Travel case recommendation for A25 Rickenbacher Frypan

[Michael Kiese]

Hello all,

Does anybody have a recommendation for a good flight case for a Rickenbacher A25?

I'd prefer a case like Pro Tec. Something light and sturdy, that I can carry on a Flight.

I'm doing my own research, but I thought I'd ask the forum just in case any of you have already travelled down this rabbit hole and can save me some time.

Mahalo in advance!

[Pat Briggs]

Aloha Mike,
Todd Clinesmith uses Blue Heron cases on his lap steel guitars. He makes aluminum frypans. I haven’t seen one in person as my frypan is still on order but perhaps some Clinesmith owners might be able to chime in. The quality looks good on the Blue Heron website.
Pat

[Michael Kiese]

Aloha Mike,
Todd Clinesmith uses Blue Heron cases on his lap steel guitars. He makes aluminum frypans. I haven’t seen one in person as my frypan is still on order but perhaps some Clinesmith owners might be able to chime in. The quality looks good on the Blue Heron website.
Pat

Mahalo for replying Pat!

I'm following up with Blue Heron right now. Thank you for the recommendation.

For the sake of posterity, and anyone who might read this post with the same need...I found some very suitable hard shell rifle cases. Can't go wrong for $50...

The $110 one has "pick and pluck" padding so you can make a perfect outline for whatever you want to store in there. One guy put a cigar box guitar in it, and another guy put an EART headless guitar.


42" rifle case ($50):
https://www.amazon.com/Condition-Single ... F0aWM&th=1

36" rifle case ($110):
https://www.amazon.com/Plano-Tactical-W ... F0aWM&th=1

[Michael Kiese]

Just following up...

I communicated with Blue Heron. They offered me the same size soft case that they make for Todd Clinesmith.

A soft case is a nice gig back, but I would never take it on a flight even as a carry on for my A25.

So I'm going with the rifle case. It's half the price, and the pick and pluck foam will allow me to make a custom cut-out of my A25.

Thanks!

[George Piburn]

Hello from GeorgeBoards Steel Guitars for the Stars.

Back when we were still manufacturing High End Steel Guitars - starting in 1994 we offered and sold both Pelican and later Plano waterproof cases aka Travel Vault's. Either Brand is beyond excellent and the Plano Brand came in a lot less coins, and basically same quality.

In my time they both included "Air Purge" to equalize the air pressure after a high altitude flight, I knew about that technology from my post NASA Daze, we had flight cases from Moon Shots. Without it the Case would not open after experiencing the Stratosphere.

A nice tip is: For Solid Foam ELE Types, - That material cuts like Butter with a typical Kitchen Electric Knife, Makes for being able to get an exact fit of personal choice, resulting in a better fit than those pluck out foam style. Be careful not to cut yourself. I took mine to a professional foam shop and had them cut and covered with Velvet fabric - well worth the expense to keep a collectible as nice as possible. Many of those pluck-out foam type will disintegrate over time and end up sticking to the instrument. The ELE (Exactly Like Ester) tends to not do any of that and keep it's shape over the years.

Get the one with all of the closing latches and heavy duty handle and for certain the waterproofing gasket.
If the plane goes down that case will most likely to "Make It". Those flat thin jobs are not nearly as good for Flights - only to and from a car to stage.

One thing to remember is, these will Not fit in an over head Bin, and must be Checked. I've traveled to and from Maui to Sandy Eggo, numerous times with some of my Double Neck 8 Consoles (Hawaiian Harp) and never as much as a single worry.

[Michael Kiese]

Hello from GeorgeBoards Steel Guitars for the Stars.

Back when we were still manufacturing High End Steel Guitars - starting in 1994 we offered and sold both Pelican and later Plano waterproof cases aka Travel Vault's. Either Brand is beyond excellent and the Plano Brand came in a lot less coins, and basically same quality.

In my time they both included "Air Purge" to equalize the air pressure after a high altitude flight, I knew about that technology from my post NASA Daze, we had flight cases from Moon Shots. Without it the Case would not open after experiencing the Stratosphere.

A nice tip is: For Solid Foam ELE Types, - That material cuts like Butter with a typical Kitchen Electric Knife, Makes for being able to get an exact fit of personal choice, resulting in a better fit than those pluck out foam style. Be careful not to cut yourself. I took mine to a professional foam shop and had them cut and covered with Velvet fabric - well worth the expense to keep a collectible as nice as possible. Many of those pluck-out foam type will disintegrate over time and end up sticking to the instrument. The ELE (Exactly Like Ester) tends to not do any of that and keep it's shape over the years.

Get the one with all of the closing latches and heavy duty handle and for certain the waterproofing gasket.
If the plane goes down that case will most likely to "Make It". Those flat thin jobs are not nearly as good for Flights - only to and from a car to stage.

One thing to remember is, these will Not fit in an over head Bin, and must be Checked. I've traveled to and from Maui to Sandy Eggo, numerous times with some of my Double Neck 8 Consoles (Hawaiian Harp) and never as much as a single worry.

Hey George,

Mahalo for the response. Looks like the rifle case is the way to go, thanks for the vote of confidence.

The 36" rifle case I mentioned above is in fact a PLANO case, and it's $110. That's a great deal. Very good to know that your Plano case survived check-in numerous times! That's very helpful.

Those pressure release valves are a VERY handy feature, so these PLANOs are ideal for travel and touring with a vintage steel. And so Cheap! Amazing.

https://www.amazon.com/Plano-Tactical-W ... F0aWM&th=1

I'll probably go with the PLANO. It just makes sense. I could buy 2 PLANO cases for the cost of one blue heron soft case and still have money left over. If there's enough space in there, I could possibly fit 2 steels. Would be great if I eventually get an A22. My A25 and A22 could travel together.

Nothing against Blue Heron. I may still end up buying a soft case for local gigs.

I also love that PLANO and Blue Heron are made in the USA. I love to support American businesses. Especially ones that offer high quality for low cost like PLANO. That's pretty amazing in this day and age.

[George Piburn]

If you want to carry-on your collectible, that Blue Heron or other soft gig bag is more likely to fit an overhead bin.

That Plano 36 is big enough to fit both of those Fry pans in opposed positions and to cut in a place to house a little pelican case for the Bar - Picks and so on too.

[Michael Kiese]

Most definitely.

The nice things about Frypans is that they're hunks of metal. Pretty much the only thing that needs protection are the tuners on the headstock.

I should just put one of those Golf club socks over the headstock and shove the frypan in my checked baggage. lol.

[Marc Muller]

And remember never fly with finger picks in your pocket. If the plane goes down you might be misidentified as a banjo player....
I too looked at those rifle cases at Costco. Had did it work out?

[Michael Kiese]

And remember never fly with finger picks in your pocket. If the plane goes down you might be misidentified as a banjo player....
I too looked at those rifle cases at Costco. Had did it work out?

LOL. "Hey guys, we have a survivor over here. Nevermind. He plays Banjo."

I haven't ordered it yet. Probably will soon. I'll follow up on this thread with the result.

[Jim Newberry]

My Clinesmith 25" fits nicely into my 1940-ish National New Yorker tweed case. The Joaquin fits, too. I've used that for overhead storage on a flight or two.

[Michael Kiese]

For the sake of posterity, I'm ordering that Plano case on Amazon.

It's "Prime Day", so that case went from $110 to $85.

I think it will work very well. When it comes in, I'll post pictures.

[Michael Kiese]

After following some leads, I settled on this 36" Plano Case. Made in the USA, and currently $85 on Amazon Prime Day special. Normally priced at $110.

As you can see, it easily accommodates two 24.5" scale frypans. I'll just cutout the pick'n pluck foam and make custom outlines. There's even enough space right in the middle to hold my bars and picks.

Also, it's MADE IN THE USA, baby.

I'd feel very secure checking this thing on a plane for a long flight.

About this item
PLANO ALL-WEATHER TACTICAL GUN CASE: Protect your firearms from damage with the Plano All Weather 36-inch Tactical Gun Case. Continuous Dri-Loc seal creates watertight, dust-proof shield, protecting your firearms from water damage and the elements.
RUGGED, INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH CONSTRUCTION is elevated with heavy-duty, dual-stage lockable latches for additional security.
EASY CUSTOMIZATION: Features pre-perforated pluck-to-fit foam for easy customization.
AIRLINE APPROVED: Pressure release valve equalizes pressure caused by altitude or temperature changes, making this rifle case safe for airline travel.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS: 36” Black Tactical rifle case. Made in the USA.
Interior: 37in x 14in x 5in Exterior: 38.4in x 16.8in x 6.4in

[Keith Aiken]

my clinesmith a 25 fits well into a gold tone irish tenor banjo case. foam store cut the foam. need to add a little on the bottom & glue the fur

[Michael Kiese]

That's a novel solution. Cool!

[Jim Newberry]

My A25 Clinesmith frypan in my 1940ish National New Yorker hard case.

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