Danny Thompson was for many years associated with a particular bass, nicknamed "Victoria". A very old instrument, Danny had owned it for decades, used it almost exclusvely... he and Victoria came as a pair.
A few years Victoria went into semi-retirement. The bass had been damaged in an airport one too many times, and airlines were becoming less and less keen to have big instruments in their holds, citing all kinds of rules and regulations.
So Danny started touring with "short-arse Alfie". Alfie has a smaller body, still a good sound and feel, and is made to airline regulations in terms of size and weight.
Now this appears on his Facebook page:
Help !!!...someone please explain why after flying with my Double-Bass since the Bi-plane , B.O.A.C. AND TWA days that even after restrictions which meant having to forget about travelling with "Victoria"after 45 years I am now told that I can't travel with any of my new basses which have been designed specifically for international travel (I am referring to MAJOR airlines)..weight max 26k
He compromised by buying airline-ready basses, but he's running into red tape again.
This is the slippery slope....
