My Helix flightcase fail, airtravel perks and —is it doable to turn a bass hard case into a pedalboard?

[Zaiten]

I had a flight case pedalboard custom-made, it seemed like a great idea to go big and have ample space to expand and experiment with pedals. In reality a 40x24 box that weighs 36lb turned out to be a cumbersome thing to take on a DIY tour, and expensive to fly with. I'm thinking of ditching it and discarding a bunch of pedals to remake the pedalboard inside a bass hard case. It needs to be molded ABS like the Gator, Peavey or Ibanez cases. I'd like to have your opinions on:

• size: the average rectangle bass hard case measures 71" linear inches, but 62 is the limit of most airlines. Do bass players who check-in their basses tend to pay an oversize fee?
• damage: how resistant is the Helix to the shock, handling and throwing that checked-in cases are subjected to?
• theft: how good an idea is to check-in valuable pedals, or is it better to remove the Helix and take into the plane cabin in a backpack?

There are two limitations to check-in luggage: dimensional limit, usually 62" linear inches (Length + Width + Depth) and weight limit which is generally 50 pounds (source). Most airlines abide by these. Exceed either and they charge an average of $100 for oversize and $100 for overweight fees. In my case, both, 75lb loaded with pedals and 72" linear inches. I picked red polyvinyl after I read reports that black luggage makes 95% of stolen luggage (source).

As far as I know, injected polymer or molded ABS are the only lighter and sturdy alternative to wood and metal hardware. I haven't had any luck finding examples like that online.The Gator ABS bass case is 71.3â€/12.6lbs and the guitar is 64â€/9lbs. The guitar case is no problem but I do need the extra inches afforded by the bass case. Any thoughts?
 

[Joepeggio]

Separate cases may be better.

 

Backpack and a small peadalboard?

 

it seems for a workable fly-rig using Helix, you need to eliminate external pedals.

[Zaiten]

Separate cases may be better. Backpack and a small peadalboard? it seems for a workable fly-rig using Helix, you need to eliminate external pedals.

 

 

I´ll need a bigger backpack then! it's doable, removing the Helix and carrying it into the cabin. So far, the bass hard shell seems feasible. I've read reports that airlines are not enforcing the 62" inch policy when it comes to bass cases, not sure why. I can't eliminate all pedals though, I already trimmed-down the pedalboard, particularly when I switched from the HD500X to the Helix:

 

 

the idea is to make a pedalboard out of a Peavey case:

 

[Lotta_Gear]

Nice idea!  I've decided to try it also, since I have an old bass case lying around.  Dragged it upstairs and checked it out for size... looks like it'll have enough room for my LT and my RC-300, along with a couple of other pedals (like the Key-9 in the picture) once I make a small mod to the accessory compartment (make it smaller)...

 

[Zaiten]

Nice idea!  I've decided to try it also, since I have an old bass case lying around.  Dragged it upstairs and checked it out for size... looks like it'll have enough room for my LT and my RC-300, along with a couple of other pedals (like the Key-9 in the picture) once I make a small mod to the accessory compartment (make it smaller)...

 

BassCase.jpgBassCase.jpg

 

looks good, snug fit. seems you have space for a handful of stompboxes. The hard part is going to be affixing the Helix, velcro might not cut it. I took a chance with a Peavey case, waiting for it to arrive and see if it works.

[Lotta_Gear]

I'm not planning to make it a pedal board, just a carrying case. No need to affix anything. I'm just going to put some dividers to keep things from shifting. I was previously using a gym bag to transport the RC-300, but it got scratched, so this will be better. If I ever get a gig I have to fly to, I'll invest in something a lot better.

[robbieb61]

My Helix fits into an Ibanez bass case that I have....BUT, the case won't close because the Helix is too "Tall".  :(

I have the back pack...but the thing is bursting at the seams from cables, extra pedals, etc. that I use at the gig.  I can barely get it zipped. And I've never once used it like a "backpack" anyway. I always end up carrying it into the gig like a suitcase.

 

[Lotta_Gear]

Conversion proceeding well. Block of foam installed as a divider under the crushed velvet lining. Got the compartment cut to size, it'll fit nicely, and provide more snugness for the RC-300, as well as space for power cords and patch cables. Unfortunately, the Key-9 is too high to allow the compartment to close, so I'll have to bring it in a separate bag or something. If I get more pedals, I'll think about getting a case for them. This case has no problems closing with the HX and RC-300 inside. Perfect for my current needs!!

[Zaiten]

My Helix fits into an Ibanez bass case that I have....BUT, the case won't close because the Helix is too "Tall".  :(

I have the back pack...but the thing is bursting at the seams from cables, extra pedals, etc. that I use at the gig.  I can barely get it zipped. And I've never once used it like a "backpack" anyway. I always end up carrying it into the gig like a suitcase.

 

 

was that Ibanez case you tried emptied of styrofoam? because the Helix is 4" tall and most cases are 5" thick. The Line6 backpack seems very practical, but judging from photos, I think it's a fatal flaw that the strap clasps are plastic instead of aluminum. plastic clasps have snapped on me too many times.

 

 

Conversion proceeding well. Block of foam installed as a divider under the crushed velvet lining. Got the compartment cut to size, it'll fit nicely, and provide more snugness for the RC-300, as well as space for power cords and patch cables. Unfortunately, the Key-9 is too high to allow the compartment to close, so I'll have to bring it in a separate bag or something. If I get more pedals, I'll think about getting a case for them. This case has no problems closing with the HX and RC-300 inside. Perfect for my current needs!!

 

looking great, how's it coming along? there's plenty of space there for a handful of additional stomp boxes. I bought a Peavey case for $50 on craigslist and it seems to offer plenty of space, it's about 80% of the area I had available in the red box but I think it'll suffice. I also bought some hardware parts to mod it: take-away hinges, new feet bumpers and a couple extra handles:

 

[robbieb61]

was that Ibanez case you tried emptied of styrofoam? because the Helix is 4" tall and most cases are 5" thick. The Line6 backpack seems very practical, but judging from photos, I think it's a fatal flaw that the strap clasps are plastic instead of aluminum. plastic clasps have snapped on me too many times.

 

When you say "emptied of styrofoam"...it sounds like your saying to gut the entire insides of the case. That pic that Lotta Gear posted in his last reply shows an intact bass case (not gutted).

My answer is "no". I did not rip all the material out of the case. 

[Lotta_Gear]

When you say "emptied of styrofoam"...it sounds like your saying to gut the entire insides of the case. That pic that Lotta Gear posted in his last reply shows an intact bass case (not gutted).

My answer is "no". I did not rip all the material out of the case.

First of all... "her" last reply, if you please...

 

I did remove the neck guide and accessory compartment, made the accessory compartment smaller, and added a new piece of foam under the crushed velvet so the LT and RC-300 would both fit snugly. Thing is, with both devices inside, the thing is VERY heavy. Rethinking...

[robbieb61]

My apologies Lotta Gear...you should post up a cool pic of you playing your guitar so people don't make the same dumb mistake I did on gender. :)
But no...my Helix (normal one, not LT) won't fit if I try to close the lid on my Ibanez bass case with it inside.

I wish the backpack had been a modern style case that had a handle and wheels like most luggage is these days. Like I said earlier, not only is mine so stuffed it's practically bursting at the seams...but it's also kinda heavy with the Helix, cables, extra pedals, etc. inside it.

[Zaiten]

Lotta_Gear's
 issue is solvable with a trusty aluminum hand truck, maybe a 5lb plastic foldable wheeled cart could suffice if it's easy to grip while loaded. In Robbieb61's case, a pull-out handle essembly could probably be retrofit (sewn with padding?) into the backpack. If Line6 offered a wheeled version they would probably charge a hefty extra $100. Weight was certainly the biggest drawback of my red flightcase (a whopping 36lb), although the wheels and sprung handles I had it built with made it fairly comfortable to haul around. That's why I´m riveting two extra handles to the side of the Peavey case which weights a measly 11lb and 38lb loaded with pedals, it'll make it super easy for two people to carry for long periods when necessary.

I value a lot having a rig ready to drop on a venue floor ready to play in under 5 minutes. Everything has to be affixed and hooked. I used to run into all kinds of trouble when I had the habit of pulling pedals, cables and power blocks out of a bag to hook up on stage. Plus, I got tired of being the laggard setting up at rehearsals. I´m in the process of "gutting" the inside of the case and the rig looks very promising:

 

[jbuhajla]

You guys/gals are taking on some serious DIY projects!