 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lp_427
Date: 2015-04-13 09:19
Hello,
So the situation I've found myself in is a bit confusing even after I've done my research and such. I'm taking my Jupiter low Eb bass clarinet over to Florida in about two weeks with the rest of our band, and we're flying United from California. I'm not too sure how to go about bringing it there without having having to worry about it getting wrecked or damaged somehow, as I've seen the stash our school already has of instruments which haven't survived flights.
So far I've been told to bubble wrap the instrument as much as possible, but that is in the case in which I'm putting it in the cargo. I'd hate to do this, but I'm feeling uncertain how to go about it. I'm taking my backpack and a duffel bag with my belongings as my carry on + personal item, which includes my soprano Bb clarinet inside the duffel. This leaves me without a choice for the bass, but I've heard of instances in which instruments have been allowed as a third item.
So how should I go about doing this?
My case is quite long, as my instrument has a single piece body (your hands can be relaxed upon it if the case is held vertically). However, it's not necessarily too heavy given that I've carried tenors in their cases which are twice the weight. And given that we're leaving in two weeks means that I won't have time to find a sturdier case, although they are rather expensive.
Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated as I'm desperate as to not damage this instrument (as if anyone would be), especially since mine is still under rent, our other bass clarinets barely even work due to flight damages, and I'm the "lead" chair, and the one with the only properly functioning bass clarinet.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2015-04-13 15:53
I'd suggest you pack your instrument (in its case) inside a large cardboard box as if you were going to ship it; with your name and contact information inside as well as outside, and maybe build a little duct-tape handle to help you lug it around the airport. Then check it as baggage (don't carry it on the plane).
As always, bubble wrap is your friend.
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Author: efsf081
Date: 2015-04-13 16:31
I think most of the time it is ok to check your instrument as a baggage. Remember, just most of the time..............
If you are really worry about your instrument. I think jupiter bass clarinet body can divided into two parts by release the screw of the middle ring, like vito reso-tone and yamaha 220. Then you can put it in your hand carry package. Of course, you need to protect the body carefully.
Post Edited (2015-04-13 17:16)
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2015-04-13 20:40
If you put the instrument below, be sure to bring your mouthpiece and reeds (especially the reeds) into the pressurized/temperature controlled cabin with you! The reeds will hopefully withstand the temperature differentials better!
The mouthpiece is the most important part of your equipment and if you for any unexpected reason need to end up borrowing a bass clarinet when you get there, your own mouthpiece will make the experience much better.
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Author: lp_427
Date: 2015-04-14 08:43
Thanks, everything seems pretty helpful. I haven't tried separating the bass body, but I'll try it out although I'll have to see what I'll do afterwards. I'm also thinking of bringing the mouthpiece and other smaller parts like the neck in the duffel to be safe. Heck, I think the biggest worry at this point is just the bell, since well, it's a bell just asking for dents.
I'll try and ask our director sometime too. Have any of you flown with heftier nstruments yourselves?
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2015-04-14 14:50
Take the soprano out of the duffel, check the duffel and carry on the two clarinets and your backpack. On a long-haul flight like that you'll have no problem fitting the bass in the baggage compartment above the seats (I assume you're flying direct, in which case you will probably be on a 737-8 or 9). I've carried on my backpack and two instruments before with no problem, many, many times with United. If you have an additional carry-on, put it in the place of the clarinet in the duffel and put your necessities in your backpack.
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