Tunings when shipped

[Leftybass12]

I own three basses. Each have been shipped to me and every time I open up the box, see if there are any visible defects, and tune up I have noticed that each have them have been tuned a whole step down from regular tuning. Why is that?

[sloasdaylight]

Probably to give the strings some stretch, but keep enough tension off the neck to prevent warping during transport in case it goes through areas with wide humidity/temp swings.

[emart]

I was told years ago that this was to reduce tension on the neck in case of humidity changes or shock during shipping.

[thumpbass1]

I used to slacken the tuning, but I guess super instrument repair tech Dan Erlewine says he gets more damaged necks from instruments being shipped detuned than not. He had written an article about it that I think appeared in Bass Player. I guess there is gonna' be some debate on the subject.

[73jbass]

It doesn't make any difference,another myth I'm afraid. Guitar necks are designed to have tension on them. Humidity and tempreature will move the neck a bit no matter what you have it tuned to so you're not acomplishing anything.

[JTE]

I have no idea why that would happen. I know major US makers ship them tuned to pitch. And, the ones who pack best (Martin, Gibson, and Ovation) generally have them come out of the case pretty darned close to in tune across the whole instrument at A=440.

John

[varunkapahi]

some people loosen the strings a bit to prevent any snapping or damage, its not vital at all