Taking a bass guitar onto an airplane?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Apr 2009 10:31 am

Does anyone know if the airlines let you bring a bass guitar onto the plane and put it in the overhead compartment? Don't really want to have to check it if I can avoid that.

Thanks,
JC

Dave Harmonson · Post by **Dave Harmonson** » 17 Apr 2009 10:37 am

My son used an old Jaco trick and unbolted the neck and packed it in his check in luggage. A bit of a hassle but it worked.

Robert Bergland · Post by **Robert Bergland** » 17 Apr 2009 10:40 am

I took a full sized dreadnought guitar with hard case on the plane over Xmas, no hassles, but they might have to put it in the closet up by first class. Also, if the flight is really full, try to get on the plane earlier, or the bins fill up and they'll have to check it plane side. Good luck!

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 17 Apr 2009 10:48 am

Probably, Too long unless it is one of those headless and small body onesLike A Steinberger. If it Fits, Shouldn't be any problem, but I haven't flown since a few years before 911. I used to bring my Electronics Tool Box on as Carry on and put it under my seat. Lots of things have Changed Since those times.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 17 Apr 2009 10:53 am

I think a typical bass guitar (like a 34" scale P or J-Bass) is a bit long for most overheads.

With a bolt-on neck (guitar or bass), I typically take the neck off, wrap both neck and body up carefully, and then put them in a carry-on bag if possible. A Strat or Tele (scale length 25.5" and the neck is about 26" long) fits into a carry-on bag pretty easily, but I'm not sure about a 34" scale bass neck.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Apr 2009 11:02 am

Thanks, guys. Dave H., if I unbolted the neck, I wouldn't need to check it at all; it could certainly fit in the carry-on luggage. What was Jaco thinking?

Oh, I just realized I would have the hardshell case for the guitar anyway, so would be stuck having to check that for $25 anyway. So now it becomes a matter solely of safety of the guitar and not a cost-issue. I'll have to find out how long the case is. Maybe they'll let me put it in the closet up front, if I'm lucky.

Paul E Vendemmia · Post by **Paul E Vendemmia** » 17 Apr 2009 12:57 pm

Thank God your giving up the steel guitar just think how money I can save On your CD's
See you in St Louis

Paul

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Apr 2009 1:48 pm

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 17 Apr 2009 2:04 pm

Jim...might I suggest if you are planning on separating the guitar from the case while on the plane, substituting a heavy padded gig bag for the hardshell. The body and neck should fit neatly into the bag which when the excess is folded should in turn fit into the carry on.

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 17 Apr 2009 4:41 pm

Did you ever think about calling the airline and asking?

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 17 Apr 2009 5:04 pm

COMPUTER... RIGHT HERE....

PHONE... ALL THE WAY... OVER... THERE....

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 17 Apr 2009 6:28 pm

Rick Campbell wrote:Did you ever think about calling the airline and asking?

Yes, but it has also been my experience that the people who answer the phone there don't necessarily know the right answer to stuff like this. I've been burned too many times already by getting one answer from the airlines on the phone and another one on the ground, if there's any 'judgment' involved rather than a hard-line policy. Thanks for your suggestion, though.

Henry Nagle · Post by **Henry Nagle** » 17 Apr 2009 6:41 pm

It's all about luck. Usually they let me bring on a guitar, once in a while they make me check it. Once I avoided the extra bag fee by gate checking it (carrying it all the way to the airplane and handing it to them at the door). Sometimes they are nice and stow it in the cabin for you even if it won't fit in the bins.

Les Anderson · Post by **Les Anderson** » 17 Apr 2009 7:54 pm

I have a 1956 Fender Precision BASS that I have had on a plane only once in 48 years. It don't fit and I have never had the heart to disassemble the instrument.

If you want a problem, try carting a stand up around the country. A Gray Hound bus will take it, however, be prepared to get it back in two or three pieces.

Billy Murdoch · Post by **Billy Murdoch** » 18 Apr 2009 12:55 am

Take a banjer instead

Ann wants to know why You were not at Dallas???

Billy

Colm Chomicky · Post by **Colm Chomicky** » 18 Apr 2009 4:04 am

Oh, I just realized I would have the hardshell case for the guitar anyway, so would be stuck having to check that for $25 anyway. So now it becomes a matter solely of safety of the guitar and not a cost-issue. I'll have to find out how long the case is. Maybe they'll let me put it in the closet up front, if I'm lucky.

Well, are you planning to check a suit case? In that case, you can always pack all your undies in the bass case.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 18 Apr 2009 5:10 am

I've decided to ship it after all. Realized that carrying a D-10 and a suitcase and a bass guitar would just be too much trubble. So, thanks for all the consultation anyway.

And Billy, tell Ann I couldn't come to Dallas because I had to go to Sweden to receive the Nobel prize in... um... something or other...

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 18 Apr 2009 7:06 am

Gig bag. If there's a suit bag closet onboard, stick in there.

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Taking a bass guitar onto an airplane?

Taking a bass guitar onto an airplane?

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