Flying with you Axe FX (I mean literally...)

[gspin]

Was curious as to how people are flying with their units.

I have a couple of gigs in various locations coming up (Finland, Italy, Brazil). I will need to ship a bunch of gear in advance from the U.S. via UPS or freight forwarder, most probably on a pallet, but am pretty wary of sending my AF2 that way (even in a flight case).

The problem is I will need to travel with my guitar (in an Anvil case, built like a tank but heavy as hell) as well as my carry-on for other gear (laptop, audio interface, etc.).

I am considering having a shockmount Anvil case built, and the alternatives I am considering are a 2 unit case for my AF2 alone or a 4 unit case for my AF, a power conditioner and a preamp. Bear in mind a rolling shockmount (even a 2 unit) weighs a ton.

Any thoughts? I could TRY checking guitar and AF2 at the gate but chances are both items would not be allowed (airlines will generally allow you to check your guitar at the gate instead of checking it like normal luggage. That way it is supposedly handled more carefully).

How would you feel about shipping the unit in a case via UPS? Surely I am not the only guy/gal who travels via air to solo gigs?

Also, I guess I should use a power conditioner AND a step-down transformer when abroad (seeing recent PSU problems)?

Any advice would be much appreciated

cheers

gspin

[Philip34]

Check the guitar underneath the plane, hence the Anvil case. Carry the AF2 in a Gator G-Tour EFX2 (2U) case- it should fit in the overhead on a big plane.

Going back and forth between here & Brazil, you learn a few things.

[gspin]

Check the guitar underneath the plane, hence the Anvil case. Carry the AF2 in a Gator G-Tour EFX2 (2U) case- it should fit in the overhead on a big plane.

Going back and forth between here & Brazil, you learn a few things.

Thanks for that.

Just noticed (doh!) that there are a bunch of similar posts in the Ultra/Std forum... will check those as well for ideas... sorry for cluttering the forum!

[corey grieve]

1SKB19-RSF2U Studio Flyer 2U by SKB Industrial Shipping Cases

[ayatollahofrocknrolla]

Hi gspin
I know the post is old and you have probably sorted everything now but i thought I would chime in here with my experiences for those looking at traveling with their fractal gear or musical equipment.
I travel a lot 26 flights last year and over 70 the previous year, a lot of these flights are international.

Travel Tips (lessons learned)


Tip #1 Always travel with a local powerstrip with your countries and gears outlets so if leaving the your country e.g. US take a US power strip then you only need one adaptor in the destination country.
Tip #2 ALWAYS HAVE ADDRESSES ON every case, if a road case goes missing and there is no tag you can be in trouble (this has saved me before .
Tip #3 ALWAYS (ESPECIALLY IF LEAVING AUSTRALIA) , go to customs before you take the equipment out of your country and get a form signed with the serials on it (saves you coming home and
A: Having to wait in a long line to get inspected.
B: Having gear impounded because customs don't know if you have taken the gear out in the first place
C: Be prepared to pay GST in Australia or duties in your own country.

I have Never had any problem anywhere else bringing a lot of gear in except in Bali (Pay to have someone walk you through customs) PM me if you need a contact
or the US when I have a few times been asked if I have a Carnet. I always say "what is a Carnet"
You can find out what a Carnet is by searching google

Tip #4 Use a good cleaner and wipe all you equipment if you have had your gear anywhere near illegal substances (cases included) other peoples substances can cause long delays and lots of questions being asked
(musical equipment and road cases IME are always checked

Tip #5 Make sure your cases and bags have lots of stickers preferably travel ones (grab and old bag tags from friends if need be, and rip off the tags. Put them on your cases make it look like your always on the road
also the baggage stickers on cases are good
Tip #6 Regardless of travel class (Coach or Business / First) walk up to check in with your main axe in the gig bag over your shoulder and wheel you laptop case only check in the axe roadcase or whatever you have to.
Tip #7 Carry yourself as though you fly all the time.
Tip #8 If the check in staff ask you about flying with equipment, tell them you always fly with your guitar but in the past you always flew with another airline. You have just changed to the airline you are about to fly on and looking forward to the
experience. (Be Nice it works wonders)
Tip #9 If you can avoid it DO NOT take the MFC101 with you especially if you are coming in and out of the USA. For some reason TSA sometimes physically take apart the MFC and do a terrible Job of putting it back together (I have never had an
issue with the ULTRA or Axe FX 11.) I have had my MFC101 taken apart by TSA over 5 times. Here are the signs

A: There is always a TSA inspection piece of paper notifying me of the inspection
B: There are chips they were not there when boarding. In my case all over the MFC on the corners and where the screws are along with screws not put back properly one one occasion screws missing.
(I think the MFC must look like some sort of suspect package, my axe FX11 never gets touched)
Tip #10 The AXE FX has a switch mode transformer so you don't need a power convertor when going from 110 to 240 V just need the right power cord or adapter (get a grounded adapter if need be)
Tip #11 Get a 76 or 88 note keyboard case for travel and have all your guitars put in GOOD GIG bags. Put all guitars in their bags then in keyboard case. (Dont go over 32 KG's ) max allowed for travel
This is a great tip as the case is only one piece of checked Luggage and when you get to your destination you can carry gig bags around (much easier than multiple road cases)

Other tips

Note ** Below is only tested on Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, British airways, Singapore airlines, Emirates, Lufthansa airlines
My BRJ 7 guitar in its Levy's bag fits in the overhead compartment of all 747's business and coach, A320 + Business and coach, 777, 757 and 767. Singapore 777 middle aisle only
Smaller airbus anything smaller than A320 it just fits but staff usually do not let the guitar on.
Only domestic airlines that let me carry a guitar as checked luggage is american and virgin (always upgrade if you can)

My personal tip DO NOT fly Airfrance or Air China. I have used Both airlines more than once (stupid me) I usually carry 7 checked bags and am platinum flyer on Qantas and Virgin which helps, but recently flew from Nice to Paris on Airfrance (skyteam) less than a 1 hour flight and had to pay 740 euros for excess baggage (check you currency convertor, total ripoff but I had to pay)
I flew around the world plenty of times and never had to pay more than 270 US dollars most of the time 130 dollars excess and some of those flights over 14 hours.
Most airlines say no guitars on board if you ask but if you turn up they usually let you on or say you may have to gate check if necessary especially if the flight is full.
Once i get to the gate if they ever say they need to gate check, i demand it goes on the plane in the clothing locker if overheads are full, or is checked in in the road case which they cant do as its already loaded
Always be prepared to pay for excess baggage (it is what it is, don't ever argue with check in staff it will get you no where always be pleasant and you will go far)

Every time I have used a freight forwarded gear has gone missing or arrived damaged (IMHO airlines are your best bet) you know immediately if there is an issue at your destination and can do something about it then.
If u need freight forwarding get a good company that preferably handles musical tours etc "Showfreight or similiar"
Don't just go fedex or similiar, if having gear arrive on time is really important (say for a show)
If you have to go Fedex to be safe triple the time they state you gear will arrive and you will be ok.
(I have had both experiences and had friends in Big US bands coming to Australia and having big issues
with customs for one reason or another.

My Music Luggage (what I carry with me)

I have a 3 levy's leather guitar bags 2 for my BRJ 7 strings and one for my Vielette baritone nylon, a 76 note keyboard SKB ata case.
a rimowa aluminum pilot case for my laptop headphones and hard drives ( so i can work on the plane),
a road case that is essentially a big box with foam cut for the axe FX then a space for the MFC 101 on top neatly snugged (so not rack mounted)
and a soft padded bag for my genelec 8030 monitors.

I carry most of this gear with me most of the time.
Ok so here's what I do ( some of this is common sense sorry for the long post, some of it are learning's some good, some bad )

(Common sense stuff)

Firstly join a miles program the more you fly the more lenient the airlines are in allowing carry on
Don't focus just on ticket price, Always try to fly with the same airline to build up miles (so pick an airline if travelling a lot in the future that has good partners across the globe).
Always try to upgrade to business if you can (you get away with much much more in business)


hope that helps, I have learned a lot and now am buying an axe fx in each of my places so I would advise if travelling and need your fractal gear, ringing where you are going and seeing if there is a backline hire company that has what you need
if your doing a show maybe a forum member could help you out and hire you his or her unit,
Then u just need the sysex of your setups with you :-)

cheers

[gspin]

Hi gspin
I know the post is old and you have probably sorted everything now but i thought I would chime in here with my experiences for those looking at traveling with their fractal gear or musical equipment.
I travel a lot 26 flights last year and over 70 the previous year, a lot of these flights are international.

Wow! Thanks a ton for that... sounds quite daunting in fact. I am traveling to perform at film festivals with pretty tight budgets so costs are key. I am really debating freight forwarding vs. checking gear with airline ... tough choice but your advice regarding customs etc. is an eye opener

cheers

[gspin]

Incidentally, here is another confirmation of why you should never plan to carry on your guitar in a soft gig bag (as opposed to checking at the gate in a serious flight case):

‘Musician’s worst nightmare’: Vintage Gibson guitar mangled by airline baggage handlers | The Sideshow - Yahoo! News

Someone sooner or later will prevent you from carrying it on...

[gspin]

By the way, I have heard that some people have had their MFC101's taken apart by TSA (and put back together with screws missing) when they checked it in as luggage.
Has anyone had that happen with their Axe Fx? Or any trouble taking their Axe Fx through security?

[spv]

I have flown quite a bit with my rig. Have a Gator studio 2 go 4U case. Basically put most of what I need in that case, attach it to a small trolley with wheels, and put my guitar in a gig bag and carry both on. Have done this for both domestic and international flights. Generally check the MFC101 in my suitcase (checked) although I have used shock cords to attach that to the Studio 2 go. Delta has not given me any problems.

[gspin]

I have flown quite a bit with my rig. Have a Gator studio 2 go 4U case. Basically put most of what I need in that case, attach it to a small trolley with wheels, and put my guitar in a gig bag and carry both on. Have done this for both domestic and international flights. Generally check the MFC101 in my suitcase (checked) although I have used shock cords to attach that to the Studio 2 go. Delta has not given me any problems.

Wow... a 4U case AND a gig bag? Do you check those at the gate/airplane door? I can't imagine the 4U fits in the overhead, or does it? For me it is a matter of statistics... I don't want the risk that somewhere along the line, sooner or later, some sleep deprived airline steward will force me to check the 4U (or 3U) as regular luggage... I'd probably have to cancel my flight...
I am just thinking the only bomb and idiot proof option would be a shockmount case, but that adds to weight, bulk, backache and cost... [sigh]
Note that I generally don't have much choice when it comes to the airlines (the gig-organizers generally select)

[toasterdude]

Check the guitar underneath the plane, hence the Anvil case. Carry the AF2 in a Gator G-Tour EFX2 (2U) case- it should fit in the overhead on a big plane.

Going back and forth between here & Brazil, you learn a few things.

Yeah like don't try shipping via UPS. Even freight forwarding can take 30 days if no complications. You may have to pay importation fees which can be quite high. I hope the OP has time between other gigs and Brasil.

I took my Axe II with my to brasil last year. Had Variax in gig bag and the gator rack bag with wheels. Did not have issues carrying on on any flights, but i am a very good customer for american airlines.

[immortal_soloist]

Hey man!
Great tips.
Ok for instance if I am going to the US,I have travelled a lot and have been to the US TOO but this was before I had the Fractal and the MFC.
What would you suggest,how should I take my MFC there without it getting in to the hands of the TSA?

[gspin]

1SKB19-RSF2U Studio Flyer 2U by SKB Industrial Shipping Cases

Oooooh.... that looks very tempting! BUT imagine if some stickler at check-in weighs it, and it turns out the case+AxeFx+laptop exceeds their requirements (e.g., 50lbs)? Then you'd be forced to check it... hmmmm Maybe you can ask to check it at the gate... usual dilemma...

[ccroyalsenders]

I've flown with a shock case 4U from Audiopile. It is over 50 lbs, so expect to pay the overage fee. Just the cost of doing business.

[ccroyalsenders]

Hi gspin
I know the post is old and you have probably sorted everything now but i thought I would chime in here with my experiences for those looking at traveling with their fractal gear or musical equipment.
I travel a lot 26 flights last year and over 70 the previous year, a lot of these flights are international.

Travel Tips (lessons learned)

Tip #1 Always travel with a local powerstrip with your countries and gears outlets so if leaving the your country e.g. US take a US power strip then you only need one adaptor in the destination country.
Tip #2 ALWAYS HAVE ADDRESSES ON every case, if a road case goes missing and there is no tag you can be in trouble (this has saved me before .
Tip #3 ALWAYS (ESPECIALLY IF LEAVING AUSTRALIA) , go to customs before you take the equipment out of your country and get a form signed with the serials on it (saves you coming home and
A: Having to wait in a long line to get inspected.
B: Having gear impounded because customs don't know if you have taken the gear out in the first place
C: Be prepared to pay GST in Australia or duties in your own country.

I have Never had any problem anywhere else bringing a lot of gear in except in Bali (Pay to have someone walk you through customs) PM me if you need a contact
or the US when I have a few times been asked if I have a Carnet. I always say "what is a Carnet"
You can find out what a Carnet is by searching google

Tip #4 Use a good cleaner and wipe all you equipment if you have had your gear anywhere near illegal substances (cases included) other peoples substances can cause long delays and lots of questions being asked
(musical equipment and road cases IME are always checked

Tip #5 Make sure your cases and bags have lots of stickers preferably travel ones (grab and old bag tags from friends if need be, and rip off the tags. Put them on your cases make it look like your always on the road
also the baggage stickers on cases are good
Tip #6 Regardless of travel class (Coach or Business / First) walk up to check in with your main axe in the gig bag over your shoulder and wheel you laptop case only check in the axe roadcase or whatever you have to.
Tip #7 Carry yourself as though you fly all the time.
Tip #8 If the check in staff ask you about flying with equipment, tell them you always fly with your guitar but in the past you always flew with another airline. You have just changed to the airline you are about to fly on and looking forward to the
experience. (Be Nice it works wonders)
Tip #9 If you can avoid it DO NOT take the MFC101 with you especially if you are coming in and out of the USA. For some reason TSA sometimes physically take apart the MFC and do a terrible Job of putting it back together (I have never had an
issue with the ULTRA or Axe FX 11.) I have had my MFC101 taken apart by TSA over 5 times. Here are the signs

A: There is always a TSA inspection piece of paper notifying me of the inspection
B: There are chips they were not there when boarding. In my case all over the MFC on the corners and where the screws are along with screws not put back properly one one occasion screws missing.
(I think the MFC must look like some sort of suspect package, my axe FX11 never gets touched)
Tip #10 The AXE FX has a switch mode transformer so you don't need a power convertor when going from 110 to 240 V just need the right power cord or adapter (get a grounded adapter if need be)
Tip #11 Get a 76 or 88 note keyboard case for travel and have all your guitars put in GOOD GIG bags. Put all guitars in their bags then in keyboard case. (Dont go over 32 KG's ) max allowed for travel
This is a great tip as the case is only one piece of checked Luggage and when you get to your destination you can carry gig bags around (much easier than multiple road cases)

Other tips

Note ** Below is only tested on Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas, British airways, Singapore airlines, Emirates, Lufthansa airlines
My BRJ 7 guitar in its Levy's bag fits in the overhead compartment of all 747's business and coach, A320 + Business and coach, 777, 757 and 767. Singapore 777 middle aisle only
Smaller airbus anything smaller than A320 it just fits but staff usually do not let the guitar on.
Only domestic airlines that let me carry a guitar as checked luggage is american and virgin (always upgrade if you can)

My personal tip DO NOT fly Airfrance or Air China. I have used Both airlines more than once (stupid me) I usually carry 7 checked bags and am platinum flyer on Qantas and Virgin which helps, but recently flew from Nice to Paris on Airfrance (skyteam) less than a 1 hour flight and had to pay 740 euros for excess baggage (check you currency convertor, total ripoff but I had to pay)
I flew around the world plenty of times and never had to pay more than 270 US dollars most of the time 130 dollars excess and some of those flights over 14 hours.
Most airlines say no guitars on board if you ask but if you turn up they usually let you on or say you may have to gate check if necessary especially if the flight is full.
Once i get to the gate if they ever say they need to gate check, i demand it goes on the plane in the clothing locker if overheads are full, or is checked in in the road case which they cant do as its already loaded
Always be prepared to pay for excess baggage (it is what it is, don't ever argue with check in staff it will get you no where always be pleasant and you will go far)

Every time I have used a freight forwarded gear has gone missing or arrived damaged (IMHO airlines are your best bet) you know immediately if there is an issue at your destination and can do something about it then.
If u need freight forwarding get a good company that preferably handles musical tours etc "Showfreight or similiar"
Don't just go fedex or similiar, if having gear arrive on time is really important (say for a show)
If you have to go Fedex to be safe triple the time they state you gear will arrive and you will be ok.
(I have had both experiences and had friends in Big US bands coming to Australia and having big issues
with customs for one reason or another.

My Music Luggage (what I carry with me)

I have a 3 levy's leather guitar bags 2 for my BRJ 7 strings and one for my Vielette baritone nylon, a 76 note keyboard SKB ata case.
a rimowa aluminum pilot case for my laptop headphones and hard drives ( so i can work on the plane),
a road case that is essentially a big box with foam cut for the axe FX then a space for the MFC 101 on top neatly snugged (so not rack mounted)
and a soft padded bag for my genelec 8030 monitors.

I carry most of this gear with me most of the time.
Ok so here's what I do ( some of this is common sense sorry for the long post, some of it are learning's some good, some bad )

(Common sense stuff)

Firstly join a miles program the more you fly the more lenient the airlines are in allowing carry on
Don't focus just on ticket price, Always try to fly with the same airline to build up miles (so pick an airline if travelling a lot in the future that has good partners across the globe).
Always try to upgrade to business if you can (you get away with much much more in business)

hope that helps, I have learned a lot and now am buying an axe fx in each of my places so I would advise if travelling and need your fractal gear, ringing where you are going and seeing if there is a backline hire company that has what you need
if your doing a show maybe a forum member could help you out and hire you his or her unit,
Then u just need the sysex of your setups with you :-)

cheers

This is a great post. Out of curiosity, what group do you play with?

[gspin]

1SKB19-RSF2U Studio Flyer 2U by SKB Industrial Shipping Cases

Thanks corey grieve.
Looks really tempting, but I did a little research. The unit itself weighs roughly approx. 16 lbs (7kgs). The AxeFx weighs another 14.75 llbs (6.7 kgs) so that and the laptop put you well over the average carry-on weight limit. Dimensions work fine for overhead. In addition, FWIW, the reviews are pretty iffy as to durability and the like. How many trips have you done with the case?

Cheers

[corey grieve]

Thanks corey grieve.
Looks really tempting, but I did a little research. The unit itself weighs roughly approx. 16 lbs (7kgs). The AxeFx weighs another 14.75 llbs (6.7 kgs) so that and the laptop put you well over the average carry-on weight limit. Dimensions work fine for overhead. In addition, FWIW, the reviews are pretty iffy as to durability and the like. How many trips have you done with the case?

Cheers

I have not traveled with it myself,but i have the bigger version (4 space) and the design is great!
Its the most convenient,well designed all in one rack i have and it's cheap and super easy to modify.
Anyone thinking of buying one for the Axe should know that you have to modify the front panel on the inside to allow for the front handles on the Axe (10 mins with a sharp knife).
Its build is the same as any SKB case,but the pull along/fold out handle seems like it would have a short life span as it feels weak and twists under pressure.
But for me i don't care as i carry mine(its light,which is the point) and if it does break (the pull out handle) it is easily unscrewed and removed completely (lighter and smaller again).
I have lots of cases but this one carries everything,completely set up,no plugging in anything but cabs,power and guitar and i can carry it without help.
I am planning to get a Matrix amp this year which will cut my existing weight in half almost again,really happy with it but i think i will contact SKB about the front panel thing as they will lose sales and its such a perfect little set up for axe/axe edit user's.





One tip i will give to those flying,if you can get it in the cabin do it....especially guitars!!!
And NEVER EVER open a guitar case that has been in a planes hold for at least 4 hours after the flight!
The temperature change (especially in summer) will fold it in half (exaggeration) and you will not be playing it at the show without hours of re setting up and may not feel good or normal again for years.

[gspin]

Thanks for all that detail corey... the front panel is a bit of a bummer but not a deal killer. What worries me is that even the 2U Studio Flyer exceeds carry-on weight limitations of most airlines (with the AxeFx and laptop in it).

How about this? SKUSoftcase It is about half the weight. Wooden panels covered in nylon...

cheers

[corey grieve]

If i were to fly i would definitely invest in a soft over the shoulder bag/case,its just more practical.

[gspin]

Okay guys, so I did a little more research on this "How to Carry-On Your Axe-Fx" topic. Here is what I have found out. A lot of airlines now have a weight restriction on carry-ons: 8Kgs (or 17.7 lbs) for most European airlines. I need to fly to Finland on Finnair so this applies to me for sure. Will they enforce the policy strictly? Who knows, but I am not in the mood for running the risk that they force me to check my Axe Fx as luggage. So:

SKB 2U Softcase: got great reviews. Is only 9lbs (plus the Axe at 10 makes 19lbs). It could work but it is technically over the limit. Also you have to carry it over you shoulder and I am already lugging an Anvil flight case for my guitar. Plus the outside pouch won't fit my 15.4" Macbook Pro... ay...

Gator Rackbag: this is only 8lbs, will fit my laptop but has no shoulder strap or wheels

Gator Rackbag w. wheels: This one has got the wheels but weighs 11lbs, so I would be tempting fate with the Finns! Will fit the laptop.

Samsonite Spinner: I actually saw this in a luggage store. Weighs only 7.25 lbs, will fit the laptop. Not too confident on its protective qualities. Costs a bit more.

Any other suggestions or opinions would be most helpful!

Cheers

gspin