Phil Taylor
C.O.G.
Posts: 4,401
Mini-Profile Name Color: 680908
Mini-Profile Text Color: 121311
|
Post by Phil Taylor on Mar 22, 2013 11:51:06 GMT
Now we have no doggie commitment here on Mud Island we intend to gradually spend more time in Spain and we are going for an initial period 4 weeks in June/July. Whilst the Brunner travel guitar is ok I want to take the Farida over there and leave it and possibly sell the Brunner. The Farida is laminate back and sides so should be reasonable with the heat/humidity and if the worst comes to the worst its not worth much anyway. The pictures below show the type of case and I was wondering if anyone can give some advice on how best to pack it to minimise damage. I don't want to spend any money on getting a super dooper case: I thought about stuffing the headstock area with rags and taping up a bit around the outside? Hope you can help. Regards Phil
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Mar 22, 2013 12:09:31 GMT
In addition to the usual advice: pack padding behind the headstock, loosen the strings a few tones, take everything out of the pick/capo compartment... put the whole case in a cardboard box with some protection to stop the case moving in the box. This way you can assure that even if it is treated badly, no harm will come to it and it will also protect your case. You'll have to pay a bit for excess baggage as well.
In Europe though, I drive with my guitars - good excuse for a road trip.
Have fun in the sun.
Jonny
|
|
|
Post by keithambridge on Mar 22, 2013 13:59:30 GMT
You might get away with taking that on as an extra piece of hand baggage, some airlines allow musical instruments as an extra piece.
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 33,908
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Mar 22, 2013 16:34:48 GMT
Why not leave it at home and buy a guitar over there, to leave there? Maybe even a nylon strung jobbie for some variety? I believe some are made in Spain!! And,like Toby, you might get a serious bargain by UK standards.
Keith
|
|
Wild Violet
Artist / Performer
Posts: 3,554
My main instrument is: Symonds OM-14
|
Post by Wild Violet on Mar 22, 2013 18:22:09 GMT
I've carried guitars onboard planes many times and never had a problem. I didn't ask, just confidently walked on with it. The one time I did put it in the hold it was in a Hiscox case. I don't know that I would trust anything less to airline handlers.
|
|
andrewjw
C.O.G.
Posts: 4,732
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":""}
|
Post by andrewjw on Mar 23, 2013 9:49:52 GMT
Not wanting to worry you Phil but....
|
|
Phil Taylor
C.O.G.
Posts: 4,401
Mini-Profile Name Color: 680908
Mini-Profile Text Color: 121311
|
Post by Phil Taylor on Mar 26, 2013 19:11:12 GMT
Thanks for all the advice - much appreciated Keith - I have thought about buying but believe it or not there are not many 630mm scale length and 43/44mm nut guitars about at that price point even if I could find a shop!! Also it will soon be surplus to requirements here with the 2nd Brook soon to be started We do plan on doing a road trip down there through France calling at my mates an onwards so I may wait - lets see. Thanks again all. Phil
|
|
Phil Taylor
C.O.G.
Posts: 4,401
Mini-Profile Name Color: 680908
Mini-Profile Text Color: 121311
|
Post by Phil Taylor on Sept 24, 2013 8:25:31 GMT
In addition to the usual advice: pack padding behind the headstock, loosen the strings a few tones, take everything out of the pick/capo compartment... put the whole case in a cardboard box with some protection to stop the case moving in the box. This way you can assure that even if it is treated badly, no harm will come to it and it will also protect your case. You'll have to pay a bit for excess baggage as well. In Europe though, I drive with my guitars - good excuse for a road trip. Have fun in the sun. Jonny Hi Jonny I off to Spain early next Monday and I'm just getting things ready for the guitar. Could I ask why your advise is to take everything out of the pick/capo compartment? not a problem doing but just curious. Regards Phil
|
|
|
Post by Banadog on Sept 24, 2013 15:52:27 GMT
Phil You really don't want anything moving in the case. Make sure the guitar itself can't move even slightly, use some soft padding if necessary, even socks would work. Most neck breakages are because of the headstock angle and caused by sudden impact or shock, so plenty packing behind the headstock, and slacken the strings. Again the guitar case should not be able to move inside the cardboard box so lots of bubble wrap. With any luck it should arrive in one piece
|
|
ocarolan
Global Moderator
CURMUDGEONLY OLD GIT (leader - to join, just ask!)
Posts: 33,908
Mini-Profile Background: {"image":"","color":"c0cfe1"}
Mini-Profile Name Color: 182a3f
Mini-Profile Text Color: 733a1c
|
Post by ocarolan on Sept 24, 2013 17:07:39 GMT
Great advice from Banadog there, though with one proviso - Packing the headstock area can be a two edged sword if done incorrectly - it is possible to end up with there being uneven forces on the headstock when at rest, and if too solidly packed, impact to the case can be transmitted directly to the weakest point. I find it easier to pack so as to ensure that the neck, where it passes over the case compartment, is going to be immobile and the headstock is simply in mid air - if the neck doesn't move around, the headstock won't. Also, when put into a cardboard box, I like to pack around the case with loads of crumpled newspaper - it takes a lot to keep the case immobile, but crumpled newspaper absorbs any shock or crushing better than bubble wrap, which tends to merely transmit any forces to what is inside it. Bit like the principle of "crumple zones" in car design. Looking at the case and the fit of the guitar though Phil, there's little in the design of that case itself that will protect against crushing - the guitar is a pretty close fit all round the guitar body and hence will transmit any crushing forces directly to the guitar, hence the need to cushion the case well in its cardboard box. Unless of course you can carry the guitar /case (not in a box) on as hand baggage.... Keith
|
|
|
Post by Banadog on Sept 24, 2013 18:59:26 GMT
I agree Keith, I have a guitar that came with the same case, and they offer basic protection. Hopefully it should survive one journey.
|
|
Phil Taylor
C.O.G.
Posts: 4,401
Mini-Profile Name Color: 680908
Mini-Profile Text Color: 121311
|
Post by Phil Taylor on Sept 24, 2013 19:03:09 GMT
Thanks for the advice Phil
|
|
|
Post by Mike Floorstand on Sept 24, 2013 19:46:13 GMT
Is that a chipboard/ply case? If so it could easily get damaged itself by the baggage handlers, I think I'd second WV's advice to get a Hiscox or better, you can get them for less than £100. You don't need to leave it there - maybe take both cases - put your clothes in one, the guitar in the hiscox! and bring your clothes back in the hiscox.
One other tip is to gaffer tape some cardboard onto the latches, they are quite often damaged too.
cheers
|
|
|
Post by Banadog on Sept 24, 2013 20:22:03 GMT
If you live near Hiscox cases, you can often get "seconds" at half price
|
|
|
Post by jonnymosco on Sept 24, 2013 21:16:30 GMT
I off to Spain early next Monday and I'm just getting things ready for the guitar. Could I ask why your advise is to take everything out of the pick/capo compartment? not a problem doing but just curious. Regards Phil Just in case your capo/allen key etc. fall out in transit and damage the guitar. Have fun. Also, you could take the guitar to the gate just before you get on the plane - much less chance of it being damaged in the airport on the way to the plane. Last time I also wrapped the case in bubble-wrap with the handle poking out, just to protect the case a bit. Jonny
|
|