Traveling with a Bass
Susan
A quick question. I'm flying with my bass for the first time, taking the
Jazz cross country. I've heard that you should detune your strings and
I've heard that you should not. Any suggestions? I was planning on
putting on new strings before the trip, if that matters. I'm at sea
level now and will be when I land, if that matters too.
The bass has a perfect setup right now, so I don't want to mess it up.
Thanks!
-Susan
Derek Tearne
> Hi All,
>
> A quick question. I'm flying with my bass for the first time, taking the
> Jazz cross country. I've heard that you should detune your strings and
> I've heard that you should not.
Make sure your bass is in a hardshell case, and that the end of the
headstock does not physically touch the end of the case.
If your instrument is a Gibson style instrument with a set, hard wood
(mahogany) neck and angled headstock detuning the strings may help
things. The damage scenario is where the neck, under tension, is
banged on the end (which is why the gap at the end is important) and
this either shatters the wood, or cracks either the set neck joint or
more likely the glued angled headstock.
If your instrument is a Fender style bass with bolt on relatively
flexible maple (or similar) neck, with the straight through headstock
then there's absolutely no need to detune the strings.
The cold in the hold is much more of a concern, so if you can wrap your
bass in clothing inside the case that will help things.
Give the bass some time to acclimatise to ground level again before
opening the case.
--- Derek
--
Derek Tearne - de...@url.co.nz
Many Hands - Trans Cultural Music from Aotearoa/New Zealand
http://www.manyhands.co.nz/
BW
I don't think temperature or pressure is much of an issue these days
since, unless I'm mistaken (has been known to happen), it's stored in
the same cargo area that pets ride in. Of course, some pets don't make
it, either. For that reason, de-tuning isn't necessary (I've flown
with both bolt on and neck-through basses with no issue).
However, cushioning IS an issue, and you need to be really careful
about that, as Derek points out, and I'd add that it's a concern no
matter what the design of your bass. Have you seen the careless goons
that work with baggage?
One other concern. The idiots who work for "Homeland Security" don't
give a shit about anything. You can spend hours carefully wrapping
your instrument in padding, yet shouldn't expect it to arrive that
way. For that reason, I'll add that if you have a few extra bucks
(like a few hundred extra bucks), care about this bass a lot, and
especially if you plan to fly with it somewhat regularly in the
future, you should invest in an ATA rated flight case. Many companies
make them - you can google the phrase for a listing. Far cheaper than
replacing a good bass, and waaay cheaper than the cost of a broken
heart if an instrument you love arrives in pieces. Lastly, I often
rent a bass at my destination (or have my employer rent it for me,
which happens more often).
Oh, yeah, really lastly, I once shipped my bass to a gig via FedEx (NY-
CO). It was cheaper* than the extra cost for oversized baggage (which
you or your employer are surely gonna pay for - call the airline with
dimensions beforehand so you don't have any surprises), eliminated the
hassle of dealing with a flight case the size of a bathtub at the
airport, and I was able to lock the case.
*It was cheaper only because I had other basses to play back home, and
could ship it via ground. If you have to ship via air, it's likely not
cheaper. By the way, this worked great. I had my favorite bass waiting
for me, and could fly with just my regular suitcase. A pleasure.
No matter what you do, it's a hassle. Good luck. If I did more flying,
I might consider buying a Steinberger bass (headless). You can carry
those on board since they fit in the overhead bins.
BW
BW
This needs to be asked: Do you have insurance? If you play non-
professionally, homeowner or renter ins may cover you, but if you play
as a pro, it won't. You need a separate policy, and it's peace of
mind, let me tell you....
I can recommend a company, if anyone's interested.
BW
Thump
I hear both sides all the time. IMO it costs nothing to loosen 'em off
even if it's unnecessary, and all the basses I've flown with (Hamer
'82 Cruisebass w/ set neck, Formentin custom Jazz Bass style w/ bolt
on and Cort Funkmachine 2 w/ bolt on) settle in almost straight away
when tuned back up after the flight.
I do make sure to let the basses come up to the ambient temperature
for an hour or so before tuning back up.
Thump
BW
> On Aug 20, 3:40 pm, Susan <s...@freeshell.org> wrote:
>
> > Hi All,
>
> > A quick question. I'm flying with my bass for the first time, taking the
> > Jazz cross country. I've heard that you should detune your strings and
> > I've heard that you should not. Any suggestions? I was planning on
> > putting on new strings before the trip, if that matters. I'm at sea
> > level now and will be when I land, if that matters too.
>
> > The bass has a perfect setup right now, so I don't want to mess it up.
>
> > Thanks!
>
> > -Susan
>
> I hear both sides all the time. IMO it costs nothing to loosen 'em off
> even if it's unnecessary,
It depends on who you ask (as you indicated). One technician I spoke
with suggested that when you change strings you do it one or two at a
time, never all at once. (I don't mean on different calendar days,
just never take all the strings off at the same time.)
He said that since necks are designed and adjusted to live with
tension, the sudden lack of tension can leave it needing a set-up. I
don't follow this advice, but assuming he's sometimes correct,
loosening them during an hours-long flight would mean trouble.
Further, since cargo areas on planes are pressurized and temperature
controlled, I'm not sure I buy the need to make any changes at all,
save keeping it from being destroyed by the apes in baggage.
BW
Derek Tearne
> I don't think temperature or pressure is much of an issue these days
> since, unless I'm mistaken (has been known to happen), it's stored in
> the same cargo area that pets ride in.
While it is true that some planes have pressurised and heated holds for
pets etc. Not all the holds are heated (although most I think will be
partially pressurised or pressurised to cabin levels) - and if they can
get away with not heating the hold (ie: no pets on that flight) they
will.
So assuming your bass will end up in the hold that is warm and
pressurised is a bit of a lottery.
Travelling by air, especially with an instrument, is a lottery -
particularly a luggage lottery - so I always assume the worst.
In fact, my policy next time I have to travel by air is to take the OLP,
rather than one of the 'good' basses.
My initial post also missed two other important things - make sure there
are obvious and non-removable *FRAGILE* stickers on the case and if you
have a deity to which you pray, pray to that deity - in fact pray to a
few other deities as well - you need all the help you can get.
Derek Tearne
> It depends on who you ask (as you indicated). One technician I spoke
> with suggested that when you change strings you do it one or two at a
> time, never all at once. (I don't mean on different calendar days,
> just never take all the strings off at the same time.)
In many cases, especially with guitars, this isn't strictly necessary.
However, there are some instruments (violin family, double basses, some
folk guitars) with floating bridges, loose nuts and (violins etc) with
internal sound posts held in by the pressure of the strings.
It is inadvisable to remove all the strings from these kinds of
instruments unless you are prepared (and have the tools for) some
resetting afterwards.
My suspicion is that people have been taught this for some instruments
and then continued to do (and teach) this for other instruments where it
is not so important (solid body electric basses with fixed bridges).
Furthermore, if one is giving advice out to people, such as on the
internet, and you don't actually know what instrument(s) they have, it's
safer to say "Never remove all the strings at once" than "Oh, it's
usually OK" and have them come back at you with "I took all the strings
off and the bridge fell off, came apart, and part of it rolled under the
sofa were it was eaten by a snake that had snuck into the house - I'm
sending you the bill for the anti-venom! ".
Personally I like to change all the strings at once and clean the
fingerboard at the same time - but then again I know which of my
instruments have floating bridges and similar (three of them) and there
are no snakes in New Zealand.
pTooner
"Derek Tearne" <de...@url.co.nz> wrote in message
news:1im0ovk.1lcoqps9hcs8xN%de...@url.co.nz...
> BW <barryb...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> I don't think temperature or pressure is much of an issue these days
>> since, unless I'm mistaken (has been known to happen), it's stored in
>> the same cargo area that pets ride in.
>
> While it is true that some planes have pressurised and heated holds for
> pets etc. Not all the holds are heated (although most I think will be
> partially pressurised or pressurised to cabin levels) - and if they can
> get away with not heating the hold (ie: no pets on that flight) they
> will.
I don't have any real experience with airliners, but quite a bit with
aircraft in general. I can't picture how you would pressurize a compartment
without heating it. Anyone??
Gerry
RichL
I have a couple of Rickenbacker guitars with the old-style dual truss
rods. I've owned one of them since 1965. I think the old 4001 basses
have the same arrangement. Anyway, Rickenbacker strongly recommends
changing strings *one at a time* on these instruments, and I can see
where this might make sense because those truss rods are very fragile!
BW
BW
Can't explain the last empty entry. 'puter hiccup.
Here's what I was gonna say:
Susan said it was a Jazz bass, but your comment is accurate, Derek.
Also, sorry about the no snakes thing. I knew that. Very sad. Snakes
are cool.
cc
carry it and stow it the coat closet at the entrance of the plane on
three of the flights. On one, I had to check it at the gate, but the
gate attendant carried and stowed it for me. If you ask them nicely,
most will go out of their way to help you out. When going through
security, the guy x-rayed it and said,"You don't see many of those
anymore." I agreed. Then he said, "Sure seems light for a Rhodes
Piano!" I kid you not!!!! DUH!!!!
Cc
Susan
Thanks Derek and Barry for the great advice.
I'm taking the Highway One Jazz, which I do love. I was thinking of
taking my old SX BG-180 bass, but I really don't like playing it. The
MTD is staying safely at home!
I have a SKB case that I've been told by someone I trust will be fine
for the trip. It's got a TSA approved lock, so I can lock the case. So
I'll see about putting something in there for extra padding, good point.
I'm glad I looked into the baggage charges - fortunately there will just
be the regular extra checked bag charge, no oversize charges. Phwew!
I'll call the insurance people tomorrow to see if my homeowner's policy
covers flying with my bass. This is a vacation for me, and it's going to
be a real pleasure to get to work on stuff and no other stress for a
week, I'm psyched:) While rooting through some stuff, I discovered that
I have a 20 watt keyboard amp, a little 6" cube. That and my Sans Amp
are going into my carry on. A whole week without headphones, I'm in
heaven:) Ditching the phones is always a confidence booster for me.
Oh, one more thing, I'm going to take some pictures with timestamps and
leave them in the camera.
I couldn't find any fragile stickers, but I did buy some large blank
stickers that I can print fragile on in 96 point bold. A few of those
should work.
Okay, and I think that I'll just leave the old strings on and tuned, and
put the new strings on when I arrive.
Hmmm, deities, don't think I better make any jokes about that, just in
case:)
Thanks again!
-Susan
Susan
> On Aug 20, 3:40 pm, Susan <s...@freeshell.org> wrote:
<snip>
> I do make sure to let the basses come up to the ambient temperature
> for an hour or so before tuning back up.
Thanks, Thump! That's a good point.
Cheers!
-Susan
Susan
<snip>
> Furthermore, if one is giving advice out to people, such as on the
> internet, and you don't actually know what instrument(s) they have, it's
> safer to say "Never remove all the strings at once" than "Oh, it's
> usually OK" and have them come back at you with "I took all the strings
> off and the bridge fell off, came apart, and part of it rolled under the
> sofa were it was eaten by a snake that had snuck into the house - I'm
> sending you the bill for the anti-venom! ".
Oh, no, something else to worry about! I hear there are rattlesnakes
where I'm heading. Well, I'll be very careful and thank you for the
additional advice:-)
Cheers!
-Susan
Susan
> I flew my bass to Colorado last November, and they allowed me to hand
> carry it and stow it the coat closet at the entrance of the plane on
> three of the flights. On one, I had to check it at the gate, but the
> gate attendant carried and stowed it for me. If you ask them nicely,
> most will go out of their way to help you out.
Sounds like a good trip!
> When going through
> security, the guy x-rayed it and said,"You don't see many of those
> anymore." I agreed. Then he said, "Sure seems light for a Rhodes
> Piano!" I kid you not!!!! DUH!!!!
Yow, that's pretty crazy. As long as it wasn't like that commercial
where they deliver the lady's piano in those super heavy duty trash bags...
-Susan
pTooner
"Susan" <s...@freeshell.org> wrote in message
news:48ACE441...@freeshell.org...
You know, Susan, I find that your posts are extremely pleasant. I'd love to
meet you if you ever pass this way (Florida). Don't get me wrong, I'm
happily married and at least twice your age, darn it.
Gerry
BW
> Derek Tearne wrote:
You'd better be careful about locking the case. My understanding is
that NOTHING may be locked these days, unless it's a TSA-approved
travel lock (one that has a universal key so the TSA personnel can
open it when they wish). I don't believe they'd think twice about
breaking the lock. Probably not even once.
Barry
Derek Tearne
> Also, sorry about the no snakes thing. I knew that. Very sad. Snakes
> are cool.
I like snakes, but I think they're fine where they belong, in other
countries. Snakes I can travel to see.
We do have too few bats though. I miss bats.
Derek Tearne
> Thanks Derek and Barry for the great advice.
I've just had dinner with a musician friend and we coincidentally
swapped airline+guitar horror stories.
I'll hold back on those until after you get back...
Derek Tearne
> I don't have any real experience with airliners, but quite a bit with
> aircraft in general. I can't picture how you would pressurize a compartment
> without heating it. Anyone??
Huh? That's simple. You're in a metal cylinder, with very little
insulation to the lower cargo parts.
Outside it is really rather cold.
If you don't heat the cargo hold it will tend towards the outside temp.
The upper part of the plane is insulated, the cargo hold isn't.
The hold they put pets in, that will be insulated, and usually heated.
Insulation, even though kind of light and fluffy, is still additional
weight. We're talking about planes where the weight of additional layer
of paint on the outside of the hull is considered a significant running
cost due to the extra fuel required to carry it - there won't be
insulation where it isn't actually necessary - and baggage doesn't
usually complain of being cold.
Benj
> > It depends on who you ask (as you indicated). One technician I spoke
> > with suggested that when you change strings you do it one or two at a
> > time, never all at once. (I don't mean on different calendar days,
> > just never take all the strings off at the same time.)
> Personally I like to change all the strings at once and clean the
> fingerboard at the same time - but then again I know which of my
> instruments have floating bridges and similar (three of them) and there
> are no snakes in New Zealand.
In my self-teching experience I have to agree with Both the above tech
and Derek. I find that if you take all the tension off most necks, it
changes the setup on it. And once you put the strings back on the neck
will slowly go back to the old setup. The longer it was without
tension the longer it takes to go back. This is why I would not ship
a bass with no tension to some high-powered gig. Your fav bass might
not feel so fav if the gig is soon after you retune. But it is a
relatively small thing.
In normal circumstances I'm with Derek and change all the strings at
once so I can give the fongerboad a good D & C [dustin' and
cleanin']. I use lemon oil to remove fonger crud and then treat wood
with "bore oil" [For use on the inside of woodwind instruments] and
finally wipe all down until all loose oil is gone. Gives excellent
results. And unless I leave the strings off for a day or something,
the neck comes right back into perfect setup in a short time.
The best solution to all this is a graphite neck. No detuning. No
changes. No adjustments. No hassle.
Les Cargill
> BW <barryb...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Also, sorry about the no snakes thing. I knew that. Very sad. Snakes
>> are cool.
>
> I like snakes, but I think they're fine where they belong, in other
> countries. Snakes I can travel to see.
>
> We do have too few bats though. I miss bats.
>
> --- Derek
>
http://media.ebaumsworld.com/picture/LyndonKJohnson/ThisisBatCountry.png
--
Les Cargill
RichL
> You know, Susan, I find that your posts are extremely pleasant. I'd
> love to meet you if you ever pass this way (Florida). Don't get me
> wrong, I'm happily married and at least twice your age, darn it.
>
> Gerry
Gerry, I've had the pleasure, and Susan's a great person! We've gotten
together for a few jam sessions, with more (hopefully!) on the way.
pTooner
> pTooner <som...@onthe.net> wrote:
>
>> I don't have any real experience with airliners, but quite a bit with
>> aircraft in general. I can't picture how you would pressurize a
>> compartment
>> without heating it. Anyone??
>
> Huh? That's simple. You're in a metal cylinder, with very little
> insulation to the lower cargo parts.
>
> Outside it is really rather cold.
>
> If you don't heat the cargo hold it will tend towards the outside temp.
>
> The upper part of the plane is insulated, the cargo hold isn't.
>
> The hold they put pets in, that will be insulated, and usually heated.
>
> Insulation, even though kind of light and fluffy, is still additional
> weight. We're talking about planes where the weight of additional layer
> of paint on the outside of the hull is considered a significant running
> cost due to the extra fuel required to carry it - there won't be
> insulation where it isn't actually necessary - and baggage doesn't
> usually complain of being cold.
>
> --- Derek
>
>
I asked: "I can't picture how you would pressurize a compartment without
heating it. " You didn't appear to address that at all. The pressurization
systems I'm familiar with get very hot compressed air from the engine bleed
air system and then cool it to useable temperature. This air is fed into
the fuselage and is both circulated and controlled by a big valve called an
outflow valve that bleeds it back into the atmosphere. You are certainly
correct that insulation weighs something but it doesn't seem likely that
they would remove it before a flight if they discover there are no pets on
the flight.
I am NOT certain that all airliners operate that way, only the aircraft
that I am familiar with. That's why I asked the question.
Gerry
Derek Tearne
> I asked: "I can't picture how you would pressurize a compartment without
> heating it. " You didn't appear to address that at all.
As anyone who has lived somewhere cold will understand, it is entirely
possible to pour heat into a room without it ever actually feeling like
a 'heated' room. I am, at this very moment, pumping hot air into this
very room. In about an hour I might start describing the room as
'heated'.
I should possibly have used the term 'temperature controlled', rather
than 'heated' but the effect is the same. The temperature in the hold
may well be outside the range considered comfortable by humans and can
vary over a wide range from uncomfortably hot as you sit delayed on the
tar at LA in summer for 3 hours, to uncomfortably cold somewhere over
the pacific. This remains true even if the air being pumped into the
hold is 'hot'.
Instruments made from wood don't particularly enjoy such rapid changes
in temperature.
Also, your bass could be anywhere in the hold, it could be close to the
outside wall - with just a bit of thin metal between it and -50 degree
temperatures, or it could be in the middle, with a hold full of peoples
insulating clothes between it and the outside air.
Susan
> You'd better be careful about locking the case. My understanding is
> that NOTHING may be locked these days, unless it's a TSA-approved
> travel lock (one that has a universal key so the TSA personnel can
> open it when they wish). I don't believe they'd think twice about
> breaking the lock. Probably not even once.
> Barry
Hi Barry,
Yeah, thanks for the tip. The lock is labeled as a TSA lock, so I think
I'm alright.
Cheers!
-Susan
Susan
> Susan <s...@freeshell.org> wrote:
>> Thanks Derek and Barry for the great advice.
>
> I've just had dinner with a musician friend and we coincidentally
> swapped airline+guitar horror stories.
>
> I'll hold back on those until after you get back...
>
> --- Derek
Hi Derek,
I appreciate it, I'm not a very good flyer, though I love to travel:)
Hopefully I will have nothing but good stories to tell.
Cheers!
-Susan
Susan
Aw shucks, you guys are making me blush:)
Gerry, I love to travel, so if I head down to Florida sometimes, I'd
love to say hello. Likewise, if you come back up to DC anytime, you and
I and Rich should get together and make some music.
And Rich, let's plan a jam session for when I get back, I'm sure it will
be fun as always!
Okay, off to finish packing...
See y'all later:)
-Susan
Susan
Thanks again for the great advice!
I got back from my trip on Sunday, and all went very well:)
I checked the bass, and only had to pay the fee for a second checked
item, no other charges. I did have to sign a damage waiver. Anyway, the
bass arrived in fine condition on both ends.
The TSA opened my case on my return flight and left a little note. Glad
I had a TSA lock, which I locked so the case wouldn't come open from
mishandling. They locked it back up for me.
The funny thing was that the airline agents at check in (out and back),
and the van driver on the way back, asked me if I was carrying a gun.
Evidently my SKB bass case looks like a gun case. They told me that I
might be pulled aside to collect it, but that didn't happen.
The other thing was that they inspected my carry on bag. I guess most
people don't travel with a metronome, a tuner, a Sans Amp and a little
powered speaker:-)
Oh, and a tiny keyboard speaker makes for a less than wonderful practice
amp, but I figured that.
All in all, it was a great trip.
Okay, now I'm ready to hear your travel horror stories:-)
Cheers!
-Susan