Rickenbackers are best

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 5:20 am

I have always been a bit perplexed by those companies that have the ability to produce instruments based on the creative ideas of others, while at the same time seem unable to use this ability to obtain similar success on their own merit.

anonymous · Post by **anonymous** » Wed Feb 19, 2003 6:39 am

Another listing that shall bite the dust in no time...

I agree, if you want a Ric looking bass to massacre, here's your instrument. Just keep your hands off the real ones.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 9:41 am

Speaking of real Rickenbackers, I'm getting ready to fly to the Midwest for some gigs. Since I've never had to fly before, what's the best way to ship my Rickenbacker bass without getting it danaged? It's a 4001V63 that I DON'T want trashed!I would be grateful for any suggestions.

wints · Post by **wints** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 9:58 am

Randy...I,d call ahead and ask your airline if it,s possible for you to bring you bass on board with you. That,s in the cabin with you,...not the hold, without you... I,ve occasionly taken mine across the atlantic, and have always been allowed ( by asking nicely and explaining why), to take it on board.

wormdiet · Post by **wormdiet** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 11:17 am

In the post 9/11 era, good luck with that, unfortunately.

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Tue Apr 15, 2003 11:34 am

I bought a Telecaster last year while on vacation and flew back with it; I placed the guitar case inside of a guitar shipping box and stuffed the box with laundry. The box was then taped within an inch of it's life and marked with lots of "Please! Fragile" notes. I had no problems, but I did worry quite a bit. That may have been overkill; when my 4003 came via UPS there was no packing in the box at all, just those cardboard corner bits. Who is more gentle, the UPS guys or the airline guys? I'm scared of both of them.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 10:10 am

I called the airline, and they told me that the bass in it's hard case must be no longer than 45 in long. The Ric is about 47 in long. So I guess I'll have to risk the cargo hold. But I'm going to over pack it and take out plenty of insurance just in case. As far as UPS goes, I don't trust them at all. I'm afraid they would lose it! I've also heard that if something did happen to the bass, you would have to go through hell to get them to pay up for the damage. I'll take my chances with the airline.

squirebass · Post by **squirebass** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 12:21 pm

I took a guitar with me to Vegas and back, post 9/11, and I got the flight attendant to put it in one of the little closets near the front of the plane. That worked out fine, but I've never tried that with a bass...

lshaia · Post by **lshaia** » Wed Apr 16, 2003 1:37 pm

Randy, one other thing that you may want to check: now that the Feds are providing security (since late last year I believe) it's been my experience that they open all cases and visually inspect the contents before clearing them for transport. I'd check this before packing and sealing it as you may just have to open it up at the airport; you may have to pack and seal it after inspection.

Much easier to turn on the charm and stow it in the cabin if possible.

rickfan63 · Post by **rickfan63** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 12:00 pm

I shipped them on the airline,and they took real good care of them. They got to where they needed to be with no damage at all. I was very happy. They were not checked at all, I just told the people what was in the hard cases, locked them up,and everything went fine.

wints · Post by **wints** » Wed Apr 23, 2003 2:23 pm

I do the same as Gene..Call ahead that it is o.k to bring it on the plane...There are storage areas up front in 1st class and on other parts of the plane...the 747 is great for this, and hopefully get an attendant to store it for you. Flying to the U.K. last year on a 777 there were 3 guitar cases bought on board. My reissue case was stored upfront.