CyberFerret
Member
- Messages
- 10,036
Hi all,
I've got to take a quick trip across the country this weekend with my Les Paul. The question is whether to take it in the standard Gibson hard shell case, or use a Gator case that I have sitting around which is shaped for the LP.
My dilemma(s) are:
1. Local airlines now no longer allow guitars as carry baggage on domestic flights. I am going to try and negotiate with the counter staff, but I am 95% sure I am going to have to check it.
2. Every time I have checked in a guitar case into the hold, it has come back with severa scuffing and tears in the tolex. Seeing as the Gibson case is a nice custom shop one, I don't really want to get that damaged.
3. Having the Gibson name etc. splashed on the case is making me nervous as well - don't want to advertise exactly what it in there to all and sundry.
4. The Gator case, whilst it looks tough and has thicker sides that the Gibson case, seems to have more give in the top lid, so I am suspecting if they put some heavy loads on the top lid it may damage the LP.
5. Do I lock the case, or do I leave it so it can be inspected? I haven't got the TSA locks on either of the cases. I was thinking of leaving them unlocked, but wrapping packing tape around the whole case so I can see if it has been tampered/opened.
So, any recommendations on which way to go? Gator case or Gibson case? What else should I be doing to the LP to protect the headstock? I was thinking of detuning and putting some of those inflated plastic air bags around the headstock to try and prevent shocks from being transferred.
I've tried to hire or buy a proper road case for it, but at such short notice no one in my town has one for hire or sale at the moment...
I've got to take a quick trip across the country this weekend with my Les Paul. The question is whether to take it in the standard Gibson hard shell case, or use a Gator case that I have sitting around which is shaped for the LP.
My dilemma(s) are:
1. Local airlines now no longer allow guitars as carry baggage on domestic flights. I am going to try and negotiate with the counter staff, but I am 95% sure I am going to have to check it.
2. Every time I have checked in a guitar case into the hold, it has come back with severa scuffing and tears in the tolex. Seeing as the Gibson case is a nice custom shop one, I don't really want to get that damaged.
3. Having the Gibson name etc. splashed on the case is making me nervous as well - don't want to advertise exactly what it in there to all and sundry.
4. The Gator case, whilst it looks tough and has thicker sides that the Gibson case, seems to have more give in the top lid, so I am suspecting if they put some heavy loads on the top lid it may damage the LP.
5. Do I lock the case, or do I leave it so it can be inspected? I haven't got the TSA locks on either of the cases. I was thinking of leaving them unlocked, but wrapping packing tape around the whole case so I can see if it has been tampered/opened.
So, any recommendations on which way to go? Gator case or Gibson case? What else should I be doing to the LP to protect the headstock? I was thinking of detuning and putting some of those inflated plastic air bags around the headstock to try and prevent shocks from being transferred.
I've tried to hire or buy a proper road case for it, but at such short notice no one in my town has one for hire or sale at the moment...