Putting a guitar through HEAVY X-ray

[Telenator]

I'm going to South Dakota today and was entertaining the idea of dismantling one of my parstocasters and putting it in my luggage so I can have a familiar guitar to jam on once I get out there. (I sit in with a friends band out there)

Does the extra heavy dose of x-ray they put your "checked" luggage through have any negative effects on the pickups?

 

[Kewk]

I really doubt it. The dose is only heavy for humans, not for electronics. It takes years for unshielded electronics to fail in CT systems. Even then it's the circuitry on the wafers that fails, not the sort of heavy gauge wire in a pick up.

 

[tiktok]

On this board, while one can find many opinions on what affects pickups, about the only consensus one can find is that most guitar pickups have magnets and wire in them.

 

[Telenator]

Well, any time I've been through a CAT scan or similar, they have always asked, "are you wearing anything metal" as well as asked about metal plates or screws in my body. Not knowing how the X-ray machines actually work, I figured I'd ask the question and see who might have some experience with it.

I htought some of them were a form of electro-magnetic imaging.

 

[LeroyBlues]

Well, Callaham puts "mojo" into their pups with a cryogenic treatment. Maybe you can get some x-ray mojo for free. Let us know, I might run mine over to the airport.

 

[Kewk]

No, as you say they are x-rays (not magnetics like an MRI). Basically they are a larger bore version of a medical CT scanner. Building them is my day job.

 

[Telenator]

Thanks Kewk. I used to build the generator sets for Philips medical back in the early 80's.

I think I'll take the guitar apart and pack it.

 

[detuned]

Well, Callaham puts "mojo" into their pus with a cryogenic treatment. Maybe you can get some x-ray mojo for free. Let us know, I might run mine over to the airport.

And there's the tagline for your wide-range 'buckers, Bob,

"Irradiated Mojo"

 

[Kewk]

Taking it apart is probably a good idea. Not because of theoretical impact of a few rads, but because of the gorillas they have stuffing the bags through those machines.

 

[Steveinthesticks]

fun with the TSA/HS

I did this with an Epiphone beater guitar two Christmas holidays ago. Guitar came out fine. I found two Homeland security flyers inside letting me know that the bag was searched both ways.

Last summer I was pulled out of line and hand searched because the TSA screener didn't like the looks of a capo in my carry on bag. My previous flight had been canceled and I barely got on the new flight.

 

[Tim Armstrong]

We flew down to New Orleans a few years ago with my brother's SG as carryon luggage, and it was x-rayed with no ill effects...

Cheers, Tim

 

[PraiseCaster]

Dont they allow you to bring your guitar on board? I thought there was a real big ruling about that, and it doesnt count as your carry on. They have to store it in a closet up front though, not directly overhead.

 

[e-merlin]

I'm going to South Dakota today

Are you just in for the day? Are you in Sioux Falls? You can PM me if you want.

 

[SMPTE]

No.

I've hauled my Stienberger around the world with no effects, even if any current is generated it would be stored in the cap and discharge quickly.

Heck I hauled my Tele to Austin a couple days ago and the only thing that happened is the G-string got a little sharp. On the Guitar.

oh, and go to Rapid, Sioux Falls is booooring.

Go West River!

 

[tiktok]

Dont they allow you to bring your guitar on board? I thought there was a real big ruling about that, and it doesnt count as your carry on. They have to store it in a closet up front though, not directly overhead.

Ain't no "have to" about it, nor a big decision.

The TSA and the Musicians Union decided that instruments would be allowed through security, although it's become increasingly hard to find official documentation of that "decision". [Scratch that--it's now on their website:

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1235.shtm]

Airlines determine what goes where on their planes. The individual flight crew has the final say.

That said, I see guitars in the cabin ALL THE TIME, but there's no automatic pass into the suit closet.

 

[ramblinmike]

I've flown with a tele a bunch. A few times checking it, a few times carrying it onboard (and it being put in the closet), and once taking it apart, checking the neck and carrying on the body in a backpack. The x-rays don't do a thing, at least that I have noticed. Not even any mojo

Once one TSA person got very worried about all of the metal things on the guitar. Fortunately the other TSA person was guitar-savvy and informed them that they were frets. Ugh.

 

[bug music]

Thanks Kewk. I used to build the generator sets for Philips medical back in the early 80's.

Wow ! you worked at the Shelton plant ! I worked for Philips Medical for 13 yrs. fixing those generators (MC-850's IIRC). Small world.

Anyhow, I've been working on the stuff for 25 yrs., and no x-rays will not harm the electronics at all.

I would not put my Tele through an MRI however, you are correct there, not only would the magnetic field instantly ruin the magnets it is strong enough to rip the bridgeplate right out of the wood. Needless to say, they don't use those in airports, the "baggage handlers union" says they should be the only ones to destroy your luggage . Hopefully this helps.

- Jay

 

[e-merlin]

Sioux Falls is booooring.

Guess you've never been to Deerfield, KS.

Anyhow, I'm not much of an outdoor guy. I've got plenty to keep me busy between looking for work, fixing cars, and building stuff.

 

[Telenator]

Are you just in for the day? Are you in Sioux Falls? You can PM me if you want.

Hey, thanks for the invite! I got as far east as The Badlands. What an awesome landscape! I'll be riding cross country on a motorcycle next week. If I rumble through town I'll PM you for sure!

 

[Telenator]

Wow ! you worked at the Shelton plant ! I worked for Philips Medical for 13 yrs. fixing those generators (MC-850's IIRC). Small world.

Anyhow, I've been working on the stuff for 25 yrs., and no x-rays will not harm the electronics at all.

I would not put my Tele through an MRI however, you are correct there, not only would the magnetic field instantly ruin the magnets it is strong enough to rip the bridgeplate right out of the wood. Needless to say, they don't use those in airports, the "baggage handlers union" says they should be the only ones to destroy your luggage . Hopefully this helps.

- Jay

Yeah, I worked for Ken Robinson in Classic Generator. I built the power supply cabinets and wired them with (stator chassis?) and some other components. Hard to remember now. I think it was 1979 or 1980. It was a good job.