What's the best way to ship an acoustic guitar?

[pulse765]

I'm going to sell my Taylor 110e. What's the best way to ship it? I'm looking into getting a large box from Guitar Center, which I did once with an electric guitar. My taylor is in a hard shell case.

 

How much padding do I need?

I should lessen string tension, correct?

What other precautions should I take (besides writing FRAGILE all over the box).

 

Any help would be much appreciated. Also if you want to PM me an offer please do.

 

Thanks.

 

-K

[Sweb]

I recently shipped a 310 and all I did was wrap the case with bubble-wrap all over to absorb in-box impacts and scuffing of the case. What I forgot to do was loosen the tension on the strings about a full step. The recepient said everything was fine - no damage. I made my own box by fashioning it from two large boxes to accomodate the increased size of the case due to the bubble-wrap. Wasn't the easiest thing to do but I felt better doing that than using a regular guitar shipping box, which I didn't think allowed adequate space to properly wrap the case. After that, I insured it with the shipping company for new replacement value. Altogether thru fedex it cost about 70.00 insured.

[AK47]

Frank Ford at "frets.com" has explicit instructions on packing a guitar for shipping under "general maintenance." If you haven't heard of him Frank is a very repected man in the guitar community.

His web sight is extreemly interesting and informative.

[ihateyouguys]

I did:

 

-small bubble wrap around guitar, put in case

- a couple layers of bubble wrap around guitar case

- put guitar case in box

- fill box with styrofoam peanuts

 

of course, I'm paranoid.

[knockwood]

http://www.bryankimsey.com/shipping/

[Hudman]

There are a lot of different opinions about the best method to ship guitars. I ship used guitars the same way most companies ship new guitars. I leave my guitars tuned to pitch and leave the end pin installed.

 

Make sure your guitar can't slide around in the case. Pack the case in a box with styrofoam peanuts or air packs. Make sure your case can't slide around in the box. If the guitar can't slide in the case and the case can't slide in the box, your guitar should be safe.

 

I sold 6 acoustics and 4 electrics on Ebay. I never had a single guitar damaged.

[Mikeo]

 

Originally posted by pulse765 I'm going to sell my Taylor 110e. What's the best way to ship it? I'm looking into getting a large box from Guitar Center, which I did once with an electric guitar. My taylor is in a hard shell case. How much padding do I need? I should lessen string tension, correct? What other precautions should I take (besides writing FRAGILE all over the box). Any help would be much appreciated. Also if you want to PM me an offer please do. Thanks. -K

 

 

 

Depending on the weather, temp and humidity. I would tune it down just a notch. Not even a 1/2 step.

Pad up the case, so it dosen't get nicked incase the card board box is hit or cut.

 

 

 

Insurance is a most.

 

I shipped a Taylor 414CE across the counrty, with no problems. I have also sold a few electrics along the way, most recently a Kramer that went postal. It took close to a month to get it to the guy, but we paid no customs fees.