Shipping boxes & Mike Lull's shop

vanselus · #1 09-27-2004, 09:21 AM

Where do you all get boxes to ship basses in?

I called Mike Lull's shop the other day to see if they would SELL me a box to ship a bass in, and the conversation went like this:

Guy: "Mike Lull's Guitar Works"

Me: "Hi. Would you have any cardboard boxes to ship basses in that I could possibly purchase from you?"

Guy (already exasperated): "We don't have any cardboard boxes"

Me: "Really? That's surprising. What do you ship your basses in?"

Guy: [long long pause] "umm..." [pause] "We just go scrounge them up"

Me: "really."

Guy: "Yep, just go to Guitar Center and ask them for a box"

So I did. And the guy there said "they don't do that". Dead end. Any ideas before I just buy a package of bass boxes from a cardboard place?

GrooveWarrior · #2 09-27-2004, 09:26 AM

I just call my local guitar shops until I find someone who has one. I've never paid for a single one. I have even gotten boxes to pack cabinets in before. Also, when I get something, the box goes up in my attic for the next time I need one.

**baba** · #3 09-27-2004, 11:19 AM

Go behind a drug store or mall and look for the cardboard recycling dumpster. Grab some big boxes and cut and tape to fit as needed. This is how I have received and sent gear in the past.

vanselus · #4 09-27-2004, 11:24 AM

Believe me, I have access to plenty of cardboard. I'm part of a shoe company called Bite Footwear (www.biteshoes.com) and there's an entire warehouse of cardboard. I just get really tired of patching boxes together, and it sure doesn't look pretty when it's done. That's what i've done in the past.

Woodchuck · #5 09-27-2004, 12:28 PM

I get 'em from GC. You have to get there early.

Lyle Caldwell · #6 09-27-2004, 12:40 PM

Just find a box store. The "guitar box" that the UPS Store sells for $20 can be purchased from a box store for about $4. The exact same box.

My advice is to go into a UPS store, find someone who looks friendly, make sure their manager isn't around, and ask them where they buy their boxes locally.

**smperry** · #7 09-27-2004, 12:47 PM

I go to a ton of music stores, and eventually someone has one...sometimes it takes a couple of days though. also, bike shops (and other stores that sell bikes) get boxes in often. Although these are usually a little too big (not as big as you might think) and cost a bit more to ship, but they are sturdy.

hey - i like those shoes/sandals. i was looking at some the other week.

marshall

Folmeister · #8 09-27-2004, 12:47 PM

Buy something nice from Bass Central and have them ship it to you. Then recycle whatever they sent you. That's what I did!

pierce · #9 09-27-2004, 12:50 PM

you could also call high volume manufacturers. i know that my nomad came in a full size bass box from fernandes that had the fernandes logo on it. you would have to call u.s. companies that dont import ALL there basses.

fender
g&l (tb member?)
carvin (tb member?)
stew_mac
warmoth
etc.

at least they could direct you towards a companty that supplies boxes to them.

does your current box company (shoes, etc. ) have a guitar option? it could just be a rectangular box, with cardboard spacers.

SoyBase · #10 09-27-2004, 12:52 PM

I somehow got a ULINE catalog in the mail. They have guitar boxes (actually big enough for a bass case) for $6 for a 4 pack or something like that...

I hate going to Guitar Center to find boxes. Its like finding a needle in a haystack...

vanselus · #11 09-27-2004, 01:13 PM

Hey, thanks for all the help everyone! It's much appreciated!

About the Footwear, if anybody from Talkbass wants anything, i'll give you a good discount. Just let me know. The Ramble-on are the perfect bass-player shoes. F. Carnivore has a pair too. They're slip-on, comfortable, and have much padding for long gigs.

www.biteshoes.com/orthosport/styles/4006a.htm

Back to the boxes, that's a great idea, i'll contact our box supplier. I saw ULINE on the web, and i'll probably go that route if ours doesn't come through. Looks like a fair deal.

Thanks again!

pierce · #12 09-27-2004, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanselus

About the Footwear, if anybody from Talkbass wants anything, i'll give you a good discount.

any vegan shoes?

vanselus · #13 09-27-2004, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierce

any vegan shoes?

Many of our sandals are made of a great synthetic called "Durahide" and some shoes are as well. The Xtension running sandal in vegan, which has been worn in over 80 26.2 mile marathons so far - 2:53 is the current record. None of the Orthosport shoes are vegan yet, but there will be some available in the spring.

wyliee · #14 10-04-2004, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vanselus

Where do you all get boxes to ship basses in?

Any ideas before I just buy a package of bass boxes from a cardboard place?

For the local boys: Helmers Music by the SeaTac mall has always been very cool about that kind of stuff. I've seen one of the managers (Tim) go dumpster diving for a customer.

adam on bass · #15 10-04-2004, 04:12 PM

I find all of mine from Cardboard Recycling bins. Once every other month I do it and collect them for this very reason. Funny story, the clerk at the store I do all my scaveging at said they don't keep the boxes they throw them away. Later that night I go back and score 4 perfect boxes from the recycling bin. People are lame and won't help a brother out anymore. Uline does carry them. Why buy when you can recycle.