The Steel Guitar Forum

Sounds to me like you do not have much of a choice. Back in the 90s I was in a similar situation. If my Mullen was not in a club it was in the sound truck or a trailer. Sure will take a toll on the factory case. The important thing is to get insurance on your rig. Not alway easy to get for some reason. What I finally found was something call an Inland Marine poicy. Nobody wants to replace a guitar and/or amps etc but at least a Mullen can still be replaced. I think the temp difference will have a greater affect on a laquered guitar than a mica. At lease cosmetically. Changes in temp will crack the finish. It believe that over time some of that will happen anyway.
As for the Mullen, I once bought one from someone in Michigan on the forum. Apparently he had bought it in Texas and for some reason when he shipped it to me here in Kansas the old Texas return was still on the shipping box and it went back to TX. When it finally got to me I set it up and it was still in tune. Not perfect tune but I could play it without wincing too much. That is a Mullen for you.......

Is this a progessional gig? Sounds like it. My take if that's the case is:

Try to get the bandleader to make an exception for you for any reason you can think of and if that doesn't work...it's a guitar. It's a tool, a means to an end...that guitar is the reason you're on the bus traveling around playing.

Believe me as a guitar player for 21 years of my life I know how we can all get attached to our instruments. But the idea of buying a professional instrument, and paying the premium to get it, is that is should not only look and sound to a higher standard but should also be at least rugged enough to survive the abuse that come from the road...provided it's in a case and doesn't get thrown by American Airline's baggage handlers (remember that guy??)

Now since I dont play professionally there's certain things I won't subject my equipment to, because I don't have to. When you're on the clock though, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do...within reason of course.

just my 2c.

Never leave your equipment in any place you wouldn't sleep.

Eric, that's what i was gonna reply!
I was given that advice some years ago and it kinda stuck in my mind.