BlueMeanie Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Hey guys, when i finally purchase my inspired casino i will be flying back to the Philippines. thing is i will be checking in my guitar.. what advise can you guys give to bring it home safely? will the hardshell that comes with the guitar be enough? should i loosen the strings before packing it to ease tension? I should definitely put a lock or one of those belts with locks around the case right? What experiences have you had? I know the 335 Epiphone case takes a lot of beating! I sure hope the inspired hardshell is made of the same stuff :) Thanks for all the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bender 4 Life Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 If it's not in an approved aluminum "flight case" NO airline will repair/replace it if damage occurs while in their posession.......they won't WANT to, even in a flight case, but they just about HAVE to. Definitely loosen the strings a bit, and use either a locking "security belt" or "tamper proof evidence tape" around the case to alert you to the fact it's been opened un-necessarily, before leaving the airport.......... also, open the case & check it before leaving baggage pickup, otherwise, you have no recourse if it's damaged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Notes_Norton Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 The case doesn't have to be aluminum, but it must be ATA approved. My lightweight, ABS plastic SKB and Gator cases fit the bill and have flown my guitars successfully in the past. Plus, the lightweight ATA cases are the perfect way to get your guitar to the gig and back. I've heard you should loosen the strings, but I'm not an expert in that department. I've always done so with no problem. Also, if you have the time, ship it via UPS or FedEx. They pack their planes and handle the freight much more carefully than the commercial airlines do. Insights and incites by Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stickyfiddle Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 another vote for ABS plastic cases. My Hiscox (UK made equivalent of SKB) case is fantastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkuss Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Try and have the airline allow you to carry it to the gate and put on board as you walk on instead of going on the conveyor belt. I do this with my guitars and never have a problem if they are in a hard case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pohatu771 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 If you're really concerned, buy it a ticket. Of course, that would cost more than the guitar itself did... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMeanie Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 Thanks for all the replies! I actually work for an Airline and i can have the guitar shipped for free.. What if i ship/check in the guitar inside the original box packaging it had when it arrived at house? will it give me better protection looking as the guitar was also air shipped to me from the Epiphone assembly plant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron G Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 ..... the guitar was also air shipped to me from the Epiphone assembly plant? Um, is anybody thinking what I'm thinking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMeanie Posted October 29, 2009 Author Share Posted October 29, 2009 Um' date=' is anybody thinking what I'm thinking? [/quote'] Pls enlighten me.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midiman56 Posted October 29, 2009 Share Posted October 29, 2009 Luis ... I think that Ron is alluding to the possibility that since your guitar was "air shipped to me from the Epiphone assembly plant", it may be a fake. It's been a pretty common occurance here in the US for folks to purchase brand name guitars from on-line sellers (Ebay, for example) that ship the instruments directly from the factory in China, only to find out that the guitars are counterfiet. Since none of us know the circumstances surrounding your purchase, its all conjecture, but I think that's where he was going. Back to your question ... I am also a HUGE fan of SKB cases. The few dollars extra you spend are well worth it for the protection they give your instrument ... give 'em a look and see what you think. As for the original shipping box, remember that these instruments travel around the world by ship in tightly packed containers, not flopping around in the belly of a plane with a lot of baggage being subjected to extremely low temps. Use the carton for an extra layer of protection after you've put the guitar into a sturdy, flight-ready case! Good luck! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMeanie Posted October 30, 2009 Author Share Posted October 30, 2009 Thanks for the reply Jim! I guess i just used the wrong words "Epiphone assembly plant". I remember seeing that fake site somewhere on these forums.. I placed my order thru Music123..so unless they sell fakes i guess i'm ok Can someone give me a link or pictures of the recommended cases approved by ATA? Oh and what does the extemely low temp on a belly of a plane do for guitars? does it make the wood crack or something? how bout for the electronics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midiman56 Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Here's the one that I can personally vouch for, Luis: http://www.skbcases.com/music/ Thay are also in stock at most Guitar Center Stores, although I'd probably call ahead to check as they are pretty popular sellers ... Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMeanie Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 Hey Jim, thanks a lot for the help! I really appreciate it Btw, if ever i don't get a chance to purchase those SKB cases..I have to bring home 2 epi casino's, one for me and my brother. Are chances good if i just ship the guitars in their original boxes? Inside the box is the hardcase, and inside the hardcase are the guitars :) I guess i'll have to request the airline cargo to place like 50 stickers of FRAGILE on the boxes! I plan to bring them home last week of nov first week of dec.. so i guess if i don't get a chance to get the SKB cases i'll just have to make do.. Btw, will the SKB cases protect the guitars from extremely low temps when in the cargo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midiman56 Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 Hey, Luis ... Your plan of placing the guitar in the hard case inside the original shipping box sounds like a good one to me. I would also add the following precautions: 1. Immobilize EVERYTHING! As much as possible, stuff the carton full of newspaper, towels ... whtever you can find. The less things are able to move around, the better! 2. SUPPORT THE NECK! Not all cases offer as much support for your guitars neck as is ideal. Check to make sure if there is any space between the guitar's neck and the case padding. If there is, add some foam padding ot wrap the neck in a towel to support it ... especially near the angle of the headstock. Remember ... motion is your enemy! As for the SKB cases and extreme cold, the cases are whether resistant and should give your guitar some protection to the kind of temperatures it will encounter in the belly of a plane. The real issue isn't the cold itself, but rather the sudden changes in temperature after you land. Make sure you give your guitar a chance to warm up gradually before you start playing! SKB started out making military grade enclosures for electronic equipment. Later on they added cases for musical gear to their line up. The have lifetime warrantees and a $1500 policy for any gear that is damaged by an airline while properly enclosed in an SKB case. They sound pretty confident in their gear to me! Hope this helps, buddy! Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueMeanie Posted October 31, 2009 Author Share Posted October 31, 2009 Hey Jim, sweet, sound advise bro. I also came across the Gator Brand hardcase. http://www.music123.com/Gator-GC-335-Deluxe-ABS-Gibson-335-Style-Guitar-Case-545880-i1152410.Music123?source=ZLGTWXX1 Will this brand be able to take the beating in the plane cargo? Also, is this the SKB case that will fit perfect with my JLI casino? http://www.amazon.com/SKB-335-Type-Shaped-Hardshell/dp/B001AEA0G4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1257055727&sr=8-1-fkmr1 Is the price cheap as well if i get this thru amazon? Again Thanks VERY much Jim! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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