Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 09:32 AM

Don't believe a word about all the cold, wet weather, Stricks. Southport is a tropical paradise with palm trees and balmy summer breezes all year round....

And the North West of England is the dryest place in the world....

Honest....

Napoleon Boneparte

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Midchuck
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 09:29 AM

It's probably dumb to try and take a (full sized acoustic) guitar on a commercial airplane at all, unless:

a) It's so cheap that you don't care what happens to it, or

b) It's so expensive that you can justify a Calton or equivalent case for it.

Unfortunately, a low-end Martin falls between those extremes.

In your situation, I'd take it with me, but ship it, not transport it on the plane.

Peter.

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Noreen
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 09:28 AM

Hey, DavetG, is it because he won't be able to escape from my clutches?? *BG*

Noreen

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 09:16 AM

First of all, bring your guitar. Loosen the strings and pack crumpled newspaper under the peghead and wherever you can around the neck to help absorb any impact. Wrap the outside of the case in big bubble wrap all around. That will help with impact and keep the rain off it if it sits of the tarmac before the flight departs.

Second, get yourself some heavy socks and warm shoes; your feet will be freezing all winter.

All the best,
Dan

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 08:47 AM

Stricks, I haven't checked the guitar-packing site yet, but your chances of getting a guitar on board as hand luggage these days are becoming pretty damned slim. I have crossed the Atlantic several times with a guitar, and had no problems taking it as hand luggage( always in a SOFT bag btw), but now that most of the airlines are using these templates through which all hand luggage must pass, things have become different. If you are flying American Airlines, you have no chance. I can't speak for the others at present, but they will ALL be adopting this system eventually. to comply with the new FAA regulations.

You just need to be aware of this. I would like to hear of anyone who has successfully pleaded with the security staff and got a guitar on board by bypassing the template.

Murray

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: GUEST,Brian Hoskin
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 08:12 AM

Moving to the NW? Better get yourself a decent raincoat!

Best of luck, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: English Jon
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 06:00 AM

Take your guitar as hand luggage, try not to expose it to extreme changes in temperature/humidity, should be no problems.

If, on the other hand you fancy a new guitar, try Thrift Music in Frinton on sea. They are probably the cheapest Martin dealers in the U.K.

Ormskirk is very pretty.

Have fun

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 30 Jan 01 - 05:46 AM

Hope to see you soon Stricks - Live NW Manchester myself and have son #3 at Edge Hill College in Ormskirk. The journey is about 35-40 mins depending on traffic. Easy journey on the train as well but needs a change at Preston.

Ormskirk itself is a very nice little market town. Dunno if you are looking for rented accom. but if so there is plenty there coz of the University. Ditto for both Manchester itself and Salford. Out of interest why choose Ormskirk or Southport btw??? I wouldn't have thought you would have heard of either in the US!

Visit the Bothy - it's a must! Come into Manchester and see us at the White Lion in Swinton as well - same night as the Angler (Monday) so do the two! Do the Angler last though (Noreen will explain why...)

Cheers

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: MarkS
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 11:22 PM

Justa Picker = thanks for the ref to the guitar packing site. I will be taking a trip at the end of the week and bringing along my Guild. Just what the doctor ordered.
Mark

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Troll
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 09:54 PM

Remember that you and they do NOT speak the same language even if you both use the same words. There are English/American translation sites on the web and, all joking aside, they are useful.
It's damned handy to know just what someone means when they say they'll pop 'round and knock you up tomorrow at nine!

troll

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 08:37 PM

And "faggot" doesn't mean what you might think it means, and very tasty too.

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 08:33 PM

Better not be rude about mushy peas though. There's a limit to their tolerance up there.

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: GUEST,Geordie
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 08:21 PM

Don't eat the peas...take the Martin

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 06:18 PM

Take your Martin with you and all the best in the UK,

Jon

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: GUEST,Les Brown
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 04:24 PM

Hi Stricks, you mention the Southport / Ormskirk area, you are in luck one of the country's oldest folk clubs is held in the Blundel Arms pub Upper Aughton Rd, Southport, (see what's on for guests). We are just approaching our 36th year! There are two Morris teams in the area and we are starting a luchtime song & music session on the 1st Sat in the month at the Falstaff, King St, Southport. See www.bothyfolkclub.8m.com for background info. For instruments, in the North-West we have in addition to 'Hobgoblin' in Manchester, 'The Music Room'www.the-music-room.com in W Yorkshire, and a good place for guitars, 'Sounds Great', at Heald Green Nr Manchester Airport. Who have a good range of Taylors, but i'm sure all U.S.guitars are cheaper in the states. Of course you could buy a hand made Fylde, (Noth Cumbria)www. I hope this is of use to you. Cheers Les

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 04:15 PM

Great another Mudcatter for the UK. Welcome. though I live in the NE, well-Yorkshire it's not too far from southport-about 1.5hours-a mini trip to an American. Though there is tons of music the other side of the pennines, a great place for a meet is the Jug near Selby and no self respecting American would miss visiting York anyway. Don't put your Martin in the hold-carry it onto the plane and put it in the overheads-I've done that before. Loads of good music shops, but be prepared to pay the dollar price in pounds for many things over here. You could buy another guitar, we have most things if you need them. If you want more info-pm me and I'll help all I can. Watch out for Noreen and Caitrin- they're well known in the Yorkshire bunch-only joking-they'l help all they can. if you are here for Spring then there's the Yorkshire gathering and then in october Llangstock 2.

Cheers.

Eric

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: stevedavis83
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 04:13 PM

Might be worth you looking at 'Folk Northwest' which now has a web-site (www.folknorthwest.co.uk). In Southport, the Bothy is probably the best known club - meets on a Sunday night at a pub I can never remember the name of (Blundell Arms, Upper Aughton Road, Birkdale). Always worth a look anyway. Cheers then, Steve

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Justa Picker
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 04:10 PM

Everything you could ever want to know regarding packing your guitar to ship or transport via air.

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Noreen
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 04:04 PM

Hi, Stricks, can't stop now because I'm off to make music :0) but will be pleased to help. You've come to the right place. Join up and you can exchange personal messages for specific details nearer the time, if you choose.

I was born in Ormskirk, my children were born in Southport and I have family all around the area, though I now live in the wilds north of Manchester. Plenty of music of all types around and you'd be very welcome at the Jolly Angler in Manchester where I'm off to now.

Keep in touch.

Noreen

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: Catrin
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 03:31 PM

A lot of the answers will depend on whereabouts, specifically, you end up settling. There's loads and loads in manchester - also an amazing instrument shop on Oxford Road 'Johnny Roadhouse' which started off as a tiny upstairs room, but know takes up two floors.

There's a lot happening al over the NorthWest generally, I would put money on it, that wherever you end up, you won't have to travel far to find some good sessions to join in with.

Good luck!

Catrin

Subject: RE: Help: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 03:07 PM

If you browse around in here you'll find all kinds of stuff about the the English folk scene.

And here is a link to one good musical instrument shop"..

And here is a list of festivals (except that they won't have put up the 2001 details yet - the last year ones give an idea of what's on though.)

Have fun. You will be up the right end of England for the music.

Subject: Yank Moving to UK seeks advice
From: GUEST,Stricks
Date: 29 Jan 01 - 01:21 PM

I will be moving to Northwest England in April. Though I don't know specifically where we will live, it will likely be North or NW of the Greater Manchester area (i.e. Southport-Ormskirk).

1. I've been playing guitar for 2 years and have recently had the opportunity to play with some excellent musicians in a Contra Dance & Old Time music band. I am eager to learn some new skills and styles. Any suggestions on where I can meet other musicians who will be tolerant of my limited skills?

2. I've heard horror stories about taking guitars on airplanes. Any suggestions on how I should transport my guitar?

3. For the money that I paid, my low end Martin is a great instrument, however it may not be worth making heroic efforts to ship it across the pond. Perhaps, I should leave my guitar here and buy one over there. Are there any brands over there that aren't readily available in the US and that musicians over here covet? What kind of reputation do Martin guitars have the UK? How do prices compare?

4. Any good musical instrument shops that I should be aware of?

Thanks for any and all advice.