Question for those Flying steels ..'on tour'

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 16 Oct 2011 10:14 am

new steels that fly free (under 50 lbs.) are the new marketing strategy, it seems. i guess my question is this:
does the gig pay so little it won't cover an extra $50 for checking the baggage?

i would think that anyone in the musical performance class of flying to a gig would be getting compensated well for their effort. at least enough to cover an extra $50-100 to get a proper instrument to the gig.

or does this all fall into the modern classification of touring by a band that all fit in one old van and have to sleep on friends' floors? it seems every band of young up and coming wannabe stars have been or are going on tour. in my day a tour was usually funded by an agent or recording company and expenses as well as pretty decent compensation
was included.

old out of touch dude

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 16 Oct 2011 11:08 am

I have read and heard that some airlines are now charging $300 to $400 for any checked item (such as a steel guitar) over 50 lbs. So there is a dramatic financial penalty for overweight parcels. Thus, the airline friendly steel guitar is born.

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 16 Oct 2011 11:23 am

I did a one off fly date to France last spring and the baggage fees for my steel were $500 by the time I got home. That $500 was equal to 15 percent of the entire budget for the concert. It was not okay. I was not brought along on the next trip to Norway.

A fly guitar has become essential in my world. Most bands are basicly Mom and Pop type businesses these days and budgets are tight.

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 16 Oct 2011 11:41 am

chris ivey wrote: in my day a tour was usually funded by an agent or recording company and expenses as well as pretty decent compensation
was included.

old out of touch dude

Sadly, but TRUE, "your day" is long since gone for the vast majority of touring bands and record labels or agents. Given the deplorable market conditions for "record sales" (caused or exacerbated in large part by record industry practices or failures to act), most bands now look to touring (and merch.) for income. Per diems, wages and CARTAGE are closely scrutinized to maximize income in a very tough and competitive live performance market (where promoters and bookers are rewarded for seeing "how low they can go" in bringing shows into venues).

Bob Hoffnar is right...a pro quality "fly guitar" (aka lightweight) is essential...and should appeal to ANY player who plays out (just getting a PSG upstairs at a local club is enough to qualify as "essential" in my book.)

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 16 Oct 2011 11:54 am

I want to add that all is not lost for those of us that love our older D-10s. Awhile back I purchased a set of split cases for my Emmons D-10 PP. The guitar in the original case weighed 70 something pounds. The body of the guitar in the split case weighs 46 lbs. The pedal bar and rods could easily be put into a standard large suit case. Those items weighed about 17 pounds, if my memory is correct.

The case I purchased is not ATA rated, but it has dense one inch foam surrounding the guitar, which seems like better protection than the original case. If I ever do have to fly the guitar I'm thinking about trying to devise an outer case to further protect the guitar. Maybe some kevlar reinforced fabric, with more foam padding. I've got 3-4 lbs to play with.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 16 Oct 2011 2:50 pm

...so is scotty mccreery the only one talented enough to make money these days?

are the bigger stars' mansions payed for?

is there an imbalance of wealth in the music industry?

can i just phone in my part? (i have done that)

take out the green m&m's...

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 16 Oct 2011 3:04 pm

Is it time to start an "Occupy Nashville" movement?

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 16 Oct 2011 3:56 pm

Chris,
From my perspective as a working musician your concept of the music industry no longer exists. I was playing with signed acts in the 80's so I understand where you are coming from. Things are very different now. In many ways it is better. But that discussion is for another thread.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 16 Oct 2011 7:10 pm

My approach was to find the lightest case I could (SKB Trap) and still be able to fly my D10 Zum's .. last few fly trips haven't cost me a cent in excess baggage ! it's only taken me 30 years to finally get my sh*t sorted !

Burton Lee · Post by **Burton Lee** » 18 Oct 2011 9:23 am

Hey Bob, you sounded great when I saw you with Christy Hays at the G&S Lounge. Word up to the music "industry" not existing any more. Cartage and per diem! Ha!

And I think you're dead-on about it being better. More money does not equal better music.

Hope to see you on the road again soon!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 18 Oct 2011 1:52 pm

Last time I flew the Atlantic with my Emmons for a UK tour I managed to 'beat the system' by surreptitiously taking it through as carry-on. I got away with it but the return journey - especially the bit when I had to change 'planes for my final leg home - was so stressful that I vowed 'never again!'

If there's a 'next time' I'll try and borrow one at my destination or buy a single-neck GFI. That trip home wore me out!

Oh, and our tour (Neil Innes & Fatso) was run on a shoe-string, too; we allowed something for excess baggage but, because of my thriftiness (or good luck, depending on how you look at it), we had more money to share out at the end.

Mickey Adams · Post by **Mickey Adams** » 19 Oct 2011 6:24 am

Ive got the perfect solution...Buy your own plane...write it off, and tell the airlines to pack it in the tailpipe!!!....

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 19 Oct 2011 8:12 am

My CarpSteel in the case fit's inside the hardshell travel case that I have for my golf clubs with plenty of room for extra foam padding on both ends and around the case on all sides, comes in under the weight limits, has a handel on one end and wheels on the bottom and they don't even look twice as they think it's just a set of golf clubs!!!
JE:-)>

Geoff Cline · Post by **Geoff Cline** » 19 Oct 2011 9:00 am

Jim Eaton wrote:My CarpSteel in the case fit's inside the hardshell travel case that I have for my golf clubs with plenty of room for extra foam padding on both ends and around the case on all sides, comes in under the weight limits, has a handel on one end and wheels on the bottom and they don't even look twice as they think it's just a set of golf clubs!!!
JE:-)>

Creative solution...

Randall Meeker · Post by **Randall Meeker** » 19 Oct 2011 10:50 am

in a word - Cartage. When accepting a job have your attorney add a cartage clause to your contract - in this way the cost of transporting the instrument that makes your sound will be covered and if you make the correct choices of cartage companies and insurance carriers your nearly irreplaceable instrument will be covered and delivered to your performance location.

Scott Shipley · Post by **Scott Shipley** » 19 Oct 2011 11:08 am

Call me crazy, but I like to bring home as much of my dosh as possible. It's common sense over vanity, IMO.

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 19 Oct 2011 11:38 am

Roger Rettig wrote:Last time I flew the Atlantic with my Emmons for a UK tour I managed to 'beat the system' by surreptitiously taking it through as carry-on.

How can you be surreptitious with a D-10 steel guitar?

I'd say the split case option, with legs and pedal rack in a suitcase, as described by Paul Sutherland, would be the way to go if one expects to fly more than once or twice. Buying the split cases costs less than buying a "fly" guitar, and you have the axe you know for the gig.
(And split cases would be great for local gigs, too.)

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 19 Oct 2011 12:00 pm

Brint: Are you really asking?

The wheel-Ez case, as you may know, has a handle at one end and wheels at the other. I approach the check-in and hand them the case I want to 'check' (usually full of dirty clothes). While doing this I'm wheeling the steel and I prop it aginst their desk - it's then out of their line of sight. at a glance I could be wheeling a carry-on item.

Once they've lost interest in me I go to the security-line. As long as I'm able to heft the steel up onto the roller-thingies (I already know it'll easily run through their little 'tunnel affair') they accept it as a permitted piece of cabin baggage. They're often a bit puzzled by the x-ray picture but I'm able to satisfy them.

Then I lift it off their belt and I head for the Gate. As I'm walking, my coat or jacket draped over the hand pulling the steel will disguise its size; just the bottom with the wheels is visible and it looks like one of those slide-under-the-seat bags. At the gate the staff there are generally only concerned with getting us all aboard as efficiently as possible. If it's a big aircraft there are any number of cupboards and cavities that will accommodate my case. They sometimes ask what it is and I simply say - 'Steel guitar' (One steward gave me a hand with it and muttered: 'Yeah: solid steel!!!').

On a smaller plane (737s downwards) I know the steel will fit in an overhead bin so, having already booked myself into a rearward seat I know I'll usually be embarked earlier rather than later and the bins will be empty. I find an empty one and - heave-ho - up goes the Emmons. It does make my eyes water a bit, but it hasn't failed yet.

I always prefer to sit somewhere that's not directly under the bin holding my steel - after all, there may be some turbulence...

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 19 Oct 2011 12:01 pm

Oh, and should anyone here be calling my honesty into question, I should stress that all this palaver is entirely so that I avoid trusting my steel to the tender mercies of the baggage handlers.

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 19 Oct 2011 1:17 pm

Roger Rettig wrote:Oh, and should anyone here be calling my honesty into question, I should stress that all this palaver is entirely so that I avoid trusting my steel to the tender mercies of the baggage handlers.

Understood!

And you've got it down to a science!

Takes steady nerves, though. Years ago,long before the post-911 security, I took my Stratocaster in its standard (pre-fiberglass) case with me to the airport to visit my family in Colorado for Christmas. I had carried on guitars, which fit easily in the overheads, before. The person at the check-in desk saw the guitar and adamantly refused to issue me a boarding pass unless I surrendered the guitar as checked baggage--all reasoning or pleading fell on deaf ears. I had to go home and scramble to get on a flight the following day, sans guitar. Since that experience I have been a beaten musician, stymied by the knowledge that such intransigence could strike me at any time. The only air transportation of instruments I've done since then has been as checked baggage in meticulously defended packaging.

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 20 Oct 2011 5:36 am

The trouble is, Brint, that I'm well aware that at any point on my journey I could be confounded by an extra-vigilant somebody-or-other who might demand that I surrender the steel guitar and it'd go in the hold.

If I'm undertaking one of these trips it means I have to get to my destination with a working instrument in good condition - or what's the point in going at all??? Therein lies the stressful part of it all.

I've joined a tour halfway through and sent a set of equipment (amp, rack, seat, etc - I have spares) via UPS or whoever so it'll meet me at my destination, but I'm loathe to trust my steel to those guys for the same reason I don't like the idea of handing it to the airline. Amps, etc, can be had elsewhere in an emergency and, in any case, once the tour's off-and-running my stuff will be in the truck and has become someone else's responsibility.

As with my favourite Telecaster or Martin, I'm very reluctant to part with my steel guitar. From what I hear, though, things will only get more difficult in this regard; nothing to do with their much-vaunted 'security' measures, but because of their desperate ploys to extract more money from us!

Peter Nylund · Post by **Peter Nylund** » 20 Oct 2011 9:22 am

I recently flew to Ireland with my steel. I bought a seat for it and the D-10 Carter really seemed to enjoy the food and drinks served. And the guys in security were really interested in my guitar. But they let me through without having played a single note.

Dave Zirbel · Post by **Dave Zirbel** » 20 Oct 2011 9:25 am

I took my Kline S12 to Hawaii. Put the body in a keyboard flight case and legs/pedal rack in the luggage. I traveled with no extra baggage charges.

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 20 Oct 2011 4:44 pm

chris ivey wrote:new steels that fly free (under 50 lbs.) are the new marketing strategy, it seems. i guess my question is this:
does the gig pay so little it won't cover an extra $50 for checking the baggage?

Yes!

Dan Tyack · Post by **Dan Tyack** » 20 Oct 2011 4:47 pm

To expand: overage charges can be anywhere between $50-$100 each way. I haven't worked any gigs recently where an extra $100-$200 wouldn't be missed.

Also, if you are playing a steel show, the calculation is how much you are paying to play the show, not the other way around.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Question for those Flying steels ..'on tour'

Question for those Flying steels ..'on tour'

Re: Question for those Flying steels ..'on tour'

Traveling with your steel

Re: Question for those Flying steels ..'on tour'