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Topic: Flight case for light weight guitar |
Howard Steinberg
From:
St. Petersburg, Florida , USA
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Posted 27 Aug 2013 8:33 am |
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I'm wondering what people have been using to fly their light weight guitars in, without exceeding the 50 pound limit?? Thanks in advance for your responses.
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Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar. |
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Boo Bernstein
From:
Los Angeles, CA
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Posted 27 Aug 2013 12:46 pm
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Hi, Howard --
I have a lot of experience with this; I do a lot of "fly-to" dates.
There is no optimal solution and all have their trade-offs. I have used two different cases to check my steel in order to keep the weight under 50 pounds. One is made by Dan Bentley. It is made of some sort of fiberboard (Dan can jump in and correct me) like they use for drum cases. It is completely lined with foam and "hugs" the instrument; the top fits like a shoe box. If I understand correctly, these were not designed to be used for airline travel, but they are light and cushion the steel. It will not, however, take a good hit from a heavy load or a forklift. That said, I used one for about a year-and-a-half and never had any problems.
I also took advice from several people on the Forum and fitted out a hard plastic SKB trap case. These are strong and light with wheels. However, I have found that each flight mine becomes a little more distorted where the metal edging meets the plastic. Aeromexico dropped mine out of the hold of the plane last year and I had significant damage to my instrument. That said, you could drop a good flight case from that height and it would probably cause damage. I continue to use this one most of the time.
My best solution was to have a soft case custom made. For nearly a year, I carried this on all flights. It fit neatly in the overhead bin and, this way, I was assured that the instrument would actually arrive in one piece. HOWEVER, for the last four or five months, they have now cracked down even further and every flight has become an ongoing battle to convince them to allow the instrument on the plane. Then about a month ago, I ended up in a big hassle with the TSA who didn't even want to allow me to take it through security. Luckily, I finally talked them into it ... but it really instilled a fear in me that I could find myself in a position where the airline or TSA won't budge and I have to put the steel in the hold in a soft case -- which has disaster written all over it! For that reason, I have gone back to using the SKB case.
If you are only traveling occasionally by plane, I would advise to use a good road case and pay the money. Given my travel schedule, that's just not an option for me. I hope this is helpful. Boo |
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Howard Steinberg
From:
St. Petersburg, Florida , USA
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Posted 27 Aug 2013 1:21 pm
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Thanks for the info Boo. My initial plan was to go with Dan's cases. I've talked with others who have used them to fly and nobody has experienced damage.
I spoke with Dan a few weeks ago and unfortunately he is not making cases at the present time.
I'll check into what SBK has that I can outfit with foam. Howard
_________________
Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar. |
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Greg Johnson
From:
Greencastle, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 27 Aug 2013 3:30 pm
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I had a case built that is ata certified by case technology that is great. But to be clear I never fly anywhere anymore
_________________
MSA CLassic SD-10
92 Emmons LII
79 Super Pro
Quilter TT
Evans FET 500
Fender Twin 65 RI
American Takimine |
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Boo Bernstein
From:
Los Angeles, CA
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Posted 28 Aug 2013 10:01 am
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| Hey, Greg -- With the steel inside is your Case Technology case under 50 pounds? |
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Greg Johnson
From:
Greencastle, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 28 Aug 2013 11:19 am
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Because I got the wheels and hidden handle the case weighs 22lbs so probably not
_________________
MSA CLassic SD-10
92 Emmons LII
79 Super Pro
Quilter TT
Evans FET 500
Fender Twin 65 RI
American Takimine |
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Howard Steinberg
From:
St. Petersburg, Florida , USA
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Posted 29 Aug 2013 4:31 am
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22 pounds puts me under 50 with legs and pedals in the case. I'll look into this case. Is this the company inIpswich Massachusetts?
_________________
Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar. |
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Douglas Schuch
From:
Valencia, Philippines
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Howard Steinberg
From:
St. Petersburg, Florida , USA
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Posted 29 Aug 2013 5:08 am
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The Cabelas case looks promising. Has anyone actually adapted one of these for a steel.
This is a potential cottage industry. I'd be all over someone who knows what they are doing fitting out one of these cases for me.
_________________
Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar. |
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Boo Bernstein
From:
Los Angeles, CA
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Posted 30 Aug 2013 9:15 am
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I would also be very interested in seeing how someone built out a rifle case like this and how successful it has been. It seems like there would be enough room for the pedal board and legs. (I have to be as compact as possible in my travels and cannot carry a separate piece.) My only concern would be the shallow depth of the case although it looks like pretty tough plastic.
If anyone has done this, please share. Thanks in advance, Boo |
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Brian Herder
From:
Philadelphia, Pa. USA
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Posted 30 Aug 2013 11:20 am
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| That rifle case is actually a little bigger than a Sho Bud Professional case, which is pretty big. |
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Ian Sutton
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 30 Aug 2013 12:27 pm
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I've seen some pics of Carco Clave with a fiber case similar to what was mentioned earlier in the thread.
in fact...http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=192636&sid=9172250c20beea46c472bfa1d5ef51e6
_________________
Some gear. |
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Greg Johnson
From:
Greencastle, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 30 Aug 2013 2:27 pm
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Yes it's the one in Ipswich ma. Good guys
_________________
MSA CLassic SD-10
92 Emmons LII
79 Super Pro
Quilter TT
Evans FET 500
Fender Twin 65 RI
American Takimine |
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Boo Bernstein
From:
Los Angeles, CA
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Posted 23 Sep 2013 8:10 pm
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| I'm going to move this back to the top. I'd really like to see a photo of a rifle case that has been built out to hold a steel. I'm thinking this may be a great option to use with airlines. Thanks in advance for your help and pix. |
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Boo Bernstein
From:
Los Angeles, CA
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Posted 23 Sep 2013 8:10 pm
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| I'm going to move this back to the top. I'd really like to see a photo of a rifle case that has been built out to hold a steel. I'm thinking this may be a great option to use with airlines. Thanks in advance for your help and pix. |
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Josh Yenne
From:
Sonoma California
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Posted 23 Sep 2013 11:40 pm
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| Red dirt cases |
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Malcolm McMaster
From:
Beith Ayrshire Scotland
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Posted 24 Sep 2013 2:06 am
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I use a Scott Dixon lightweight flight case, total weight with guitar ,legs,pedal bar is 22kgs (48lbs appx)
_________________
MSA Millenium SD10, GK MB200, Sica 12inch cab, Joyo American Sound Pedal/ Jay Ganz Straight Ahead amp, Telonics 15inch in Peavey cab, Digitech RP150, Peterson tuner.Hilton volume pedal.Scott Dixon seat and guitar flight case. |
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Shorty Rogers
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 24 Sep 2013 4:01 pm
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Boo - just another little tip on the SKB cases ... I found out that the little axle that holds the handles on (this is the later version of the case) ...are made of some composite carbon/plastic material and are not up to the job ...
I changed the handle axles out for some stainless steel bolts with nylock nuts on them and this seems pretty good... good idea to change them before some gorilla at the airport rips the handles off !!
_________________
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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Boo Bernstein
From:
Los Angeles, CA
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Posted 25 Sep 2013 1:14 pm
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Thanks, Paddy. I found out personally about the handles and have switched them out to screws. 
My big problem is that I fly constantly -- I was on 7 flights in 3 days this past weekend. What happens is that the areas with the metal edging where the case closes become increasingly dented with each flight to the point where the case doesn't close with a seal. I have to keep "jiggering" (if that's a word) the top so it will match up with the bottom in order to close it. It will eventually get to the point where I won't be able to close it at all. That's why I'm constantly looking for another lightweight alternative.
All of that said, the case has done a great job and I have you to thank for the original idea!
The rifle cases look very promising, however, my steel in the SKB case is at 49.5 pounds and I fear that the rifle cases will weigh a bit more. I would still love to see a photo of someone who has set up a rifle case for their steel. |
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Paddy Long
From:
Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted 25 Sep 2013 3:31 pm
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Hi Boo thats good mate, yes I have had to do the "Jiggering" of the ali sealing strip too -- great word that hehe ...
I would be interested in the rifle case too so long as it's a similar weight to the SKB..
my Zum's just sneak in about a gnats whisker under the 23kg/50lb limit with airline legs.
_________________
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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Boo Bernstein
From:
Los Angeles, CA
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Posted 26 Sep 2013 9:51 am
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Hey, Paddy -- I'm surprised to hear that you're having trouble with the seal -- I thought as a New Zealander you would be "Lord of the O Rings." LOL! Sorry for the terrible joke.
SKB has a rifle case that looks very solid but it appears to be quite a bit heavier than the case we're using: http://www.skbcases.com/sports/sku.php?cat=9&pid=46&sku=3i-4217-7B-L
As I continue to investigate, I'll keep you in the loop. Thanks again, Boo |
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Howard Steinberg
From:
St. Petersburg, Florida , USA
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Posted 26 Sep 2013 1:46 pm
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I'm still trying to figure something out for air travel. Ideally, I'd like to have a set of Dan Bentley's fiber cases, but my last contact with Dan indicated that he was not making cases at the present time. These don't come up used very often.
In an earlier discussion of this subject there was a post about a multi ply cardboard outer case that I think was posted by Mark Van Allen. This may be my temporary solution.
_________________
Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar. |
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Boo Bernstein
From:
Los Angeles, CA
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Posted 27 Sep 2013 10:29 am
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Hey, Howard -- As you can see from the discussions above, there are a number of us using the SKB trap case and fitting it out with padding. I don't know if you're playing a D10 which will add more weight, but this has worked for me. I believe this is the correct one: http://www.skbcases.com/music/products/proddetail.php?f=&id=168&o=&offset=1&c=98&s=77
Also, as I mentioned, I am investigating the possibility of rifle cases. I have a link above to an SKB one that looks promising ... it's just a bit more weight which would probably put me over the 50 pound limit. I would love to see a photo of a rifle case that someone has fitted out for a steel -- hopefully a Forum bro will post one so we can get a look.
Please feel free to email me directly with any questions. I will post again once I've done all my homework on the rifle cases. Hope this helps. Boo |
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Howard Steinberg
From:
St. Petersburg, Florida , USA
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Posted 27 Sep 2013 10:40 am
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Hey Boo - My hope initially was to have a case that would fit a D-10 and with inserts would allow me to fly a wide body s-10. I'm very interested in the rifle case as well, especially if I could find someone to do the interior for me.
The fiber cases would be great for local gigs with a D-10 and fly gigs (which are fairly infrequent) with the pro lite. Howard
_________________
Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar. |
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