Re: Guitar on Amtrak?
Tim McNamara
<ce1516cf-1031-473e...@k33g2000prk.googlegroups.com>,
mylesgtr <myle...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Is it any easier to bring a guitar on Amtrak than on a plane? Thanks.
Years ago it was, I just walked on with my guitar and duffel bag, stuck
'em in the luggage racks by the doors. I haven't been on Amtrak in
years, though. They are pretty easy about taking bikes, though-
something else that gives airlines conniptions.
Nate Najar
> Is it any easier to bring a guitar on Amtrak than on a plane? Thanks.
yeah amtrak is a no brainer. when I'm in the NE I often take the
train from new york to DC (or vice versa) and I always stick it on the
rack up top. no big deal. once two years ago I actually had luggage,
2 guitars and a small amp and it was way easy.
N
TD
> Is it any easier to bring a guitar on Amtrak than on a plane? Thanks.
A helluva lot easier to keep 'track' of.
-TD
drthoma...@gmail.com
I keep looking for Eve Marie Saint in the dining car, but no luck so
far.
Joe Montgomery
> Is it any easier to bring a guitar on Amtrak than on a plane? Thanks.
On the Amtrak from Seattle to Portland (and vice versa) I have never
experienced anything but a pleasant ride for me and my guitar(s). The
largest case I have is a Calton for a 17" guitar...it sticks "up"
slightly from the overhead rack but is still very secure...cases with
a smaller lower bout will fit nicely.
I make this run quite a bit and have developed a bit of a system...
1st, I try to use the overhead storage across from where I sit if I
can so I can just glance up and see the case from time to time. I also
know the stop distances on my route and I tend to use the facilities
or go to the dining car when the train is between the stations at the
furthest points. Whenever the train does makes a stop, I'm guaranteed
to be in the same car as the instrument.
And when my car is somewhat empty I can usually get in a little
practice...
--
jm
ps...no one would believe this now, but in 2000 I flew Alaska Air to
the Bay Area Guitar Show (in Marin) with a friend and we carried 5
archtops onto the plane in the morning, then carried 2 back with us in
the evening...we even had room to take them out of the cases on the
return flight and show them to the crew.
How times have changed, huh!
Nate Najar
> > yeah amtrak is a no brainer. when I'm in the NE I often take the
> > train from new york to DC (or vice versa) and I always stick it on the
> > rack up top. no big deal. once two years ago I actually had luggage,
> > 2 guitars and a small amp and it was way easy.
>
> rather than flying (partly b/c of the guitar reason and partly b/c I
> like the idea of gazing out the window of a train.
>
> Any thoughts on getting an amp the size of a vibrolux onboard? Is a
> guitar, a vibrolux, a large suitcase, and a laptop bag doable? It
> never would've occurred to me that an amp could go onboard, but I
> assume you're talking about something Polytone sized.
>
> Thanks.
I am talking about something polytone sized, but as far as your
vibrolux is concerned, you can always check it as luggage- amtrak does
have dedicated luggage too.
N
southtexasguitarist
> > yeah amtrak is a no brainer. when I'm in the NE I often take the
> > train from new york to DC (or vice versa) and I always stick it on the
> > rack up top. no big deal. once two years ago I actually had luggage,
> > 2 guitars and a small amp and it was way easy.
>
> rather than flying (partly b/c of the guitar reason and partly b/c I
> like the idea of gazing out the window of a train.
>
> Any thoughts on getting an amp the size of a vibrolux onboard? Is a
> guitar, a vibrolux, a large suitcase, and a laptop bag doable? It
> never would've occurred to me that an amp could go onboard, but I
> assume you're talking about something Polytone sized.
>
> Thanks.
Hi Myles,
I figured other would have more recent experiences than me, but years
ago I took a train after a bicycle touring trip, and they just put a
luggage tag on it and wheeled it into the cargo area. So I'm guessing
that would be the same for your amp, and you wouldn't have to worry
about lugging into a passenger car.
335
> Is it any easier to bring a guitar on Amtrak than on a plane? Thanks.
just be sure to keep a close eye on your guitar and amp. I think
someone posted here recently about having a saxophone stolen while
riding amtrak.
tom walls
This reminded me of a trip during the early 70s where I brought a
Super Reverb along with me on the Greyhound.
tom walls
Does this work with banjos? How about 'bones?
Rick Stone
> Is it any easier to bring a guitar on Amtrak than on a plane? Thanks.
Haven't done it lately, but I've ALWAYS hated flying and used to do
Amtrak all the time. It was NEVER a problem (I've even brought fairly
large amplifiers and they were VERY cool about sticking them in the
luggage cars). I always carried my guitar onto the train with me. This
was back in the 80s though, so I'd check (your mileage may vary :-)
The only downside was the sound level (trains ARE noisy) and the length
of the ride. Still, it wasn't so bad. I used to bring the Omnibook and
a cassette tape of all the Bird solos (edited and in the correct order)
and just listen to it on my walkman for the 10-12 hours from NYC to
Cleveland.
--
Rick Stone
website: www.rickstone.com
Some of My Other sites: www.myspace.com/rickstonemusic
www.facebook.com/rickstonemusic www.sonicbids.com/rickstone
www.reverbnation.com/rickstone www.youtube.com/jazzand
www.cdbaby.com/all/jazzand http://jazzguitarny.ning.com
335
no, it won't work. those will be safe.
Bob Russell
I heard about someone who got on with an accordion and left their seat
for awhile. When they came back, there were three accordions.
RS Wood
>> The only downside was the sound level (trains ARE noisy) and the length
>> of the ride. Still, it wasn't so bad. I used to bring the Omnibook and
>> a cassette tape of all the Bird solos (edited and in the correct order)
>> and just listen to it on my walkman for the 10-12 hours from NYC to
>> Cleveland.
>
> to penn station. i may just check with them in advance about what i
> can bring. if i can avoid shipping my amp, and get a guitar onboard w/
> out hassle, it may be worth the long trip.
>
> myles
Shouldn't have much trouble. Each car has a baggage area at one end -
sort of an open space where you can park any kind of luggage. I've put
surfboards and baby strollers there with little problem. But you would
DEFINITELY want to choose a seat close enough to that area to keep an
eye on your gear.
TD
Invasion of the aerophone snatchers?
-TD