Bringing cymbals/guitars back from U.S

[m.jiahui]

Hi fellow softies,

Any idea if there are any restrictions/requirements on handling items like cymbals and guitars when flying back from other countries?

We are planning to carry some of these back, but not sure if we'll need to pay steep extra handling charges and stuff.

Also, can we hand carry them on board? Or is it mandatory to check them in?

Please share your experience! Thanks in advance, softies..

cheers,
jh

 

[Composer of Requiems]

I was looking up threads on this using google search on soft. Seems like quite a lot of people have managed to carry on board. But personally I wouldn't trust it, since it's risky... might not be able to and end up having to check in, instead. I'm going Korea this Thursday, bringing a custom strat copy there (photos of my custom guitar will be up when I get back!) and I'm intending to disassemble to two pieces- neck + body, and put in suitcase.

As for cymbals, when I went Nagoya almost two years back, I bought a K Custom Hybrid 19" china. Wrapped it with clothes and put in suitcase.

I'm pretty sure it's very hard to get cymbals on board as carry-on luggage. Guitars might be easier, I find that the "guitar case" shape is more recognizable and more easily accepted by members of the public and/or security.

 

[m.jiahui]

i have qualms on wrapping them in cloth and putting in the suitcase as well.. cuz im worried that it will be flattened by the time it reaches local shores.. haha.. just taking things to the extreme.

seems like it worked for you though.. thanks for the advice!

 

[jeepers]

How many are you planning to get?

See if you can make a deal on a hard cymbal case? Doesn't have to be in a mint brand new condition, as long as it works and keeps your cymbal safe for the trip back.

You can bring it up on the plane. I don't see why you can't. If security sees the case as a potential dangerous object, they'll request to inspect it. The only problem I anticipate is that they might question you with regards to you bringing the cymbals back and try to make you pay tax. Just guessing though.

Once up on the plane, you can hand the cymbal case to the steward/stewardess for safekeeping (because you wouldn't have space at your seat to put it, unless you're doing First Class), and then pick it up after touching down at the airport.

You can help bring me back a 22" Sabian Legacy Heavy ride. :smile:

 

[spinninsticks]

If I'm not wrong you're gonna bring a handful of pieces back via plane? I have just flew back from hong kong with a drum as a hand carry baggage. But from what I know, every passenger is only allowed one hand carried item (so my case it was the drum).

What happened for me is that the check-in counter personnel handed me a tag, authorizing concession for the drum to be hand carried (as it had already exceeded the size requirements). From what I understand, Airlines will usually allow highly fragile items (musical instruments, hi-fi etc) to be hand carried. But I recommend you check with the airline that you're flying with beforehand to be safe.

I flew back with united airlines, so I'm pretty confident they will allow you to hand carry your instruments, but you have to let the check-in counter personnel know upon check in so he/she can hand you the authorization tag.

 

[USADRUMMER]

News flash!

**deleted**

 

[jeepers]

Would you like that with rivets? You have excellent taste in ride cymbals, bro! That particular one is on my "wish list" as well.

Due to the most recent terrorist attack attempt by Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab on an airliner bound to Detroit this Christmas, security has been ratcheted up to include no one getting out of their seats one hour prior to landing and have nothing on their laps with hands visible resting on the knees. [international flights] Carry-ons are relegated to only one carry-on. I don't think they will allow cymbals as a carry-on (it might be considered a potential deadly weapon that can cut someone's head off...) This in tandem with long lines and waiting times to board due to "increased security", is sure to put the pleasure back into flying.

Oh, yes please! I'll drill it for 4 but prolly only fit 2 on. They don't come by on eBay often, and I recently lost out on an auction for one. Oh well. Perhaps I could score a deal on one when I head over to the States next year or the year after. And thank you! I must say, you have an excellent taste in cymbals, too!

Hmmm. So would you recommend checking in your cymbals in a hard case with "Fragile" sticker pasted all over? I wouldn't be comfortable doing that, honestly.

 

[USADRUMMER]

**deleted**

 

[jeepers]

Jeepers, in trying to catch up with my Modern Drummer magazines (I'm up to '06 now) I was reading a review on the Legacy line and they gave glowing reviews and praises for the entire line. They gave a high score to the 20"-ers saying that have excellent stick definition, high score for the 21" w/rivets saying it has a nice wash and LOTS of character, and last was the 22". I think they said it had lots of wash, good character, but the stick definition wasn't quite up to par. Cymbals Only has a few Legacy rides for sale and they sound great!

I have a 20" Evolution ride and I love it! Wouldn't trade it for anything. The only other ride I would consider, besides a Legacy, would be Istanbul's Lenny White "Epoch" series based on the cymbals of Tony Williams. Check some of those babies out too!

Anything going on a plane with "FRAGILE" pasted all over it is tantamount to walking around town with a giant "KICK ME" sign pasted on your arse. :lol:

I had a 21" Legacy which I foolishly sold off. But it's all good, I guess, the dude who bought loves it to bits. I would definitely get it again if I've the chance to.

I heard great Evolutions, as well. But why isn't there a 22" Evo!

Oh my. I've been intrigued by the Epoch series for a while now man. I'm really digging the heavier ones (in the 3000g region). The early runs of Epochs were the heavy ones, and those were what Lenny was looking to get out of his Epochs. The heavy ones are winners!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGEqIdnPfa8

HAHA oh yes so very true.

 

[USADRUMMER]

**deleted**

 

[jeepers]

That's a good question: why AREN'T there 21" or 22" Evolutions? I think there should be! I haven't seen an Epoch in the 3K range, but maybe around 27K which is close and you can really hear the difference between that and one that is down in the 23K range. I agree that the heavier ones are the choice. Supposedly—and this is only what I read in Modern Drummer—are made to be very uniform in sound so that means little variation to choose from.

Sabian needs to spend less time burying their damned cymbals and start producing 21" and 22" Evolutions. 15" Legacy Heavy hats, 22" Legacy O-zone ride and 22" Legacy swish.

The Epoch in the youtube link I posted is in the 3000g region and it's amazing.

On the contrary, what I've read so far (not from MD though), is that Epochs actually vary quite a bit. Not only in weight, but in the profile and hook in particular - What I've read on Cymbalholic. Those findings are based on experience with extensive playing of various Epoch specimens.

 

[siosi0]

Personally handcarried a 22" ride, 19" crashride, and a pair of 15" hats ... all the way back from Boston Logan Airport... to London Heathrow Terminal 5 to singapore .. all went through smoothly ... however they cracked my checked-in Ramirez R1 (classical guitar) hard case though. Do not trust the baggage handlers even with over 9000 "fragile" stickers all over it. Not sure whether u could handcarry guitars, i decided to handcarry the cymbals instead coz they are more exp and more fragile ... btw i flew on Virgin Atlantic and connected to a SQ flight from london