Fender Strat Classic 50's to INDIA?

[Kinkless Tetrode 66]

Hi guys, I will be going to India this summer. I would like to bring my daphne blue classic 50's strat. Any advice on travel/climate? I am particularly worried about the neck getting too sticky...

[vibratoking]

Flying with instruments can be detrimental to the instrument. A sticky neck could be a minor issue compared to the guitar actually arriving in ONE piece. Are you putting it in a flight case or buying the guitar a seat?

Why would you worry about a sticky neck? I've travelled with quite a few guitars and never experienced a sticky neck, except that one time when...

[Blackburn]

Just pray that this doesn't happen to yer geetar...

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/vi ... 34001.html

[Leo_Gnardo]

Flying with instruments can be detrimental to the instrument. A sticky neck could be a minor issue compared to the guitar actually arriving in ONE piece.

Too bad you couldn't shackle the case to your wrist the way diamond merchants & government couriers did in the good old days. There's more of a chance, ahemmmm, probability of your prize disappearing, never mind damage. If you were flying from the North America I'd recommend stop in Indonesia and pick up a usable Strat copy for dead cheap say $200 or less. Or a Chinese one for $125. Something you won't worry about disappearing. And you could give it away before you leave & look like a hero.

Don't forget your malaria medication. Now for our musical entertainment:
Bonzo Dog Doo-dah Band "Hunting Tigers in Indiah"

[bcmatt]

I am just finishing a 2 month stint up in the Yukon (that's where they film "Gold Rush Alaska" for you Americans).
Anyways, I brought my EJ Strat up here because I had the idea to take the neck off and it fit easily in my suitcase. I just brought a light gig bag and a couple pedals, and borrowed a buddy's amp while I was up here. Strat's are great travel guitars since you can take of the neck. Of course, if you do it a lot, it might be smart to get inserts for the neck screws. I don't worry too much about not having a hard case with me, but I sort of view scratches and dings as character when it comes to Fenders.
As far as neck stickiness, I imagine that may be an issue in India because of the major humidity and heat. How do you feel about taking some steel wool to the back of the neck once in a while? Or are you pretty attached to keeping the full nitro finish on the neck? I'm sure there may be other options for battling stickiness too. There've been a few threads about that here:
https://tubeamparchive.com/viewtopic.ph ... 110b049a5e

[Kinkless Tetrode 66]

Thanks for the advice! In the past I have always been able to carry the guitar onto the plane. And I do have a tweed hard shell case which I have flown with before... Do you guys really think this is a bad idea, I mean after all, the Beatles took two Martin D28's...

[sliberty]

Take your neck off and leave it home. Buy a cheap, satin finish nck, and brain that along. Put guitar, in two pieces, into a carry on bag.

[Structo]

It's really a crap shoot anymore if the airline will let you carry on a guitar case.
I like the idea of removing the neck too, makes a smaller package.

International flights are probably even more unpredictable, whether you can carry on a guitar.

If it was a high quality acoustic I would not dream of putting it into the cargo hold.
Those guys destroy guitars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YGc4zOqozo

[Phil_S]

Leave your guitar(s) home. When you get to India, you can buy yourself a Gipson. It won't play like a Gibson, but the logo will look almost the same. Sell it before you leave.

Among other considerations, you are going a far distance and will benefit from lightening the load as much as possible. Get yourself into backpacker mode. Leave all your non-essentials behind. Buy what you need when you get there. You'll be surprised what you can get along without. Two months is a very short period of time.

[NickC]

Clever idea to remove the neck. Sensible.

But still, I'd worry about theft.

How about this: take a cheap Strat and acquire a graphite neck for it? Take it apart for travel.

You can score a graphite neck on eBait, and they are very robust. I doubt even the airline baggage gorillas could break one.

[briane]

no way I'd take it.

I've travelled a lot in asia - a good guitar is often more valuable than a brick of gold - and damn more rare.

I'd be most surprised is it doesnt get stolen. absolutely get a fret lock and use it religiously if your still set on it.

I have a 4 string travel guitar that fits in an architects tube I take when I travel - noone can even figure out what the thing is!

Buy a cheapo over there - probably cost about 15$ if you haggle.

[Phil_S]

But still, I'd worry about theft.

Worry? Heck, there's no worry. It will happen for sure. Leave the guitar home.

[Kinkless Tetrode 66]

Thanks guys. Problem is I need to have a electric guitar... I am going to be playing at a friends birthday in front 200 people! What is the going rate for a cheap but useable electric in India? Givson? Thanks!

[cbass]

Buy a cheap guitar set it up like you like it.Ship it to your buddies house.Bring some fresh striungs with you

Almost forgot smash it then dry hump it then light it on fire at the end of your gig.In no paticualar order

[Phil_S]

Thanks guys. Problem is I need to have a electric guitar... I am going to be playing at a friends birthday in front 200 people! What is the going rate for a cheap but useable electric in India? Givson? Thanks!

I'm guessing here: http://undergroundguitarist.com/strat-e ... ies-review is a good place to start. You'll be able to sell it before you leave India. Buy the $100 guitar. Maybe you'll get $50 for it. That's cheap rent.