2 Problem with this 1. some guitars don’t sound the same when the neck goes back on (if the neck pocket is a little loose, like some vintage strat or Tele’s it might not go on in exactly the same spot). So some setup might be required. Other bigger issue is if you take the neck off too many times the wood threads where the screws go into get loser and loser and then you have a problem. I’ve heard of people putting metal insert threads in there for that reason but surely that would change the sound. For me, living in nz where the airlines are brutal about letting you carry on I don’t bother anymore. I use a custom made flight case which holds a strat or Tele inside a gig bag, in the case. Then when I get to destination I ditch the flight case at the hotel, and just use the gig bag. If I travel internationally I just use a gig bag and carryon and most airlines are ok, I take the risk as who wants to deal with a flight case in that scenario
Thanks for chiming in Nick. Obviously this approach isn’t for everyone. There are pros and cons to each method of traveling with a guitar. I should’ve addressed this in the video but I did have stainless steel inserts installed into the neck by a local luthier. You can see them when I showed the photos of the process. It actually improved the acoustic resonance and sustain of the guitar for the better. I wouldn’t be concerned about this “changing” the sound of your guitar for the worse. Bolt on neck guitars aren’t magic, taking the neck on and off happens at some point in their lifetime. There are a few steps one can take when reinstalling a neck to insure the optimal contact between the neck and neck pocket of the body for the best fit. My concern with checking a flight case is that there is still some risk of damage or worse the airline losing the guitar. I prefer not to take that risk but to each his own. Ultimately each player can assess the risks of each approach and choose accordingly. I just wanted to offer up an alternate solution in addition to the traditional options. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.
@@tonecast1 oh I didn’t see the inserts. Good idea, and if it improved the tone then cool. Not sure I’d do that to a vintage guitar but otherwise it’s a good idea if it works. There is zero chance of damage in the flight case, esp with a strat or Tele. But totally agree the loss of a guitar is the worst outcome, not least cause you can’t do the gig without it. Here in NZ you have to check in guitars at least 80-90% of the time, on occasion people get lucky and get carry on but mostly not. Sucks. I know loads of people who’ve turned up to the airport with guitars in gig bags and made to check guitars in. It sucks, so if taking the neck off is going to work then it’s all cool with me. FYI, I’m a full time pro player (tours and session work), based in nz, although I lived in the uk for a while and who travels a lot so this is just my perspective. Cheers
Good informative video. It told me what I came to learn and I even enjoyed the verbal cadence too. Plus, the presenters good length of experience with his instrument comes across. You trust him as a player so you believe what he puts across as far as airplane guitar travel goes. Yep.
All very good advice. I hear horror stories every year, and it almost always involves American Airlines. Have you seen the steel screw sleeves that Stew Mac sells to keep the neck from wearing out at the screw holes?
I haven't seen the ones StewMac sells. I got the threaded inserts and screws for the Tele via a seller on Reverb. If I ever were to start a guitar company selling bolt on neck electrics, I'd make these standard on all models bc I think it's improved the resonance & sustain of both guitars I've installed them on.
Excellent tip! I flew a few times with my Steinberger (the one with a S style body). I was asked if I was a tennis player. What is the plexiglass looking stuff on your FM3? Some protective cover?
Thanks for chiming in, Matt. I wonder if a Steinberger in a gigbag would fit in the overhead bin on a smaller plane. Yeah, I bought some screen protectors for the FM-3. I just wanted to protect the screens from getting scratched up. They’re just plexiglass that’s CNC cut with magnets embedded to hold them in place on the unit.
Hey thank you for this! Currently gearing up to do this but struggling to find a tube that fits the width of my tele neck without it being 100 inches long haha. Appreciate the video!
You're welcome. I made the video knowing it would likely help someone in the future. I found that adjustable tube at Hobby Lobby for less than $10. You should have no trouble getting in and out of the airport like this.
Awesome tips for plane travel…If you wanna see what gear Julian Lage is currently using (it’s pretty minimal) I have a vid of that on my channel. I saw him in September and it was cool to see him live.
Nah, it’s not a big deal. Just be sure to remove and reinstall the next screws by hand. A lot of older and reissue Fenders require taking the neck off to adjust the truss rod. It’s a pretty common procedure. Just look up a Stew Mac video about taking the neck off a Fender if you want to see what that looks like and tips on how to do it correctly.
If flying with an acoustic, I’d pay to be part of early boarding group. This will increase your odds of getting your guitar onto the plane before carry on storage is filled with other passengers luggage. Some folks will even buy a second ticket for their instrument. Most players don’t run into an issue carrying on their guitar, but it can happen as evidence by Jason Isbell’s experience detailed in the video.
Get a Parlor shape and a proper hardcase with TSA locks. In the case it doesn't have space in the plane, then have to offer you to transport it with the other luggage because their policies say. To be more secure: take clothes (shirts, socks, underwear) to stuff it in the hardcase as well.
@@myisleofview A hard case will protect the guitar, but it will also make it harder to fit in an overhead bin if the plane’s closer is occupied. I wouldn’t trust any airline with checking any acoustic I wasn’t willing to lose. I’d be tempted to do what Isbell did by getting a different flight with another airline that would allow me to carry the guitar on.
I wish I could be of more help but I’ve yet to test this on any flights in the EU. I’m fairly certain Julian Lage and Bill Frisell have. Those two are tenured professionals who endorse this approach for bolt on neck guitars.
