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Joined:
August 2014
Posts: 9
| Hello, everyone.
From what I understand, only a few people can post on the welcome board, so hopefully one of you will know the answer to this question. In about 6 months, I'm going to be moving to Ecuador. My two options for getting my guitar there are to check it as baggage or ship it in a container with my household goods.
The problem with the first option is that there will be no less than 4 changes of planes, and the final destination is a rather sketchy city with rather sketchy security. I've been advised not to pack anything of value, as it's not unknown for luggage to "get up and walk away."
The second option is where my question comes in. The container will be traveling by ship through the equator, which means very high humidity. Are there any tips or tricks you've learned to protect your Ovations from such conditions? I'd hate to take it out of the container and find the finish had been cracked from top to bottom, or worse.
I appreciate any responses! |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Interesting dilemma.
I am thinking that an Ovation Hard Shell Case would protect the guitar on the trip in the container.
It won't get banged around much in the container...
Once it is in the container it should not move much.
I would loosen the strings.
Maybe you could seal the case, Y'know? Put it in a big plastic bag.
An Ovation case isn't air-tight, but it is pretty close.
Once the container is sealed, there isn't much intrusion by outside air.
It is like being inside a cabin.
Now that I think about it... That is how all of those Korean Ovations get to the USA. 
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Joined:
August 2014
Posts: 9
| Thanks much, Arthur. Putting it in a plastic bag and sealing it with duct tape sounds like a good plan. I was thinking I might be able to get some of those gel packs you find in things like pill bottles (moisture absorbers) and tape them inside the case, but I don't know if there'd be any side effects to that.
It's funny, I'm half a year away from the move and I'm already feeling more concerned about my guitar than I am about living in a new country. I almost considered buying it a ticket, putting a hat on top of it and referring to it as "My personal assistant, Stephen," but it's a darned expensive ticket. |
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Joined:
September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | I wouldn't use the "silica gel" packs that absorbs moisture.
Most of cracks in the finish are from impact and sudden temperature changes.
Most of the cracks in the wood are caused by the wood drying out.
So you don't want it to be TOO dry in the guitar case.
If you put the case in a baggie, it will be the same humidity as the air where you are at Now.
So it should be fine.
There might be temperature issues in a big metal box at the equator...
But that is how they ship them from Asia to wherever.
So... Loosen the strings.
Put it in the case like you normally do.
Put the case in a big baggie.
If you choose, put the whole thing in a guitar shipping box.
Say a little prayer.... Then put it in the container.
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Joined:
August 2014
Posts: 9
| Good advice. Thanks again, Arthur. I may start praying now, just in case. |
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Joined:
December 2006
Posts: 6994
Location: Jet City | Welcome.
Feel free to ask your question in the main area as well. You might get some more ideas. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7222
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | arthurseery - 2014-08-02 3:52 PM
I wouldn't use the "silica gel" packs that absorbs moisture.
I wouldn't use them anywhere near a guitar unless it was determined de-humidifaction was necessary.
Remember that guitars are wood. You don't it wet, but you don't it dry... If you search the site you will find info on optimal humidity.
I realize this has nothing to do with shipping.. just wanted to put it out there for others as it relates. |
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Joined:
August 2014
Posts: 9
| mileskb - 2014-08-03 11:16 AM
I realize this has nothing to do with shipping.. just wanted to put it out there for others as it relates.
I appreciate the feedback. I'm really a novice, for the most part. I taught myself to play on a used Applause that cost about as much as a pack of gum (I know, I know), met a friend who played a 1619 and that was it. I went out and bought a 1651 as soon as I had the money, and have basically just been noodling on that guitar for the past 15 years. It was in great shape when I got it, it's in great shape now, but I've never really had to travel more than 100 miles with it. So, apart from keeping it clean, preventing it from jumping around in the case during road trips and storing it properly, I've never really had to worry about things like this. Every piece of information I get is valuable. This guitar's been with me for most of the big moments in my life, and I want to make sure I keep it as healthy as I can. |
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Joined:
August 2014
Posts: 9
| Yeesh, after reading the Service Center FAQ and several humidity posts from the archives, I feel like the worst owner ever. I'm fairly convinced if I didn't live in absolutely the most consistently damp part of the country, my guitar would now be a pile of firewood, shattered plastic and twisted metal. The fact that it's still mint after all these years, despite what I believed to be my best efforts, seems like a ridiculously lucky fluke.
• Hygrometer: ordered.
• Sponge-based, drip-free case humidifier: ordered.
• Paranoia: fully-engaged. |
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My first post: A question about safely shipping an Ovation overseas