bc5000 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Hi everyone. Just got around to registering, although I visit here every day. I was wondering if you guys think it's wise to put some kind of packing material inside the case with the guitar or just between the guitar case and the shipping box. It's been a long time since I've had a guitar shipped to me, but it seems like it didn't have any kind of bubble wrap or whatever inside the case. Just curious if anyones ever had one damaged from shipment. I've got a guitar that should sell on Ebay tonight, if everything goes right. I'll be shipping by UPS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I just got a guitar shipped up from North Caroline to Philly unscathed. The guy who sold it to me just put it in the case (it was the original factory HSC so fit real well) and then in a guitar shipping box he got at a local guitar shop. Inside the box, he put crumpled up paper so it wouldn't slide around. We both agreed (and I paid) to use FedEx not UPS, not because FedEx is perfect, but because we both have had damagaed goods from UPS far more than FedEx. However, it was a mohogany solidbody electric, I have no experience shipping acoustics or semis, but I assume its done all the time by online sellers. Cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I guess that depends on the fit of the guitar in the case. If the guitar flops around at all when you tip the case (i.e., falls face forward in the case), it might be a good idea to fold up a small towel or something to keep it pushed against the back of the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexygibson Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I've shipped alot of guitars with never any trouble but it wouldn't be a bad idea to place some bubble wrap or newspaper in the headstock compartment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 figure two ten foot drops on the headstock during shipping. If you follow that rule.. you'll not have a problem. That means the best and most packaging goes outside the case and protects the headstock. I ship quite a few guitars, every year.. and I learned the hard way. In the case I use a wrap, but it's only a finish wrap and a bit of an extravagance, really. One thing I always do is trace the guitar shape out with a magic marker on the outside of the case.. with the headstock at the correct end.. and FRAGILE THIS END UP printed on the box. But the main thing is no shaking inside the box, and a headstock packing that will crush a bit if it is dropped.. but not crush completely. Fed Ex is cheaper than UPS and the Post Office is often cheaper than both if you get the box size right. Insureance is a must. TWANG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JefferySmith Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Twang, do you use new boxes designed for shipping bicycles, or is there actually one made for guitars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexygibson Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Twang' date=' do you use new boxes designed for shipping bicycles, or is there actually one made for guitars?[/quote'] UPS uses a golf club box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc5000 Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 I think I'll put something around the headstock. I've noticed a couple of other Lennon Casinos on Ebay with repaired cracked necks, so it's got me a little concerned. I still need to look for a box somewhere, thats the part I'm not looking forward to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I think I'll put something around the headstock. I've noticed a couple of other Lennon Casinos on Ebay with repaired cracked necks' date=' so it's got me a little concerned. I still need to look for a box somewhere, thats the part I'm not looking forward to.[/quote'] Next time you go to your local geetar emporium to buy strings, ask them to give you a box. The generally have lots of extras. Or, you can just check the dumpster out back... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captmidnight Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 As the old saying goes...better safe than sorry. Pack it like you are shipping it around the world with as much in the case as you can get, especailly around the head stock, then around the case in the box you are shipping it in as well. Those damn little peanut things are expensive, but worth it to get it there safely...my 2 cents worth. Capt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluelake07 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Good tips here: http://www.guitarspecialist.com/shipping.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWANG Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 I've shipped in boxes that I taped together.. and in boxes so old the cardbaord was almost rotten.. lots of packing tape around anything crummy. but crummy will work. the main this like the Good Capt. says... get that headstock area around the case the deepest padding.. and pack it like you mean it. crumpled newspaper will simply crush flat... it's ok for the sides... but heavier grocery sack paper is better.. it crushes harder.. and bubble wrap around the headstock case end .. or some old styrofoam.. you wouldn't believe the junk I save.. everything that gets shipped to me gets recycled for this.. TWANG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col F Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 Years ago when I had to ship a Martin back to the factory, I packed the guitar like it was going to be launched into orbit and recovered. I padded the headstock in the OHSC and wrapped the case in bubble wrap prior to placement in a Martin carton, even adding foam peanuts to fill the carton around the bubble wrapped case. Martin shipped it back to me by shrink wrapping the case to a piece of cardboard inserted in the carton. I subsequently purchased several Fenders and Gibsons which were all shipped either to the MI store or directly to me. Neither Fender nor Gibson add more than a small/thin piece of foam or cardboard inside the carton. That is how they ship every guitar that they manufacture to every destination. I obviously far exceeded necessity when shipping that old Martin, and I worry about every other guitar that is shipped to me or that I ship somewhere. From a practical standpoint, you're probably OK to pack and ship in the same manner as the manufacturer of your guitar. Use their original shipping materials and packing system, and you'll likely be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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