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In this post, I´d love to hear your sollutions for traveling. Do you use cases/bags? Do you preferr car/bus/train/plane? Do you borrow from colleagues and don´t bring anything at all? Do you use a trolley?? If you fly, how do you split up the vibe into affordable (overweight) cases/bags? Do you check in the frame, and taket he bars in your hand luggage? Hope to hear from as many as possible!

Best,

Karl Ivar

Comments

Karl Ivar Thu, 04/29/2010 - 09:15

So, here´s how I do it at the moment:
-For longer distances, flights are the only alternative. Hovever, for instance, in Europe, the train-connections are very good, which for me is the best alternative at the moment. Buses are small, bumpy and makes me sleepy. Driving my self takes a lot of energy, and the dining car in the German ICEs are a lot more attempting. Using an instrument that can be taken into smaller pieces combined with bags instead of cases makes it easier me to fit the instrument into small luggage storage places, etc. I take a cab from my studio to the train station and use a trolley to transport my vibes on the train station. On the new ICEs (not the old ones), there is an own apartement to store bis sized luggage- this can easily be found by looking for an approx 5m long part of the train without windows. I try to avoid changing trains, which of cource causes some extra carrying, but with a good trolley and enough time, this also is doable. I´ll post some pictures of my trolley and the cases during the weekend.

My instrument is located in Berlin. At the moment, I have concerts spread over Europe, mostly Germany, but I also need an instrument up in Norway, where I come from 1-2 weeks 4-8 times per year. For so long time, it takes a lot of work to organize an Instrument for each time. I´ve considered buying a frame to have in Norway, and then bring the resonators and bars on the flight from Berlin to Oslo. (Train-connections are unfortunately not as good as in Germany- takes too much time and money from Berlin to Oslo)

Karl Ivar Tue, 05/04/2010 - 08:50

In reply to by arturo serra

I will, for shure! Wanted to do it during the weekend, but didn´t make it.. I´ll do it as soon as possible, hopefully tomorrow.

Best,

Karl Ivar

Karl Ivar Fri, 05/14/2010 - 13:13

In reply to by Karl Ivar

Sorry that this took so long!

Follow thius link, and you´ll come to the public folder of my mobileme-account. In the "vibesworkshop"-folder, you´ll find some pictures and a short movie about my traveling setup today.

http://public.me.com/k.i.r

Best,

Karl Ivar

vibeman27 Fri, 05/14/2010 - 16:50

In reply to by Karl Ivar

Hi Karl,

Man, those cobble stones are a bitch, aren't they. Just when you want to make a good video of your means for moving your vibes and stuff, you hit some cobble stones (just like here). They upset the apple cart. I had a cart also when I was playing. And, I also had the same problem when encountering cobble stones or large cracks in the pavement. More recently had a big wheel hand truck making it easier over such obstacles.

Nice pictures, nice video. :-)

BruceW

Wyld_Thing Thu, 06/02/2011 - 09:40

In reply to by Karl Ivar

Hi Karl,

I'm just looking at maybe buying an an M48 frame to go with my M55 bars. I'm hoping that might leave me in a situation where I can carry/trolley all my stuff to a gig, and take it on the train/tube etc.

I'm really interested in seeing your set up - is the video and/or photos still available?

Thanks,

R

tavancleave Fri, 04/30/2010 - 02:33

Karl,
For the past six years my preferred method of travel has been by car. I have driven up to 13 hours away from home to play various gigs. It is a great way to see the places and towns that you would miss if you traveled by airplane. Also, I have loaned my vibraphone to various artists, such as Dave Samuels, Stefon Harris, and Steve Nelson, when they would come to town. Sometimes you can charge a rental fee or be given free admission to the show. In one particular case I was given tickets to a show, a free meal, and complementary beverages all night. Of the three that borrowed my vibes only Mr. Harris brought his personal set of bars. I hope this helps you out with making your travel plans.

All the Best,
timothy van cleave