shipping a Bass

Bass. · #1 02-17-2007, 12:36 PM

sorry if this is the wrong place for this.

I was curious about shipping an upright.
How much (average) that costs and what shipping company's would do it.. etc. etc.

Thank you

Chasarms · #2 02-17-2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass.

sorry if this is the wrong place for this.

I was curious about shipping an upright.
How much (average) that costs and what shipping company's would do it.. etc. etc.

Thank you

You have to use a regular freight carrier.

There are a bunch of factors that will impact price such as location, business or residential delivery, but being very general, I'd set the rate in the $100-150 range.

Fat.Mike · #3 02-17-2007, 10:48 PM

Fed-Ex Freight ships basses. You can even save money (about $50) by picking it up at the frieght center. I believe that ran me about $120 total to ship from the east coast to Oklahoma.

Gideon · #4 02-20-2007, 01:00 PM

Did Fed-Ex Freight pack if for you as well? I want to ship a bass from Portland, OR to Los Angeles. The problem is that I'm in LA and I can't fly up there to pack it up and ship it down here. So I need some place I can just drop the bass off and have it show up in LA shortly thereafter.
Thanks,
Gideon

Fat.Mike · #5 02-20-2007, 04:45 PM

They did not pack it. You might try giving one of the fed-ex stores a call to see if they would do something like that. Good luck!

John Sprague · #6 02-22-2007, 11:33 AM

Hi Gideon,
You can ask your local bass dealers for a box to pack it in. FedEx freight and UPS Freight are my faves right now. Being able to strap it to a skid will reduce the likelihood of damage.

Insure, insure, insure!

A flight case is a great option if you can get your mitts on one.

Gideon · #7 02-22-2007, 11:53 AM

Today I'm calling around LA to see if anyone will
1) rent me a flight case
2) ship it to Portland
3) my brother will put the bass in to the flight case, insure the crap out of it and ship it back.

Voila, I have my bass. We'll see if it works.

I talked to Pete Lampe in Portland. He wanted $350 or so for the shipping plus $150 for the packing and didn't seem all that psyched about the whole thing. Since Schubacks has basically shut up shop and Kerr doesn't do basses there's no one up there anymore.
Gideon

mojoluthier · #8 02-22-2007, 12:17 PM

A shipping case will double your freight cost. The Cardboard Cartons that most basses are shipped in these days are fine. The trick, as previously mentioned, is to stand it upright on a pallet and strap it on. It can then be handled it the standard ways and is most unlikely to be laid down or to interact physically with other freight. If you can't find a box, just order a Palantino direct from Music Link, throw the bass away, and use the box. This would almost be cheaper than shipping a case both ways!

Gideon · #9 02-22-2007, 01:45 PM

I can get a box. So the bass goes on the palette upright? As in the bottom of the bass will be in the center of the palette? Sounds a bit unintuitive. But I'll ask around to see if I can get someone to rig that up for me.
Thanks,
Gideon

reedo35 · #10 02-22-2007, 08:39 PM

if you can get a box, check out the UPS store.. they can ship it for you for about $120.00. Make sure you mark the box fragile, and "this side up" clearly.

John Sprague · #11 02-23-2007, 08:48 AM

Gideon, we use banding to strap it to the pallet standing up, and it's a rather complicated affair that may not be feasible for you. We ship a couple basses in flight cases every summer for some RPO players that do summer gigs out in the hinterlands, and it works perfectly. One had the shipper damage the case, but we haven't lost a bass in a flight case yet. In cardboard, well, that's another matter lol.

On the left coast, you have as possible resources/accomplices:
NORTH:
Pete's, The Bass Church, Cat Man (503-630-3827), Hammond Ashley.
SOUTH:
L.A. Bass Works (213 380 3480), World of Strings.

Some one there should be able to get you set up. There are more shops in SF area also, holler if you need their info.
Good luck!

Gideon · #12 02-23-2007, 03:54 PM

So I'm following up on a flight case with a couple of folks in Portland including Pete.

My, hopefully, final question regards insurance. Fedex freight won't insure a used instrument. Are folks here just relying on shop insurance or for those who are playing at home are you relying on your renters/instrument insurance?

Thanks for all the help.
Gideon