I recently had to fly across the country for a recording session, and this time I needed to bring a bass. Normally, I would just use whatever was on hand in the studio, but circumstances demanded otherwise. Excitement for the trip was quickly followed by dread; how was I going to get my bass to a destination 2000 miles away, undamaged? Shipping was out; too many variables. Buying or renting one after arrival turned out to be a headache, with hours potentially lost shopping. That left one option: I was going to have to bring it on the plane.
Friends and colleagues offered advice. Pelican-style “explosion-proof” vault cases, custom coffins, or just simply well wishes. The most outlandish suggestion was a reinforced case resembling a gig-bag from Reunion Blues. A soft-shell bag? No way. I’d seen instruments shattered in hard cases. But a trusted bassist vouched for it. On Reunion Blues’ Instagram, they packed their custom bass into an Expedition case, dropped it, and even claimed they checked the case with their baggage! Curiosity piqued, and I set out to test this myself. I bought their RB Expedition Bass Case ($289.95), but they also have options for acoustic and electric guitars, banjos, even cymbals and accessories.