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November 2012
Posts: 15
Location: New York, NY | How would you go about shipping a mid line (about $500 retail) value Ovation across country? It's got an Ovation hard shell case which is a plus.Would you put the case itself in a box? Prepare the guitar first? Pack it? Detune?Who would you use? UPS, USPS ...How much should it cost?All tips appreciated |
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Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | De-tune a step or two.
On an older Ovation with the battery inside the bowl, remove the battery.
Put in the case with some newspaper or bubble-wrap around the headstock.
Make sure that the guitar doesn't move too much inside the case.
Put the case in a sturdy box with balls of newspaper or bubble-wrap.
Do not use Styrofoam peanuts (Ghost Turds)... They don't really protect and they are a pain.
Meanwhile... Watch These
Edited by Old Man Arthur 2012-11-20 1:08 AM
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Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | +1 to OMA.. to add a few details.. - Detune ONLY a step or two, but definately detune. I usually just tune down the E then tune the guitar as normal using that 1st string as the starting point.
- Remove the battery on any of them that have a battery
- bubblewrap around headstock... Insure you are not putting extra stress on the point where the headstock meets the neck. This is the weakest point of the neck. The idea is to cradle the headstock so that if the case is dropped, the weight of the headstock with the tuners doesn't flex where the headstock meets the neck. The case should keep the guitar from moving, but not be held tightly.
- Balled up newspaper is great around the case in the box, or bubble. If you must use peanuts don't pack them in tightly... just use enough to keep the case from moving too much, but it should float.
I would add, no matter what anyone tells you... United PARCEL Service is the best way to ship. I emphasised the word parcel for a reason. Many claim to have had success with other carriers and trust me the ALL have issues, but at the same time they ALL have a failry good success rate. The key is to understand which one will be the most useful if things do go wrong. The one that is set up for moving packages as their primary mission is the one to use. This is not an endorsement and I don't get anything for reccomending them. Myself and the other co-founder of this site have shipped more guitars than just about anyone except the big box places like Guitar Center or Musicans Friend and we know what works. But, as they say... your mileage may vary  Welcome to the club. |
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Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I would also add that it's a good idea to take pictures of every step of the packing process just in case. The standard "reason" shippers decline damage claims is improper packaging, and they make this claim almost as a relflex. If you use UPS, they require a double box, so be certain to line your shipping box an extra layer of cardboard.
Finally, I got wise and took out an independent instrument insurance policy. Mine is with Clarion, but there are other companies as well. Since that time, I have had to make two damage claims, and both times it was very straightforward. (Again, "before and after" pictures help considerably.) |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Good points Patch. I don't generally do either of those, but as they say... it can't hurt. One thing I forgot to mention, and likely why and others who do the same haven't had any claim issues is use a Guitar box. The ones from U-Line are great as well as the ones guitars are shipped to stores in. If you visit your local guitar store, you should be able to talk them out of a clean guitar box. It may just be my thoughts, but I think claims are treated different with regard to "properly packed" when it's in a box clearly marked "guitar box" as opposed to several pieces of cardboard hobbled together.
We probably supplied more information than you need at this point, but better safe than sorry. I too always select the "Insurance" option when shipping as well. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | mileskb - I would add, no matter what anyone tells you... United PARCEL Service is the best way to ship. and I would strongly disagree with that.
The only place they are #1 is in screwups, delays, and lost/damaged shipments.
I am happy that you have had luck with them. My experience has been just the opposite.
Edited by stephent28 2012-11-20 2:36 PM
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Location: Phoenix AZ | You can certainly get a ton of differing opinions on this topic. Of the cuff I strongly support and use FedEx but that's just me.
Using this one or that one is largely a matter of personal choice
Clearly there are pros and cons to any shipper you choose.
Unless their is an incident or claim to be filed they all look good on paper.
Never the less it is a good idea to ask around get other folks opinions. The most important thing in my opinion is that you pack the guitar well.
Edited by Standingovation 2012-11-20 3:45 PM
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November 2012
Posts: 15
Location: New York, NY | Great info, even the videos. Didn't think of that.
There's also the UPS stores, which I think can pack things for you. But maybe they aren't up to speed on guitars.
So what are the prices? |
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Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | stephent28 - 2012-11-20 12:35 PM
mileskb - I would add, no matter what anyone tells you... United PARCEL Service is the best way to ship. and I would strongly disagree with that.
The only place they are #1 is in screwups, delays, and lost/damaged shipments.
I am happy that you have had luck with them. My experience has been just the opposite.
I respect your right to have an opinion. My opinion is based on 100's (actually over 1000) flawless shipments of guitars. |
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Location: Flahdaw | As usual
something like this has differing opinions
some products ship differently than others
how guitars are packed makes a huge difference
only the packer can determine how safe it will be
lol...I've received items packed terribly that came thru without a problem
extra bubble wrap all around is the key tho.
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December 2001
Posts: 7247
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | I just re-looked at what I posted and realized it may look a little rude... I was/am just trying to help. When I'm looking for how to do things. exspecially on a forum, I look for info from the people with the most success in what they do. Shipping with ANY carrier is a crap shoot. When I got started I learned how Alpep ships, and realized how much he ships, and his success rate. As far as I was concerned after that, there's wasn't another way. My own experience from then forward confirmed it with each success. I just wanted readers who look for information they way I do to know what my opinion was based on.
Also one other tip that has been overlooked and I think crucial, no matter the service, to tip the odds in the favor of success is choose the fastest method you deem affordable. Shipping in general the packaged is moved often, handled often. Optimally a package that is shipped overnight is handled by fewer people than one that is shipped via the least expensive ground method. I don't think any carrier is out to break stuff, but the fewer people who have the opportunity to touch it, the better. I'll often go 2-Day delivery if its affordable, but be careful. Many times simple Ground will get it there in two-three days anyway. No need to pay the extra at that point.
I also put the label on the EDGE of the box. In this way the box will likely be set on it's edge rather than end because that's how they need to scan the label. If it gets bumped over from an edge, likely not a big deal... guitar cases fall over in that direction all the time. A face-plant should be avoided at all cost and this is one way to pretty much ensure it will stay low to the ground and not have anything stacked on it. |
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Location: Phoenix AZ | Dumb question, is shipping an ovation any different than any other guitar? Maybe the plastic back makes it a little less prone to damage, I guess.
Edited by Standingovation 2012-11-20 9:17 PM
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Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | darkbarguitar - 2012-11-20 4:52 PM
As usual
something like this has differing opinions
some products ship differently than others
how guitars are packed makes a huge difference
only the packer can determine how safe it will be
lol...I've received items packed terribly that came thru without a problem
extra bubble wrap all around is the key tho.
BRILLIANT !!! |
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how to ship an Ovation
