Still no lightweight "foam type" bags for pedal steel??

Kristen Bruno · Post by **Kristen Bruno** » 2 Nov 2015 7:27 am

I still can't find any lightweight rigid foam type cases (or gigbags) for pedal steel guitar. A few years ago I saw one advertised at Steel Guitars Of Canada but they no longer carry it.

Its really hard to believe that they don't make one.
Has anyone found a source or tried making one themselves? It sure would be nice to shave off about 10 pounds.

Thanks
K

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 2 Nov 2015 8:09 am

I haven't heard of any, Kristen, but what a good idea they'd be.

Of course, you wouldn't ship a steel in just such a case but for everyday use they'd be excellent. I've been looking for a while now for one of these (zero-gravity is one name, I think) and finally found one on Amazon that actually specifies its suitability for a 000-style guitar. It'll arrive this week and I'm anxiously awaiting it to see if it is a good fit for my favourite Martin.

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 2 Nov 2015 8:18 am

I've read where people adapt gun cases. Maybe they will chime in here. I'm sure there are other cases that could be adapted, maybe keyboard cases.

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 2 Nov 2015 8:32 am

I found a gig bag intended for a 49 key keyboard that was just the right sise for my Sho~Bud S10. I got an extra bit of foam that goes into the case first to give a bit of extra protection to the keyheads and strings when it's upside-down for assembly.

The pedal board, rod and legs fit neatly into a small holdall intended for lighting stands.

Obviously I wouldn't fly with it or dump it in the back of an equipment truck but as long as you are careful, it works great.

Kristen Bruno · Post by **Kristen Bruno** » 2 Nov 2015 8:58 am

It appears adapting a keyboard case would be a good option, since a more "boxier shape" (similar to the normal wood case) isn't available.
Where would you find a lightweight semi ridid foam?
I would imagine you would glue the foam together in such a way as to encase your instrument (and legs)snugly so it won't rattle around

K

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 2 Nov 2015 9:11 am

This is what I did with a keyboard bag:-

I actually put it in the other way round as the changer is massive and it balances better that way.

Jeff's conditions of use apply.

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 2 Nov 2015 9:13 am

Kristen Bruno wrote: Where would you find a lightweight semi ridid foam?

I got mine off Ebay.

John Sluszny · Post by **John Sluszny** » 2 Nov 2015 9:47 am

Ian Rae wrote:This is what I did with a keyboard bag:-

I actually put it in the other way round as the changer is massive and it balances better that way.

Jeff's conditions of use apply.

Where do you put the dog?

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 2 Nov 2015 9:48 am

I'm sorry, I don't put an instrument of the value we pay in a soft bag.

Sonny Jenkins · Post by **Sonny Jenkins** » 2 Nov 2015 9:58 am

Scott,,,not for shipping or non-destructible protection,,,just to carry to the gig,,,as in ,,,gig bag. I fully intend to make one for my Kline when it's completed,,,Kline + case = HEAVY. Shouldn't be too difficult to find some rigid foam,,,like water "noodles" are made out of.

Larry Allen · Post by **Larry Allen** » 2 Nov 2015 11:12 am

Check out GATOR cases...I've used their 49 key piano soft case with wheels for over 20 years for my Sho-Bud S10...great and affordable..Larry

Ian Rae · Post by **Ian Rae** » 2 Nov 2015 11:13 am

He does look a little disappointed, doesn't he?

[edit]

Looking again at the picture, it's clear that he's just realised the house I'm building isn't for him. I feel bad now.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 2 Nov 2015 11:42 am

Look through the advertisements for keyboard cases. Keyboards and Steels are similar in dimensions, especially if you are playing non-pedal.

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 2 Nov 2015 2:49 pm

Scot, totally disagree with you, I have used padded gig bag for years now when doing local gigs and transporting it on back seat of my car.Should I be doing flying gigs or ones involving van transport I use my lightweight Scott Dixon flight case.In past I have looked at SKB case and would be happy to use that or the Gator case for that type of gig.When using padded bag I am the only one carrying it, so I take very good care of it.

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 2 Nov 2015 4:43 pm

I'm not trying to be mean in my statement.

I do carry my wife's piano in a heavy padded gig bag, but don't like to. Just not enough protection for me. I've had to slam on brakes or swerve and stuff go tumbling. A mic stand raking across the stings and breaking them wouldn't be fun. Or a huge scratch on a lacquer finish.

Just my opinion, no meanness intended.

Bill Cunningham · Post by **Bill Cunningham** » 2 Nov 2015 6:38 pm

Steve Hinson's son recently purchased the tools to make the old lightweight fiberboard (think fingertip Sho Bud) cases. Look up Brand X Cases on Facebook. Should be almost as light as a gig bag and a little better protection.

Malcolm McMaster · Post by **Malcolm McMaster** » 3 Nov 2015 2:59 am

Scot, I secure gig bag lying flat on rear seat using two of the seat belts, that holds bag really secure.My friend had his Emmons in a flight case in trunk of his car and was hit by bus, the case was a write off and he has had tuning problems with it ever since, so even if you take all the precautions you can get damage.As the front and rear of modern cars are designed to be crumple zones and the passenger compartment designed to be a safety zone, I recon it is safer to have guitar in the passenger zone secured by seat belts.At all other times I personally carry the gig bag, so if I drop it or hit anything with it , it is my own fault, but have to say that I am ALWAYS extremely careful.For those of us with back problems the weight saving is enormous , in my case the difference in continuing to play or not.

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 3 Nov 2015 4:03 am

Here's what I use (I have the original wooden case too if I need something a bit heavier duty).

It's actually a case for a 49 key keyboard (most keyboard cases are far too long). In the last picture you can see the extra bit of foam padding I added.

Boo Bernstein · Post by **Boo Bernstein** » 3 Nov 2015 8:55 am

I actually had one custom-made for me a few years ago by the Colorado Case Company. It took a while and was pretty expensive but it worked quite well. I got it because I was flying so much and wanted to take my steel on the plane and fit it in the overhead compartment -- this was after one of steels had been dropped from the plane's hold and severely damaged.

However, I found that even though my steel was shorter than the guitars my fellow musicians were carrying on, it looked bulky. I was constantly fighting with the airlines about taking it on the plane. I prevailed each time but I started thinking that if one of the airlines refused and I had to put it in the hold in a soft bag, it would be destroyed. After about 8 months, I just went back to checking it in a hard case.

That said, it would be a pretty cool solution locally. I'll try to post some photos in the next few days.

Boo

Jeff Mead · Post by **Jeff Mead** » 3 Nov 2015 9:11 am

Putting a steel in the overhead compartment on a plane sounds like a crazy idea and pretty irresponsible IMO.

If the locker opened in flight (which I have seen) someone could be killed or seriously injured.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 3 Nov 2015 10:46 am

I agree with Jeff. Pedal steel guitars are heavy. and not designed for the overhead compartments of aircraft. Most airlines would not allow you to do so, anyway. A pedal steel exceeds the size and weight restrictions of most airlines, even when not in a case. Most airlines don't even allow a regular guitar in the overhead compartments, and their weight is no more than most people's carry-ons.
I shall be flying to England on Sunday and taking a Weissenborn in a case. I don't expect it to be accepted as carry-on luggage.
My advice, if you're going to a gig the other side of the world, is to leave your pedal steel at home and borrow one from someone who lives locally.