Moving across country with my bass.

[Julie_D]

I have recently moved 3000 miles and would like to get my bass that i've been playing for a while out of my parents house in back into my hands to play. can anyone recommend a shipping or moving company that can be trusted for this sort of thing? Driving it across country is not an option and i refuse to let airlines touch my bass.

thanks!

Julie_D

[Johnny Crab]

Question:
What sort of case do you have it in?
If it's in an ATA/Anvil-type case, that can be boxed and shipped.
I HAVE shipped basses sold on eBay in their regular cases which were:
1) Case wrapped in bubble wrap layer about 1 inch thick
2) Put into a carboard box from Uline(cut to fit exactly).
3) Put THAT box-with-the-bass inside of another box.
4) Taped the heck out of it with the reinforced tape on box ends and clear packing tape rolled over the rest of it

The above(about 28~30 pounds IIRC) was shipped USPS, INSURED, signature required. This worked for many transactions EXCEPT one. A bass was shipped as above but to a student at a college campus(read on-campus post office). The bass sat in the post office at the school for 2 months while I refunded PayPal and filed a claim with the USPS. Then MAGICALLY(!!!), the notice to the HONEST student to sign and pick up his bass appeared in his box within 3 days! He was honest enough to send his PayPal payment back to me after calling me at home. Make SURE you get GOOD insurance and get the bass sent to you or a good post office you can get to and/or KNOW the folks at.

I've also received basses from Japan in gigbags wrapped like mummies in bubblewrap and then put in boxes stuffed with newspaper. These came EMS(global air postal service).

Be careful with UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.
They have some nice small print if you ship to a "residential" place that allows them to "leave the item" where they want to without a signature in some cases.
I ALWAYS get these type of deliveries sent to me at my employer's address.
Not sure of claims with them.

Good luck.

[Steve Swan]

See if you can find a bass shop near your origin or destination that can help you with renting a bass trunk and finding a good shipper.

[LouisF]

Depending where you are etc AMTRAK freight is very dependable and very cheap but you - or a bass shop - need to pack the bass. I've sent several basses cross-country this way, without a problem and Volker Narhman sent me a bass from Boston this way.

But take the packing advice above; then see if you can ship it via Amtrak; you'll save $$$

Louis

[worldfamousandy]

Be careful with bubble wrap if you are shipping to the mountains. I got some wine glasses sent once, and the bubbles expanded at altitude, and broke the glasses. As much as I hate, I recommend peanuts for high altitude shipping.