Dude gets back at airline for breaking guitar

JoEllis · 2009-07-13T21:11:10+00:00

I don't know if this is the right part of the forum to post it on because it includes both guitars and comedy, but a friend mailed me a link to this earlier:...

Dude gets back at airline for breaking guitar

DonovanB

this is valuable info. I might soon have to travel with a guitar regularly.

It might be a good idea to set up "stations" in each city with gear to be used when you get there. For eg we have a network and if someone plays in Durbs they use my rig and so avoid risking theirs. provided the setup is good enough of course.

AlanRatcliffe

DonovanB wrote: It might be a good idea to set up "stations" in each city with gear to be used when you get there. For eg we have a network and if someone plays in Durbs they use my rig and so avoid risking theirs. provided the setup is good enough of course.

...that might be an idea, though it's open to abuse. I know in the US no-one travels with any kind of amplification any more - if the organiser can't supply the backline, no show.

What would probably be a better idea is investing in a serious case that can take any kind of abuse. Then either pay for the extra weight or ship your guitar by road the day (or two) before you fly, so it's there when you arrive.

aubs1

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: What would probably be a better idea is investing in a serious case that can take any kind of abuse. Then either pay for the extra weight or ship your guitar by road the day (or two) before you fly, so it's there when you arrive.

Probably the best solution to the problem....... a good Aluminum flight case with good locks is what I would have used!

Bob-Dubery

Alan Ratcliffe wrote:
DonovanB wrote: It might be a good idea to set up "stations" in each city with gear to be used when you get there. For eg we have a network and if someone plays in Durbs they use my rig and so avoid risking theirs. provided the setup is good enough of course.
...that might be an idea, though it's open to abuse. I know in the US no-one travels with any kind of amplification any more - if the organiser can't supply the backline, no show.

Chuck Berry even leaves the backing band up to the organisers.

I'd not be surprised by expecting the organiser or venue to supply the PA, but back line? That sounds a bit dicey. Often the amplifier is crucial to the sound and I can see how a guitarist who is fastidious about his tone would take that kind of chance.

DonovanB

I've seen and heard about this being done by some bands. They even stay with other bands when they travel etc. It makes good sense for youngsters who don't have bucks to cart stuff around and pay for hotels

AlanRatcliffe

Bob Dubery wrote: I'd not be surprised by expecting the organiser or venue to supply the PA, but back line? That sounds a bit dicey.

It's very common. The artists specify what they want (and a second choice) in the rider (along with the preferred colour of M&Ms) and the organiser guarantees he'll have it there - amps, drum kit (usually sans snare and often cymbals though) and PA.

Often the amplifier is crucial to the sound and I can see how a guitarist who is fastidious about his tone would take that kind of chance.

Hire companies that specialise in shows and festivals always have a range of popular amps (Twin, Bassman, Super, AC30, Marshall JCM etc.) on hand, as well as popular brands of kit (Yamaha, Pearl, Tama, etc.) because they have to cater for artists who are mostly endorsers of specific brands. Obviously if you want a Dr. Z, Mad Professor or Swart or any other boutique brand, or any other "special needs" you're out of luck, but they cater for the majority.

In fact, if you are an endorser it's easy as the manufacturer (or their distributor) will help make sure that there is an amp available if the organiser can't hire one in a particular area.

Actually, visit The Smoking Gun for Some example tour riders of the stars. Some, like Tom Petty who travel with their own backline and PA, specify only food, while some specify everything down to plectra and cables. If you only read one, make it the one for Iggy and the Stooges, which is hilarious.

Bob-Dubery

Alan Ratcliffe wrote: Actually, visit The Smoking Gun for Some example tour riders of the stars. Some, like Tom Petty who travel with their own backline and PA, specify only food, while some specify everything down to plectra and cables. If you only read one, make it the one for Iggy and the Stooges, which is hilarious.

What amused me was Willy Nelson's insistence on a smoke free environment.

CDee

That Iggy and the Stooges on is hilarious. :roflmao:

inflames

This is so good!
This is what happens when an airline think you are just another number.
Big mistake, the dude is someone!

I hope this hurts them in a big way!
I'm so sending this GFSA link to my friends in America!

Manfred-Klose

I geuss it would have been cheaper if the airline just replaced the taylor ?

AlanRatcliffe

Manfred Klose wrote: I geuss it would have been cheaper if the airline just replaced the taylor ?

NOW they have offered (once it hit a quarter million views or something - it's at 2.8 million now - and was covered on CNN). Dave Carroll (The guitarist in question) has said he doesn't want it, that they should give the money to charity, as he didn't do it to force them to pay him out, he did it to let people know of their bad service (mission accomplished).

Anyway Bob Taylor is also making offers for advertising and the band Sons of Maxwell are now a household name - so there have been other benefits for him.

Keira-WitherKay

hey guys yes horror stories happen.....

but i have schleped various guitars and bass's around about half this world of ours and to 3rd world countries too, and never had an issue... ever

and yeah the new airline laws means nobody gets to bring a guitar onboard in cabin........ thanks to 9/11

yet i recently saw on a local flight to CT they allowed a guitar onboard..... mmm maybe cos it was one of the famous afrikaans singers heheheheh

but truly forget the aluminium cases unless your baggage is being paid by the concert promoters heheheh

us small time performers pay our own way most of time.....

cos the aluminium cases weigh too much and the extra baggage fee to say UK or states or even India is ridiculous .. they charge per kg/km or mile .......

so yeah skb type cases work best the skb classical case for nylons weighs in at 3 kg (without the instrument) and you can toss it off a bridge and the guitar inside is safe....

and as Bob said no matter what case you have if an idiot drives a forklift over it it's gonna be trashed.....

in all my years flying around all that happened was they lost a guitar for 48 hrs when some genius put it on the wrong filght heheheh but i got her back safe and sound 2 days later delivered to my hotel room in Dubai

also a famous guitarist once said ... i forget who ....that he never travels with a guitar he can't replace on tour ...meaning he leaves his custom babies at home and travels with the ...... (insert name here) ..... so if it breaks while touring or gets stolen/lost he just goes to a store and buys a new one.... sound advice i think ..........

peace and light
keira

inflames

I bought a Epiphone Les Paul Custom from Corrie (CDee) on the forum.

My friend that brought it down from JHB to CPT took it on the plane with no issues!
Go Kulula ?

AlanRatcliffe

Actually, the guitar that was run over was in an SKB - the poper one, not the economy one. The case was OK once the aluminium trim was straightened, but the guitar didn't fare as well ☹

BTW, for those guitars with bolt on necks, it's possible to fit threaded inserts in the neck heel and use bolts instead of the four neck screws. Then you can remove the neck easily and repeatedly without the holes stripping. This lets you pack the guitar in carry-on hand luggage and assemble and string it up quickly at your destination. The late Danny Gatton used to do this with his Teles. It's either that or get a Steinberger (the ultimate travel guitar).

EDIT: here's a pic of the inserts and bolts:

This is actually a more sturdy arrangement than the usual screws and gives better neck-body coupling.

Bob-Dubery

Some tips from the ever useful Acoustic Guitar Owner's Manual (String Letter Publishint 978-1-890490-21-8)

1) When you book your ask about the airline's policies RE carrying on guitars. And be prepared to be told you have to check it in as baggage

2) Get to the baggage check-out as quickly as possible - this shortens the time window in which your guitar can be stolen

3) Get as strong a case as you can afford. There are companies that make special flight cases that combine good strength with reasonable weight - and with bright colours that make it easier to pick your instrument out on a carousel.

4) Pad the peg head with t-shirts, socks etc. Or buy a case with extra peg head support.

5) Slacken the strings

6) Pack the case inside a cardboard box and pad the gaps between the case and the box with clothing. This may also force baggage handlers to take more care as they cannot just throw the box around.

DonovanB

I've flown to Germany with aguitar as hand luggage. I bought a special Ritmiller cheapie that was smaller and I used a gig bag. It fit easily into the overhead compartment and nobody even looked twice at me. That was in 2005.

I don't think my bass would make it though...

Bob Dubery wrote: Some tips from the ever useful Acoustic Guitar Owner's Manual (String Letter Publishint 978-1-890490-21-8)

great advice Bob.

Carmen

I could take my guitar onboard with me when I flew to CT from JHB. ?