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Most LIGHTWEIGHT flight case options Electro 4 61?

Posted: 09 Jan 2014, 20:32
by patrickdafunk
Hello,
I have been searching hours on the internet for the most lightweight option for a hard shell / flight case for my newly purchased Electro 4D 61. I am planning to gig and fly extensively with it. Also, ideally it would need to fit a small mixer+apc 40 and some clothes.

So far I have been looking at:

Gator ATA 61 keys: 10.9 kg Heavy
Gator ATA 76 keys: 12.7 kg Very Heavy
SKB 1SKB-4214W ATA 61 Key: 7.94 kg Less Heavy but still Heavy

All these cases weight more than the actual Electro 4 61!

I am considering of customizing a SKB Ax-Synth Case or similar case. The SKB Ax-synth only weights 4.31 KG. But I am not sure if this would be the best and safe option when traveling by plane.

Another option would be to buy the Nord Electro 61 Softcase and putting it inside a hard shell case..

If anyone has experiences or suggestions about this I would highly appreciate it!
Many thanks,
-P

Re: Most LIGHTWEIGHT flight case options Electro 4 61?

Posted: 10 Jan 2014, 22:03
by chatfd
I hear ya. Hard to find something LIGHT that will take flight. (Sorry - corney)

Check with Rock Hard Cases out of Oregon - USA. I have the guy's name. I've been wanting to get a new case from him. Got my original used, it's heavy, but he said he can use some NEW material ... a "lightweight" high impact plastic to reduce the weight. It's what I plan to do when the bucks are saved up. Yet, you'll spend $400-$500. Wheels are amazing, latches, and handles. Top Notch! At least on the case I've got for my NE4D which was for an NE2 back in the day! Great case! Give Mark a call or go to their web site! ----> Mark DeHart Rock Hard Cases Phone toll free 800-574-2305 www.rockhardcases.com

Re: Most LIGHTWEIGHT flight case options Electro 4 61?

Posted: 11 Jan 2014, 11:20
by rb4u1
I have found the Plano AW cases to work for the 61 key Electro 3.
Check at Amazon.
There are several threads here you could refer to.

Re: Most LIGHTWEIGHT flight case options Electro 4 61?

Posted: 11 Jan 2014, 19:21
by chatfd
I tried first, via the Users Group, a Plano GUN Case for my Nord. Not a disaster, but I feel I wasted my money. May be good for a gun case, but terrible handles, no where close to a good/perfect fit. The cost was $150, anyone want it for $65 + shipping & it's yours! Oh, the one time I used it on an airline, they were not too kind!

Re: Most LIGHTWEIGHT flight case options Electro 4 61?

Posted: 11 Jan 2014, 23:45
by patrickdafunk
I am going for the SKB-1SKB-H4816w. It's not specifically for Keyboards, but the dimensions and weight alone is the reason:

1225 x 406 x 314 mm

Weight is 9,78.

Especially the depth (at 314 mm) is very nice, because I can stack mixers and clothes on top of it if I want. I will custom foam everything though, but this is a better option for me than a regular keyboard case which always has a depth of 13 - 14 cm max so you are restricted to just the keyboard.

http://www.bax-shop.nl/statieven-flight ... tails.html

Time will tell if it is a durable case, but SKB has a pretty good reputation..!

Re: Most LIGHTWEIGHT flight case options Electro 4 61?

Posted: 12 Jan 2014, 22:56
by rb4u1
Please let us know how well this works. I have been on a search
for a viable alternative to the Nord cases for a while. Even though
I like them, nothing is perfect. I prefer the hard cases sometimes.
I had also considered a Strat style case for my Nord Electro.

Re: Most LIGHTWEIGHT flight case options Electro 4 61?

Posted: 16 Jan 2014, 06:44
by stale2
Stay away from the gator cases. I bought the 49 note ATA which fits it perfectly. And the handle pulled off 2 months later. And i was very careful with it. No flights, just me carrying it.

Re: Most LIGHTWEIGHT flight case options Electro 4 61?

Posted: 16 Jan 2014, 18:07
by pterm
I've had good experience using Pelican cases for Electronic Test and Measurement equipment, but not my keyboard (as I don't fly anywhere with it). Some models in the 17xx series look appropriate for keyboards, but there's nothing lightweight about them:
http://www.pelican.com/case_group_searc ... Group=Long

Re: Most LIGHTWEIGHT flight case options Electro 4 61?

Posted: 15 Apr 2014, 16:24
by Norbert
Hi Patrick,

What case did you end up buying? I'm in the same situation, I was thinking of buying a Gator GKPE-49 ATA for my new Electro 4D but now I've read stale2-s comment I'm not sure... I must admit that I have 3 Gator cases and they have all survived constant gigging so far... One of them is 10 years old now.