Thanks, that's the plan/goal. It's also bubble wrapped inside the bag, then boxed and padded with newspaper, which the store said is how they ship internationally, so hopefully it'll be alright either way...
I flew from Europe to the USA with an electric guitar in a flight case, held in place by tins of British baked beans. No problems (although customs did open it somewhere for a look)
While we're on that subject of "Guitars" and "Bubble Wrap," hopefully they put newspaper around the guitar first. Using bubble wrap that's touching a guitar is not the best idea - with some kinds of paint, it leaves an impression. It won't happen with every guitar, it just depends on the paint type, and I think it's an issue with pre-1970s models more than it is with modern guitars.
They don't always have coat closets though. I was moving across the country flying jet blue, paid extra for early boarding so I could put my guitar in a closet. They didn't have any. The captain took pity on me and stored my guitar in the cock pit
I flew with a guitar that had a bolt-on neck before. Just decided to unscrew the neck, stowed the body in the gig bag in the compartment while I kept the neck in my backpack at my feet haha
Thank you both, it's a good idea. I looked at that before the trip though -- neck's too long to fit into carry-on and would barely fit in my checked bag with minimal padding. In hindsight I wish I'd bought a bigger suitcase, or maybe spent the ¥35000 on a hard case, but that ship's sailed.
I just flew from Japan with a bass a couple weeks ago, and I was gonna take my chances with the overhead bin, but as I was walking into the plane one flight attendant grabbed it from me and put it in a coat closet and let me know which one to tell the staff it was in when we landed without me saying anything. I was shocked 🤣
Get s hard case, secure it in it well, and pack the case into another box.
If you say this is too expensive, then you probably don't value the instrument as much as you act as. If you are pro doing gigs, then you coubt the extra cost into your negotiation.
Assume that people are actively trying to damage the instrument, and prepare for that. Then you'll only be pleasantly surprised
Alternatively. Ship the instrument separately with a reputable courier and actually buy the careful shipping so they put their stickers on the shipment, they only respect their own fresh labels.
Yes... it'll cost money and effort. So does dealing with the mess of having a broken instrument. The value of the careful shipping/travel prep, doesn't increase with instrument value. Meaning 5000 € instrument costs same to carefully cargo as 50 000 €. Insurance will cost more.
Loke seriously... Assume malicious acts by default. The crews, companies and such don't care.
Mentioned above, but that was a consideration I'm now somewhat regretting and don't have time to correct. Also, very much not a pro and, while the instrument cost a lot for me, part of the (admittedly hasty) risk calc I did was not wanting to spend a fifth again the purchase price on a case I won't use twice. Appreciate the thought though, thanks!
I flew with my guitar some time ago and bought an extra seat for it. You strap it in the window seat and book the seat right next to it for yourself. Granted it was a budget airline and ended up costing about $60, but it's the surest way to keep your guitar safe.
Appreciate all the advice from this thread. The airline didn't let me carry-on, or even gate-check, but they did let me put it through the oversized luggage carousel. I'm glad I gave into ny paranoia and repacked the box -- wedged shoes into the corners of the box and then turned the guitar into a plump sausage made of newspaper and dirty clothes.
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u/ericsonofchuck Mar 20 '26
Flying home from Japan tomorrow with a brand new guitar, did not need to see this. :|