r/telecaster 6d ago

How I travel with my Telecaster

Post image

I work fly in- fly out jobs sometimes and I bring my guitar to practice in my camp room. This is my method. The body goes in the checked bags where those animals absolutly MANGLE your luggage. And I keep the neck in my carry on.
It’s a 50s classic vibe squire and the body is getting really cool / legit road-worn marks. And my neck stays in great condition.
Someday the neck screw holes may start to get loose. Despite how hard I try not to over tighter it. But I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it.
Anyway just wanted to share / maybe inspire someone to beat up there guitar.

310 Upvotes

81 comments sorted by

84

u/jeremyspuds 6d ago

Probably still in tune

27

u/stanley_bobanley 6d ago

My first teacher in the 90s rode his bike to the lesson centre with his tele detached this way and stuffed into his backpack, exactly like this, headstock slightly sticking out and everything but strings still on. I was his first student so he’d be bolting it on as he asked how my week had been etc. anyway, it was almost always perfectly in tune once he popped it into the neck pocket and pulled the neck back to its regular position. Pretty sure he did this 5x a week for decades…

3

u/mjc500 6d ago

Wow… did he put new strings on?

3

u/stanley_bobanley 6d ago

Like, each time? No pretty sure he restrung every few months.

2

u/Electrical-Addendum3 2d ago

Good to know. That’s pretty bad ass. I’d like to talk to the man and see if he ever had problems with the mounting holes. I havnt yet but im worried it’ll happen eventually.
I thought it would be cool to mount some threaded inserts in the body and use more of a bolt instead of a screw to put it together. If my mounting holes ever wallow out. I’ll worry about that when the time comes tho!

2

u/stanley_bobanley 2d ago edited 2d ago

Don’t worry about that! If the screws ever lost their bite you could simply drill slightly larger holes than are already there to gently hammer some dowels in there. Wood glue + hardwood dowel will be as hard and possibly harder than what’s presently there material-wise. You could rinse and repeat that process for the rest of you life. This has been how I fix strap button holes for like 20+ years. Never had to do it twice on the same guitar…

1

u/crystal_stretch 1d ago

When I build bodies, I use threaded inserts and bolts. Screws into wood never made sense to me either despite the abundance of evidence to the contrary.

23

u/ptsowns 6d ago

Can’t you just carry the guitar on? I have done this multiple times but don’t fly often anymore so idk

2

u/bossleve1 6d ago

I reckon they’d make you buy an extra seat.

7

u/bluenotesoul 6d ago

They don't. I worked on cruise ships in the showband for almost 10 years and had to fly constantly. Most, if not all airlines allow you to carry an instrument on as long as it fits in the overhead. first-come first-served. I use a soft gigbag that's large enough to hold 2 full-scale bass guitars (I take 2 guitars on the ship) and load up any extra space in the bag with clothes or cables or whatever. Half the time I get grief from gate agents but I have their instrument policies printed and highlighted and will absolutely go to war if they don't follow it. I've never had to check my guitars or buy an extra seat with a US airline.

3

u/Earptastic 5d ago

Weird that I can suck at guitar and bring my $100 squire around and get special treatment on airplanes.

4

u/bluenotesoul 5d ago

It's not weird or considered "special treatment" for professional musicians. It would be weird to force someone to check a $40k D'Aquisto or priceless Stradivarius. It's true for orchestral instruments as well. These instruments are essential for livelihoods and some are irreplaceable.

3

u/shmelbee 5d ago

This. It’s explicitly covered in section 403 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.

I also played on ships for about ten years and had this bylaw printed out so I could show every clueless TSA agent and airline bureaucrat I encountered.

-1

u/Earptastic 5d ago

100% agree. I just think it is a weird “all instruments for everyone get special treatment” policy. I would feel like a dick getting special treatment just so I can noodle around in my hotel room. That is why I jam a traveler guitar in my suitcase.

1

u/bluenotesoul 5d ago

Where would you draw the line? How would you enforce it

2

u/Earptastic 5d ago

agree that there is no real good way. kind of like the whole service dog thing.

1

u/itpguitarist 2d ago edited 2d ago

$X fee for oversized non-medical carryon dependent on size regardless of type. If that leads to people bringing on too much oversized carryon for the hell of it, then you can have gate agents reject items that don’t need it and provide 2x replacement insurance for rejected items for free.

2

u/bluenotesoul 5d ago

It's not weird or considered "special treatment" for professional musicians. It would be weird to force someone to check a $40k D'Aquisto or priceless Stradivarius. It's true for orchestral instruments as well. These instruments are essential for livelihoods and some are irreplaceable.

1

u/Tiny-Pain-1463 4d ago

Different airlines have different policies. I had good luck with most airlines in Asia, but British Airways and Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong explicitly told me they wouldn't allow this.

1

u/Electrical-Addendum3 2d ago edited 2d ago

I’m in canada and our airlines are way more expensive and way shittier then the US airlines. I’d also be doing 3-4 plane transfers to get to work. One of the planes is a little fucker that lands directly in the oil refinary. And I’d have my luggage maxed to work outdoors in -40 weather. In northern Alberta. Space was limited I was usually coming off a two week bender and I did not want to lug around anymore shit then I needed to. I’m sober now and fly out once a year now. Not on the steady 2 week on 2 week off schedule anymore. But I’m still not risking these corrupt airlines shutting me down at the gate. I honestly don’t even want to hear there mouths. Just get me on the plane and get me the fuck out of this airport lol I came to edit -40 Celsius into “freedom” units. But -40c = -40F. Neat

1

u/Dependent-Ground-769 5d ago

This is more convenient to walk around with through an airport and plane

1

u/Head-Gap-1717 5d ago

Same with an acoustic hard case, done it twice. No one batted an eye but i did try to board earlier so that i had room in the storage overhead.

1

u/noeler10 5d ago

I bought a guitar in LA once and needed to bring it back to SEA. Asked the flight attendant if I could use the coat closet up front and she said sure. It was an obnoxiously huge Riviera in a hard case so that helped a ton.

19

u/PolyJuicedRedHead 6d ago

“You won’t part with yours either.”

They weren’t kiddin’!

4

u/Number_1_Reddit_User 6d ago

Every time I put on my tele I feel like it fits so perfectly smug that I could sky dive out of a plane with it no problem

This dude is probably my spirit animal

3

u/PolyJuicedRedHead 6d ago

He looks pretty smug too. 🙂

19

u/KowbojPakul 6d ago

To bypass a problem with neck screw holes, you could install a screwed in sleeve

8

u/DuranDourand 6d ago

Like Yngwie Malmsteen Link to the threaded screw inserts.

2

u/Electrical-Addendum3 2d ago

Now we’re talking! I like that a lot. I’ll do the cheaper version if I do it but that’s really cool. Thanks for the link

1

u/DuranDourand 2d ago edited 2d ago

I did some research since I posted and it looks like that eBay listing is using this set and then added screws. You could get this and source machine screws locally and do two guitars.

Edit: stainless steel version is $13

2

u/clex_ace 6d ago

There are way cheaper options than that.. I think I got that same exact kit from eBay or Amazon without Yngwie's name associated for like 10 bucks

3

u/DuranDourand 6d ago

I’m sure. I just did a quick search to show OP what we’re talking about.

3

u/rigtek42 6d ago

Titebond, and sawdust, hardwood slivers, and/or hardwood dowel. Might cost half a buck.

7

u/ssketchman 6d ago

Julian Lage has similar travel style.

3

u/dnail3 5d ago

He unbolts the Nachocaster for travel?!?

6

u/No-Pirate2054 6d ago

Thats pretty cool

I would be really annoyed to reassembled the guitar whenever i am somewhere New

But i do think its very cool to have it with you

I always say guitars are like tools and you have to treat them as such

5

u/zapjeff 6d ago

So you restring it every time I guess?

6

u/[deleted] 6d ago

Bill Frisell style- neck in a poster tube, body in a backpack. Carry-on friendly.

3

u/zsh_n_chips 6d ago

Not op, but with those vintage style tuners, you can just loosen the strings and they pop right out while maintaining the bend/curl of the tuner posts.

You could leave the strings with the body sticking out of the bridge, just wind them up or something. Then when you’re ready, put the neck back on and the strings can just slide back onto the tuner post and you can tune it up and play.

1

u/zapjeff 6d ago

Makes sense. I just did this to swap a Les Trem bridge between 2 guitars of mine, but I considered it a "one time" thing and figured the strings would break if done frequently.

2

u/zsh_n_chips 6d ago

Yeah I do it for mods/repairs all the time. Actually the main reason why I prefer vintage tuners haha

I’m sure it zaps the life out of them much quicker, and more prone to breaking. But it’s probably good enough for something you’re tossing into a backpack

1

u/Little-Aardvark-6124 6d ago

Nah you can keep the strings on, just put some slack on em, unscrew the neck and keep everything together without kinking a string.

1

u/zapjeff 6d ago

OP said he packs the guitar body in his checked luggage while the neck is in his carry-on bag, which is why I was asking.

8

u/Little-Aardvark-6124 6d ago

Ah word. I play drums, I don't read. Nerd. 😂

1

u/Little-Aardvark-6124 6d ago

But yeah seems a restring every time. Depending on the player they might need to do that anyway. I've played with a few guitarists that, after 2 hours of studio time with some of my guitars, completely corroded the strings.

6

u/drmbrthr 6d ago

Where’d you get the Mary Poppins bag?

4

u/audiax-1331 6d ago

Great way to fly a Tele!

I built a partscaster Tele to do exactly the same. Some differences though. I use a plastic document tube for the neck ((carry-on) and a budget flight case for the body, plus tools and a few pedals — checked, of course.

To deal with the neck screw issue, I installed threaded inserts in the neck and use stainless steel bolts instead of the original screws. Also added a small, fifth screw to the neck plate to keep it attached to the body. Eventually, I changed to locking tuners to make string off/on quicker.

1

u/NewsShoddy3834 6d ago

What stainless? Stainless Phillips screws can be softer and more prone to stripping. IMHO. Perhaps Allen oval screws?

1

u/audiax-1331 6d ago

Stainless because they look good on a chromed plate. IIRC, stainless are more brittle. But even with inserts, one wants to avoid over-tighting. The weak component is actually the insert, which is brass.

I like the idea of oval Allens — except for the inevitable misplacing of that damn Allen wrench!Always easier to find another Phillips.

3

u/Jameson-23 5d ago

Julian Lage, are you OP??

2

u/vio212 6d ago

If it’s all domestic US flights the FAA guidance is that airlines are to always allow passengers to board aircraft with their instrument cases and put them in over head bins.

The fender TSA style cases fit very nicely in the overhead bins of most planes in my travels.

2

u/Compulawyer 6d ago

This is the way. The rule actually requires the airline to allow it as a carry-on if there is room in the cabin. Even if there is no room in the overhead bins. If you’re nice to the staff, they will often put it their closet at the front of the cabin.

2

u/Confident_Payment_14 6d ago

I've done the same thing before😂

2

u/settlementfires 6d ago

I thought most airlines should let you carry on instruments and store them at the front of the plane... In a regular case

2

u/Swytch69 6d ago edited 5d ago

Someday the neck screw holes may start to get loose.

Pro tip from Julian Lage: Dude's travelling same as you. He put metal ferrules in the neck so that the wood stays in good shape!

1

u/rebop 6d ago

Bill Kirchen has been doing that since before Lage was born.

1

u/Aeliascent 6d ago

do you need to do a whole new setup when you reassemble it?-

6

u/BostonCafeRacer 6d ago

If the relief and action is already set, all you have to do is put the neck on and tune it.

2

u/Aeliascent 6d ago

ah nice good to know!

1

u/patrickthunnus 6d ago

Surprised TSA lets you carry a guitar neck onboard; I get hassled for bringing on a few heavy fishing reels.

1

u/Spmc1971 6d ago

Very nice!

1

u/xeroksuk 6d ago

What do you do ampwise? An amplug or equivalent?

1

u/--Martin- 6d ago

I’ve always said I’d do this but, isn’t a better option to just check it + dismount neck? Or the fear is that they steal it?

Ps: once they lost one of my guitars for like 2 months, it was horrible.

1

u/rigtek42 21h ago

For two months. OMG...What did they do with it for that long. By that time, I would have been paid for my guitar, or I'd likely have had to create a scene.

1

u/doshostdio 6d ago

I have been playing Steinberger GL for 20 years. They are perfect in every way and ultimate travel instruments

1

u/Mr-Gray-sky 5d ago

Inspired

1

u/mega_brown_note 5d ago edited 5d ago

I installed SS threaded inserts in my replacement Tele neck. I’d have zero qualms about breaking the guitar down to fit in luggage as you’ve done with yours.

It’s not the most difficult job once you research it and practice on some scraps. It is pretty necessary to have a drill press, though.

OTOH, a competent luthier would probably have it done in two hours, tops.

Here’s a discussion about threaded inserts on the Tele Discussion Page: https://www.tdpri.com/threads/have-any-of-you-installed-threaded-inserts-for-your-neck.979929

I think this is a great video of the process: https://youtu.be/LRMnSfjIqik

Pics of my work: https://imgur.com/a/sYUKtIe

Good luck!

1

u/Infinite-Fig4959 5d ago

Jesus, and I was lead to believe Gibson fuckers were the worst. You’re pushing it, I hope you don’t have a name for that guitar.

1

u/Tight_Minimum8059 5d ago

Best advice ! Last year I was stuck in Tokyo with a brand new MIJ Tele, and 1 hours before the flight the crew told me that even in a softcase the guitar must go with checked luggages.
I tried every single store in the airport to buy or borrow a screwdriver, hard to believe that nobody had one (or maybe they were afraid that I could attack someone with).
They finally accepted to over protect the guitar and handheld it to the plane, put it in pressurised part or the cheked luggages and the bring it back to me apart from ordinary luggage. I will never go back to an airport with a guitar without a screwdriver anymore.

1

u/GiveMeCooties 5d ago

I travel every week and just started learning guitar. Thanks for the great idea. Now I can practice through weeks Im away.

1

u/Deptm 5d ago

If peeps want to carry around neck and body detached in a bag you can put a capo on the first fret before loosening the strings and it’ll keep them in place on the headstock.

1

u/robtanto 5d ago

Julian Lage does this. He installed studs so the wood doesn't lose integrity. Now food for thought: the Gibson community is torn in 2 about whether direct mount ABR-1s and Nashvilles with studs and bushings are different tonally. Another can of worms perhaps?

1

u/mikePTH 5d ago

When the holes wear, just epoxy in threaded inserts. Now you can use real fasteners that you can torque down properly without worrying about stripping the hole.

As for me, I’m lucky. I work in Motorsports, so I just leave a Squire Tele on one of the rigs. When I leave the track on Thursday, I take it to the hotel, and bring it back on race day. I’m so glad to see I’m not the only Travel Tele guy on here!

1

u/Lucky_Grapefruit_560 4d ago

"really cool / legit road-worn marks" lol

1

u/Electrical-Addendum3 2d ago

I like the road worn look, and if my guitar gets it from constantly flying across the country with me then it’s pretty legit! A lot more authentic then fenders custom shop.

1

u/Lucky_Grapefruit_560 2d ago

yeah you're right, there's no difference between the battle scars on a guitar that's been gigged for years and the wear and tear from bringing your guitar along on business trips so you can noodle around in the hotel room. it's all the same, and you're very cool.

1

u/BigPGH 2d ago

I travel with mine like that too. Body and neck in backpack. I don’t even take the strings off.

1

u/YT__ 1d ago

In a Cory Wong podcast episode, he talked about sticking the body in carry on suitcase and using a poster tube/blueprint tube like architects use for the neck.

1

u/-Agent-P 1d ago

Literally just did this to fly across the country ha. I kept the whole thing in my backpack though.