Travelling with my acoustic...

Adam Waldron · October 27th, 2003, 08:53 PM

G'day folks,

Going away for my Xmas holiday. Will be away for 18 nights. How can I not play for that long? Gotta take my dreadnought with me.

I will be flying over to Australia from NZ.

I realise that the case will have to go in the hold. Its one of those ply and tolex type cases. Seems fairly solid.

Any tips? Is it just to risky? Its a rather nice Maton dreadnought.

Thanks!

Adam

Raymond · October 28th, 2003, 07:24 AM

Traveling with your acoustic instruments in this post 9-11 era can be a hassle.
First of all, you must try to take the instrument as carry-on. Call the airline and tell them you're a professional musician, that you're traveling for work, and that the instrument is very valuable.
That worked for me once. When I got to ticket counter the lady had the especial instructions in the system and a flight attendant took my instrument at the gate and stored it in the first class storage room. The main problem was security. My guitar had a pickup so when it was x-ray they saw all those wires and you can imagine....if they had asked me to plugged it to prove it worked that would've been a problem....
Second time I wasn't that lucky. American Airlines told me that I would have to check it along with my luggage or check it at the gate, you know, like people do with strollers or well chairs. I like the last option the better. That was one of the longest trips of my life.....
You'd have to pack the guitar like you're shipping it by Fedex. Here's what I did:
1. Get a hard-shell case.
2. Loose the strings to minimize tension and wrap the headstock with bubble wrapping or that brown paper used by movers.
3. Fill all the empty spaces with foam peanuts or newspaper.
4. Take an old T-shirt and put it between the bridge and the lid...
5. Put a big piece of paper covered in transparent tape with the words "Fragile, please handle with care" Don't forget the please.
6. Put inside the case your name, address, and a phone number.
7. Pray during the flight.....
8. Save the wrapping for the return flight!!!! You won't wanna be scrambling the night before....

Good luck.

October 27th, 2003, 08:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Adam Waldron Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 607	Travelling with my acoustic... G'day folks, Going away for my Xmas holiday. Will be away for 18 nights. How can I not play for that long? Gotta take my dreadnought with me. I will be flying over to Australia from NZ. I realise that the case will have to go in the hold. Its one of those ply and tolex type cases. Seems fairly solid. Any tips? Is it just to risky? Its a rather nice Maton dreadnought. Thanks! Adam

October 28th, 2003, 07:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Raymond Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Herndon, VA Posts: 2,417 3 Photos	Traveling with your acoustic instruments in this post 9-11 era can be a hassle. First of all, you must try to take the instrument as carry-on. Call the airline and tell them you're a professional musician, that you're traveling for work, and that the instrument is very valuable. That worked for me once. When I got to ticket counter the lady had the especial instructions in the system and a flight attendant took my instrument at the gate and stored it in the first class storage room. The main problem was security. My guitar had a pickup so when it was x-ray they saw all those wires and you can imagine....if they had asked me to plugged it to prove it worked that would've been a problem.... Second time I wasn't that lucky. American Airlines told me that I would have to check it along with my luggage or check it at the gate, you know, like people do with strollers or well chairs. I like the last option the better. That was one of the longest trips of my life..... You'd have to pack the guitar like you're shipping it by Fedex. Here's what I did: 1. Get a hard-shell case. 2. Loose the strings to minimize tension and wrap the headstock with bubble wrapping or that brown paper used by movers. 3. Fill all the empty spaces with foam peanuts or newspaper. 4. Take an old T-shirt and put it between the bridge and the lid... 5. Put a big piece of paper covered in transparent tape with the words "Fragile, please handle with care" Don't forget the please. 6. Put inside the case your name, address, and a phone number. 7. Pray during the flight..... 8. Save the wrapping for the return flight!!!! You won't wanna be scrambling the night before.... Good luck. __________________ "That's a hard pill to swallow, buddy; when you find out what the blues is all about"