We hope you find these interesting and of value in your search for the case you need.

The Tank
Contact: Michael D. McGuire – 949-916-2272 or cell: 949-370-5329


The New, Redesigned and Stronger-than-ever TANK is now available for orders


The Chief Case Guru and Designer for The TANK, Douglas Ingalls, has taken a great idea and made it into something even better.
We are beginning with cases for tenor and bass trombones. These newer versions of what was the acme in protection are now even
stronger and more protective than they were before.

Earlier designs included custom creations for professional musicians, like bassoonists in the
Detroit Symphony and a triple trombone case for Charles Vernon of the Chicago Symphony
for his alto, tenor and bass trombones.

We can now provide cases for alto, tenor and baritone
saxophones, double cases for trumpets and flugel horns, Triple for Bb, C
and piccolo trumpets, screw bell trombones, both tenor and bass, and euphoniums with up to
11 inch bells.
These are all custom orders, so please call for prices.

All of our cases include our “suspension-in-place” (see below) technology for maximum protection from impact
and motion, are lightweight, and for the larger cases, have wheels for easier transport.

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Doug Ingalls, a partner in The TANK, has created a whole new system of protection for musical instruments
based on a very simple, but heretofore unused technology:

Suspension In Place.

SIP creates an environment in which the instrument is gently placed into a cocoon of foam surrounded by a solid aluminum shell. Close the case, and the instrument is completely immobilized – it cannot move. You do nothing more than gently place the instrument in its cradle, which is made of die-cut, shock-diffusing foam and visco-elastic pads ("memory foam"). Once the case is closed, the instrument is completely encased in this foam-based system. This system allows no movement once the lid is closed, and, as many of us have learned, if an instrument can move at all inside its case, a lot of damage can occur. Of course, there will be those times when nothing bad happens, even in soft gig bags, but this is usually only through happy chance. The odds are always against us, however. The TANK system was created to minimize the chances for severe or even minor damage. While there is no absolute guaranteed protection, we believe this system, because of its simplicity and thoroughness, provides one of the best means of protection there is. There have been several instances in which the case itself has received major damage, with nothing at all happening to the instrument inside. That is precisely why this system was created: cases are considerably less expensive than fine brass instruments. We are always seeking improvements to the interior and exterior of these cases. This newest generation of The TANK exemplifies that in a big way, When a musician spends literally several thousand dollars for a fine instrument, it is worth several hundred to provide this excellent protection for that instrument.

For more information about these cases, please contact Michael D. McGuire, Evangelist for the TANK.


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In some instances, this information is now over a year old and may no longer pertinent.

Continental Airlines:

As of 11-11-11, the policy for musical instruments is as stated below:
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments can be carried on board or checked as baggage. If necessary, a seat can also be purchased for an instrument.

Carried on Board
A small musical instrument can be carried on as a personal item. If the musical instrument appears too large or irregularly shaped to fit under the seat or in the overhead compartment, it will not be accepted for in-cabin stowage.

Checked as Baggage

* Instrument should be in a hard shell case to protect it during normal handling.
* Excess charges apply if checking more than the baggage allowance.
Cases up to 90 linear inches are accepted as standard luggage.
* Oversize charges apply to musical instruments that measure 90 - 115 linear inches.
* Overweight charges apply to musical instruments that are over 50 pounds.
 * Musical instruments over 70 pounds will not be accepted.
* If the instrument is over 115 linear inches, contact Reservations.

Southwest:
$50 each way over 62 inches

Frontier Airlines
All “oversized” luggage over the 62” LWH measurement is $75 each way

Alaska:
$50 each way over 62 inches

AirTran
Oversize Baggage:
Oversize baggage, with dimensions from 62 to 80 inches, will be accepted subject to an oversize baggage charge. Baggage with dimensions from 62 to 70 inches will be subject to a fee of $29. Baggage with dimensions from 71 to 80 inches will be subject to a fee of $69. Baggage over 80 inches in dimension (with the exception of some sporting equipment) will not be accepted.
Overweight baggage:
51-70 pounds $29
71-100 pounds $69

Oversized baggage:
62 to 70 inches $29
71 to 80 inches $69

Alaska Airlines
Oversize or Overweight Baggage Fees
Checked Bag Weight Fee per Bag
50 lbs. or less No Fee
51-100 lbs. $50 (USD)

Checked Bag Dimensions Fee per Bag
Up to 62 in. No Fee
63-80 in. $50 (USD)
81-115 in. $75 (USD)




American Airlines
AA seems to be the most punitive of all the commercial airlines. Their policy currently states that anything over 62” total measurement (height+length+width) will be charged for at $150 each way. After speaking with an American customer service person, I found out that there is a separate classification for musical instruments that involves only one linear measurement: the length of the case must not exceed 39” – The Bass Trombone case is 38 inches long. With an instrument inside, it is well under the 50 pound limit as well.

The following is a direct quote from AA.

“Instruments may also be transported as checked baggage, however, due to their fragile nature AA does not accept liability for damages and has limited liability for loss. AA is also not liable for any damage to checked musical instruments not presented in a hard-sided case. If the outside of the hard-sided case does not have visible damage, AA is not liable for any damage to the musical instrument inside the case.”



Email: michael @brassology.net

Phone: 949-916-2272 – California office for Michael McGuire