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November 2015
Posts: 10
Location: Port Saint Lucie Florida | I'm new and am sure this has probably been covered...
I searched but did not see this topic discussed in length.
What's the best way to ship our guitars?
I am going to sell my 1658 Custom Legend but am fearful that it will be damaged in transit.
It's too beautiful to be scarred.
I'm sure the OFC has tremendous knowledge in this area.
Any tips would be appreciated.
Mr. Ed
Sunny Florida |
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November 2002
Posts: 3614
Location: Pacific Northwest Inland Empire | I would suggest, first.......not this time of year. Then, wrap it with bubbles, or pour in the peanuts, after it's in the case, double-box the guitar, detuned to relieve the neck tension, and then shop the common carriers to competitive prices. You will get all kinds of opinions on who or what the most reliable service might be. It is from personal experiences, I assure you. All of them screw up, eventually. Take lots of "before" pictures. The only guaranteed method of "no damage", is deliver it, yourself, or have the buyer come & get it. |
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Joined:
November 2015
Posts: 10
Location: Port Saint Lucie Florida | Appreciate the info.
Mr. Ed |
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October 2005
Posts: 4046
Location: Utah | Pack a little bit of clean paper or bubble wrap inside the case to be sure the guitar won't slide around at all. Just a little bit poked in here and there around the edge of the body should do it. Detune it. I have a theory that removing the tuning machines should dramatically reduce the chances of the headstock cracking if it is dropped flat on its back. But then you should also loosen the truss rod.
Don't ship it to a really cold place if you can avoid it. I'd send it overnight or 2nd day air if at all possible.
Put the case into a guitar box (available at your local guitar store most likely). Stuff bubble wrap and newspaper around it to be sure it is snug in the box.
Pay for full insurance! And then hope like crazy nothing bad happens.
Do take pictures of everything so you can document it went in in good shape, and that it was securely packed. |
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Joined:
November 2015
Posts: 10
Location: Port Saint Lucie Florida | Thanks for the info.
Mr. Ed
Rainy Florida |
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June 2012
Posts: 2320
Location: Pueblo West, CO | I'd also suggest packing bubble wrap or newspaper behind and in front of the head stock and neck to keep it supported along its entire length. The support in the case isn't really designed for shipping, only for keeping the guitar in place while you carry it around.
I second the suggestions for overnight or 2nd day air and full insurance.
I like USPS Priority Mail Express because the 2-day delivery is guaranteed. If they don't deliver by the second day, you get a full refund of shipping costs.
Edited by DanSavage 2015-12-07 8:57 AM
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December 2014
Posts: 1713
Location: Frozen Tundra of Minnesota | I third the suggestions for overnight or 2nd day air and full insurance.
And on the Receiver's end - please tell them to let the box sit 6 hours before opening it, to let it settle, and adjust to the new temperature.
If it is going to the Northern Tier, 12 hours in the box, next, a few hours in the case, but with the case out of the box, then a few hours with the case just cracked open to adjust to temp and humidity changes (real life experience up North).
These guys are the Best Packers you will ever meet - listen to them, and with a few prayers to the Guitar Gods, your Guitar will get to it's new home safe and sound! 
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Posts: 2683
Location: Hot Springs, S.D. | Paper is better than bubble wrap. Packing peanuts are just this side of useless and a giant PITA. They get all over everything.
And yes, the peghead should be packed TIGHTLY. I've had guitars show up at my door that had no marks on the box, no marks on the case, but the peghead was snapped right off. All it takes is for the box to tip over and hit the floor. So detune by about three or four turns and pack that baby. |
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Posts: 176
Location: Cologne/Germany | <p>...reading all this and other stuff regarding transport I am very grateful that my latest Longneck made the long journey from a local shop in New York to Texas via UPS, then, after some storage at an international carrier was shipped with cars and car parts in a container to Europe (Rotterdam Haven), finally made the final miles by pick-up truck to Cologne in Germany. Took three months, but price was good and she made it safely!!!</p>
Edited by red-twins 2015-12-07 3:45 PM
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August 2005
Posts: 3736
Location: Sunshine State, Australia | CanterburyStrings - 2015-12-08 5:57 AM (news)Paper is better than bubble wrap. +1 (but nobody had mentioned the [to us] obvious, that the newspaper should be scrunched up) CanterburyStrings - 2015-12-08 5:57 AM Peanuts are just this side of useless and a giant PITA. They get all over everything. +1 again. Cliff (quite rightly) calls them 'Devil's spawn'. Avoid peanuts at all costs, but for a bit of fun, drop a cashew into the soundhole. CanterburyStrings - 2015-12-08 5:57 AM, the peghead should be packed TIGHTLY. +1 again... With scrunched up newspaper - TIGHTLY! |
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March 2005
Posts: 12758
Location: Boise, Idaho | Buy a guitar from Al and you can see how one should be packed. After you've finished unpacking, you can read all the news from the New Jersey newspapers and find out where the best clean pizza boxes come from.
I don't recall ever smelling any pizza. Al must have sniffed it all out.
Edited by Mark in Boise 2015-12-07 4:54 PM
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November 2015
Posts: 10
Location: Port Saint Lucie Florida | Awesome tips.
Appreciate the packing wisdom.
And as usual, some unique "additional" tips to consider.
Great stuff, from some veterans.
That doesn't mean I still won't lose some sleep until it arrives at its' new home safely.
Keep the great info coming!
Thanks again to all!
Mr. Ed
South Florida |
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Shipping an Ovation
