Travelling with a Delinger: Get a case? Disassemble the guitar? Need advice.

**Monchito** · 19-10-2014, 08:02 AM

Hello guys. For a while I have been wondering if traveling with the OHSC that came with my Dellinger will be ok. I want to check it in when flying coming Christmas season and don�t think the default case as it is will be enough to protect the guitar.

Do you have any suggestions (that don�t skyrocket in price, maybe around 150$ max) for currently available cases that you know will fit a Dellinger Trans Dark Rose?

Other than that I was considering that maybe it�s not a bad idea to take off the neck, wrap the separate parts in bubble wrap and keep them in the Caparison case. Or maybe just make a small package altogether.

I have been looking into these cases already, and Xhykron recommended the Hiscox stuff but it�s a bit expensive for me at the moment:

-Road Runner RRMEG ABS Molded Electric Guitar Case
-SKB SKB-FS6 Molded Electric Guitar Case (an old thread here mentions an SKB model that would�t fit the Dellinger, not sure about this one either)
-Gator GC-Elec-XL Deluxe ABS Extra Long Guitar Case
-Music Man 5983 Hardshell Guitar Case

Also, as a bonus it would be amazing if somebody knew what case can fit an ESP SV. The current case easily fits me and the guitar and possibly a few of you could squeeze into that thing as well. It�s ridiculously big. I know it�s a long shot since we�re here for the Capis but hey, it might be worth asking. I�d like to travel with that guitar as well if possible, but thinking of paying to check in that big thing is giving me nightmares.

Thanks!

**Monchito** · 21-10-2014, 08:44 PM

Nobody has a clue of what case I could get? Nobody has aftermarket cases other than their default Caparison cases?

**buddroyce** · 21-10-2014, 09:28 PM

The OHSC works ok. Although from years of working for an airline on the side on top of fixing guitars and what not, your best bet is to ask to have it gate checked/sky checked. Otherwise if you have to check in the guitar, I'd pad the guitar case a bit and tape up the latches. The best shock absorbing materials I've found are actually shoe inserts. I'm not talking the ones that keep your feet from smelling but the ones designed for sports and heavy duty work. They work so well that I also line the bottom of my laptop bag to minimize fall damage when I have to lug my behemoth sized laptop around in the winter.

As for what case to get instead I'm honestly not too sure what's out there these days. Nothing beats the metal touring cases though. I've seen those fall off baggage trucks and still be fine. Anything designed for ATA should be ok. Gator and SKB both make ATA cases. You don't really need the ones with the TSA latches unless you're doing a lot of travel in and out of the US.

**Monchito** · 22-10-2014, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by buddroyce

The OHSC works ok. Although from years of working for an airline on the side on top of fixing guitars and what not, your best bet is to ask to have it gate checked/sky checked. Otherwise if you have to check in the guitar, I'd pad the guitar case a bit and tape up the latches. The best shock absorbing materials I've found are actually shoe inserts. I'm not talking the ones that keep your feet from smelling but the ones designed for sports and heavy duty work. They work so well that I also line the bottom of my laptop bag to minimize fall damage when I have to lug my behemoth sized laptop around in the winter.

As for what case to get instead I'm honestly not too sure what's out there these days. Nothing beats the metal touring cases though. I've seen those fall off baggage trucks and still be fine. Anything designed for ATA should be ok. Gator and SKB both make ATA cases. You don't really need the ones with the TSA latches unless you're doing a lot of travel in and out of the US.

Hi Budd,

Thanks for your response! I actually tried to email you first, but your inbox is saturated

The sturdiness of the current case worries me, but you also mention another concern: airport security. When I moved to the US I brought my Mayones Setius. They called me at the boarding gate and asked me to hand over the keys to the case for inspection or else they would cut through the lock and the latches if necessary. That�s another reason I am a bit worried. I intend to additionally secure the case with a belt and lock but that means that I�d have to trust them to put it back properly in case of inspection, hence the idea of getting a new security compliant case.

In that case I am worried about the fit. The headstock and body are larger than say a Jackson... so getting a form fitted case feels like quiet a gamble.

I was just wondering if any of you had bought something you could recommend, that you know will fit a Dellinger just good. I need to buy here and travel to Spain with it. Wouldn�t want to realize the Dellinger does�t fit after the fact.

thanks for the tips and I will look more into the SKB and Gator thing. It�s just Caparison is not listed under the brands they advertise as fitting their measurements and I haven�t gotten a straight response from them as of yet.

What is different between gate checked/sky checked as opposed to checked in at the counter?

Thank you so much!

**Fred the Shred** · 22-10-2014, 12:32 AM

I do a bunch of fly-in stuff as some may know. Typically, if it's only one guitar and taking it in the cabin is completely out of the equation, then a well padded quality hardcase does the job alright, although proper ATA cases will excel at that sort of thing, with the added bonus of enduring tons of abuse during their rather long life expectancy. If taking more than one guitar and a double gigbag in the cabin is also a no-no, then the answer is "fork out the money for a GOOD flight case - it's always cheaper than the guitars".

EDIT: I see you are taking just one guitar. Before investing in new cases, make sure you are definitely not allowed to take a guitar in the cabin with you or, at the very least, do a cabin luggage hand-over. That will allow you to present the guitar to inspection and ensure that it is duly repacked prior to it entering the hold.

**Monchito** · 22-10-2014, 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by Fred the Shred

I do a bunch of fly-in stuff as some may know. Typically, if it's only one guitar and taking it in the cabin is completely out of the equation, then a well padded quality hardcase does the job alright, although proper ATA cases will excel at that sort of thing, with the added bonus of enduring tons of abuse during their rather long life expectancy. If taking more than one guitar and a double gigbag in the cabin is also a no-no, then the answer is "fork out the money for a GOOD flight case - it's always cheaper than the guitars".

EDIT: I see you are taking just one guitar. Before investing in new cases, make sure you are definitely not allowed to take a guitar in the cabin with you or, at the very least, do a cabin luggage hand-over. That will allow you to present the guitar to inspection and ensure that it is duly repacked prior to it entering the hold.

Hi Fred. Thanks for the reply. So, I think I get what you guys are getting at. You mean I can hand over the guitar before boarding like when they take your hand luggage because they�d rather have it in the cargo than in the cabin or the overhead compartments? Am I right? Same situation as when you travel and they take your bag and label it as hand luggage but keep it to load it themselves? I didm�t know you can do this on international flights. Definitely worth asking.

if I was flying to Spain with a guitar I would be relaxed. From experience I can expect to have to check in the guitar in the connecting flight but I could have it with me in the bigger plane when actually flying over the ocean. But when i brought my Mayones from Spain I was told there was no way i could take the guitar with me other than paying and checking it in as extra luggage. I was flying Aer Lingus operated by Delta. So I don�t know who the smartass was but I am happy I had a hardshell case with me or I would have had to leave the guitar behind with my sister.

What do you mean by a double gig bag? What would you recommend if so for the Dellinger? If I can bring back my tele as well that would be fantastic.

**Fred the Shred** · 22-10-2014, 05:42 PM

Never mind the double gigbag - its one purpose is to accommodate two guitars in an overhead-friendly way.

**buddroyce** · 22-10-2014, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Monchito

Hi Budd,

Thanks for your response! I actually tried to email you first, but your inbox is saturated

The sturdiness of the current case worries me, but you also mention another concern: airport security. When I moved to the US I brought my Mayones Setius. They called me at the boarding gate and asked me to hand over the keys to the case for inspection or else they would cut through the lock and the latches if necessary. That�s another reason I am a bit worried. I intend to additionally secure the case with a belt and lock but that means that I�d have to trust them to put it back properly in case of inspection, hence the idea of getting a new security compliant case.

In that case I am worried about the fit. The headstock and body are larger than say a Jackson... so getting a form fitted case feels like quiet a gamble.

I was just wondering if any of you had bought something you could recommend, that you know will fit a Dellinger just good. I need to buy here and travel to Spain with it. Wouldn�t want to realize the Dellinger does�t fit after the fact.

thanks for the tips and I will look more into the SKB and Gator thing. It�s just Caparison is not listed under the brands they advertise as fitting their measurements and I haven�t gotten a straight response from them as of yet.

What is different between gate checked/sky checked as opposed to checked in at the counter?

Thank you so much!

I actually didn't even know my inbox was full until you messaged me. It appears I've lost my near unlimited inbox around here!

Gate/Sky check is when you take an item to the gate and drop it off at the gate to be brought down with things like baby strollers. Not all airlines provide it but it's worth asking.

If you're travelling in and out of the US, getting an ATA case with a TSA approved latch means that security can open the guitar case without having to harass you for keys as they have standard keys to open them. As Fred mentioned previously, a good ATA case is worth the investment.

As for buying a case, your best bet would be to bring your guitar to a guitar shop that sells cases and do a fit test to see how well the guitar fits in the various cases and if it's to your satisfaction. You'd want at least 2cm clearance from the tip of the headstock to the end of the case. If the case is form fitted for the body, as long as there's no movement, you're fine.

Typically when guitars get damaged in flight it's either due to something falling on top of the case (like someone else's 32kg luggage) or it falling off a luggage cart, belt loader, etc. in the first scenario, it's exterior damage that can easily be seen. In the 2nd case, typically the case is fine but the guitar gets damaged from impacting the inside of the case. It's like resting your head against the window in a car and whacking your head against it when the car runs over a pot hole or a road bump. If your guitar is well secured and doesn't move at all you're fine.

**Monchito** · 22-10-2014, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by buddroyce

I actually didn't even know my inbox was full until you messaged me. It appears I've lost my near unlimited inbox around here!

Gate/Sky check is when you take an item to the gate and drop it off at the gate to be brought down with things like baby strollers. Not all airlines provide it but it's worth asking.

If you're travelling in and out of the US, getting an ATA case with a TSA approved latch means that security can open the guitar case without having to harass you for keys as they have standard keys to open them. As Fred mentioned previously, a good ATA case is worth the investment.

As for buying a case, your best bet would be to bring your guitar to a guitar shop that sells cases and do a fit test to see how well the guitar fits in the various cases and if it's to your satisfaction. You'd want at least 2cm clearance from the tip of the headstock to the end of the case. If the case is form fitted for the body, as long as there's no movement, you're fine.

Typically when guitars get damaged in flight it's either due to something falling on top of the case (like someone else's 32kg luggage) or it falling off a luggage cart, belt loader, etc. in the first scenario, it's exterior damage that can easily be seen. In the 2nd case, typically the case is fine but the guitar gets damaged from impacting the inside of the case. It's like resting your head against the window in a car and whacking your head against it when the car runs over a pot hole or a road bump. If your guitar is well secured and doesn't move at all you're fine.

Ok So I think the best will be to ask first and if I am not allowed to do the gate check then I have to either do the extra padding in the capa case like you said or find a fitting case. This is going to be an adventure, provided I am in Spain only for the holiday and everything there is slowwwwwww.

Thank you for the advice guys!

**caparisonforum** · 23-10-2014, 05:17 PM

The OHSC is not intended for use as a flight case. We would recommend investing in a fitted flight case which has been specifically designed for the purpose if there is a possibility that it will need to be checked in.

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