Shipping in the extreme cold (-10 or worse)

Lonnybass · #1 02-19-2008, 04:10 PM

Ok fellas-

Got a relocation to Minneapolis next week, and some of my collection may have to go on the moving van. My concern is that we are experiencing RECORD lows here in the midwest - we're talking brutal, -10 degrees or lower temps - and the van will be out roughly 3 to 4 days between when our stuff is loaded on in Chicago and when it arrives at the final destination. How concerned should I be?

Lonnybass

troy2003 · #2 02-19-2008, 06:55 PM

Personally,I would be very worried.If it were me,I would keep em at a friends house and make the trip back to go get them,or whatever it took.

warwick.hoy · #3 02-20-2008, 12:56 AM

This is a legitimate concern.

I moved out here to Spokane from Virginia Beach around Thanksgiving 2001. I literally left 50 degree humid weather through the Midwest and into a blizzard situation outside of SLC Utah, and then the rest of the way.

I kept my bass in its case with the strings loosened and in the car (S-10 blazer) where it could be kept a little warmer from the heater. Also if I stopped at a hotel for the night the bass went in with me.

There were no irreversible issues, but after a month or two I took it to a shop to have it intonated and setup. It definitely played better than before. It probably needed it anyway.

Not knowing all the details of your move this is the best advice I can give you. I assume you are flying but you know what they say about assuming.

Think about storing it in a climate controlled secure and insured storage facility until the weather is more accommodating.

Concerning what was mentioned previously; it would have to be a pretty trustworthy friend for me to just leave my bass with them unattended. You never know what could happen and I wouldn't be comfortable leaving someone else responsible for a valued piece of equipment. Especially if they have young children.

ROON · #4 02-20-2008, 01:57 AM

Aeroplane cargo holds get far below -10 degrees. Dont be too worried.
Your action mighy go a bit spaz, but nothing serious.

kobass · #5 02-20-2008, 05:24 AM

I think you'll be OK. Just let the cases come up to room temperature gradually and don't open them until then. I think it's the quick transitions from one extreme to the other (temp or humidity)that can cause problems. Just about every bass that is owned by a TBer was shipped from point A to B at some point, and I'll bet a lot of them were in less-than-ideal conditions at some point during the ride.