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Post by fatfingerjohn on Jan 4, 2014 11:49:53 GMT
Hi,
I'm sure this has been asked before but perhaps there is something new out there or new members might know. I've just booked a hol for April to Morocco for nearly 2 weeks. I'd love to have an acoustic guitar with me. There don't seem to be any music shops where I'm going to be able to hire one. I don't want to take one of my normal ones and pay excess baggage for a separate one in the hold or risk the damage. I've seen good reports about the Voyage Air which folds up, but checking the airline regulations its still a bit too big for the measly sizes they now allow you as hand baggage. Its also a lot more expensive in UK than US to buy.
Its a long shot but does anyone know of any other types of (travel) guitar, presumably folding, which can be within the hand baggage size allowances.
Thanks
FFJ
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Post by jonnymosco on Jan 4, 2014 11:53:32 GMT
I'd go to a music shop and ask if they'd lend you one… I've had zero luck with that. Perhaps a uke?
Jonny
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007
C.O.G.
Posts: 2,601
My main instrument is: 1965 Hagstrom H45E
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Post by 007 on Jan 4, 2014 12:35:39 GMT
Take a banjo it will double as a frying pan fore a breakfast
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maninashed
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Post by maninashed on Jan 4, 2014 12:54:48 GMT
You say you've checked the airline hand baggage regs but have you checked specifically about instruments? Most airlines allow you to carry a guitar in a soft bag on board. You can put it overhead or they'll stow it in a cupboard for you.
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gwmpy
Strummer
Posts: 42
My main instrument is: 12 string guitar, B bender tele's c'hammer banjo
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Post by gwmpy on Jan 4, 2014 13:20:46 GMT
Quite a few years ago, when I went on holiday, I picked up a cheap semi-acoustic body and bought a bolt on neck that I fixed up that I would take apart, and put in the suitcase. I remember seeing a Crafter guitar that had a bolt on neck that Midge Ure use to tour with and did the same thing. They do a 12 string, Nylon and steel 6 string model. maybe worth thinking about.
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gwmpy
Strummer
Posts: 42
My main instrument is: 12 string guitar, B bender tele's c'hammer banjo
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Post by gwmpy on Jan 4, 2014 13:38:22 GMT
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Post by arturo on Jan 4, 2014 18:46:28 GMT
I've been looking for a folding travel guitar too. You could try Playaway Guitars in Brighton. Their website shows several alternatives to the Voyage Air. Personally I'm going for a Journey Overhead, I'll let you know how it goes once it (left handed special) arrives, hopefully late Jan, early February.
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Jan 4, 2014 19:15:29 GMT
I've been looking for a folding travel guitar too. You could try Playaway Guitars in Brighton. Their website shows several alternatives to the Voyage Air. Personally I'm going for a Journey Overhead, I'll let you know how it goes once it (left handed special) arrives, hopefully late Jan, early February. Thanks for everyone's replies so far, most useful.
I particularly like the look of the 'Journey Overhead' and the dimensions of it packed in the case are that bit smaller than the Voyage Air for going as cabin luggage or even inside my main baggage if I can make room! I'd love to know how you get on with it when you get it. Only issue to me would be the price; at > £500 I would have to be very sure of it.
Perhaps one of out Forum guitar makers can find a market here and do some custom acoustics branded to the forum.
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Jan 4, 2014 20:18:05 GMT
Hi John, just so you know Patrick from playawayguitars is a member on here, and could hopefully help you directly with any query
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Jan 6, 2014 7:47:16 GMT
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Post by andyhowell on Jan 6, 2014 11:09:05 GMT
The EU now has a regulation which ensures that musicians can carry instruments in the cabin and this facility is often carried on with short hops outside of Europe. However, you can still get to the airport and find problems.
I would ring the airport and speak to the reps of the company you are flying with that might help. Mind you, I considered this a few years ago with a trip to Ireland. I checked with Air Lingus. No problem they told me. At the last minute I decided to leave the guitar behind. When I got to the plane I found I would have had real problems. Some people have reported that the staff stash the instrument somewhere safe elsewhere in the cabin!
I asked Martin Simpson about this last year. He always uses the hold because if you can't take it on the plane it might be the last time you see the guitar! A good hard case, good internal packaging and some decent insurance might be in order. Or a cheap holiday guitar. I used to have a cheap Yamaha that I got properly set up. The fingerboard was a bit narrow but it did the job. I gave the guitar away and in some ways wish I hadn't now!
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gwmpy
Strummer
Posts: 42
My main instrument is: 12 string guitar, B bender tele's c'hammer banjo
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Post by gwmpy on Jan 6, 2014 17:30:47 GMT
Hi Andy, What we have found is that is doesn't matter what EU regulation is now in order, depending on the person at the checking in desk, is whether you can take the guitar on board. We have explained this in that at the desk and it doesn't matter. Main reason the Calton case is a must IMHO, especially after seeing the case being thrown across the tarmac at Chicago Airport with a guy smiling all over his face. Sometimes you wonder is it worth putting Fragile stickers on a guitar case. BA are great as they allow carry on guitar cases along with your hand luggage (never had a problem) for no extra money. Easyjet, always put it in the hold, never had a problem. We do this by putting it through outsize baggage counter Last time to Canada, due to the cost of extra baggage, we used the shrink wrapping service at the airport to wrap two guitars together which then went as one piece of luggage (the girl at the desk advised it due to the cost of extra baggage. A lot of the time is about how much sweet talking you can do. Like yourself, I would buy a cheap guitar, or as mentioned, buy a guitar with a bolt on neck (even a old Hoyer if you can get it cheap enough) so that you can take it apart. I don't see the point in spending a lot of money in a travel guitar/holiday guitar because as far as I'm concerned, it is just about keeping your hands etc up to scratch. But that is just my opinion.
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007
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Post by 007 on Jan 6, 2014 18:57:39 GMT
For forum members who have never seen it before Apologies to those who have sen it.
Despite the levity of this video, and I have posted it before, its a totally true story.( there are 2 others that followed if you want to watch them.
Dave Carroll the guitarist was a journeyman musician with his own band and the Video went massive
United Airways finally threw the towel in and gave him a check (sorry too much american,)cheque for the repair when he went on coast to coast TV
Watch out Ryanair mess with forum members traveling with guitar at your peril.
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Akquarius
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Post by Akquarius on Jan 6, 2014 20:37:47 GMT
For forum members who have never seen it before Apologies to those who have sen it. I love that one!
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Jan 6, 2014 20:40:52 GMT
For forum members who have never seen it before Apologies to those who have sen it. Despite the levity of this video, and I have posted it before, its a totally true story.( there are 2 others that followed if you want to watch them. Dave Carroll the guitarist was a journeyman musician with his own band and the Video went massive United Airways finally threw the towel in and gave him a check (sorry too much american,)cheque for the repair when he went on coast to coast TV Watch out Ryanair mess with forum members traveling with guitar at your peril. Well that rules out a few options as I'm not sure how Thomson would fare. Its not important enough for me to pay excess baggage; just the thought of 11 days without my daily fix is grim!
I wonder if I can survive with 2 changes of underwear, 2 pairs of shorts, three shirts and a toothbrush so I can pack something in my case! .....
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