |
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Steven Black
From:
Gahanna, Ohio, USA
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Posted 30 May 2009 6:55 am Lighter guitars
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| There is a lighter guitar, a single 10 or 12 string universal with 7 pedals and 5 knee levers, built by Lone star steels, go to there website and check it out. Lone star steel.com SteveB |
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 30 May 2009 7:26 am
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| The Jackson Ultra-lite is a good option as well. |
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Brint Hannay
From:
Maryland, USA
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Posted 30 May 2009 8:31 am
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GFI weighs about the same as a comparable Williams,mentioned above, and is easily replaceable. (Not that it should ever come to that!!  ) |
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Tracy Sheehan
From:
Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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Posted 30 May 2009 2:01 pm Shipping
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IT is always a good idea when flying with your steel to put a large sign on the case saying,
Land aircraft before unloading.
But (sigh) this no longer works either because yery few baggage handlers read english,even the ones here in the U.S. |
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Gary Sill
From:
Mt. Zion, IL, USA
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Posted 31 May 2009 5:10 am Light weight steel guitar legs
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I carry light weight steel guitar legs that look the very same as the heavier steel made ones. The light weight ones save 3 to 4 lbs. per steel and come in the regular 1/2" thread size #13 thread.
You can find them on my website: www.sillmusicsupply.com
or I have an Ebay store called: Sill Music Supply.
Gary Sill 217 433 7455
email: sillmusicsupply@gmail.com |
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Matt Pynn
From:
Los Angeles CA
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Posted 31 May 2009 12:28 pm
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| As a completely unrelated note. Rich, I loved your playing on the record you did with Tanya Donelly up at the Windam in Bellows Falls VT. Fantastic! |
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Dan Tyack
From:
Olympia, WA USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2009 8:36 pm
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| Desert Rose single 10. Great guitar, and it's well under 50 pounds in a case. |
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David Wright
From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
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Posted 3 Jun 2009 8:54 am
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| get a SKB case, I've used them for years, from coast to coast, never a problem there as light a case you can get, and good protection...I'm under 50 lbs with my MSA S-12 9 &6 |
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Rich Gilbert
From:
Freeport, Maine
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Posted 3 Jun 2009 1:15 pm
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| David, which SKB case do you use? I've been to their website but don't see any information on pedal steel cases. Did you have one custom made, or did you use one of their standard cases and modify it yourself? Also, what is the general price range for the case you use? Thanks |
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David Wright
From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
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Posted 3 Jun 2009 1:20 pm
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| answer sent.... |
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memphislim
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 3 Jun 2009 1:47 pm
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David, would you mind posting the answer to the case question here so we can all see?
Slim |
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David Wright
From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
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Posted 3 Jun 2009 2:01 pm
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Yes,
Sierra use to sell the cases and retro fit them to any guitar, have to check with them on that...
Or, you can buy a shell from SKB and have the guts build... I had Texas Case do mine for the MSA... with the help of Jim P in Oceanside.. It's the best light weight case you can get in my Book..
Here Sierras Info...
Tom Baker
work 503-759-3155
work sierrasteelguitars@earthlink.net
work p.o.Box 681
Molalla Or 97038-0681
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 4 Jun 2009 7:30 pm
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I always take the leg and rod bag out of the case and put it in another bag ...and use the lightest case I own ..which happens to be the standard Zum case ...my wheeled roadcase is a bit heavier so I prefer not to use it when flying!
_________________
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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Rich Gilbert
From:
Freeport, Maine
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Posted 6 Jun 2009 9:53 am
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| Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the ideas and suggestions! |
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Russell Nugent
From:
LA (lower Alabama)
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Posted 6 Jun 2009 2:22 pm
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Just don't send it with this guy....
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Matt Dawson
From:
Luxembourg, Europe
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Posted 29 Jul 2009 3:11 am
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Hi Rich
I'm glad you solved the problem and got your sho-bud to Luxembourg in one piece, because it sounded SWEET last night! Sorry we did not get to chat more, but I really enjoyed your set. Great band, great steel player!
Matt |
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Willis Vanderberg
From:
Petoskey Mi
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Posted 30 Jul 2009 4:06 pm
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SKB makes a case called a drum trap case. It is very light and has wheels. I believe this is the same case Sierra uses. My friend Roger Rettig packs his LeGrande lll in one and carries it on and puts it in the overhead storage bin.The legs and pedal bar go in his suitcase and are checked.
I have a new case and will sell it shipped for
$150.00. You will need to do the inside with foam to fit your guitar. This is not a big deal to do. |
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