Taking a guitar overseas

[Jared Kubokawa]

So I'm moving to Japan for a year to teach English and if I don't have a my guitar/a guitar, I will definitely maim a few locals, especially after coming off the plane for 12 hours without a cigarette (the blood still may fall, guitar or not).

Do any of you have experience taking a guitar on an international flight? Domestic advice is no good here.

I brought a junky electric to Italy once, checked it and then sold it immediately after I arrived. I think the unpressurized cabin destroyed the intonation/tuning/neck issues. Therefore, if an electric couldn't handle it, there's no way in hell I'm checking my acoustic. (As of yet I haven't decided which to bring: acoustic or electric, because whichever one I don't bring, I will buy there).

Hence, because of the unpressurized cabin/luggage dudes throwing bags/general distrust of the human race. I have to carry my guitar on. Have to. Have to.

So what can of worms does that open? Has anyone done this before? And with the new airline laws popping up daily, who knows what could happen? If I had to leave it at the gate, I don't know, I'd probably...I don't know what I would do, go absolutely mad. I will be calling the airline ahead of time on this as soon as I know which flight I'm on.

Either way most airlines allow, 2 carry-ons, 1 large and 1 small. The guit will obviously be the large bag. I could leave the guitar in the closet up by the stewardess. Do I trust that hussy? Not as far as I can throw her flotation device implants. I know she'll shove and crush it next to some DB's luggage. I am not looking forward to this.

I don't think it will fit in the overhead though, people will flip out, especially on a crowded Int'L flight.

There is one last option: I've been scouring the travel message boards looking for any shred of advice I can get from the masses of traveling "weekend warriors" (hey that's what they called themselves). I did discover that Japan has a culture obsessed with newness; therefore, when "things" are a couple years old, people often throw them out. A few people said they bought guitars at amazing prices in used gear stores.

That is fantastic, but I'm still poor as can be and have multiple guitars here that I don't want to get lonely, nor am I interested in selling them.

In the end I will probably, bring one and buy one, acoustic and elec. but do any of you have any advice for transport? And possibly buying abroad. I was thinking about going to the Ibanez factory in Nagoya and doing some dumpster diving. That or travel to Korea where the currency is weaker and buy there, but I still have to pay lavish Japanese taxes to get it into the country...

There is no right choice. Only the choice I make.

[tombo]

i travel quite often with my guitar
both domestically and internationally

i've done this a few times, to japan actually
and every time i put my guitar in a hardshell case and checked it in
airport security, well, is always going to be airport security
but the main problem is, depending the security issues at the airport that day
they will restrict your carry on to 1 item.

so if you have a backpack and a guitar
you have to choose, which to take
you can't take both

i went to london last year with my electric in a gig bag
and on the way there, carry on was okay
but on the way back, carry on was not allowed

so for me, its usually going to be hardshell, and check in

as for people in japan buying things they don't need and then realizing it later
this is true; it's one of the most commercial places on the planet
there is an abundance of used gear, but keep in mind, it is an island so there is alot of humidity so you'll know what to look for when choosing

have fun!

[SorenP]

The other guitar player in my band was flying back from Philly and was forced to check his acoustic in a gig bag. When he got back here, the neck right at the headstock was just completely wrecked. Shattered, splintered destoryed.. like someone had jumped on it. He didn't have a flight case, but they let him carry it on on the way there, but made him check it on the way back. and of course they don't assume any responsibility, so he's out a guitar. sucks.

[Jared Kubokawa]

Yeah, that's what I'm really afraid of. Thanks for the info, I'm gonna check it in a hardshell I think. Rawk.

[dolivas]

not that it's pertinent to this thread maybe, however I've flown often with acoustic guitars a lot. I'm a fairly frequent flier and 100% of the time travel looong distances by air typically every flight I take is well over 1000 mile flights back and forth (2000 miles in total). I travel from hot humid Chicago (low elevation) to high (in elevation) and dry El Paso. I have a Gator hardshell case that has never failed me in protecting my guitars. I tend to do the basics for protections before hand which is detune my guitar to release tension and trust the case to do the rest.

I've always checked in the case in as baggage. I have leave it unlocked because they always check the inside of the case. TSA has been pretty good at not damaging or messing with it when they're inspecting. Baggage handlers as well have for the most part gotten it back to me safe and sound with no one really manhandling it. I always check it in because it speeds up my check-in and it leaves less to carry around the cabin.

All that traveling hasn't made a diff on the neck or the body of the guitar, nothing I can tell. Tuning stays the same in both climates as well. I believe if you get a good enough case and properly pre-care your item you should get it anywhere safely.

[neal79]

Damn I didn't know thats why you were leaving. Have a great trip it sounds like it should be fun.

[smopo24]

I've never flown with an acoustic, but I wouldn't suggest it. Even if it survives the flight, the temp changes and humidity may damage it as well. I hear Japan has some cheap knock-offs, but almost everything still costs an arm and a leg there either way. Bring it onboard in an ATA approved flight case. At least it will have a chance at survival.