WillLybrand.com

This is really just a test post, but I ended up having a fair amount of things to say about travelling with a guitar. So I’ll let this stick.

My guitar is a humdinger. In fact, since it still doesn’t have a name, that could be a good candidate. I got a Martin 16 Series cutaway about a year and a half ago, and I have been playing it non-stop since. The exact model number is 16RGTE AURA and I can’t speak highly enough of it. It sounds much nicer and plays easier than my previous Epiphone, but I did take it up a notch with the Martin. The on-board electronics and tuner sound and work flawlessly. Because I love my guitar so much, and like all guitars it is so easy to destroy, traveling with it is a tall order.

After some evaluations of various guitar cases (I needed soft/hard hybrid), I ultimately decided on a WolfPak Acoustic Guitar Polyfoam. It’s a great case with a very soft fur lining on the inside. There is a spacious pocket for extra strings, picks, and what-have-you. There is also a sizable pouch on the outside, which I have been using to carry music. The real winner with this case is that you can carry it by the handle OR put it on your back with the extra large backpack straps. The WolfPak case is really convenient, light, and it keeps my guitar safe. It’s lighter, less bulky, and easier to carry than any hard case.

I have thus far flown with my guitar twice for a total of 4 plane flights. Depending on the plane type, it is very easy to take the guitar onto the plane as one of your carry-ons. As long as you are nice to all the attendants they are very accommodating.

Southwest is easy to fly with since most of their planes can easily accommodate the size of the guitar case. The smaller United flights that stow the carry-on luggage underneath can cause a scare, but again if you are nice to the luggage handlers they’ll take good care of it for you. I have gotten the impression that most people are aware of the importance of an instrument and will go out of their way to ensure it’s taken care of properly.

While flying with my guitar, I was shocked to see someone flying with a typical gig bag. However, this was the Southwest flight, and there was a ton of room for it. I can’t help but imagine what would’ve happened to that guitar if the overheads were nice and full. Nobody likes a crunchy gig bag.

“Crunchy gig bag” – no search results found. Huh.