| Author | Message | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 996 Registered: 5-2002 |
OK, I've been trying to figure out the best way to go for a flight case for my series I since months before the bass even showed up. I finally went with Jan-Al, although Calton was a serious contender. I have a Calton for my Starfire and love it. However, they changed ownership and never answered my emails and have a 6 month lead time. So, I decided to talk to Jan-Al instead. They were really good about being in touch and were able to construct the case and get it to my house within 10 days. It fits absolutely perfectly and while it's bulkier than a Calton, there's no doubt that it is equally if not more protective. The casters are also a nice touch.   | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 997 Registered: 5-2002 |
I should also mention that the storage compartment is huge. Plenty of space for a DS5, effects, extra strings, straps, lunch, etc. The shipping weight of the case was 37lbs, so I should be under the 50lbs weight limit all told. One more:  | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1957 Registered: 5-2009 |
That looks good Edwin. Perhaps I will order one as well . Who at Jan-al do you recommend for me to contact ? Wolf | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 998 Registered: 5-2002 |
Mark O'Neill is the man: Mark O'Neill, Manager mark@janalcase.com Sports Division Jan-al Cases 213-422-8311 C 323-260-7212 W www.janalcase.com | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1958 Registered: 5-2009 |
Thanks ! | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 999 Registered: 5-2002 |
Yeah, let him know I sent him your way! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1959 Registered: 5-2009 |
I will do exactly that Edwin. I have been looking at their site and specs regarding ATA 300. What plywood thickness did you choose? .25"/.375"/ .50" ? My Standard Point is a little heavier so I will have to figure that in on that 50LB weight limit . | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Advanced Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 350 Registered: 7-2009 |
Hey, I know that blue box!!! Looks good, Edwin! The airline gorillas should have a good time with that case. Nick | ||
| briant
Senior Member Username: briant Post Number: 586 Registered: 12-2004 |
"The shipping weight of the case was 37lbs, so I should be under the 50lbs weight limit all told." This alone would interest me in going with them. I have only had a proper flight case for one other bass. Said bass was a USA built Spector 5 string that went around the world a few times in said case with the dude I bought it from. The case was hell for stout. It also weighed ~90 pounds with the bass and a light amount of stuff in the compartment (tuner, strings, wire cutters, wireless transmitter, a few extra batteries). So every time I did fly with it I had to pay a (generally) $150 overweight fee. That sucked. It also had no wheels so carrying that bastard through the airport was awful. On the now rare times I fly for a gig I carry on or gate check it. I've (knock on wood) yet to have a problem. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1000 Registered: 5-2002 |
Last night I checked the weight of the case with the bass in it. With no accessories, it came in at 45lbs, maybe a little less given that the scale seemed to be calibrated about a pound upwards. If you do order such a case, make sure that you specify their lightweight material. I forget the name of it, but it's a honeycomb composite that is much lighter than the plywood it replaces and just as strong. There's an upcharge, but that would be paid off after about a flight or a flight and a half given the overweight fees. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4917 Registered: 7-2004 |
Love the lining. Psychedelic, man! Bill, tgo | ||
| briant
Senior Member Username: briant Post Number: 587 Registered: 12-2004 |
"If you do order such a case, make sure that you specify their lightweight material. I forget the name of it, but it's a honeycomb composite that is much lighter than the plywood it replaces and just as strong." Thanks for specifying. I haven't had a chance to read through their site yet but was curious how they achieved such a light flight case. That’s fabulous and yes well worth the initial upcharge in airline surcharge savings. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 890 Registered: 9-2002 |
edwin, what is the green foot switch in the first photo ? | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1001 Registered: 5-2002 |
It's a Sarno Music Solutions Earth Drive. I've been trying to recover from the fact that my Lexicon G2 completely crapped out about 6 months ago. So, after dealing with other multi-effects, I decided to try out some stompboxes. This is pretty cool, in that it does overdrive, but doesn't sound as generic as a Tube Screamer. I've also recently gotten a Groove Regulator envelope filter. It's got an effects loop built in so I can filter the overdrive, but still have a clean control signal hitting the filter. It's pretty cool. I still haven't worked out delays, choruses, reverbs, etc. Lexicon had me pretty spoiled. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 892 Registered: 9-2002 |
I thought thats what it was. Been thinking of getting one for my bass... | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1288 Registered: 5-2006 |
Jan-Al ftw! | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1002 Registered: 5-2002 |
What does ftw mean? | ||
| cje
Member Username: cje Post Number: 83 Registered: 5-2009 |
For the win? | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1964 Registered: 5-2009 |
" FTW " has changed over the years ! New School meaning= For The Win Old School Sub-Culture meaning = F_ _ _K The World Edwin you ask me in your thread and I responded. Everyone please forgive me if the answer is somewhat offensive. I do believe if to be accurate however! | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1965 Registered: 5-2009 |
I am sure that Flip means FTW to = For The Win | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 940 Registered: 1-2005 |
I thought it was "for the world"! | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1289 Registered: 5-2006 |
For the win it is :-) | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1003 Registered: 5-2002 |
The only one that I'm familiar with is Wolf's second option. I'm so goth and emo! :-) | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1300 Registered: 12-2004 |
I wish my lawn was emo, so it would cut itself. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1648 Registered: 11-2004 |
That is one luxurious case...dare I ask how much it was?? Essential protection for a nice bass | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1004 Registered: 5-2002 |
It was in the $650 range. At first I didn't think it would be quite that expensive, as it's getting into the lofty realms charged by Calton. However, when factoring in that they could build it in a week and that it has a lot more internal storage, it's definitely a very fair price. One thing that's interesting is that the bass is held absolutely in place, but the strings are free to vibrate. It's kind of nice because that means that if the bass is tossed face down, the strings won't be jammed against the frets. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1294 Registered: 5-2006 |
I think that's also about what Alembic charged me for mine, sure worth every $! | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1649 Registered: 11-2004 |
jeeze edwin..'tossed face down' I don't think so, placed very gently in the upface position is more apt.. Okay that is £400...ouch! that is a lot of dosh but if you have paid over £7000 for a bass it is worth protecting it. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1005 Registered: 5-2002 |
I paid more than that for my Calton case for my Starfire. I also bought the Starfire for $375. What the bass cost is somewhat unrelated as the value is calculated on a much different basis. It's hard to put a price on instruments that are fairly unique (ie. other than a standard off the shelf bass) and part of the calculation is how much you travel. I want to make sure that my instruments arrive in the same condition they left and given that I travel and gig a fair amount, it would only be a matter of time before the bass is subjected to some really objectionable behavior. Being tossed face down is gentle compared to some insults the instruments receive. Here's an example from the Calton testimonials: Got to Newark airport last Monday. I checked the new guitar and the flat top in their Calton cases. Waiting to pick up my bags at the odd-size baggage pick-up place... first guitar comes flying thru this opening about 4 feet off the ground, lands on this metal thing, flips over a few times, spins around — CRASH! Must have been thrown about 25 feet by some guy practicing for some Olympic javelin throwing contest. Then the next one — same thing. I was freaking out, couldn't see back behind this barrier who was doing it and if I went back there I probably would have been arrested by security and everything, so I just tried to talk to the guy in charge out there. He said, "there is no problem, because if it is broken you tell them you make report and maybe they give you $500." Oh that's perfect! Since there were about $10,000 worth of guitars in there, that put my mind to rest! There was nothing to do, so I just went to the hotel, opened the cases and they're both in perfect condition. Man, those things worked this time. Bill Frisell | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10328 Registered: 5-2002 |
You would hope that at least for someone like Bill Frisell they would make at least a little effort to show some respect for the tools of such an accomplished artist. Beautiful case Edwin. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4922 Registered: 7-2004 |
I thought this might be relevant here. I'm flying cross country tomorrow night so I called Heritage to check on coverage for my Martin which will be making the trip in its Calton case. My policy covers me if I carry the guitar on, but not if it goes under the plane. Since I'm going to attempt to carry it on board, I won't know until I get to the gate whether they'll let me or make me gate check it. If they make me check it, I will be able to email Heritage from the plane and they will insure it for $.50 per $100 value. If they let me carry it on, my regular policy covers it and no extra charge. Is that cool or what? Bill, tgo | ||
| slicknickhaas
Member Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 59 Registered: 10-2009 |
 I orderd this case for my Epic from Maxline Custom Cases in Beaverton Oregon, at a cost of 360 dollars it was quiet a steal, and so far its held up well, it took a coulpe hard hits on the way to Baton Rouge this summer but it seems to be holding up well | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 1015 Registered: 5-2002 |
All was well on my flight out here. I did incur an oversize luggage fee of $50, though. My Calton was not considered oversize. I guess if I could do again, I'd see about shaving a bit off the depth of the case. That might get it under. I did think it would be more like Nick's case, however, I do think you could drop it out of the airplace with little to no ill effect! | ||
| slicknickhaas
Member Username: slicknickhaas Post Number: 61 Registered: 10-2009 |
its nice and light too, at only 36 pounds fully loaded! |
