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hey fellas. just wanted to check in with you resplendent animals as far as what is new in the world of arch top gig bags/soft cases and travelling with them- planes, trains, buses and so forth.
i'd like a gig bag sort of thing for the sake of mobility for busking purposes and so forth, but can any of the current offerings really save an archtop during international travel? i figure its a tall order, but worth a shot.
mono and reunion blues seem to be the most popular options, but i'm listening. tips, tricks and advice welcome. its my 17" x 3.5" gretsch g400 syncromatic i'm thinking of bagging up, but i may have to reconsider if i can't find a suitable solution.
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12-27-2016 11:56 AM
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For gig bags, I always first recommend Glenn Cronkhite (the founder of Reunion Blues): glenn cronkhite custom cases However, he is stopping his hand-made shop, but a trusted partner is supposed to be taking over for him. Give him a shout for info.
That being said, for "international travel," assuming you like your guitar, I would probably use a HSC or flight case, since I don't trust airlines ..
Good luck!
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Reunion Blues Continental cases are extremely sturdy. I think mine is more protective than any of the hard cases I've had (though not as protective as a real flight case); it'll fit in an overhead compartment on a plane better, too. If I had to check it on a plane, I'd be more comfortable than I would checking something like a Lifton or TKL plywood case. Mono M80 cases are not quite as protective, and I'd nervous about checking one on a flight, but they're otherwise great and highly protective gig bags, with better ergonomics than the RB Continental. Assuming you're bringing it into the cabin and not checking, and that your concern is whether one of these would hold up to the rough and tumble of busking, trains, buses, etc., I'd say either would be fine.
Originally Posted by feet
John
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Check out the Gator Pro Go series for acoustic. Very reasonably priced and well thought out - even comes with a rain cover. Movable interior foam blocks allow you to sort of custom fit the case to your guitar. Because of the flexibility I can take any of my guitars in the case from an OM sized acoustic to 17" archtops. I don't think I would necessarily trust it in the baggage hold of a plane but I've traveled with mine in overhead across the country - no issues. Just need to get early boarding and make sure the airline allows you to bring it onboard.
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If I were to want to take a guitar on international travel, and I didn't want to get an ATA case for it, I'd put together a alder parts Telecaster, or modify a Fender, and take that. It's smaller, lighter, less fragile, and much more replaceable; and a Tele was good enough for Ed Bickert. The downside, of course, is that the Tele isn't an acoustic guitar.
Last edited by dconeill; 12-27-2016 at 05:19 PM.
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If you take the neck off a telecaster, it will fit in a suitcase.
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Yep. There's folks who've gotten threaded steel neck inserts so the wood doesn't get chewed up from multiple unscrews/rescrews.
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Im having a hell of a time finding a case for my gretsch streamliner, same dimensions. I really want a hard case and have always trusted the gator cases but they dont fit... Originally Posted by feet
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that seems to be the general consensus- bags are great for most things, but not planes. though many have done it without issue, nobody trusts them. except the guys that do it. heh. Originally Posted by marcwhy
how does a reunion blues or mono offer protection to the face and back of the guitar? i don't get it from the photos. it just looks like soft padded material, which i don't think would be sufficient for archtops, or guitars with a bigsby, etc. and i've heard people complain about reunion blues ergonomics, vs mono. they sit too high on your back, but that may keep it from wacking into the back of your legs with every step. i wouldn't know until i had one. Originally Posted by John A.
from the pics i saw, the gator looked like a step down from the monos and rb bags. maybe not on the inside, but on the outside, with the handles and straps and what not. i was unaware of the modular foam though. that could provide some added value down the line... Originally Posted by Piedaddy
i've heard this from several folks and have occasionally considered it- taking a plank apart and putting it back. but i've never done that sort of thing before and i don't do my own set ups. and wouldn't i then have to travel with a drill? also, i'd have to buy a plank Originally Posted by dconeill
i actually had a few in mind, but that's not the point. but i thought i could swap in a dynasonic or a filtertron to give it a bigger, warmer sound, as i have never been a fender player before.
a tkl case for the gretsch proline guitars might work, i'd imagine. something for a falcon or country club? they are solid cases, moreso than the one that came with my g400, which is a pre-fmic 90's version. Originally Posted by wanderingchords
my other "consolation prize" ideas at this point would be to take my casino instead, get a plank, or a mini acoustic like a jim dandy. but i'd really prefer my full sized acoustic, so i'll keep poking around.
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I think i looked at tkl cases and i was having a hard time getting dimensions on similar guitars to be sure it would fit... Ill check again . thanx! Originally Posted by feet
that seems to be the general consensus- bags are great for most things, but not planes. though many have done it without issue, nobody trusts them. except the guys that do it. heh.
how does a reunion blues or mono offer protection to the face and back of the guitar? i don't get it from the photos. it just looks like soft padded material, which i don't think would be sufficient for archtops, or guitars with a bigsby, etc. and i've heard people complain about reunion blues ergonomics, vs mono. they sit too high on your back, but that may keep it from wacking into the back of your legs with every step. i wouldn't know until i had one.
from the pics i saw, the gator looked like a step down from the monos and rb bags. maybe not on the inside, but on the outside, with the handles and straps and what not. i was unaware of the modular foam though. that could provide some added value down the line...
i've heard this from several folks and have occasionally considered it- taking a plank apart and putting it back. but i've never done that sort of thing before and i don't do my own set ups. and wouldn't i then have to travel with a drill? also, i'd have to buy a plank
i actually had a few in mind, but that's not the point. but i thought i could swap in a dynasonic or a filtertron to give it a bigger, warmer sound, as i have never been a fender player before.
a tkl case for the gretsch proline guitars might work, i'd imagine. something for a falcon or country club? they are solid cases, moreso than the one that came with my g400, which is a pre-fmic 90's version.
my other "consolation prize" ideas at this point would be to take my casino instead, get a plank, or a mini acoustic like a jim dandy. but i'd really prefer my full sized acoustic, so i'll keep poking around.
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i'm 80% sure tkl makes the "official" gretsch branded cases. they are black and have burgundy lining, if memory serves. i bought one for my 6118 because it came with an ill fitting gig bag. my g400 came with an older, more flexible grey thing.
maybe its one of these you're after? Electric Guitar Cases | Sweetwater.com double check your dimensions on line (or with tape measure) and see what works. or maybe you could shoot gretsch or a dealer an email to find out which is best. just be mindful of the flat/arch top thing. i'm not sure if that refers to the guitar, the case (which can be arched, too) or both.
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A bag on ANY public transport seems a risky proposition.
If I were the shipper / handler I would deny any claims for damage on any instrument shipped in a case not designed for shipping.
Now If I were to travel again only my Calton case would be used, thankfully several of my gits fit it. Even at $800 or more for a Calton (or other top notch case) even the most inexpensive Ibanez is worth a top notch case for travel, one piece arrival vs. multiple pieces... YMMV.Last edited by GNAPPI; 12-28-2016 at 06:11 AM.
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I have both Mono and Gator bags. IMO, the Mono is superior. I have used Levy Leather bags, and I would own them if I could afford them. With that said, I also purchased an inexpensive ($200) Chinese 7 string that was remarkably playable right out of the box, and after a setup is a great player for traveling in case it ends up crushed (Well, that sentence didn't quite work, but I'm sure you get the drift.). I also always politely ask if I can stow my guitar in the crew closet, and have only been refused one time by an attendant, but found space in an overhead. I also add extra padding inside the gig bag for protection in case I do have to plane-side check the bag. If I had to do that, I would very politely ask the baggage handler to please take extra care with the instrument. I would never actually bag-check a guitar at a counter. They accommodate strollers and wheelchairs and big bags plane-side for stowage and pick-up so I think I am willing to take my chances. My instructor recently had to plane-side check a $14K Bill Cumins 7th Ave in a Levy bag without any issue, so I'll risk the $200 Chibson. Just my experience/opinion.
I have also seen kits for using hex-key wrenches for mounting/unmounting solid body necks, and they seem to work great, a stretchy capo at the first fret to keep the strings in place and, after unscrewing the 4 bolts, the neck just flops forward, making a very small package. It goes back together just as easily and the neck angle remains the same, as far as I could tell. I'm thinking about adding it to the Chibson so I can just toss the guitar into a gym bag and stop worrying about it.
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I'd also recommend you check out Probag gigbags. They make great archtop models: probagwebstartscom
I've had mine for nearly 3 years and the gigbag is still in great shape despite consistent use. I did have an issue with the zipper last year, but I shipped it back to them and they replaced the zipper free of charge - great customer service. Check out my review from 2014: Probag Double Guitar Gig-Bag.
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well, i poked around the house and shuffled a few things around and it just so happens that i have a hiscox case lying around. it holds my oddball baritone which doesn't get much use. but i said what the heck and i gave it a shot. my yairi slope shoulder and g400 fit! the g400 extra extremely snug, but its in there. looks to be pretty secure, with a little space for the bridge to fit.
not sure what this changes, though. the guitar itself fits, and by all accounts, should probably survive most forms of transport. but it still isn't especially light or mobile. not sure which model of case it is, but it doesn't have straps or anything (but it fits a 17" guitar, so assume its the middle of their quality range).
so i guess if i don't find anything more suitable, i do have that as a fall back. can't wait to see what else fits in there. seems like a pretty well built case, with interesting molding on the inside. and yes, i did stand on it, like in the photos . i also shot an exploratory email to karura cases, but i hope it doesn't come to that. will also look into hoffee and visenut, but those are way high-endy for me and more cases than bags. i also saw some people can fit a guitar into a pelican rifle case, but i don't think that'll accommodate an archtop. maybe a plank.
on the plank front, i did some sound tests, and... no. that's not going to cut it. the g400 is already (kind of) a compromise, but it works. the 6118 would do the job too, just differently. the elitist casino... not exactly, but maybe if put a filtertron in there. but i like how it sounds already, so i'm already reticent (but on the plus side, its already been decapitated once, what's the worst that could happen?). the planks are alright, just not for what i'm after- plain old strumminess for the most part.
the mono m80 seems okish, but i think i much prefer the vertigo. but that has a huge drawback for me as a busker- if its a standing case, how are people going to throw money in it?
could there be a bigger design flaw?
probags are awful pretty, i'll give you that much. but i would be a little concerned about a fancy pants leather bag attracting the wrong kind of attention out and about in the third world. and i haven't seen much of the actual construction- its it just a bunch of leather with some foam inside? is there some structure and rigidity and such within? what protects the back and face of the guitar? if they had redesigned their website since 1997 maybe i'd know. i do adore a good piece of leather, though.
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Do you have the full-size acoustic, or the classical? Can you please tell me the overall exterior/interior length? I think their published specs are screwed up. It says that the full size acoustic is 45.5" exterior, 41.5" interior (4" difference). But the classical model, which you would think would be a bit smaller, says 44" exterior, and 42" interior (2" difference). So the exterior of the classical is 1.5" shorter, but the interior is .5" longer. Something's not adding up right, it's backwards. I've sent multiple notes to Gator without getting a single reply. Even called once, and the guy said he'd look into it and get back to me. Of course, he never did. Originally Posted by Piedaddy
Last edited by Woody Sound; 12-28-2016 at 02:56 PM.
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I also have the Wolfpack gigbag/case, which I'm very pleased with as well:
Originally Posted by Socraticaster
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I have a Probag and love it, but it's just foam and leather, a soft bag also. I use it to carry my guitar on my back, on my bike, or when I travel by bus, tram or metro. So whenever the guitar is hand luggage. It would never use it to fly with the guitar, unless I am really really sure I can take the guitar as hand luggage! It is by no means suitable for the cargo haul! Originally Posted by feet
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Is it the Gator a ProGo, or one of their cheaper models? Originally Posted by ah.clem
Last edited by Woody Sound; 12-29-2016 at 11:42 AM.
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The RB Continental is made out of a very stiff, kevlar-like material all around not soft cloth. It's built up in layers that give it an arched/3-d profile on the top. The back and sides of the case have some sort of additional structural/stiffening material. There's a lot of dense foam on the inside. It can take a pretty big impact. Overall it is more like a hard case with back-pack straps and some gig-bag-like features/attributes. The Mono's fabric is less stiff and more clothlike than RB's, but still way heavier duty than a plain cloth bag. It also has stiffeners on the back sides (though not as heavy duty as the RB's), and when zipped up is quite rigid. The RB does indeed sit pretty high, and you have to be aware of that when walking under low doorways, with umbrellas, etc. But honestly, it's so sturdy that you can walk into stuff with it and nothing bad happens. The Mono is functionally better designed -- it carries lower (a little bit more butt/leg bumping but not uncomfortable to me), it's lighter, easier to open, the pouches work better -- but not as quite as sturdy. But I have no compunctions about putting either into the trunk of a car. Originally Posted by feet
John
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Woody -
The ProGo acoustic is the one I have that works perfect for me. Not sure about the classical sizing but I can fit any of my guitars including 17" archies in it. Handles and storage space galore.
Joe
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Thanks P, can you tell me what the interior length is? 40" 41" 42" 43"? Thanks. Originally Posted by Piedaddy
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I picked it up for less than $100 to use with the Chibson when flying, so probably not the pro. Originally Posted by Woody Sound
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Why would you have to travel with a drill? To put the neck screws in? Originally Posted by feet
It's 4 screws into pre-drilled, threaded holes; a manual screwdriver works perfectly well.
But you'd have to be comfortable with taking things apart and putting them back together.
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Yeah, you can pop the neck off a tele and put it back on in about half a beer.
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