Don Ross' guitar destroyed. Prepare to cry.

[yoni]

Looks like United killed his guitar.

Once again, happy to hear from a rep of Unitedairlines, Transportation Security Administration and/or Aircanada about another guitar crime. This guitar is a custom instrument and was travelling in a virtually indestructible carbon fibre case (of the same make used by Yo Yo Ma for his cello) which was unscathed. It was evident that the guitar had been removed from the case, as the strap was stored back in the case sloppily and not the way I store it in the case. Here are photos of the destroyed instrument and the unscathed carbon fibre case. I have no idea how you guys manage to do this, and then be cowardly enough just to throw the instrument back into the case after killing it. Looking forward to hearing from you. This is how I make my living.
PLEASE SHARE LIKE CRAZY.

This one is just sad.

[architype]

That sucks. Maybe he should get a lock for the case for his next guitar. I'm sure they can figure out a way to destroy it anyway.

[Gmountain]

What did they do- take it out and hammer something with it? I would sue them for that. There is no reason for that kind of handling. You should contact your Representative right away.

[flaggerphil]

The case certainly looked "scathed" to me, though I don't know what it looked like before the crime. However, I wouldn't be surprised if something very heavy smashing down on the case so it bowed inward would do that type of damage. Or maybe someone jumping onto the case from some height.

I had a guitar smashed worse than that while in a (regular hard shell) case inside a guitar shipping box, shipped from a guitar factory.

But I'm no expert, and it certainly isn't going to make me cry.

[yoni]

Originally Posted by Gmountain

What did they do- take it out and hammer something with it? I would sue them for that. There is no reason for that kind of handling. You should contact your Representative right away.

It's belongs to Don Ross.


He knows they opened the case and basically smashed it and put it back.

[Edbuff]

what the H happened. There is no way that should've happened. some idiot took it out and dropped it.

[The Bard Rocks]

Maybe someone can explain: that last photo looks like the guitar top is made of cardboard. Nomex? But it looks too thin for that. And the photo of the case does not look it is is pristine either.

How could something like this happen if it were in a case (pristine or not)? Can't a guitar be hand-checked (in front of you) if you request and there is sufficient time?

[Flying Orca]

Originally Posted by Gmountain

You should contact your Representative right away.

"Representative"? What is his Member of Parliament going to be able to do?

[samcatluth]

From the pics it looks like the guitar/guitar and case was dropped with the impact hitting the bottom of the guitar as if someone held the case from some height and dropped it straight down. This is why many shippers remove the strap button at the bottom do it does not act like a wedge if the guitar is dropped. I know you say the strap was misplaced in the case but it may be that it was just dropped from a really high height. Then again I guess someone can be stupid enough to open a case, damage a guitar and put it back. Jeff B

[patrickgm60]

Originally Posted by flaggerphil

The case certainly looked "scathed" to me, though I don't know what it looked like before the crime. However, I wouldn't be surprised if something very heavy smashing down on the case so it bowed inward would do that type of damage. Or maybe someone jumping onto the case from some height.

My thoughts, as well, except for the word "crime." It seems very unlikely an airline or airport worker would remove the guitar, damage it, and put it back in the case. They are far too busy looking for jewelry. : 0

[maxtheaxe]

Given the type of case, and the fact that TSA was involved, I'd say this looks like deliberate maliciousness to me. That kind of damage doesn't happen "accidentally".

[Gmountain]

Originally Posted by Flying Orca

"Representative"? What is his Member of Parliament going to be able to do?

Well, I didn't know he was Canadian or British. (I've never heard of him)Even so, that's why MP's exist, to serve their constituents. Get some diplomatic complaint filed and see if the governments can do something about compensation.

[TBman]

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

Maybe someone can explain: that last photo looks like the guitar top is made of cardboard. Nomex? But it looks too thin for that. And the photo of the case does not look it is is pristine either.

How could something like this happen if it were in a case (pristine or not)? Can't a guitar be hand-checked (in front of you) if you request and there is sufficient time?

Terrible. What is up with that top wood though?

[Jobe]

Reading the TSA label pictured, the guitar was chosen for inspection. If the case was locked they have the right to damage the lock for access. It almost looks like they went nuts on the carbon case and after getting access they took their frustration out on the guitar. Not nice. I wonder how this will work out. (edit: also, since two airlines are mentioned, I think the case was flagged during baggage exchange between airlines.)

[architype]

Originally Posted by TBman

Terrible. What is up with that top wood though?

It is 1/4 sawn spruce. That is what end grain looks like on 1/4 sawn wood.