Traveling with a Guitar: Anyone Tried This?

General · 5 replies · 140 views · 8 followers

Sergio Walgood

2 months ago

Hello GW friends!

I’m finally getting back to practice, restarting with the basics: chromatic exercises, Do Re Mi, triads, and the method book. Feels good to reset!

And guess what? I’m off traveling again, this time to Copenhagen for work as an audio technician. I checked the airline prices to bring a guitar and honestly, it feels like robbery.

So here’s my plan: I’m thinking of unscrewing the neck, wrapping everything in clothes and protective material, and packing it in the checked luggage. Has anyone here tried this before?

Hope all is going well with your practice! 🌞

Cheers,
Sergio

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Ralph H

2 months ago

I think Leo Fender would have no problem with this. (I've not tried it but I would.)

- Ralph

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Tomo Fujita Mod

2 months ago

Yes! I have done a few times from Japan to US.... Just protect the neck well!

Danny Gatton used to do this.

Tomo

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李

李jiayang

2 months ago

Cheer for you Sergio !
Restarting !!
I haven't try this way to take guitar to trip , but use guitar bag ...

Prey for you the that like robbery airline ticket ..

Wish you have a beautiful work time and sweet trip !

PS : Guitar trip ~Where is amp ?

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Sergio Walgood

2 months ago

Thank you Jiayang!

For an amp, I got a Spark Mini battery-powered amp for camping jam sessions and practice. I’ll be bringing this one with me, plus it doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, which is super handy!

Have a great weekend! 🌞🎸

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李jiayang

2 months ago

Oh ! Mr. Spark ! Super assist for the trip practice ! Remember Richard have a spark , too .

Have a sweet weekend ! Please sharing us the practice progress anytime , Thank you Sergio !

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John Fiers

2 months ago

Sergio - This does work to travel with a guitar, I have done this. Also, the spark mini too :). I had lots of room in big luggage used a festival blanket to wrap the neck and a bit of bubble wrapping between the guitar and neck, then sinched all together with a guitar strap. My luggage was old so I suggest something to hold the zippers together small bread wrap or paper clip thingy or lock.. No batteries.. So the spark mini was in my back pack, not very comfortable cause it is big square with computer cramming my back, if you can hand carry the Amp it might be easier travel. Extra strings.. I didn't even remove the strings, just flipped around taped the neck bolts together, small travel tool bag is nice too. Safe travels Sergio, good luck with the sound board!! - johno

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Sergio Walgood

2 months ago

Thanks for the tips, John! The amp is in my laptop bag, and extra strings, I almost forgot about those! Thanks for the reminder!

I had plenty of space in my luggage, so I wrapped the guitar in two jackets. I didn’t remove the strings, used a pair of socks to protect the tuners, and added two soft layers of clothes and another jacket to protect the body and the neck. Almost forgot the screws though, last night I checked the table and there they were! Uff, just in time!

I already dropped off the luggage, fingers crossed everything goes well. Once I get to the hotel, I’ll take some pictures or maybe a video to share my little setup. 😅🎸

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John Fiers

2 months ago

Very cool Sergio, like a scare crow guitar to TSA :). I thought I lost a bolt in my last travel, so bag or tape..TSA has held my bag of gear for security, and I hope none of that crap happens anymore. If it were a studio session, I would for sure recommend carry on with a studio guitar. Not sure who flys best in that situation, United used to stick instruments in a special area. Cramming in overhead does work out, and yes, any space on the carry-on overhead is fair game for anyone first come first serve, no reservations. I have yet to check only a guitar in the supposed new tough cases. Safe travels. Cheers, - johno

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李jiayang

2 months ago

Have a beautiful trip Sergio , It sounds like the trip equipment and the guitar & amp is have great prepare :)

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Tomo Fujita Mod

2 months ago

Thank you Johno for sharing your travel guitar hack!!

Tomo

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Yen Tien

2 months ago

Speaking of traveling with a guitar, I have always been looking for an excuse to gift myself a Donner HUSH-X. Tomo also did a demo with it a while back:

. I'm yet to find the right occasion to do so, though ;)

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Ralph H

2 months ago

I like to think it's always the right time to buy some gear! (Maybe I should replace "gear" with "practice" in that sentence!)

- RH

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Sergio Walgood

2 months ago

Thanks for sharing, Yen Tien!
It’s definitely on my radar too, I’ve considered getting something like that several times. I just need to check if the dimensions still allow it to be carried for free on the plane.

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李jiayang

2 months ago

纳福 guitar ! So tiny !

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李jiayang

about 2 months ago

Hi ! Yen Tien , I hear that Taiwan had a big typhoon , How was going ? I wish you everything is fine , Take care .

1 Like

Jonathan Ramsay

23 days ago

Hi Sergio, Have you come across the Lapstick travel guitar? It's so small you can actually play it on the plane! Not cheap as they are all hand made, but very good and extremely portable. I took the plunge after thinking about it for a long time and I'm glad I did. There are a number of videos on youtube if you are interested.