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Feature Photo by Lola Akinmade. Photo Above by drummerchris
Soft and Hard Cases
Gator Cases has a line of flight cases for guitar and bass made of durable plywood and zinc plated hardware. They also feature twin flight cases for electric guitar, one which holds two strat style guitars, the other one strat and one LP.
Prices range from upwards of $250 to $350 for single cases (including acoustic guitar and keyboard), to over $450 for the doubles. Not cheap, but certainly a worthwhile investment if you’re going to be doing a lot of serious traveling.
Don’t forget to loosen the strings when you pack so the neck won’t crack or bend.
Guitar and bass players should probably consider bringing along soft gig bags as well. Flight cases tend to be pretty heavy, and you don’t want to lug one around the subway station!
For drummers, hard cases are a must for flying, although for hardware I don’t think it’s as vital. But definitely protect the shells with a few flight cases (check out this combination case featuring a divider so your 10″ tom can rest on top of your 12″, cutting down on how many cases you bring.)
Photo by Ed Yourdon
If you’re moving to a fairly big city, chances are the clubs will provide a basic kit, so soft gig bags aren’t as necessary.
Custom Cases
For the more serious musician, check out Hiscox Cases.
These custom made cases might run a little higher in price, but are also lighter, more durable, and feature thermal insulation. Considering cargo typically isn’t climate controlled, this is important.
And if you really do play the digeridoo, try New World Cases, Inc. They specialize in custom shipping cases for pretty much anything.
Amplifiers
Clubs usually provide guitar/bass amps as well, but if you need a small one for personal use, take a look at this amplifier, which features a removable head.
Tuners
Got an iPhone? Check out this metronome/tuner webapp, created by musicalscientist.com.
The tempo range is 40-240 BPM, and the tuning pitches include A440, B flat, A417, 6 string Guitar EADGBE, 4 string Bass EADG, and 5 string Bass BEADG.
For the best prices for instruments and gear, I usually have the most luck with music123.com and musiciansfriend.com.
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Be sure to check out 5 Things You Should Know When Traveling With Musical Instruments before you hit the road with your instruments.
Michelle Schusterman
Michelle is a musician, writer, and teacher just trying to see the world while doing what she loves for a living. She's taught ESL in Salvador, Brazil and kindergarten in Suwon, Korea, and now she's a full-time freelance writer living in Seattle (just to keep the city alliteration going). She'll try pretty much any food once and believes coffee is its own food group.
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I think I read a tweet from Southwest Airlines recently describing a new policy whereby you can fly with your guitar as a carry-on.
I have a travel sized guitar which came with a hard-ish case…it’s dimensions are just so you can bring it carry-on, fits in the overhead compartments like a glove.
Of course, the instrument isn’t performance grade…it’s great to just fart around on though.
Michelle, thanks for a useful article that we could turn our readers on to. This is good stuff to know.
Here’s where you’re referenced
http://kevindolgin.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/the-travel-writer-as-lifestyle-coach-eat-drink-and-be-merry/
Best of all possible regards,
Pat Hartman
News Editor, The Blog of Kevin Dolgin