Unbolt neck to travel?

[Zigracer]

Hading across the pond tomorrow for a week in Scotland. I have an inexpensive fan fret 7 string that although is still too long to carry on, would be short enough if I were to unbolt the neck and pack it in my suitcase.

Anyone ever try that stunt?

[medblues]

Unless you have threaded inserts, repeated screwing and unscrewing may destabilize the neck joint. Once should be OK if you are careful with the reinstalling and strings.

[GuyBoden]

Hading across the pond tomorrow for a week in Scotland. I have an inexpensive fan fret 7 string that although is still too long to carry on, would be short enough if I were to unbolt the neck and pack it in my suitcase.

Anyone ever try that stunt?

Yes, when I went on holiday to Spain. I unbolted the neck and packed the guitar very well. I put the guitar in a big suitcase, that went into the hold. There were no problems, I just put the guitar together when I got to Spain.

But, I didn't play the guitar very much, as I was out visiting the sights most of the holiday.

[Mick-7]

Unless you have threaded inserts, repeated screwing and unscrewing may destabilize the neck joint. Once should be OK if you are careful with the reinstalling and strings.

Liable to throw the set-up off too. There are guitars designed to be dismantled for travel -- Google Search: Traveler Guitar

[Zigracer]

Liable to throw the set-up off too. There are guitars designed to be dismantled for travel -- Google Search: Traveler Guitar

I'm not worried about the setup. I'm sure that will remain. Just was curious to know if others have done this and how well the guitar travelled. I have a 6 string travel guitar, but I'm probably getting rid of it. It's the 7 string I really need practice on. But as GuyBoden mentioned, I may not get to play it anyway. So maybe a week off will be okay.

[Mick-7]

I'm not worried about the setup. I'm sure that will remain. Just was curious to know if others have done this and how well the guitar travelled. I have a 6 string travel guitar, but I'm probably getting rid of it. It's the 7 string I really need practice on. But as GuyBoden mentioned, I may not get to play it anyway. So maybe a week off will be okay.

There are 7 string travel guitars but they cost much more then the 6 string models, perhaps only worth it if you travel a lot.

For example: Guitar Review - MOOV Folding 7 string Travel Guitar

[buduranus2]

UNBOLT NECK TO TRAVEL?

Believe me, I've tried to no avail. Still can't get through the goddam TSA metal detectors.

[floatingpickup]

I have done that with a Telecaster. No problem flying with it. It actually fit in my carry-on.
Keith

[garybaldy]

I'm in the UK and purchased a Danelectro 12 string from the USA. It arrived in a square box with neck unscrewed, strings selotaped to the neck but still attached both ends. Had to hunt for the screws which were loose amongst the polystyrene beans!! (that was a bit of a panic). It all went together nicely. Probably a much safer way to ship.

[AllanAllen]

I'm not worried about the setup. I'm sure that will remain. Just was curious to know if others have done this and how well the guitar travelled. I have a 6 string travel guitar, but I'm probably getting rid of it. It's the 7 string I really need practice on. But as GuyBoden mentioned, I may not get to play it anyway. So maybe a week off will be okay.

I’ve found hard set time away from the guitar to be more fruitful than forcing myself to play on vacation. Sit by the fire, go fishing, or just look at the stars.

Give your subconscious time to digest everything you’ve been cramming in there.

[Cunamara]

I'm not worried about the setup. I'm sure that will remain. Just was curious to know if others have done this and how well the guitar travelled. I have a 6 string travel guitar, but I'm probably getting rid of it. It's the 7 string I really need practice on. But as GuyBoden mentioned, I may not get to play it anyway. So maybe a week off will be okay.

A week off will be OK. Unless we are prepping for a Carnegie Hall or Royal Albert Hall recital in the next month, a week off is probably fine. And maybe even then. I have stopped traveling with a guitar, it's better to experience the trip.

[docsteve]

Some years ago the forum fell over itself because Julian Lage and Bill Frisell were travelling with the necks removed from their guitars.

If it’s good enough for them…


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[Bob_Ross]

I've done it a few times with electric basses. It works.

[garybaldy]

In the UK, if we holiday here, we always take a guitar because it's always pissing down and too wet to go anywhere!

[jads57]

Should be just fine!

[Zigracer]

Thanks all. I’ll probably just leave it home, because my suitcase is packed. Have two hours before I leave, so we’ll see.

[Stefan Eff]

Some years ago the forum fell over itself because Julian Lage and Bill Frisell were travelling with the necks removed from their guitars.

If it’s good enough for them…


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…that‘s why at least Julian modified the travel Tele with metal inserts. It‘s pure physics: Every remove of the wood screws will weak the wood.

[Mick-7]

A week off will be OK. Unless we are prepping for a Carnegie Hall or Royal Albert Hall recital in the next month, a week off is probably fine. And maybe even then. I have stopped traveling with a guitar, it's better to experience the trip.

Practicing in your head, away from the guitar, can be very productive: visualize the notes on the fingerboard and imagine how they'll sound (take a pitch pipe or tuning fork with you).

[Zigracer]

Left w/o guitar. Aer Lingus has a pretty tight carry on size policy. I didn’t have a bag larger than my backpack, but smaller than their carry on limit that I could use to transfer some items from my suitcase. The threaded inserts will be installed on this guitar (Agile headless 7 string) when I return. Working on a plan for next time.

[AllanAllen]

At the end of the day, ask yourself what you would have cut out to fit in practice.

Vacation should be cherished.

[lammie200]

Hading across the pond tomorrow for a week in Scotland. I have an inexpensive fan fret 7 string that although is still too long to carry on, would be short enough if I were to unbolt the neck and pack it in my suitcase.

Anyone ever try that stunt?

I have done it with a Telecaster a few times. I just packed it in a suitcase with a stubby screw driver and a new set of strings. Was never an issue for me.

[Gilpy]

I have a Squier strat that I travel with. I take the neck off and it fits in my carry on. (I did cut a little off the end of the neck to make it fit…(not a valuable guitar!)
I always put a capo on the first fret before removing the neck and leave the strings on. Works great. I have removed the neck many times and have not stripped the screw holes. It takes about two minutes to put together and tune up.

[Steve Z]

Seems to work for Julian Lage... For frequent travel, adding threaded inserts would probably be a safe way to go.

Julian Lage takes the neck off his Telecaster when traveling | Guitar World

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