Touring Japan: Rent or BYOB?

[clatter]

Hey everyone,

We'll be doing a two-week tour of Japan in October. I'm debating whether to bring my own 4003 or to try to rent one there. I'd love to play my own bass, plus I've heard it might be incredibly expensive to rent one there, but I'm protective of my bass and am worried about it making the trip safely. Do you all have any thoughts or suggestions? Know anything about renting equipment in Japan, or have recommendations for flying with a bass? I'd definitely need to invest in a new case…

Thanks!
Amy

[bassduke49]

Hmm. Or you could chase down one of those special blue or plum basses (they went to Japan, right?), purchase it, use it on tour, then ship it home!

[geofio]

Amy, i would take my own bass invest in a good flight case, as you know not all ric basses are the same, might be difficult for you to find one that suits you. love the latest tracks sounding good.

[scotty]

Hi Amy Maybe buy a cheap modern 4003 for your gigging requirements then if something untoward did happen it wouldnt be the end of the world.Maybe one of the new Walnuts or a Ruby, that might fit the bill?

[cjj]

Yes, taking a bass with you in a good flight case is a good option. I recently took one of mine from the US to NZ in a Calzone flight case and it survived absolutely perfectly. It had to be classified as "oversized" luggage, but I didn't have to pay extra.

The only issue I had was that the US TSA people seemed intent on trying to figure out if there were or ever had been any guns in the flight case. I have no idea why, maybe because I was coming from Montana. They opened and inspected it and swabbed it down thoroughly, and of course, found nothing suspicious.

I actually said to them, the only thing that's ever been hurt by anything in this case are people's ears when I play it...

[Michael4bass]

I've seen the TSA check all our band gear (flight/hard cases, racks, etc.) for guns/explosives, must be their standard MO. I've always flown carrying my basses in gigs bags and in most instances, had no problems. But I haven't flown since '10 and I hear that the airlines are giving players a hard time with carrying on their instruments. You'll want to be present when they inspect your case because they'll want to open it, you don't want them to bust the locks, which they have done many times before.

Bassically, Michael

[iiipopes]

When my band played in Isesaki, Japan in August 2013, I just didn't feel I should risk my 4002. So we worked with the Sister Cities Association (that's why we were there - as the featured group for the annual cultural exchange at their annual festival) and they found us a music store that comp'ed our entire backline for a week: instruments, amps, keys, drums and PA. I was modest in my request for an instrument and amp (Ibby 305), but they really took care of us, and got all the press as being the "provider," kind of like a sponsor's ad here. As much as they love all things American, including performers, I would think you could find a rental if you are concerned.

[antipodean]

Taking your 4003 is a risky proposition - not for your time in Japan but for the transit to and from. I think Scott's approach is a better way to go.

To get a feel for cost you may want to approach one of the Japanese chains (Ishibashi springs to mind - they usually have a decent stock of 4003s) and sound them out about either renting an instrument or perhaps buying a second-hand 4003 and then trading it back. Ishibashi and many of the other chains have English-speaking reps so communication issues shouldn't be a big problem. As Scott's experience suggests, a store may be happy to receive publicity as part of their compensation for the rental.

[clatter]

Wow, thanks for all the food for thought and helpful information! I think I will check out the rental option and see if that's even a possibility, and if it's not, I'll get a good case. I had Calzone make me a flight case for our trip to Europe several years ago, but it holds both the 4003 and my 12-string bass. I'm not bringing the 12-er on this trip so I need to get a case just for the Rick. Do you all like Calzone or is there another place I should investigate?

Thanks again for all your help!

[clatter]

Hmm. Or you could chase down one of those special blue or plum basses (they went to Japan, right?), purchase it, use it on tour, then ship it home!

Haha!! Don't tempt me! Like I need one more bass!

[cjj]

Hmm. Or you could chase down one of those special blue or plum basses (they went to Japan, right?), purchase it, use it on tour, then ship it home!

Haha!! Don't tempt me! Like I need one more bass!

What's need got to do with anything?

[clatter]

Hmm. Or you could chase down one of those special blue or plum basses (they went to Japan, right?), purchase it, use it on tour, then ship it home!

Haha!! Don't tempt me! Like I need one more bass!

What's need got to do with anything?

Hahaha!!! Good point!!!

[iiipopes]

Hmm. Or you could chase down one of those special blue or plum basses (they went to Japan, right?), purchase it, use it on tour, then ship it home!

Our guitar player almost did that with the '62 r-i Strat in Japanese ash he got to play!