Official Luthiers Forum!

Hey,

So I was wondering, in light of the song, what are the best cases for airline travel? I've never checked a guitar while flying and it's better that I learn now rather than the day before my trip.

Not sure what case really, I'm sure lots of different one are really strong externally. But sometimes the headstock can snap off from the weight of the machine heads inside the case if it is dropped. I take heavy paper and crumple it into balls and place it both under the headstock and over it between the HS and lid, the idea being to compress the paper quite thoroughly as you close the case, thereby completely immobilizing the headstock. Leave it tuned to pitch as well. Helps protect against bumping and jarring, but if they drive over it with a forklift, well, what can ya do?
my two cents...

Not an answer to your question I guess, but what's more important than the case, in my opinion, is how the guitar is prepared. Make sure that there is a tight fit (no room for the guitar to fly around inside the case). When I ship guitars, I stuff the case tight with newspaper (particularly around the tailblock, heel and headstock). I also loosen the strings and truss rod to make sure there is no tension that will add to the risk of a headstock break

Thanks guys! Is it alright if I post these two quotes from you on my blog?

"I take heavy paper and crumple it into balls and place it both under the headstock and over it between the HS and lid, the idea being to compress the paper quite thoroughly as you close the case, thereby completely immobilizing the headstock. Leave it tuned to pitch as well. Helps protect against bumping and jarring, but if they drive over it with a forklift, well, what can ya do?"
-meddlingfool

"what's more important than the case, in my opinion, is how the guitar is prepared. Make sure that there is a tight fit (no room for the guitar to fly around inside the case). When I ship guitars, I stuff the case tight with newspaper (particularly around the tailblock, heel and headstock). I also loosen the strings and truss rod to make sure there is no tension that will add to the risk of a headstock break."
-Sondre

As far as good flight cases go here are 3 brands that I have used or heard good things about.

Calton – A long time standard for flight cases. They have a really cool custom shop.
http://www.caltoncases.com/

Hiscox – I’ve heard good things about these cases. They have a few different grades available and are half the price of a Calton.
http://www.hiscoxcases.com/

Kurura – I saw these for the first time this past weekend in Montreal. They may be the best flight case available, but they will cost you a few hundred more than a Calton.
http://www.karuracase.com/


Josh

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Josh House

Canadian Luthier Supply
http://www.canadianluthiersupply.com
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House Guitars - Custom Built Acoustic Instruments.
http://www.houseguitars.com

Robert, you may want to quote more experienced users than me, but go ahead if you want to!

Meddlingfool, could you explain why you keep the strings tuned to pitch? I don't quite understand how that helps. Thanks!

One other thing that you can do is ask to 'gate check' the guitar. That way you keep it with you all the way to the door of the plane, then hand it off there. It still goes in the hold of the plane, but there are advantages that make this worthwhile: 1) it doesn't get routed all the way around the airport through conveyors and possibly several transfers (which may consist of gentle shuffling, or violent, neck-break tossing), and 2) it probably goes on TOP or at least the outside of the pile of other luggage that gets loaded into the hold, and finally, 3) you pick it up at the same spot, right after you deplane, and avoid (1) again.

Happy traveling!

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Ken Mitchell
Durham, NC