Cheapest shipping for a DISASSEMBLED bass?

agreatheight · #1 08-17-2009, 11:30 AM

So I need to ship my Zon bass to the factory in Cali to have a truss rod built in. As they'll be removing the neck for the installation, I have already removed the neck from the bass.

What carrier would be cheapest to ship insured?

bongomania · #2 08-17-2009, 12:12 PM

Probably USPS Parcel Post.

Pilgrim · #3 08-17-2009, 12:22 PM

Double check that online against FedEx Ground. They're usually very competitive, as well as being trackable and insurable.

PSPookie · #4 08-17-2009, 12:55 PM

From Tempe, shipping an assembled bass in an HSC shoudn't run you more than about $20-25. How much are you hoping to save here?

agreatheight · #5 08-17-2009, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

From Tempe, shipping an assembled bass in an HSC shoudn't run you more than about $20-25. How much are you hoping to save here?

Through who? Last two times I shipped assembled it was 50 - 60, I want to say both time were Fed Ex.

And unfortunately, the Zon is in a soft case. Either way, I always feel safer shipping disassembled.

GeneralElectric · #6 08-17-2009, 02:16 PM

It cost me less than $16 to ship a very heavy bass in a soft case via Fedex ground from NY to CA.

**Staccato** · #7 08-17-2009, 02:19 PM

USPS vs. Fedex - compare prices, and the first $100 of insurance is included w/ Fedex.

Thunderitter · #8 08-17-2009, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agreatheight

Through who? Last two times I shipped assembled it was 50 - 60, I want to say both time were Fed Ex.

And unfortunately, the Zon is in a soft case. Either way, I always feel safer shipping disassembled.

I shipped a bass from VA to OR a couple of weeks a go for $40 fully assembled and insured via FedEx Ground.

PSPookie · #9 08-17-2009, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderitter

I shipped a bass from VA to OR a couple of weeks a go for $40 fully assembled and insured via FedEx Ground.

Yup. Here to Seattle was a little over $40.

Are you packing it yourself and using an online account?

If you go into a store to do anything other than just drop the package off, they hose you.

LAG · #10 08-17-2009, 07:34 PM

I shipped a bass to a TB'er in Turkey awhile back. Disassembled, shipped in two boxes through USPS. I believe the tally was around $65 or so.

GeneralElectric · #11 08-18-2009, 10:46 AM

Where the hell are you guys going to get it shipped with Fedex?

I live 10 minutes from a distribution center... maybe thats why... most I've ever spent to ship is a Mesa Boogie 400+ which was like $40 bucks in a shock case.

PSPookie · #12 08-18-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

Where the hell are you guys going to get it shipped with Fedex?

I live 10 minutes from a distribution center... maybe thats why... most I've ever spent to ship is a Mesa Boogie 400+ which was like $40 bucks in a shock case.

The thing is: they charge you for the volumetric weight on basses. They don't weigh much but the boxes are big so you get charged like it's a heavy box.

bongomania · #13 08-18-2009, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

It cost me less than $16 to ship a very heavy bass in a soft case via Fedex ground from NY to CA.

...And then you woke up, and realized it was just a dream. Seriously, I have been shipping basses all over the place for years, and the only way you could possibly have gotten that price is if you didn't use any packing materials at all, and you gave the Fedex clerk a BJ. And if you had a commercial account with them, and the recipient did too.

The lowest price I have ever gotten, shipping a bass across the country, was $25. And that was a very light bass with no case, in relatively light packing materials. 90% of the time it costs around $45 and up, IME. But then, I pack very well (read: bigger, heavier box), and I don't have a commercial account.

GeneralElectric · #14 08-18-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

...And then you woke up, and realized it was just a dream. Seriously, I have been shipping basses all over the place for years, and the only way you could possibly have gotten that price is if you didn't use any packing materials at all, and you gave the Fedex clerk a BJ. And if you had a commercial account with them, and the recipient did too.

The lowest price I have ever gotten, shipping a bass across the country, was $25. And that was a very light bass with no case, in relatively light packing materials. 90% of the time it costs around $45 and up, IME. But then, I pack very well (read: bigger, heavier box), and I don't have a commercial account.

Nope no dream. I don't have an account with them either. I pack all my guitars (that aren't in a hard case) in Gibson acoustic guitar boxes as they already have cardboard support inserts inside. Fits perfectly and I've never had an issue as those boxes are meant to take a lot of abuse.

I ship about 25-30 different guitars every year all around the country, and I've never paid more than $20 bucks for shipping. I use 5 day Fedex ground as well.

Maybe its because I go straight to the distribution center? I live 10 minutes away by car from a Fedex shipping hub.

bongomania · #15 08-18-2009, 11:00 PM

Dang. I better find a nearby distribution center, then, because otherwise we are living in alternate pricing dimensions.

GeneralElectric · #16 08-18-2009, 11:47 PM

You probably should. As I said, a heavy ass Mesa 400+ in its shockmount heavy duty case only cost me about $40 bucks to ship. I think it went to Michigan... I don't exactly remember, but it was over 60 pounds IIRC

Stumbo · #17 08-19-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Dang. I better find a nearby distribution center, then, because otherwise we are living in alternate pricing dimensions.

+1. Me, too.

agreatheight · #18 08-19-2009, 08:20 AM

I didn't know you could bring anything to the distribution center. I think I'll give that a shot.

Thanks everyone!