martyjoe - Posted - 07/28/2025:  07:22:36

In the past few weeks I attended two large music festivals here in Ireland, Willy Clancy CoClare & Joe Mooney Co Leitrim. At the first one I met a lady from the USA who came over with a 3/4 fiddle in a ukulele soft bag so she could carry it on avoiding extra charges & hassle leaving her 4/4 at home.
At the second one I met a lady from Scotland who paid for a seat for her 4/4 fiddle. She was pressing me to come with a solution to find something that can fit within the 22” carry on limit.
After a quick glance on the net it seems that most 3/4 fiddles are 21” leaving almost an inch to spare. Is there a 3/4 violin case that fits within the 22” limit for carry on?

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 07/28/2025:  09:50:36

There are violin cases designed to be used in travel. They are shorter than typical cases and don’t have bow holders inside (a bow tube can be attached). However, there are cases even with bow holders that fit the description for carry-on rules. A lot of shaped cases are more space-efficient and will work well in travel.

wrench13 - Posted - 07/28/2025:  11:29:51

I've flown to and from China several times, Scotland and all over the US with a standard fiddle case. Never had an issue going into the cabin and putting it in the overhead.

martyjoe - Posted - 07/28/2025:  13:00:24

I haven’t tried to bring a fiddle as carry on yet. The last tenor I had was an 18” so I just checked in every time in its fiberglass case. But I had an incident once where I was checking in a tenor banjo in a softbag and the attendant at the check in refused to check it in, forcing me to carry it on which really annoyed me.
So anyhow it’s funny how v I’ve encountered 3 people in the past 3 weeks that have had issues. It seems that and it has been my experience that when the person at the check in desk has the rules in their mind they can be totally inflexible. I’ve spent a couple of hours looking online and I can’t find a 3/4 fiddle case under the 22” carry on rule limit.

tonyelder - Posted - 07/28/2025:  15:27:41

...in the past, depending on the airline and the stewardess - I've been allowed to board early with a guitar that I stored in the over head. I felt guilty for doing it, but did it anyway. I always travelled with a Calton case. So if I had to gate check it, I could smile and say thanks.

We will be flying to Alaska in a few weeks. No guitar this time. But I will carry a fiddle in a hard-shell fiberglass case - nice case. I will ask if I can check it at the gate instead of with luggage when we check-in. Hope that works - less handling. less chances of getting "tossed" in with luggage. and used to pick it up as I left the plane (most of the time).

But I understand that the airlines have gotten a lot more "strict" about what they will and won't do. It won't be my #1 fiddle, and I will have a rider for the trip to cover it. I have thought about a carbon fiber fiddle for travel, but I can't justify buying something like that just for occasional air travel (once or twice a year).

I've given up thinking about carry-on or overhead except for short trips.

martyjoe - Posted - 07/28/2025:  15:52:37

Well I’m going to try something out. I’m off to another music festival down in Clare next week for a few days before I hit the All Ireland Fleadh down in Wexford. I spotted a used 3/4 Stentor advertised down in Limerick so I’ll put a bid on it when I’m passing and pimp it up as a travel fiddle. I like the look of the Casha soprano ukulele softbags so we’ll see how practical it is before I get a master built 3/4. I have a 1/4 and a 1/8 tailpiece ordered so I might have something in a couple of weeks to try.

farmerjones - Posted - 07/28/2025:  19:22:53

When I do travel I use the hard 'gator' case. I put it in the overhead. I act like I do it all the time. I've noticed not all overhead bins have wheelbags in them. Some have coats. By putting your fiddle up there, you are facilitating the bin for coats.

Edited by - farmerjones on 07/28/2025 19:23:25

martyjoe - Posted - 07/29/2025:  05:00:53

I just came across a travel violin bow on the net. divi:de has anyone heard of this product? It seems impressive to me.

JonD - Posted - 07/29/2025:  05:58:54

If it were me I'd use a suspension case, a not super-expensive 4/4 fiddle and be prepared to gate check it. Never had to do the gate check thing in the States but I'm aware that some airlines (Ryanair?) are super picky. 

Edited by - JonD on 07/29/2025 06:02:38

martyjoe - Posted - 07/29/2025:  06:21:02

Yes. The lady coming over from Scotland having to pay a seat for her fiddle was traveling Ryanair. They have no margin whatsoever 22” is it, buy a seat, put it under or leave it behind. A friend tried to bring a small tenor banjo as carry on a few days ago from the USA and was asked to pay something like $150 extra, he declined and I’m lending him a banjo for his stay. I think all airlines are going to get stricter. I wouldn’t mind buying a seat for a nice cello but not for a fiddle!

wrench13 - Posted - 07/29/2025:  06:59:56

FWIW I'll relate my (well, my bands) worst air travel story. The bass player wanted to bring his expensive German solid top bass with us flying to Scotland. He made a special crate for it. We flew out of Newark, to Gatwick in the UK. Virgin Atlantic. When we arrived, we found out they had left the bass back in New Jersey! Next day was a concert in Glasgow, so we couldn't wait, he rented a bass for the 3 week tour. When we got back to Gatwick on a Sunday, Virgin said "Hey! Your bass is here! Aren't we great!", in the mean time they had lost or broken the crate. The bass player freaked out! We hung around til Monday, and went up the ladder at Virgin until someone there OK;d the bass to have a first class seat! We, in coach, kept telling the stewies that the bass up in seat 3A wants a double Jack Daniels, and send it back here to coach!

DougD - Posted - 07/29/2025:  07:13:27

I think times may have changed again since some of you last traveled by air. Looks like 22 inches is the carryon limit everywhere these days (just from looking online). Lee Sexton and I gate checked our banjo and guitar on a trip to Seattle without a problem, and I carried on my fiddle in a case 32" long, but that was 20 years ago! If you gate check something I think it has to go through security, since you're carrying it to the jetway. Also I had bought a Taylor guitar for travel, and those cases are very sturdy.
50 years ago our band was part of a 25 person tour of Latin America for the US State Department. We shared our bass with Howard Armstrong's son Tommy to use with their group. When we flew, the bass was safely strapped in a seat, and the ticket was for "Sr. Contrabajo," even though its real name was "Bud!"

DougD - Posted - 07/29/2025:  08:27:01

PS - If I were traveling from Scotland to Ireland with an instrument, especially in a party, I think I'd consider a ferry. My ancestors traveled back and forth, long before airplanes.

martyjoe - Posted - 07/29/2025:  08:40:01

quote:

---

Originally posted by DougD

PS - If I were traveling from Scotland to Ireland with an instrument, especially in a party, I think I'd consider a ferry. My ancestors traveled back and forth, long before airplanes.

---

There was a time not that long ago when they rowed back and forth between Ulster and Scotland. Hence the similarities in spoaken accents and musical styles. It’s only 40 miles across. 

tonyelder - Posted - 07/29/2025:  08:52:20

quote:

---

Originally posted by DougD

 If you gate check something I think it has to go through security, since you're carrying it to the jetway. 

---

Yes, which is another reason to gate check. If you leave it at check-in counter, with luggage, they will probalby open your case and inspect without you being there. 



Going through security - you're with them when it is checked - AND - you can lock the case - and/or tape over the latches afterward. Gate check with everything secured. When you pick it back up - you can usually tell if it has been opened. Plus, less handling by "them" that don't care. 

Edited by - tonyelder on 07/29/2025 08:53:01

DougD - Posted - 07/29/2025:  09:04:42

martjoe - Yes, I know. Our family history includes a member who travelled from Ulster to Edinburgh in1765 to attend divinity school, so I knew it could be done. Only about 2 hours in modern times.
Tony - When Lee and I travelled, they were very attentive, and our instruments were always waiting for us at the jetway when we deplaned, and hopefully had avoided the treatment from the baggage handlers you can easily see if you watch them unloading the plane.

tonyelder - Posted - 07/29/2025:  14:49:13

quote:

---

Originally posted by DougD

martjoe - Yes, I know. Our family history includes a member who travelled from Ulster to Edinburgh in1765 to attend divinity school, so I knew it could be done. Only about 2 hours in modern times.

Tony - When Lee and I travelled, they were very attentive, and our instruments were always waiting for us at the jetway when we deplaned, and hopefully had avoided the treatment from the baggage handlers you can easily see if you watch them unloading the plane.

---

yes. my experience too.  drop it off at the end of the jetway when boarding ,and pick it at the end of the jetway on the way out.  much like the strollers for parents with toddlers. never any problems, but i'm sure there are a few folks with stories. 

Edited by - tonyelder on 07/29/2025 14:52:32

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 07/29/2025:  17:15:10

I can't say about European travel regs. I haven't flown outside the U.S. What I did was buy a Calton violin case and if it gets kicked into luggage the case is hefty enough to withstand "cargo" treatment. I also found a Calton Mandolin combination case which is also on the hefty side. R/

alaskafiddler - Posted - 07/30/2025:  01:09:04

Some airlines do not really do or allow gate checking. A lot of musicians figured out that Ryanair isn't the friendliest to musicians, esp the strict baggage, 22" thing, and extra fees. Nor the only option. Sometimes the initial cheaper ticket isn't in the long run. Here's a resource to airlines and musical instruments fim-musicians.org/airlines-list Other airlines might be more expensive ticket, but allow instrument as normal free carry-on.

Of course knowing you can't or potentially can't bring your instrument as carry-on, and will have to be checked baggage. As other suggest, buy a good case, perhaps flight case. Perhaps better... rather than treating it like normal luggage... treat it as if were for shipping, put in double box, packaging. With that, have option can check like normal luggage; or If don't need the instrument to travel on plane with you; some musicians just use other to ship their instrument/gear (esp if airlines charge for additional baggage).

Buying a 3/4 and a gig bag; especially if not going to get any other use out of it? First, consider gig bags don't offer a lot of protection. Assume is still going to be placed in overhead, exposed to turbulence, and other passengers or flight attendants trying to make things fit. Even other travel, cars, trains... sure a gig bag is way to go? Second, if plan is leave your regular instrument home, use a different instrument anyway, might consider few other options, that don't involve bringing the instrument with you, rather availability of instruments where your destination is. Buy one there. Loaner sometimes might be possible if can arrange ahead.  Rentals, however might be best/easiest option. 

Edited by - alaskafiddler on 07/30/2025 01:10:28

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 07/30/2025:  04:41:23

I agree with alaskafiddler that using a loaned instrument is often a much simpler and less headache-inducing option. If you’re traveling to a place that has at least a modest violin presence, you ought to be able to find a shop that has something at least playable. Many shops will be happy to do a short-term rental of an instrument and some might even do it free of charge if you’re willing to make a plug for them on social media. It will cost you less than buying an extra case and paying any baggage fees and you don’t have to worry about your instrument not arriving on time.



If you have a very fine instrument that you’re intending to take on the plane, it’s worth it to make sure it never leaves your hands. I would not want any instrument of even moderate value to leave my sight if I could help it. It may seem more economical to take the gamble with a cheaper instrument, but if it gets damaged, you'll be stuck without it and then you'll have to scramble to find something else to use at the last minute instead of making plans to get something reliable with plenty of lead time. 



I recently loaned out two violas for an international music festival so that students who flew in didn’t need to bring violas and I had a cello ready as well if it was needed. All of the international students flew with their primary instruments (violin, viola, cello) and they all made it without issue, but I think they bought seats for the instruments. I should add that some of them had instruments provided for their use by major shops. The shops likely requested that they put the instruments in a seat beside them for security.

Edited by - The Violin Beautiful on 07/30/2025 04:45:34

martyjoe - Posted - 07/30/2025:  05:22:13

I placed firm bids on three 3/4 violins this morning in various locations around the country. So I’m hoping to get at least one of them for this little experiment. The plan is to swap out the tailpiece with a smaller one, fit a new bridge behind the soundpost and put on a new set of 4/4 strings. It will be interesting to see how close it will be to a full size for playability before I shelve out the big bucks for a master level 3/4 violin and a Divide detachable bow. Pity there doesn’t seem to be a good hard case for 3/4 violins, I guess I’ll just have to make one.

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 07/30/2025:  10:42:15

quote:

---

Originally posted by martyjoe

I placed firm bids on three 3/4 violins this morning in various locations around the country. So I’m hoping to get at least one of them for this little experiment. The plan is to swap out the tailpiece with a smaller one, fit a new bridge behind the soundpost and put on a new set of 4/4 strings. It will be interesting to see how close it will be to a full size for playability before I shelve out the big bucks for a master level 3/4 violin and a Divide detachable bow. Pity there doesn’t seem to be a good hard case for 3/4 violins, I guess I’ll just have to make one.

---

Bobelock makes 3/4 cases with a plywood shell that are built like tanks. They are some of the best student cases one can get and they're very reasonably priced. "Carbon fiber" or fiberglass cases look fancy and weigh less but aren't necessarily any stronger. 

martyjoe - Posted - 07/30/2025:  11:49:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Violin Beautiful

quote:

---

Originally posted by martyjoe

I placed firm bids on three 3/4 violins this morning in various locations around the country. So I’m hoping to get at least one of them for this little experiment. The plan is to swap out the tailpiece with a smaller one, fit a new bridge behind the soundpost and put on a new set of 4/4 strings. It will be interesting to see how close it will be to a full size for playability before I shelve out the big bucks for a master level 3/4 violin and a Divide detachable bow. Pity there doesn’t seem to be a good hard case for 3/4 violins, I guess I’ll just have to make one.

---

Bobelock makes 3/4 cases with a plywood shell that are built like tanks. They are some of the best student cases one can get and they're very reasonably priced. "Carbon fiber" or fiberglass cases look fancy and weigh less but aren't necessarily any stronger. 

---

Thanks Rich. They certainly do look strong but even their 1/2 to 3/4 case is 29"s long. But they do special orders. I reckon once they get a few special order 3/4 22" cases it is likely to become part of their product range. Bye the way I've had one offer accepted already €50 for a Stentor 3/4, I'm calling out to have a look at a Hofner 3/4 this evening. 

alaskafiddler - Posted - 07/31/2025:  00:47:30

Might check this out, solution designed to meet the 22" limit (inc case), for those in countries/airlines with length restrictions.



donrickertmusicianshop.com/the...-rickert/



Someone traveled here with one, showed up at a jam and I got to try it briefly. It played okay, and volume and tone wasn't as bad as I thought would be.



Reminds me of many years ago a friend came up with similar idea. He just took a regular 4/4, cut off the scroll and slight modified the peg box to be shorter, pegs closer (he had to redo peg-holes anyway). Looked a little odd but functioned fine, didn't affect sound kept, 4/4 playability. He came up with case so it sat diagonally. He also fashioned a collapsible bow.

FWIW, in US this is mostly non-issue since 2015, when the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Section 403 went into affect. Size limit of musical instrument carry on is simply if room; "if" it fits in that plane's overhead bin or under seat; no need to gate check, and they can't tell you to (if meets the conditions), or remove it to. Though caveat if not already full; first come, first serve. (pre boarding might be good idea).

Tony... when you come up, can just put fiddle in overhead.

 

Edited by - alaskafiddler on 07/31/2025 00:59:18

martyjoe - Posted - 07/31/2025:  02:53:33

I now have a 3/4 Stentor & a 3/4 Hopfner in my workshop ready for pimping up. The tailpiece’s (1/4 & 1/8th) should be here Monday. I’m going to order three different soprano ukulele softbags as the lower bout is a lot wider than a soprano ukulele, and some Larsen Tzigane 4/4 violin strings.
alaskafiddler thanks for the link to that travel fiddle, I’m very interested in the bow that they offer. This little side project is starting to grow legs.

NCnotes - Posted - 07/31/2025:  09:04:43

Wow I did not know about the 22” limit! Ugh.



Last time I flew, the stewardess took my violin with a smile, opened up some mysterious closet in front of plane, stuck it in there, and told me I could pick it up on my way out. I felt pampered (but not as pampered as that bass, hahaha). I’ll have to look into travel cases, because I do want to try a session in NYC someday (both of our daughters live there, so I am up there a lot).



I would never check my instrument…imagining it falling out onto the conveyor belt along with the suitcases makes me shudder! My fiddle is more than 100 years old…



Enjoy the Festivals, MartyJoe, hope you have a Blast! :-D

Whoops...just read that if it fits in overhead bin it's ok...so maybe no worries. I'll probably call the airline and check first though...some airlines are Draconian about the carry-on sizes...

Edited by - NCnotes on 07/31/2025 09:07:49

alaskafiddler - Posted - 07/31/2025:  14:51:41

quote:

---

Originally posted by martyjoe

The plan is to swap out the tailpiece with a smaller one, fit a new bridge behind the soundpost and put on a new set of 4/4 strings. It will be interesting to see how close it will be to a full size for playability before I shelve out the big bucks for a master level 3/4 violin

---

Your plan is to put bridge back about 7/8" behind soundpost?

While just to achieve full size fingering, comes with trade off;  bridge, to soundpost and bass bar - affects the sound. (of already weaker 3/4). Rich could probably go into more detail in how just moving the bridge would affect sound.

Might be better off keeping 3/4 set up; getting the best sound out of that  3/4; and just adjusting your fingering, as it's not as different as think. It's kind of like what happens using a capo up a fret or two (like on a mando), or playing in second position; It's the equivalent finger spacing as would be starting from up about a whole step; putting the fingers only slightly closer together.

Edited by - alaskafiddler on 07/31/2025 15:00:02

martyjoe - Posted - 07/31/2025:  15:23:02

Ah! The whole point of it is to put the bridge behind the soundpost! The soundpost position is fixed, that can’t be changed. Well maybe by a tiny bit. The bridge has a degree of flexibility. By putting it the same distance from the soundpost but behind the soundpost the soundboard behaves the same. No sound penalty. The string mass is increased (the string is your engine) and the break angle over the bridge is also increased. The longer string length helps to make up for the loss of volume by having a smaller body. The increased break angle and the smaller body adds brightness so it needs to get the darker Larsen strings. One thing for sure, it is going to be a lot better than::

Edited by - martyjoe on 07/31/2025 15:32:02

 

martyjoe - Posted - 07/31/2025:  15:30:18

And probably a lot cheaper: €50 for 2nd hand 3/4 fiddle, €9 for 1/8th tailpiece, €2.90 for tailgut, €6 for new bridge and €62 for good quality strings.

Edited by - martyjoe on 07/31/2025 15:32:37

martyjoe - Posted - 08/01/2025:  03:46:56

Here’s an idea of what the 3/4 Stentor will look like. I put in a 1/16th tailpiece just for the photo. The strings and 1/8th tailpiece will be here next week. So this now is essentially a smaller bodied 4/4 violin that fits all the requirements of carry on.
I also think that it is a perfect method for a students to make an earlier transition to 4/4 and then having a usable instrument to keep after they’ve completed the transition to a full sized violin.

martyjoe - Posted - 08/01/2025:  06:46:26

Both GDAE an octave apart. One in the overhead the other in the cargo hold.

 

martyjoe - Posted - 08/03/2025:  05:33:16

Here’s the overall measurement of each fiddle. So the Hopf should still fit into the maximum 22”: 14”: 9” “box” space by placing it in on an angle/diagonal, but it won’t fit the maximum “box” space requirement for Ryanair. Whereas the Stentor fits both. Ryanair’s maximum “box” space is 55cm: 40cm: 20cm.

Hopf 3/4

Stentor3/4

TuneWeaver - Posted - 08/03/2025:  10:15:42

I've traveled many times nationally and internationally with my fiddle as a carry on..Never have had even one problem...(fingers crossed)...

martyjoe - Posted - 08/06/2025:  08:41:35

The soprano ukulele softbags, the 4/4 violin strings and the 1/8th violin tailpieces arrived today. Both 3/4 fiddles fit comfortably into either of the bags along with their shoulder rests. I would be inclined to place a pair of below ankle socks in each side of the bridge if I were to put them into the overhead of an airliner. The first place I would try for in a plane is under the seat. I would be very comfortable putting them/it in the overhead once everyone else has their bags in, these things are so small there shouldn’t be any problem fitting them in small gaps. They sound like normal full size violins but without the full G string. In fact the longer string length (same as 4/4) has improved them significantly, none of that hollowey tone you get from cheap 3/4 fiddles. Of course getting a full size bow that fits carry on is expensive.
For the next challenge I’ve just ordered a 7/8 violin from a Chinese eBay store. It will be interesting to see how I can get that to fit into the carry on box dimensions. I’m very confident that I can.

martyjoe - Posted - 08/11/2025:  01:31:43

BIG WEEK! This week I attended two festivals. Feakle in County Clare Wednesday and Thursday. The Fleadh Ceol in Wexford Town Yesterday and Today. The small fiddles in the soft bags are a delight to carry around. I bring as many instruments to a session as I can despite being ribbed by a few people along the way. So I parked up the car about half a mile away from the action and trundled in with my accordion, wood & silver flutes, tenor viola, tenor banjo, alto saxophone and 3/4 violin. Oh and I also packed one of those round plastic collapsible stools.
I alternated the small fiddles each day. Super easy to handle in every way and they feel secure in their bags. One thing that you get with these festival pub sessions is a lot of musicians trying to get in close, then taking out their instrument/s and lying the cases on the floor around them. When the tunes fire up a crowd of onlookers pack in tightly around. What I try to do is put all my cases as far away as possible. Having the 3/4 in its soft bag at my feet is great. I can grab it quickly whenever I get the urge and it seems like it’s not taking hardly any space at all. As for the fiddle/s themselves, they are definitely not as strong in sound and volume to a full size. With a bit of heavy handed bowing they are well up for the job. You are probably not going to lead a set of tunes with them.
For anyone who’s doing the flying to festivals thing and want a carry on fiddle this is a good option. I’m really excited to see how I can get a 7/8ths to fit in within the carry on dimensions.