I have a T2, but now with overweight and oversize costing $250 for a round trip on the cheapest airline - Jetblue - I'm thinking of getting the S900 for travel.

Does anyone know if it weighs less than 50lb with a hardcase?

http://www.gatorcases.com/productsmodeldetail.aspx?LID=3&PID=47&MID=209


Looks like over 50lbs together.

Maybe try a Midjay & controller

Just curious, but anyone know how much to rent one at the destination? Probably easier if it were a (more readily available) synth or workstation. That's what touring organ players do (or did)....remember when the B3 was the 'lightweight' portable (as opposed to the 'C' (console)). That was back when organ players were real men, not the wimps that walk around now with a C1 under one arm (but sound just as good ).

chas

Renting an arranger must be VERY hit or miss. Heck, even finding one in a store to BUY, yet alone rent is getting pretty difficult, these days...

We rent back line to touring pros I've never seen anyone ask for an arranger. And we sometimes have to import hard to find stuff from NYC.
We do have a B3 and A 147 plus all the clones and most of the synths, Triton, 3 models of Motifs and Rolands .
Guitar and bass players usually bring their own instruments and effects but not amps.

I think I will get a harmonica and mic then take up blues playing,
My local music store where I have been trading for the last 35 years has a full and complete rental department with everything a touring group could ever need except arranger keyboards. However there are also half a dozen or more arrangers for sale in the used department so they can buy or rent one of those if needed.
So if you are doing San Joe, CA just call Guitar Showcase. tell them you were sent in by:
Bebop

This isn't a flight case, but it is hardshell, and it looked pretty sturdy to me when I tried it out. It wouldn't fit in the trunk of my car, so I returned it.

It weighs 3.6 lbs when empty:
http://www.musiciansstorehouse.com/Merch...Product_Count=1

Beakybird

This is not exactly an ideal solution, but you might want to consider shipping the keyboard ahead of you. It will almost certainly be far cheaper. Just be sure to get it properly packed, insured, and documented, and always have a backup plan!

I use this Guardian 61 its a great light case ....but not for TRAVELING on a plane.

On my recent gig trip to NC I had my kn6000 in an ATA case from NY Case Co: http://cgi.ebay.com/ATA-CASE-for-TECHNIC...bayphotohosting

Total weight - kb and case = 60lbs.

I flew Continental Express and at Newark Airport they only charged me for overweight - $50 ... When leaving Greensboro Airport they wanted to charge me $50 for overweight and $100 for oversize!!! ... I questioned one employee after another about why it was different from Newark, until a Supervisor let me go with just the overweight charge (for the kb, not ME !!! ) ...
When she saw me in the airport later, she said she checked and they did not charge oversize for musical instruments, so I shouldn't have been charged anyway ... I thought this sounded strange, but as long as I didn't have to pay, I didn't care what the reason was ...

chony - maybe you should check with airlines about that ...

t.
PS ... As it was an unexpected expense, I split the extra shipping cost with the client...
t.

[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 05-25-2008).]

[This message has been edited by tony mads usa (edited 05-25-2008).]

Tony, she made a mistake - that was in the very old days (3 years ago!) All the airlines have since then started charging for musical instruments. I fly a lot so I keep on top of these things, but the recent price hike on everything is really going to hit me as many people will go local if I'm yet another $200...

I would wrap the keyboard in one layer of quality bubblewrap and use the Guardian. Then, I would get insurance.

Beakybird

Reminds me of the time I was seated in a jet and was watching the luggage truck as what appeared to bass guitar case fell from the top of the heap of luggage about 10 feet to the ground. The guy who was driving while this happened must have heard it land as he stopped, picked up the case and threw it back up on top of the 10 foot heap.

My trumpet always fit into the luggage compartment, thankfully.

Buy the Guardian and tell them its a rolling suit hanger. Set it up front in the cabin closet.

Record your songs, put them on an Ipod and rent a PA when you get there Its crazy draggin a KB all over the place.

There ya go, or rent the pa AND a synth to play live keyboard parts over you backing tracks.

Bring back the arranger module

I auditioned a Ketron SD3 last week. Sounded great... How about that for traveling...
There already is arranger modules! I just learned that this last week...
Lee

I didn't think this sounded right because that's what about 3 music books would weigh.

I contacted the company and was told it's more like around 10 pounds.

Mike, I'm involved in a company that does the same...B-3's, Turbo cabinets, etc. We even have outdoor festival size staging and lights. Big, expensive stuff not generally found in music stores. Like you, we're constantly hunting for that missing piece to loan, and some of our stuff (old black face supers, 145's, 147's, C-22's, Leslies, etc.) is constantly loaned out.

Let's visit off-line sometime to compare notes. We could talk about which touring acts are the hardest to please/most demanding.


Be well,


Russ

We have a small system
stereo 3-way
Loudspeaker Management System is BSS Omnidrive FDS-336T
Crest Pro200 series touring amplifiers

Soundcraft Spirit Live/4 32 channel mixer

Front of House speakers consisting of:
(4) B&C Double 18" Subwoofer cabinets (push pull design)
(4) B&C 2 X 15” & horn Hi Packs

8) Mackie SRM450 bi-amp monitors.
Crest monitor console 32 ch./w 12 mixes
Plus you know lights efx, etc.


We deal more with the promoters than the artist. We supply everything from congas to xylophones. We have a nice collection of vintage Fender,
Marshall, Eden, Ampeg amps, DW drums Yamaha drums. From guitar stands to drum thrones
Plus smaller JBL stick type systems we rent to local groups or Dj's, the owner has been in the business 40 years as both a performer, store owner and
now this, I have a minimal involvement as a friend of 25 years, computer guru (to him), and at times employee. And of course I get to borrow
all the equipment and play with it.

As I'm sure you know Russ there is never a dull moment in the back trenches of "show business".



[This message has been edited by mikeathome1 (edited 06-05-2008).]