TRIC cases: "all the protection of a flight case at a fraction of the weight"

[Tarnisher]

Last night I went to see a songwriter who tours Europe regularly with his Martin in a Tric case. I asked him if he ever has to check his guitar, and he said usually they let him bring it on the plane, but the case is safe for checking.

I went home and looked it up, and sure enough, Amazon.com: Godin Guitars 038671 Case TRIC Parlor Deluxe, Black: Musical Instruments@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31ras%2BtTQfL.@@AMEPARAM@@31ras%2BtTQfL

Heat, cold and moisture beware!! TRIC stands for "Thermally Regulated Instrument Case." Drastic changes in climate and temperature can play havoc on an acoustic guitar and the TRIC case offers protection like never before against the elements. The TRIC case is temperature tested to -35C (-31F) and up to +65C (+150F), proving this case can withstand extreme conditions, all the while leaving your guitar sheltered and protected in its very own comfortable climate zone. As Light as a Gig Bag. The Ultra-lightweight characteristic of the TRIC case makes it a breeze to carry, especially with its comfortable and durable easy-grip handle. It offers all the protection of a flight case at a fraction of the weight. As light as a gig bag, the TRIC case weighs in at just under 3.65 pads. To accentuate the ease of carrying this case it features pre-installed D-rings for a shoulder strap. Who would have thought! Carrying a guitar case over your shoulder without the aches and pains! Other features include: Hermetically sealed tongue and groove fitting, all the way around the case. Durable and rugged nylon outer shell with easy-grip handle and shoulder straps, making "over the shoulder" transport a simple and lightweight reality! Convenient interior storage compartment with durable flap and exterior storage pocket. Arched deflector shield reinforces the top while leaving breathing room for the bridge. Plush interior with molded interior shell helps suspend and securely hold guitar in place. For more information about the TRIC case please visit your authorized Seagull dealer. TRIC cases are made in Canada by Godin Guitars.

Now it seems to me that these cases can do a fine job of protecting a guitar in most circumstances. I've heard of salesmen putting pricey guitars in them and throwing them down a flight of stairs. They say the material is the same stuff that they make bike helmets out of, so that seems reasonable.

But the abuse airlines are capable of inflicting on a guitar is on another level. It seems like most of the guitars I see damaged by airlines had something heavy fall on them. A good flight case should protect against that kind of impact, but would a TRIC? Seems unlikely. Your bike helmet can protect your head if you hit the road, but you don't expect it to protect you from having a cinder block fall on your noggin.

 

[Tarnisher]

Bumping my own thread, nearly 5 years later.

I ended up taking a Hiscox on that tour, along with a case cover. It worked well, although it was heavier than a TRIC.

I’m headed back to Europe for another tour his summer. I’d take the Hiscox again, but I’ve developed a sciatica problem since the last trip, and after trying it out locally, I had a flare up.

So now I’m thinking about risking a TRIC again.

Last time, I only had to check the guitar once (Frankfurt to Reykjavik- those German ground crews do things by the book!)

This time I have one flight I’m positive I’ll have to check it: Berlin to London on EasyJet, an airline known for being strict about instrument in the cabin.

Three other flights are a risk too, of course. The only one that I don’t have to worry about is Madrid to Berlin on Ryan Air- they let you buy a seat, and it was only $30 more than a checked bag!

I should also mention that the guitar I’m taking this time is a $200 Recording King, not my vintage Guild. It would still suck to arrive in London with a busted guitar and a gig to play, but it wouldn’t be like losing a loved one.

Whaddaya think?


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[toomuchfun]

I think you made the right choice with the Hiscox.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I wonder whether a bolt-on neck is solution. Do they get small enough to carry on in two pieces? There are some nice-priced bolt-ons out there. I used to play an Epiphone bolt-on. A fun, cheap guitar!

 

[Tarnisher]

I think you made the right choice with the Hiscox.

I wish my back agreed with you!


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[Tarnisher]

I wonder whether a bolt-on neck is solution. Do they get small enough to carry on in two pieces? There are some nice-priced bolt-ons out there. I used to play an Epiphone bolt-on. A fun, cheap guitar!

Sorry, I should have specified- this is an acoustic tour. A bolt-on solid body would solve the case problem, but it would replace it with a weight problem.

The guitar I’m taking is a super lightweight Recording King parlor sized acoustic. But it’s still too much for my back in the Hiscox.


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[Charlie Bernstein]

Yeah, I got that, I wasn't expecting Bill Kirchen. The Epiphone I used to play was a dreadnought - a lot like this:

There are a bunch more, both high-end and low-end, discussed in this thread:

Bolt-on acoustic necks

And coincidentally, there's another post running alongside yours about a baby Taylor:

Baby Taylor

I'm not seriously saying you need a bolt-on. But you must admit, it's an option.

 

[Tarnisher]

I’m always open to options- that’s what I’m here for!

But it was hard enough to find a guitar that met my needs without adding another rare feature (I know Taylor does great things with bolts, but I’m just not a Taylor guy).




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[Charlie Bernstein]

. . . (I know Taylor does great things with bolts, but I’m just not a Taylor guy). . . .

Ditto. Guild, Gibson, Martin - anything but Taylor! Brr!

 

[Tarnisher]

I might have a solution: case cover plus luggage cart.

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[Axis29]

I used one of the new SKB iSeries case for my Gibson Keb Mo (almost exactly the same size as my Recording King) on the one airline trip I had to do last year. My guitar came through in perfect shape, and still in tune, even.

It is definitely not a keep in the cabin case, though. It's large. It has wheels. Which is nice. But, still more money for the case, than your guitar... LOL (I scored mine for a deep deep discount, which helped make the tour a money maker).

I like the look of these Godin cases, but I do not know how airline worthy they are. Sorry.

 

[toomuchfun]

I wish my back agreed with you!

I hear you, but if you open the case to find an unplayable guitar your back can't fill in for the next gig. And the last thing I'd want to do in another country is to try to find the right replacement in a hurry.

 

[Tarnisher]

Those SKB cases are serious! But also seriously heavy. At 24lb, they need to have wheels.

I think this system will work for me, but I need to test it and see if I’ll be able to pull both my suitcase and guitar case along a sidewalk.


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[Paul in Colorado]

I'm just going to put stickers on my cases that say "I >heart< Baggage Handlers!"