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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | I know that I have read bits and pieces over the last few weeks and have searched the archives back through 2008 but can't find a clear and concise answer. What are the best steps, methods, tricks, procedures to insure the best possible pack (and eventual safe delivery) of a guitar, in it's case and original box, for shipping?
I have to get mine ready tomorrow and want to do the best I can. I have read about loosening strings, removing batteries, wrapping the headstock in bubble wrap,etc. What else is there.
Thanks. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Since your guitar won't go anywhere on Sunday...
Go down to you local music store and get a guitar box (they might charge you $5 or $10).
If you are lucky, you will get two form fitting pieces of cardboard for the neck and base of the guitar.
Then watch this stupid video...
Do Not Use Ghost Turds! Or packing peanuts. It don't work, and it gets everywhere.
Static electricity causes it to stick to anything and everything.
Crumpled-up newspaper works just fine.
Hope that helps. |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Go down to you local music store and get a guitar box (they might charge you $5 or $10).
If you are lucky, you will get two form fitting pieces of cardboard for the neck and base of the guitar. I already have the original Ovation box and the top and bottom supporting cardboard pieces. I'll check out the vid in the AM. Thanks. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Put it in the back seat of a fellow OFCer's Porsche and watch it drive away to it's new home. ;) |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by stephent28:
Put it in the back seat of a fellow OFCer's Porsche and watch it drive away to it's new home. ;) You fiend!!!!!
Sorry, Mark. I let you down. A better friend would have warned you. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | A couple more hints...
If ya don't have the bottom and top inserts, use bubble packs (note, not wrap). Then cut some waste hard styrofoam to placed on each side of the case neck to prevent any lateral movement.
In addition to wrapping the headstock with bubble wrap, I also place a strip of it under the 'relaxed' strings to prevent any fret slapping.
Good luck! I hate shipping guitars... |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | Originally posted by stephent28:
Put it in the back seat of a fellow OFCer's Porsche and watch it drive away to it's new home. ;) The joke's on you guys. There is no backseat in the Porsche.
It rode very nicely in the front seat. That's what SWMBO gets for flying, instead of riding with me.
Actually she saw Stephen's pictures and said, "He hangs his guitars on the wall, too. I thought you were the weird one." Wait till she sees the pics of Brad's bandroom. She hasn't said anything about the guitar sitting in the corner, yet. |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | I just packed the 2077 up for shipment tomorrow using all of the methods gleaned here and in the supplied video. I also added and additional thickness of corrugated cardboard at the body level front and rear to help stiffen and protect those sensitive regions. I guess for posterity I would add to take extensive photos of the condition of the guitar prior to final pack and along the entire packing process should there be any questions or issues from the time the box is sealed to the time it arrives safely at it's destination. |
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Joined:
November 2006
Posts: 3969
| Originally posted by nervous:
...take extensive photos of the condition of the guitar prior to final pack and along the entire packing process should there be any questions or issues from the time the box is sealed to the time it arrives safely at it's destination. Probably as important as the actual packing. Document everything. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Okay... I've got another one! I send stuff out in U-Haul boxes. I send stuff out in Taylor boxes.
But this one is just plain Ugly.
And once you get under the Butcher Paper and Blue Painter's tape...
(which doesn't come-off easy like you'd think it would)
You get bubble-wrap and blue tape... (which sticks amazingly well to plastic)
I was just thinking that after he bought the bubble-wrap and butcher paper and blue tape, a real box would have been cheaper!
And Re-Usable! (Which is my real complaint)
Actually, this probably protected the contents very well. But I ain't packing mine like that!
Anyway... This is what is inside all that stuff.
 
And it badly needs a bath, the 3-way switch cleaned-up, the pick-ups adjusted, all that stuff.
But I am sick. And it ain't happening today. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Cover it in shrink-wrap, tie her down on the passenger pillion and ride off. This one made it 1800 miles through rain and snow overnight with nary a mark. Caught a few bugs topside, however.
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May 2009
Posts: 1433
Location: Right now? | This was my laugh of the day ... as much as I LOVE gettin' 'em; there's always a little pause before I 'attack' the box ... and those freakin' peanuts ... it's a funny site to see my four dogs, a chihuahua, corgi, pomeranian and lab/husky mix, sit patiently and watch me with their heads all cocked wondering, what the?
;)
Willa |
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Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Originally posted by WillaMuse:
... it's a funny site to see my four dogs, a chihuahua, corgi, pomeranian and lab/husky mix, sit patiently and watch me with their heads all cocked wondering, what the?
;)
Willa Are you sure they're not just playing poker?
Professor ... did you shrink wrap yourself before riding overnight through rain and snow? Which also begs the question ... when did you start working for the (old) Postal Service?
OMA ... have fun with that SG. Crank the amp and drive that virus right outta your bones! Get well soon. |
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Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Professor ... did you shrink wrap yourself before riding overnight through rain and snow? [/QB] The all-weather textile riding suits offered by most manufacturers these days are incredible. So are the electrically heated handgrips, seat and vest. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12761
Location: Boise, Idaho | I don't get it. I just ride in the car. But it was cool seeing Miles and Brad attach that sucker to the motorcycle. |
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December 2008
Posts: 1456
Location: Texas | For obtaining boxes, in the Houston area there is a local chain of stores called "Half-Price Boxes" that carries new cardboard guitar boxes. They cost less than $10.00. There may be similar places in other cities listed under "Moving Supplies" online or through the Yellow Pages.
However, the BEST way to get a box is to buy another guitar from someone here and remember to save the box next time… You can also study the packing technique if you have the patience to unwrap it slowly enough… ;) |
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Joined:
March 2003
Posts: 127
Location: Corvallis, OR | I can add a couple of things to the preceding advice. First, bicycle stores always have free boxes for bikes, and altho these are obviously too large, they can be cut to fit and taped to form the ideal size for your need.
Second, when we ship things, we like to "hope for the best" and think poitive. But realistically, we should be aware that our precious cargo, which we packed with such care, is going to get tossed at least once. Maybe by the guy who is behind schedule at the airline cargo dock, maybe by the guy who loads it into his truck who just happens to be pissed at his boss - but realistically, we should pack assuming that the worst will happen. |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | When you finishing packing, say a PRAYER.
No matter how good of a box, even if perfect condition, it has been used - USPS will say you did not use a 'NEW' box even when obvious good packing and external damage to the box (tears, crushing, etc.)
Just ran into a problem with FedEx...max liability is $1,000. Not sure where the UPS is now. My problem with UPS is that unless I meet the truck, several times the driver has dropped the guitar onto my driveway when unloading from the truck.
Negative, frustrated? Yep!
:mad: :mad: |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by Tony Calman:
Just ran into a problem with FedEx...max liability is $1,000. Tony,
Check out the CARMACK AMENDMENT . Don't know if it can help ya.
I think Patch had success with it on a claim... |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | The contract/bill of lading is specific as to the limit, the amount billed to may account is for $1,000. I believe their newer contracts make the Carmack Amendment unusable. Where it may be usable is if it was a UPS store as they have a $100 liability, UPS corporate for the balance of coverage purchased.
Again, if they do not allow you to 'purchase' more than $1,000, their limit of risk is $1,000.
If this goes sour, one less of a limited guitar and hopefully my homeowners/personal articles insurance company can pay and then subrogate against the carrier. |
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Properly packing a guitar for shipment