The friendly skies may seem welcoming to human passengers, but a guitar might not find air travel quite as accommodating.
The ins—and especially the outs—of carrying a guitar on commercial flights, with tips and horror stories from Dave Davies, Kaki King, Tortoise’s Jeff Parker, and others.
A few months back, I was booked to perform at a festival in England. I always fly with my guitar in a gig bag and put it in the overhead bin, so I expected that I would do the same on this trip. About two weeks before the festival, I received an email from the organizer letting me know that my airline, British Airways, had created a new policy that no longer allows guitars in the cabin. I've taken my guitar on British Airways a number of times in the past and never had a problem, so this took me by surprise.
Sure enough, there it was on their website: "Guitars are not accepted in the cabin as hand baggage as they are too big for the available stowage space." And, to make it worse: "We cannot accept any guitar in a soft case as we want to ensure your instrument arrives safely." Since I don't own a flight case, it looked like my guitar wasn't making the trip.
I was lucky enough to be notified in advance and was able to make plans to have the festival rent an instrument for me, but I got to wondering what could have happened had I not been so lucky. I didn't have to wonder long, because on December 31, Dave Davies of the Kinks tweeted, "I'm really disappointed that @British_Airways is not allowing me to bring my guitar onboard with me as I always have and has made me check it as luggage for extra 69 quid—I traveled BA all the time back & forth from London to New York—next time might fly a different airline."
It seemed surprising to me that this would happen to someone like Davies. Of course, guitarists have spent years stressing out about what might happen to their guitars on flights. His story was just another one of a seemingly endless supply of stories about the problems guitarists run into traveling with their instruments. I decided to reach out to Davies and a few fellow guitarists who are professional travelers—all of whom were eager to share their thoughts and experiences—to try to get some insight into how they manage to lug their guitars around on flights and keep them safe.
Loss and Damage
Davies explained that being forced to check his guitar was completely unexpected. "I've been flying with British Airways for 15 years. They've always been accommodating. Last year on November 26, I flew back from Newark to London, and they were really accommodating. I managed to put the guitar quite easily in the overhead. [Then, in December] I got a flight to come back to New York. I went to Heathrow [Airport, in London] and they said I have to put the guitar in the hold and I said, 'This has never happened before. You've always been accommodating.' They said since October, they've got a new policy of no guitars onboard."
"It's not just lumber bloody wood. These are crafted guitars and each one is different. They're very personal things. I don't think they understand what's at stake for musicians." —Dave Davies
While his Gibson Nighthawk wasn't damaged, this experience really struck a nerve for the Kinks guitarist. Early in his career, Davies was flying with a cherished Guild, a guitar that formerly belonged to George Harrison, when the guitar was lost forever. Later, in the 1990s, his Ovation acoustic was smashed—an incident that inspired his record, Fragile. At this point, Davies is not interested in letting his guitar out of his sight, and says, simply, "I can't put my guitar in the hold."
Davies is, of course, just one of many guitarists who have had problems with loss and damage. All the guitarists I talked to shared at least one story about having problems checking their instruments. Tortoise's Jeff Parker told the tale of his vanished 1983 Gibson ES-335. "My guitar got lost on an airline called Vueling [a budget carrier, based in Spain]. It was early in the morning and I didn't feel like having the argument. I was like, 'Whatever, man, just check it.' So we got off the plane and the guitar just didn't show up.
"We're doing one-nighters, so we're in a different place every day. We're flying around, and for three or four days I'm playing on borrowed instruments. I started to freak out. I had the feeling that I was standing on a seashore and I could see my guitar getting washed out to sea."
Parker was fortunate enough to be able to harness the power of social media to successfully put pressure on the airline to find his guitar. "In an act of panic, I posted a bunch of pictures I had of this guitar on Facebook and on Twitter, and I was like, 'I don't think my guitar's gone, but if anybody sees it, this is what it looks like and it's mine.' It kind of went viral. The cats from Wilco re-tweeted it, so that's immediately like a million people that know about it. Then, immediately after that, I got it right back. It took a few hours and they found it and I got it, so that worked."
Kaki King has a few lost guitar stories to share, but that's not the worst of her travel tales. Once shortly after boarding the plane, King saw her Ovation acoustic guitar broken in its hardshell case. "I watched the guitar on the belt," she says. "I watched the guitar case fall and I shrieked! I get my guitar and, low and behold, I ended up with a giant hole in the back of the guitar. Fortunately, I filed a complaint and they did pay for the damage."
Even when traveling with a flight case, checking a guitar still does not mean the instrument is 100-percent safe from damage. Gorguts and Dysrhythmia guitarist Kevin Hufnagel had his custom-built SG-style guitar damaged by clumsy handlers inspecting his instrument. "I noticed there was this dent on the back of the guitar neck that wasn't there before," he recounts. "When they were going through my guitar case and they put the strap away, they didn't put the strap locks away properly, and when they put the guitar back in the case, they pressed the strap locks into the wood."
United Breaks Guitars
Songwriter Dave Carroll turned the destruction of his Taylor by United Airlines into notoriety with his song "United Breaks Guitars," with more than 17 million YouTube views, and a spin-off book about his resulting social-media odyssey.
Oh oh! Even in a hardshell case, your beloved axe can suffer extreme damage if it's treated carelessly.
Keeping It Close
Given these stories, it's no surprise that so many guitarists prefer to carry their guitars with them. Parker continues to bring his guitar as a carry-on in a gig bag, preferring to play the odds that he'll be able to keep his instrument with him under his own watch. "It's much more comforting to have it with me and not have to worry about it," he says. "Ninety-eight percent of the time it fits on the plane and there's no reason for them to not let you carry it."
After too many close calls with his guitar being lost or damaged, Hufnagel switched from using a gig bag to a flight case, but is still persistent about bringing his guitar as a carry-on, since his case is form-fitting and still able to fit in overhead bins—a strategy he recommends. "If it's shaped for your guitar so it isn't any larger than it needs to be, at least if you have to check it, it's hopefully not going to get broken and they are easier to fit in the overhead." Peace of mind goes a long way for Hufnagel, and he's willing to go the distance to bring his guitar onto the flight. "I never voluntarily check it unless they give me a big stink. Even if they put a gate checking tag on, I'll still walk right past and get right on the plane with it. There's never a problem. The flight attendants are always super helpful. It's normally just the baggage claim people that aren't."
Here in the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration understands that musicians want to carry their instruments onboard and in 2015 created guidelines for all airlines that says instruments must be allowed onboard if there is space in the overhead bins. The U.S. Department of Transportation has even created a website featuring information about this rule, as well as tips and resources to help musicians traveling with their instruments.
The rule states: "An air carrier providing air transportation shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to any standard fee that carrier may require for comparable carry-on baggage, if (A) the instrument can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft cabin or under a passenger seat, in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the Administrator; and (B) there is space for such stowage at the time the passenger boards the aircraft."
The guitarists PG spoke with were unanimous in their agreement that the FAA rule has improved the experience of flying with a guitar within the U.S. However, since the rule specifies that there must be room on the flight for the guitar, it is very important that guitarists show up to the gate as early as possible. Some airlines will allow passengers to pay for advance boarding, which can essentially guarantee there will be room, but on others, guitarists just have to find their way to the front of the line.
International Plans
Outside of the U.S., musicians still have to navigate airline policies that can be difficult and confusing to understand, and are often simply unclear. There are no international rules in place to regulate the way airlines handle instruments, so guitarists often risk the safety of their guitars as they travel.
Mary Halvorson, who tours heavily in Europe, reflected on this confusion and ambiguity: "Even within the same airline, one employee could tell you 'yes' and one could tell you 'no.' One person could really try to help you and another person could try and make you not get on the flight. They can be nice if they want to."
"Let's get down to what really happens: I put it on the plane and I say a little prayer and I just hope for the best because you never, ever, ever, ever know what is going to happen." —Kaki King
In addition to this confusion, there is also the reality that sometimes guitars just don't fit. Often, when traveling on short flights using small planes, the overhead bins are simply not large enough for a guitar and there might not be a closet available. In those cases, there is no argument to be made and a guitar must be checked.
Halvorson tired of putting her guitar at risk in a gig bag and recently commissioned a custom guitar. Her new instrument, built by luthier Flip Scipio, features a neck that is quickly removable and packs up into a case that is the size and shape of regular luggage. "I saw a lot of bass players traveling with neck-off basses and I thought, 'Why can't I do that with a guitar?' Some guitars do it, but it's not nearly as common as basses. Since I have it in this custom-built hardshell suitcase, I just check it as a regular bag." For Halvorson, this has helped her make sure her guitar is safely packed, and she believes it also avoids loss. "I feel like often when instruments get lost, it's because you've had to check it as oversized and people get confused."
Stress Relief
In addition to increasing her instrument's security, Halvorson's new system has improved her travel experience. "It's been great," she says. "I've taken it on probably a hundred flights. I love the guitar and I love playing it, and my stress levels have been reduced with this new system."
While she has many strategies of her own to offer, Kaki King realizes that luck is a big part of the game. "Let's get down to what really happens: I put it on the plane and I say a little prayer and I just hope for the best because you never, ever, ever, ever know what is going to happen," she says.
Despite her past troubles, King strongly advocates that taking measures to maintain a positive attitude and stave off travel anxiety is the best strategy guitarists can take. "I think anxiety reduction is just as important as potential damage reduction," she offers. "The anxiety around flying is so much worse than the reality of flying with an instrument. Ninety-nine percent of instruments don't get destroyed. [Airlines are] used to it. They're not complete nincompoops the entire time. So I would just say, try to have a little less fear around it. I've been traveling 15 years and I've only had one guitar get lost on the day of the show. Nothing ever gets lost; it just takes a while to find it. It's misplaced. Or they know where it is and it's just not where you are. So, it's not like it's going to be gone forever."
Given that every guitarist PG spoke with had bad flight stories to share, there are obviously improvements that can be made. Parker believes they need to happen on a fundamental level. "They should just respect the fact that instruments are fragile and, for professional musicians, it's their livelihood. Musicians should have priority taking their instruments on planes."
Davies echoes that thought. "It's not just lumber bloody wood. These are crafted guitars and each one is different. They're very personal things. I don't think they understand what's at stake for musicians. Working musicians can't always afford to go business class or first class or buy their own air flight. You've got to cut 'em some slack. We're not talking about huge pieces of equipment. These guitars fit quite snugly in the overhead."
Halvorson hopes that airlines would continue to work toward a clear set of guidelines to make this process easier. "For me, it would be much better if there was just a clear policy across the board for all airlines, all flights," she observes. "Even if the policy was 'no,' the worst part is not knowing and the anxiety of what might happen. It could be improved by any kind of clear information. It would at least be definitive, one way or the other."
[Updated 9/15/21]
- Intelligent Design? - Premier Guitar ›
- Tech Tales: Packing Your Guitar for Air Travel - Premier Guitar ›
- How to Build a Flight-Friendly Pedalboard - Premier Guitar ›
Brent Mason is, of course, on of the most recorded guitarists in history, who helped define the sound of most ’90s country superstars. So, whether you know it or not, you’ve likely heard Mason’s playing.
Professional transcriber Levi Clay has done the deepest of dives into Brent Mason’s hotshot licks. At one point, he undertook the massive project of transcribing and sharing one of Mason’s solos every day for 85 or so days. Mason is, of course, on of the most recorded guitarists in history, who helped define the sound of most ’90s country superstars. So, whether you know it or not, you’ve likely heard Mason’s playing. Levi shares the insight he gleaned from digging deep, and he tells us what it was like when they shared a stage last year. Plus, Levi plays us some great examples of Mason’s playing.
PRS Guitars today launched five new three-pickup, 22-fret models across the S2 and SE series. The S2 Series release includes the S2 Special Semi-Hollow and S2 Studio, while the SE Series welcomes the SE Special Semi-Hollow, SE Studio, and SE Studio Standard.
“The distinctive pickup configurations of these five guitars deliver a versatile tonal platform, whether you’re exploring subtle textures or pushing the envelope. The deep dive into our Narrowfield technology is obvious with this launch. With both the S2 models made in our Maryland factory and the SE models made in Indonesia, our goal has been to create guitars that will inspire you and spark creativity, all at an exceptional value,” said PRS Guitars COO, Jack Higginbotham.
S2 Special Semi-Hollow
The PRS S2 Special Semi-Hollow features a pair of 58/15 LT humbuckers in the bass and treble positions and a PRS Narrowfield in the middle. A 5-way blade switch and two mini-toggles allow players to tap the humbuckers, creating twelve distinct pickup combinations for sonic exploration. The carved maple top and mahogany back encompass a semi-hollow body that adds a natural airiness and depth to the guitar’s tone while enhancing sustain.
S2 Studio
The PRS S2 Studio delivers a wide range of sonic possibilities through its distinctive single-single-hum configuration. Featuring two proprietary PRS Narrowfield pickups in the bass and middle positions and a 58/15 LT humbucker in the treble position, the S2 Studio offers a palette of sounds from single-coil clarity to vocal humbucker tones. This model also has a 5-way blade switch and push/pull tone control.
SE Special Semi-Hollow
The PRS SE Special Semi-Hollow is designed with the versatility of a hum/“single”/hum setup, bringing PRS’s Narrowfield DD pickup design to the SE Series in a classic maple-top guitar. The semi-hollow construction also enhances sustain and resonance, while the f-hole adds a classic aesthetic. The coil-tap switching system unlocks a wide range of tones through a pair of 58/15 LT “S” pickups in the bass and treble positions and a PRS Narrowfield DD “S” in the middle.
SE Studio
The PRS SE Studio’s “single”/”single”/hum pickup configuration provides a wide range of tonal options. This combination of PRS Narrowfield DD “S” bass and middle pickups with a PRS 58/15 LT “S” treble humbucker offers humbucking warmth, single-coil sparkle, and everything in between. The 5-way blade switch and push/pull tone control further enhance its versatility.
SE Studio Standard
The only bolt-on neck in this release group, the PRS SE Studio Standard brings the tone, playability, and versatility of the Studio model to the SE Series and into an all-mahogany design with a vintage-style pickguard aesthetic. At the heart of the SE Studio Standard is its versatile trio of pickups: an 58/15 LT “S” humbucker in the treble position with two Narrowfield DD “S” pickups in the middle and bass positions. The 5-way blade switch and push/pull tone control allow for an array of pickup configurations.
PRS Guitars continues its schedule of launching new products each month in 2025. Stay tuned to see new gear and 40th Anniversary limited-edition guitars throughout the year.
For the first time ever, two guitar greats, John 5 and Richie Kotzen will be heading out on the road this year. The tour will launch October 16 and run through November, hitting markets across the U.S.
Find the full tour itinerary right plus a link for tickets & VIP, including additional dates featuring John 5 only. Reserved seating tickets will go on sale Friday May 16 though a fan presale will begin today at noon local time and fans are strongly encouraged to buy early to get the best seats.
Meet and Greets for both artists will be available. For John 5 please go to: https://john5store.com/collections/vip.
Today, John 5 also announces more details of his anticipated new album. Called The Ghost, it will be released October 10 and is led by the new track “Fiend,” featuring Kenny Aronoff.
John 5 continues running public tours this month for his Knights In Satan’s Service Museum of KISS Memorabilia in Los Angeles, California. Guided tours are open to the public for one month only (with a possible expansion). Current dates available are May 12-16, May 19-23 and May 27-30. Each will be led by John 5 himself who will provide tons of rich detail and answer any questions. Secure your place HERE.
JOHN 5 continues to tour with Mötley Crüe including an upcoming residency in Las Vegas in 2025.RICHIE KOTZEN &
JOHN 5 FALL 2025 TOUR
October 16 El Cajon, CA @ Magnolia
October 17 Riverside, CA @ Fox Performing Arts
October 18 Roseville, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
October 19 San Jose, CA @ The Ritz
October 21 Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theatre
October 22 Albuquerque, NM @ KiMo Theatre
October 24 Dallas, TX @ Granada Theater
October 25 Leander, TX @ The Haute Spot
October 27 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues
October 28 Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall
October 29 Nashville, TN @ Fogg Street Lawn Club
October 30 Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
October 31 Orlando, FL @ House of Blues
November 1 Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room
November 2 Clearwater, FL @ Capitol Theatre
November 4 Richmond, VA @ The National
November 5 Leesburg, VA @ Tally Ho Theater
November 6 Patchogue, NY @ Patchogue Theatre
November 11 Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre
November 12 Derry, NH @ Tupelo Music Hall
November 13 Foxborough, MA @ Six String Grill & Stage
November 14 Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater
November 15 Lorain, OH @ Lorain Palace Theatre
November 16 Columbus, OH @ The King Of Clubs
November 17 Warrendale, PA @ Jergels
November 19 Wyandotte, MI @ District 142
November 20 Flint, MI @ The Machine Shop
November 21 Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s
November 22 St. Charles, IL @ Arcada Theatre
November 23 Belvidere, IL @ Apollo Theatre
November 25 Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater
November 29 Pioneertown, CA @ Pappy & Harriet's*
*John 5 only
AEROSMITH guitarist and songwriter JOE PERRY is set to return to the road for a series of August performances with THE JOE PERRY PROJECT. The 8-date run kicks off August 13 in Tampa, FL and wraps August 23 in Port Chester, New York, with an August 19 performance in PERRY’s Boston hometown (see the itinerary below). For the North American trek—which marks the first solo shows for PERRY this year—the legendary guitarist will be joined by his Aerosmith bandmates Brad Whitford (guitar) and Buck Johnson (keys), along with The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson (vocals), and Stone Temple Pilots’ Robert DeLeo (bass), and Eric Kretz (drums).
“Well…it’s time to let the music do the talkin again,” PERRY says. “I’m really excited about the JPP line up this year!!!! Most of these guys played with me at The Roxy in L.A. at the debut event for my latest solo album [Sweetzerland Manifesto] in January 2018. They’re all busy as hell but thankfully they’re able to carve out some time for this run. And I’m not only lucky enough to have Brad Whitford onstage with me but Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes! [who sang ‘Fortunate One’ on Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII], Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz from STP!!! and Buck Johnson who plays keys and sings with Aerosmith, the Hollywood Vampires, and is also a solo artist in his own right.”
For the shows, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee says “the set list is gonna include my fav JPP cuts, STP, Black Crowes, and with Brad we’ll be hitting the Aero hits and some deep cuts and then ya never know!!!! Gonna be a BLAST, and if you’ve ever been to one of my shows you know the words GARAGE BAND on STEROIDS come to mind! See you there!!!!”
DATE | LOCATION | VENUE |
Wednesday, August 13 | Tampa, FL | Seminole Hard Rock - Tampa |
Thursday, August 14 | Hollywood, FL | Seminole Hard Rock - Hollywood |
Saturday, August 16 | Toronto, ON | HISTORY |
Sunday, August 17 | Muskoka, ON | Kee to Bala |
Tuesday, August 19 | Boston, MA | Wang Theatre |
Wednesday, August 20 | Hampton Beach, NH | Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom |
Friday, August 22 | Mashantucket, CT | The Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino |
Saturday, August 23 | Port Chester, NY | Capitol Theatre |