Flightcase: Traveling with Your Guitar

Traveling by train down the east coast with our band instruments - Little Martin LX1E guitar & Oscar Schmidt Centurion Autoharp

This is the time of year musicians hit the road to perform at festivals, concerts and jams. It is also the time you should make traveling arrangements for the safe transport of your band instruments.

Be sure to check the airport or rail station ahead of time for their specific rules regarding carry on luggage. Based on security issues, some airlines may have varying degrees of requirements for on board bag sizes. I have found that a smaller guitar such as the 3/4 size Little Martin can easily fit in the seat with you or be safely stowed in the overhead flight compartment or rack, (see photo above). This means you will not have to check your guitar and waste time, perhaps even missing your connection, trying to retrieve it. I have found that if it is at all possible, especially when flying, to keep your musical gear in your possession at all times. You are the best person to see that it is handled safely and carefully.

Most airlines require that onboard luggage fit in a certain size container which generally means accommodating a bag measuring about 15" x 25" inches. The Little Martin guitar would qualify as a carry on item. In the above photo I am transporting this guitar by train in it's C.F. Martin logo padded gig bag but you can purchase a hardshell case for extra protection. This might factor in as a preferred choice of an instrument for the road. The onboard Fishman Mini-Q pickup will compensate for the small instrument size once you arrive at your venue. Just have the sound tech voice the amp/PA to your specific instrument during the sound check and you're good!

Audio-Technica's Wireless Guitar System ATW-701/G MSRP $399.95

When you are traveling, you'll find ways to stow extra items in your gig bag which generally will offer more storage space than a hardshell case. One item you do not want to leave behind or pack carelessly is your wireless guitar system. This is my whole wireless guitar system packed and ready to go in a specially padded Audio-Technica case. The transmitter, receiver and cables all fit neatly and securely inside. This can also be taken along as onboard luggage or fit into a messenger bag. The way that the case opens makes it easy for airport security inspections so you should be in and out of line in no time.


Little Martin LX1E - MSRP $499.95

I've found the Little Martin LX1E with its solid spruce top and onboard EQ & pickup to be the perfect traveling guitar. For its 3/4 size, it offers quite a bit of volume acoustically however, you don't have to settle with that alone. Hook it up with a solid wireless guitar system such as the ATW-701/G, to a warm guitar amp and you won't notice the size.

One of the many benefits of taking along a Little Martin is that the laminated back and sizes do not react as readily to heat, cold and humidity changes. You can't get away with that using a solid wood guitar. You'll find the Little Martins to be quite road worthy indeed. In fact, I prefer traveling with this little powerhouse while reserving my Martin D-16GT and Martin HD-28 for local concerts.

Coming Up Next..... DJ's & KJ's check THIS out! Gemini's 3600 Dual CD Mixer / DJ Workstation. We'll show you how to rock it for your next party or event along with other tools you will drool over! Our Guitar Gear Give-Away Winner will be chosen May 1st so ENTER HERE NOW!

Audio-Technica's ATW-701/G On the Road

Isn't it time you freed up your act? We'll be taking the ATW-710/G Wireless Guitar System with us on the road this spring. Freedom!

This is the time of year when you grow really tired of being wrapped up and bundled. All you need is one warm day and you'll see everybody taking off the layers. If that's how you feel when you perform perhaps it's a sign that you are ready to step up to a wireless guitar system. Here is an overview of the wireless system we'll be using on tour this spring from Audio-Technica:

Audio-Technica’s 700 Series Freeway wireless delivers professional features and sound quality unheard of in its class. These easy-to-use wireless systems feature eight selectable frequency-coordinated channels, diversity operation for increased range/reliability, automatic frequency scanning, Tone Lock™ squelch and more. 700 Series Freeway systems come equipped with your choice of handheld, headworn, or lavalier microphones; or choose a system designed for guitar hookup. For multiple-mic applications, as many as eight systems may be used together.

• 8 selectable frequency-coordinated UHF channels


• Use up to 8 simultaneous systems—all channels compatible

• Automatic frequency scanning


• Diversity operation for increased range/reliability


• LED Channel display plus Antenna, AF Peak indicators


• Balanced XLR and unbalanced ¼” output connectors


• Tone Lock™ squelch system eliminates interference when transmitter is off


• UniPak® transmitter features: separate guitar/mic trim control, switchable high/low RF power, internal channel selector, multi-color battery/power indicator, AA operation


• Handheld transmitter features: variable trim control, internal channel selector, multi-color battery/power indicator, AA operation


• Freeway body-pack systems are compatible with all Audio-Technica Wireless Essentials® microphones and cables

The ATW-701/G is the system for a wireless guitar hookup. Really we have been amazed at how easy it is to incorporate a wireless system into our existing rig. If you look to the left in our banner ad section, you'll see that Audio-Technica makes a carrying case for their wireless systems, (3000 Series is shown), so they are made to travel very well.

Pedals With a Wireless Guitar System
If you are worried that using a wireless system means that you'll have to say goodbye to your pedals and stomp boxes, think again! If you want to use your same rig of pedals and effects, here is how you do it:

1. Run the out cable from the receiver to the first pedal

2. Connect all the pedals in their usual order, (45 degree mini cables work great)

3. Run a cable from the last pedal to the amp

Voodoo Lab's Pedal Power II supports all of the effects pedals shown in the photo and would work in powering your wireless guitar receiver too. In fact, you can set up the receiver right in with the effects pedals in the case although the manufacturer suggests 3 feet off the floor. Need to know how to properly link the pedals your own pedalboard in the right order? Check out this article: Guitar Pedals-Get the Effect III

When you think about it, part of your on stage presence is being able to freely move, dance and interact with your audience. Stiff, frozen performances do not cut it. A wireless guitar system gives you incredible access to the crowd and extra mobility on stage. We can't wait to rock this! Visit Audio-Technica Online to check out the ATW-701/G and their other professional wireless systems.

Oh yes, it's coming up! Eclectic Sound's May 1st Guitar Gear Give-Away with NEW goodies like the Mighty Bright Pedalboard Light, Planet Waves Dual Action Capo, their NEW Lubrikit and Coated Light Electric Strings, Martin Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Strings and MORE! Follow Dr. M on Twitter ! My Twitter Tweets will announce the start of the Give-Away.