Deluxe Case - Voyage-Air: packing tips

[BT55]

AmyFB,
Do yourself a favor and replace the plastic bridge pins and bridge with bone. Cheap upgrade and an improvement in sound.

[The Bard Rocks]

While I don't have a Voyage-Air by name, my Leach folds and uses one of their cases. (Leach is part owner and inventor of VA). I do use the stabilizer strap and put a piece of cotton between the strings and the top to avoid any scratching that might otherwise take place on the top or the edge of the soundhole. When you close the case, the neck is further stabilized by the case. I have never worried about it when shut. It is a well-made and protective, though soft, case.

I have traveled with it by car, canoed with it (in a dry bag), carried it around in my hand and over my shoulders, but have not flown with it.

[BBWW]

It's the dirty socks and underwear packed in with the guitar for the trip home that bothers me. :-)

[RogerPease]

Good tips on packing, all. Thanks!

Slightly different question: When you arrive at your destination and you
are staying for a while what do you do for a case for the guitar? I kind
of hate to unfold and fold it every time I want to play. It's a bit of a hassle.
I want to just grab and play.

I go to camp for a week every summer and I hate to leave the unfolded
neck sticking out of the case in the high and dry mountain air.

I was thinking about some kind of sleeve-like thing that would cover the
neck somehow. Or am I just over-thinking this? :-) My VAOM-4 with
it's laminated back and sides seems pretty environmentally stable.

Any clever ideas? _Roger

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by RogerPease

…Any clever ideas? _Roger

Hi Roger
Borrow a case at the other end and carry it in that?

I just fold/unfold. It only takes a minute and the people watching are intrigued and curious. I don't see a downside to having to unfolding it, playing, putting it away.

[renoslim]

I have the deluxe case for my vam04. I use the zip off part to store my laptop and any other gadgets. On more than one occasion when I have had to gate check, I have zipped off that part and taken it on the plane.

In general I use an NS capo to keep the strings managed and do not worry about too much. The main thing is to have a guitar with me and I like the VAM
even as a daily player. It is out on a stand now.

The VAM has been all over with me and if something bad happened to it I would just get another one. I have an insurance policy with Heritage and that gives me much peace of mind.

Lee

[harvl]

Originally Posted by RogerPease

Good tips on packing, all. Thanks!

Slightly different question: When you arrive at your destination and you
are staying for a while what do you do for a case for the guitar? I kind
of hate to unfold and fold it every time I want to play. It's a bit of a hassle.
I want to just grab and play.

I go to camp for a week every summer and I hate to leave the unfolded
neck sticking out of the case in the high and dry mountain air.

I was thinking about some kind of sleeve-like thing that would cover the
neck somehow. Or am I just over-thinking this? :-) My VAOM-4 with
it's laminated back and sides seems pretty environmentally stable.

Any clever ideas? _Roger

I know some folks out there like to use a standard hardshell case and fill it like luggage, check it and then use it as a guitar case when they get where they are going.

Harv

[amyFB]

Originally Posted by BBWW

It's the dirty socks and underwear packed in with the guitar for the trip home that bothers me. :-)

Yes this is for sure triggers the really red-faced grimace .....pray you are home alone when you discover it.

[amyFB]

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi Roger

Borrow a case at the other end and carry it in that?



I just fold/unfold. It only takes a minute and the people watching are intrigued and curious. I don't see a downside to having to unfolding it, playing, putting it away.

I had one time taken a soft gig bag folded inside my checked bag to avoid unfolding and folding the guitar, but it didn’t make enough difference to give up luggage space for the gig bag.

There is great conversation potential with this guitar and for me , the fold/unfold almost always engages a passer-by and that often leads to an enjoyable time.

If someone had told me 20 years ago I would have a folding guitar in the future I would have scoffed in disbelief.

As a fairly frequent traveler who dislikes a day without play, I find it a terrific addition to my collection .

[ljguitar]

Originally Posted by BBWW

It's the dirty socks and underwear packed in with the guitar for the trip home that bothers me. :-)

Hi BBWW…

Cute!

The person who told me they pack clean socks and underwear inside said they toss the used up ones…so no dirty laundry comes home inside their Voyage-Air.

It was someone who does a lot of 2 day business trips where they are flying in, staying overnight and flying home next day. He didn't want to bring any other carry-on besides the guitar bag.

I did like the tension this brought to the discussion!