We know your guitar is your baby. So, any travel plans that include carrying your instrument can be stressful. Whether carrying your guitar for a performance or on a solo vacation, you can't be too careful. Here are 4 expert tips to protect guitar parts from hits, drops, and scratches. Keep reading!
Invest In A Good Case
Considering you are airborne, your guitar will be a lot safer inside a case. The first thing you need to do is check with the airline you're flying with. Different airlines have different policies for carrying musical instruments and are usually compassionate. You can always know more about the law on carrying musical instruments on an airplane to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Nevertheless, you must invest in a hard or soft case to keep things safe. If you're confused about which one to buy, here's a simple rule. If you check in your guitar, you go for a hard case. This is because your guitar will be treated like any other luggage, and the hard case will protect it from sudden drops and shocks.
But a soft case will do just fine if you plan to carry on your guitar. It will easily fit inside the overhead compartment. Alternatively, you can also slide under the seat. If you get a seat with extra legroom, you're sorted! You can buy a high quality guitar case from online guitar parts selling brands.
Placing and Packing
This is the most vital step to consider to protect your guitar from accidents. Here are some pointers to follow.
- Before you pack, remove all accessories, including picks, straps, and capos. Pack them separately in a small bag.
- Now, carefully place your instrument inside the case with the guitar strings facing up. Support the neck using a dedicated neck rest.
- Grab a towel or use some bubble wrap to fill in the gaps in between and ensure a snug fit.
- For added safety, loosen the guitar strings.
- Another area of concern is the temperature inside the luggage compartment. With changing air pressure, your fretboard wood and neck can take on some damage. Thus, always put a humidifier inside the case.
Pro Tip: If you plan to travel by road, never expose your guitar to extreme temperatures, like inside a trunk. Prolonged exposure to the sun is also a strict no-no. Instead, keep your guitar inside the car right beside you.
Say Yes To Bag Locks
You know how TSA officials are concerned about the safety of passengers in an aircraft. Often fake guitars and look alike cases are used to smuggle goods and carry explosives. That's why getting a TSA-approved lock for your guitar case is advised. It will help the officials to check your luggage as needed. In case you can't get a TSA-compliant lock, carry it as-it-is.
The Must-Do's On The Day Of Your Travel
Now that you know how to prep your guitar, it's time to be a smart traveler. Here's what you need to do on your day of travel.
- Check-in early-It will buy you more time for TSA of your instrument. For sure, guitars will be heavily inspected. So, staying ahead of the schedule makes sense. You can also board the plane earlier and easily access the overhead compartment for a carry-on.
- Consider priority boarding -If you miss early onboarding, your next best option is priority boarding. If everything fails, try approaching a flight attendant politely. They will be happy to put your instrument in a suitable corner of the overhead compartment.
- Self-insert the instrument– Don't rush out of the airport at your destination. Instead, take time to inspect your guitar. If you see signs of in-transit damage, register your claim. Yes, this can be stressful but necessary.
Final Word
Keeping your guitar safe while traveling doesn't have to be complicated. Remember, never compromise on secure packing and a quality case. If you follow the steps to the T, your baby will do just fine!
Disclaimer
From time-to-time, we have guest bloggers post on our site. Guest posts and comments represent the diversity of opinion within the independent music scene. The views, opinions and positions expressed within these guest posts are those of the author alone and do not represent those of For The Love Of Bands. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The copyright of this content belongs to the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with them.
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