Gator Flight Case

[jc-sz]

Hi! I'm kinda new around here... I wanted to know if any of you tried Gator's flight cases, I found two around, both same price, one seems to be tougher and has TSA latchets:

http://www.gatorcases.com/productsdetai ... ID=2&PID=5

Does anybody know if they fit our Ricks fine? How do you think these might work for everyday cases? I need it to serve the purpose of a Flight case for one flight (rather two, if we consider stops) and then to work as an everyday use HSC.

On the other hand, how do you think the standard RIC HSC, packed for shipping with bubbles and cardboard, might take the job? I'm uncertain about what to do, and economically speaking, I am tied to either of these two... or anything you can come up with that does not involve money... (selling the case to buy something else is fine, but can't add more capital)

btw, right now I have the vintage case, but posted it here to trade for SHSC and might get that going... it depends on what I decide to do with the fligh case.

Thanks for your help!

Cheers!

jc

[Happyface]

I use the upper one. Had one for another brand bass that came with no case. Liked it well enought that I bought one for my Rick even though it has a standard case. Better protection, esp when it's stacked in the truck with a mess of speakers and stands. Seems durable and strong enough - I can stand on the side of it without it collapsing in (not that I do that regularly).

However, the fit is not perfect. There is about 1 1/2" of extra length so I put something in to keep the bass from moving.

All-in-all seems like good value at around $125 versus a heftier but more expensive standard flight case.

[rickenbrother]

I spoke a Gator rep at the last NAMM show about their new bass flight case. He said he was certain that a Rickenbacker bass would fit. Just by looking at it, I thought it should fit also, but only trying one can tell for sure. It did look like a nice case.

[jc-sz]

Thanks!! I still haven't decided what to do... might get that Gator, might just keep the original case and get it into a keyboard ATA case, I'm not sure...

Any suggestions are welcomed!

Thanks!

jc

[gareth]

I'm still no too much of a fan of the polyethylene cases. They are Ok for light use, but if your bass is going to spend serious time out of your sight in a truck or aircraft hold, I'd go with Anvil. They are a lot more spendy than the Gator case, but there's not much anyone can do to one to damage the instrument inside.

[johnallg]

Heck, just charter a jet and let the Rick sit next to you!

[jc-sz]

Heck, just charter a jet and let the Rick sit next to you!

yup! and I fly it, in case the pilot crashes and breaks my beautiful 4003!

No, really, I wish I could buy a better case, but money is scarce right now (you wouldn't imagine ) So I guess I will go for the standard case inside a cheap ATA keyboard case like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ATA-CASE-for-KORG-T ... .m20.l1116

It is not the best ATA case ever, but it seems it will make it for the one trip... (if anyone thinks it's too ******, let me know )
I can sell it afterwards and keep my RIC case that because it is molded will protect my bass more than the Gator... I won't take it out unless I am driving... I wish I went on tour so that I should worry about that!!

Thanks!

[jc-sz]

Ah! There is also this one to put my RIC inside:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0306771009

Though I don't think is better than the other one and it's more expensive, since I would have to pay the shipping. (and its huge).


Just read my other post... I sound like a whining old lady...

[jimk]

This one might be a little too spendy. But it won't hurt to look.

JimK

[brycycle]

i have a flight case - as a plan 'b'.

i've found that most airlines will let you do a gate drop-off w/ guitars. what that entails is having them tag it as such, then you simply carry it through security as you would w any other carry-on. at the gate, pass it off to the flight staff, they tuck it away and when you arrive it will be sitting outside the plane door w/ the wheelchairs and strollers.

[jc-sz]

i have a flight case - as a plan 'b'.

i've found that most airlines will let you do a gate drop-off w/ guitars. what that entails is having them tag it as such, then you simply carry it through security as you would w any other carry-on. at the gate, pass it off to the flight staff, they tuck it away and when you arrive it will be sitting outside the plane door w/ the wheelchairs and strollers.

I will certainly ask for that! It might work, although with the big keyboard case they may not let me... But asking won't hurt.

This one might be a little too spendy. But it won't hurt to look.

JimK

It looks resistant, but Its $100 more than what I can spend... Sad but true

Thanks for the advice!

[brycycle]

i can't imagine the keyboard case bemuch bigger than a bass flight case- can it?

[jc-sz]

i can't imagine the keyboard case bemuch bigger than a bass flight case- can it?

Well, it very much depends on what keyboard the case is supposed to fit. I have found some 88key and some 120key cases to actually be big enough to fit a RIC standard case. Some are even bigger in some of their sides... I think that will work for me.

Thanks!

jc

[thx1955]

I'd second Gareth's comment, Anvil or Calzone.

I've a custom Calzone case that fits like a glove

[peewee]

I'd second Gareth's comment, Anvil or Calzone.

I've a custom Calzone case that fits like a glove

Ditto - I own a few Calzone cases and they're a great buy for the money. Plus the sales rep was a pleasure to deal with; very much on top of things and great communication skills.

I'd also recommend MacGregor cases in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. I have one of their road cases for my 1959 Fender Deluxe and it's been a godsend on the road. It was also a great bargain when I bought it back in 2002; just a wee bit below what Anvil and Calzone were asking and of the same quality. They also supplied the Stones with cases during the Steel Wheels tour. I can't find their website anymore but you can call them - (519) 758-5569.