If you’re a competent guitar tech, and ONLY if you’re a competent guitar tech, you can actually take the guitar apart for travel. This strategy applies only to guitars with bolt-on necks (sorry, Les Paul players). The cost of flying with properly protected amps and pedal boards will give you a reason to seriously investigate rented backline gear when you arrive at your destination. There are also flight cases for amps and pedal boards if you absolutely have to fly with them, but bear in mind weight limits on checked bags - especially for amps. These cases fit multiple styles of guitars and feature TSA-approved locks in addition to being sturdy enough for air travel.
Airline guitar case series#
I used to think that the only options out there for flight cases were hundreds and hundreds of dollars, but I’ve recently found the TSA series of cases from Gator (available from Amazon). Just don’t use the case that your guitar came with unless you verify that it is certified for air travel. You don’t need a fancy custom-molded case to fly with your guitar. If you have to check your guitar, that’s the best way to do it. Gate-checked bags also skip the trip around the conveyor belt at the destination. Gate-checking gear is a popular tactic, as it means your stuff will be last on the plane and therefore less likely to get trampled under all the other baggage.
Airline guitar case full#
That way, if the flight is full and your gear needs to be gate-checked, you’ll be prepared. Leave the soft gig case at home, and pack your guitar in the most durable case you have – even if you are planning to carry it on the plane. Choose a Sturdy Guitar CaseĪirplane baggage takes a lot of abuse, even without turbulence. You can’t bring a guitar as a carry-on if you are also carrying on a backpack, a purse, and a duffel bag stuffed with clothes. To comparison-shop effectively, you will need to know the weight and dimensions of your gear, along with anything else you are bringing on the trip. Be especially wary of budget airlines, which often try to make up for low base fares with lots of annoying fees. Research those policies before you book to make sure you’re not surprised later. Check Airline Policyĭifferent airlines have different policies about baggage, and the associated fees can really add up.
Finally, if you’re carrying your gear on the plane, a direct flight will save you the hassle of lugging heavy stuff around extra airports. Fewer stops mean fewer opportunities for your luggage to get lost and fewer opportunities for your gear to be (mis)handled. When you are planning your trip, consider booking direct flights so you don’t have to worry about the possibility of your checked baggage missing a connection.
Airline guitar case how to#
I’ve got a post on how to find a great guitar at a yard sale that you can check out here.Īssuming that you do need to fly with your prized gear, here are a few tips to save time and frustration. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to acquire a backup guitar, you can always try yard sales. If you have to travel with really high-end equipment, make sure it’s insured! Or have it shipped it to your destination instead. That way, you won’t be heartbroken if it gets damaged, lost, or stolen along the way. Maybe your set won’t sound precisely the same as usual, but scaling back could be worth it if it makes the trip easier.Īnother alternative to flying with your full rig is to bring gear that wasn’t very expensive and doesn’t hold much sentimental value. For example, you may be able to ditch the full pedal board for the trip, and bring only a few pedals that you really need for the show you’re going to play. Is it possible to leave some, or all, of your equipment at home and borrow or rent the equipment you need when you get there? If so, I’d recommend doing that instead of flying with your gear.Įven touring musicians do not necessarily need to travel with every element of their usual rig. So what’s the long answer? Before we get to that, it’s worth asking whether you really need to bring your guitar rig with you. Carrying it on the plane is the safest option, though. The short answer is that you can bring guitar gear on commercial flights in either carry-on or checked luggage. That got me wondering: How do musicians take their guitar rigs on planes? My wife and I recently flew from the East Coast to Hawaii, and we spent a considerable amount of time hanging out in airports and going through security.
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