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Post by andyhowell on Sept 25, 2013 10:36:50 GMT
I have spent a bit of time corresponding with Santa Cruz Guitars about air travel, and also had a chat to Martin Simpson about it. This is a mixture of the advice.
Choose an impact case — i prefer HIscox (my choice) — one of the top two case in the range
Pack very carefully — especially around the headstock where many breakages occur. Stuff the space behind the headstock well with material.
Don't detune but keep in normal tuning — clear advice from SCGC and Simpson!
Always put guitar in the hold as you might have it simply confiscated as you try and get on plane.
Never lock the case — customs will simply break it open if they want to!
A regulation by the European Union now requires all European airlines to allow musicians to carry instruments in the cabin with no extra charge! They tent to keep this quiet. However, this is still not full proof.
When going to Ireland last year I range the airport and airline in advance to check that they followed this regulation. They both happily responded that they did. At the last minute I decided to leave the guitar behind. When I got on the plane there was no way that the guitar would have fitted into the lockers. I'm not sure how it would have been carried but this might have been one of those moments when the guitar was refused entry and space and safety grounds!
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Post by Phil Taylor on Sept 25, 2013 15:41:53 GMT
Thanks all for the responses. The guitar, which is a cheap one by the way, will be going in the case shown, wrapped in bubble wrap in a cardboard box (Used by Hiscox to ship their cases)which will be packed inside with whatever. The box will then be taped up soundly. Fragile notices will be displayed all over it. If the guitar is broken when it arrives I will look at the insurance and then probably bin it - no worries Phil
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Post by Mike Floorstand on Sept 25, 2013 21:10:14 GMT
Wrapping the case itself in bubblewrap and pop in a cardboard box as if you were couriering it - smart move!
Good luck & happy holidays!
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Post by redpick on Sept 26, 2013 16:32:55 GMT
Well you've probably been there and back by now, how did it go? Your enquiry reminded me of the time I took my beater over to Spain in my Martin thermoplastic case. I was OK the first couple of times, but then it happened-the clasp got damaged ( I didn't cardboard box it). I managed to get replacement clasps FOC via Martin's supplier-anyone know who I can use to repair case? Don't mean to hijack thread but thought someone may have been down this road before-requires lining moved back and riveting....
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ocarolan
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Post by ocarolan on Sept 26, 2013 16:50:19 GMT
@ redpick - Shouldn't have to remove the lining - drill out the old rivets from the outside and use "blind" rivets (with appropriate rivetting tool) also inserted from the outside. I only know because I've just done that on one of my Hiscox cases. Blind rivet tool inc rivets easily obtainable on eBay. Keith
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Post by redpick on Sept 26, 2013 17:01:04 GMT
Cheers Keith, I'm hopeless at all things technical. The lining (1cm thick approx), sits right behind the rivet holes, is there no need to access this ? That is, can you just fire rivets in from the outside with rivet gun? Thanks.
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Post by ocarolan on Sept 26, 2013 18:30:12 GMT
Cheers Keith, I'm hopeless at all things technical. The lining (1cm thick approx), sits right behind the rivet holes, is there no need to access this ? That is, can you just fire rivets in from the outside with rivet gun? Thanks. No "firing" needed! Just drill out the old rivet with a suitably sized metal drill - not the size of the visible rivet head, but the (smaller) size of the rivet shaft - you might need to estimate this, and proceed carefully for the first one, unless you can ascertain what diameter rivets were used - the holes in the new clasp(s) will be a good guide. Then you need some blind rivets of the right size - these insert through the hole in the clasp and into the hole in the case. There is a protruding rod on the outside of a blind rivet - this goes into the hole in the rivetting tool the handles of which are then repeatedly squeezed together - this action grips the protruding rod and pulls it into the tool a little at a time, compressing the head of the rivet inside the case until the rivet is tight, then the rod snaps off - job done. It's a lot easier to do than to explain. This is the kind of thing you need - www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AM-TECH-4-NOZZLE-POP-RIVET-GUN-60-BLIND-RIVETS-HAND-TOOL-1-8-3-16-5-32-B3400-/161058409916?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item257fd44dbc...and this one even comes with various sized rivets! Hope this helps. Good luck! Keith
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Post by redpick on Sept 27, 2013 17:58:27 GMT
Hats off to you Keith, thanks for the time and trouble you've taken. Have a great weekend.
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Post by sigmadel on Sept 27, 2013 18:28:33 GMT
That's the same case I've got my Sigma in . Its not too bad and serves well going out in the car but I don't think I'd trust it on a plane . If you compress the top it does push in a bit so any sudden impact could maybe transfer through onto your guitar .
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Post by keithambridge on Sept 27, 2013 19:00:35 GMT
Normaly for blind or pop rivets you will drill them out with a 3mm drill and use a 3mm diameter rivet for the repair.
be carefull with the drill, you only need 5-10mm before the rivet is free, if you push too hard you'll end up going through the lining aswell.
Good luck.
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Post by redpick on Sept 28, 2013 17:51:14 GMT
That's the same case I've got my Sigma in . Its not too bad and serves well going out in the car but I don't think I'd trust it on a plane . If you compress the top it does push in a bit so any sudden impact could maybe transfer through onto your guitar . The 'beater' guitar was worth the risk: Johnson 000 - great guitar !
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Post by redpick on Sept 28, 2013 17:53:25 GMT
Normaly for blind or pop rivets you will drill them out with a 3mm drill and use a 3mm diameter rivet for the repair. be carefull with the drill, you only need 5-10mm before the rivet is free, if you push too hard you'll end up going through the lining aswell. Good luck. The baggage handler knocked the top half of the clasp off completely, rivets and all, so no drilling required. Sorry for highjacking the thread.
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Post by redpick on Sept 28, 2013 18:01:05 GMT
A regulation by the European Union now requires all European airlines to allow musicians to carry instruments in the cabin with no extra charge! They tent to keep this quiet. However, this is still not full proof. When I got on the plane there was no way that the guitar would have fitted into the lockers. I'm not sure how it would have been carried but this might have been one of those moments when the guitar was refused entry and space and safety grounds! This is the first I have heard of this regulation, any more info? I was just thinking the same thing-how do you fit a guitar case in an overhead locker? Kind of negates the whole legislation (for guitar). Also thought that guitar strings might not be allowed under terrorism risk. I've stopped taking guitar since rates went from £12 to £30 each way......
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Post by andyhowell on Sept 29, 2013 8:25:05 GMT
Many pros stick to the same airlines because they know the size of the plane's lockers! Sadly, most of us don't do enough flying. I'll dig out the Euro regs!
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Post by Phil Taylor on Oct 1, 2013 18:49:37 GMT
Arrived safely in Spain and guitar intact Took it out to put a G string on it and I've only left the bridge pin at home Made one from a clothes peg Cheers Phil
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