Need to ship an explorer guitar.

akaTRENT · #1 02-20-2009, 09:35 AM

how should i pack this. i dont want it getting messed up. i never ship guitars of this shape so im worried.

katri · #2 02-20-2009, 09:36 AM

Do you have a hard case for it?

akaTRENT · #3 02-20-2009, 09:38 AM

no, and thats exactly why im asking

lousybassplayer · #4 02-20-2009, 10:01 AM

Honestly, even though it will cost quite a bit more, I'd have the shipping place do it. I ship from a mom and pop bunch that does fed ex (hate UPS) and he will actually build a box for me if necessary. It can get into the 3 digit range, but I feel its worth it to ensure the guitar is safe.

akaTRENT · #5 02-20-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lousybassplayer

Honestly, even though it will cost quite a bit more, I'd have the shipping place do it. I ship from a mom and pop bunch that does fed ex (hate UPS) and he will actually build a box for me if necessary. It can get into the 3 digit range, but I feel its worth it to ensure the guitar is safe.

i see you watch fox news as well. blue monkey haha.

lousybassplayer · #6 02-20-2009, 10:21 AM

I cried laughing at that blue scrotum business. It had to go into the sig.

akaTRENT · #7 02-20-2009, 10:24 AM

Yeah especially when she tried to trick her to say it again.

So i would totally ship it that way expect i already chrage 50 for the shipppings so its been paid. im more concerned about where the stress points are on this guitar

lousybassplayer · #8 02-20-2009, 10:29 AM

Obviously the points are going to be a source of concern. Is it a Gibson or and Epi. I'm not sure of the woodworking specifics on this, but from what some Gibson/Epi junkines have told me the joint used for the headstock on Gibsons is much weaker in desgin than the epi, osmething to do with grain and all that jazz. Don't know why, but I have seen a few Gibson's with headstocks snapped lean off. That would be my biggest worry.

ALso knobs and switches. I take a block of styrofoam and cut holes in it to slip over the knobs etc. Probably overkill, but it makes me feel better.

kobass · #9 02-20-2009, 10:34 AM

It might be worth stopping in at your local GC to see if they might have a box. I've seen a more than a few pointy guitars every time I visit one.

akaTRENT · #10 02-20-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lousybassplayer

Obviously the points are going to be a source of concern. Is it a Gibson or and Epi. I'm not sure of the woodworking specifics on this, but from what some Gibson/Epi junkines have told me the joint used for the headstock on Gibsons is much weaker in desgin than the epi, osmething to do with grain and all that jazz. Don't know why, but I have seen a few Gibson's with headstocks snapped lean off. That would be my biggest worry.

ALso knobs and switches. I take a block of styrofoam and cut holes in it to slip over the knobs etc. Probably overkill, but it makes me feel better.

Yeah its a 1990 gibson. and that foam idea is classic. Im sure i could do the same for the head stock. I shipped an 84 one actually a few months ago and i think it went out without a hitch.

lousybassplayer · #11 02-20-2009, 11:08 AM

Sorry, I am dense and I just now realize the actual situation here, as in you are a shipper. In that case, there is little I can tell you except the headstock thing and frankly, I can't be certain how true this headstock/neck joint thingeven is, it was told to me. I do know that Gibson headstocks can be very fragile. They must be Italian

Fly Guitars · #12 02-20-2009, 02:14 PM

All Gibson headstocks are fragile, not just pointy ones.

Use a gig bag if you can find one (most buyers are happy to pay a few dollars extra to keep it safe)

Then put a lot of bubble wrap around that, then single, but better, double box it.

Mark it in MASSIVE letters, FRAGILE and THIS WAY UP (with an arrow) on all surfaces

lousybassplayer · #13 02-20-2009, 02:37 PM

Come on! That Italian line was good. PLease laugh at me my broken ego needs as much reassurance as possible.

crayzee · #14 02-20-2009, 02:50 PM

I got my Epi Explorer bass in the mail from the US and the poor thing suffered some damage due to some poor wrapping (chip off the top corner, crack around the set neck-paint only tho).

If you do it yourself, get a sheet of pink styrofoam from Home Depot (or wherever) and cut out the shape of the guitar so it's all protected. Of course, loosen the strings a bit before you do anything. Take a chunk of foam, carve out circles for the knobs. Do the same for the switch and tape it all down to the bass with some painter's tape (the green/blue stuff). Or if you go to your local music shop and they have a box that fits, line the crap out of it with foam. Maybe even double-box it.

Make sure the corners, especially the top back one, are all well padded. Ideally, fill any dead space with crumpled newspaper or even old t-shirts to make sure the git-box doesn't shift at all during shipping (you wanna pack it so that when you close the box and shake it, you don't hear any movement at all).

I'm a bit anal when it comes to packing but I just figure that I'd rather spend a bit of time/cash making sure that it arrives in the same shape I sent it.

akaTRENT · #15 02-20-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crayzee

I got my Epi Explorer bass in the mail from the US and the poor thing suffered some damage due to some poor wrapping (chip off the top corner, crack around the set neck-paint only tho).

If you do it yourself, get a sheet of pink styrofoam from Home Depot (or wherever) and cut out the shape of the guitar so it's all protected. Of course, loosen the strings a bit before you do anything. Take a chunk of foam, carve out circles for the knobs. Do the same for the switch and tape it all down to the bass with some painter's tape (the green/blue stuff). Or if you go to your local music shop and they have a box that fits, line the crap out of it with foam. Maybe even double-box it.

Make sure the corners, especially the top back one, are all well padded. Ideally, fill any dead space with crumpled newspaper or even old t-shirts to make sure the git-box doesn't shift at all during shipping (you wanna pack it so that when you close the box and shake it, you don't hear any movement at all).

I'm a bit anal when it comes to packing but I just figure that I'd rather spend a bit of time/cash making sure that it arrives in the same shape I sent it.

I like your idea. its basically putting in a case. how much is that foam stuff. im might go get it right now.

I dropped by gc today. no frikkin boxes!

crayzee · #16 02-23-2009, 11:27 AM

I don't think that the foam is that much. You only need one sheet - maybe two, depending on the thickness of the material.

If you can't find any instrument boxes, stop by a Costco early in the morning and see if they still have some big boxes (or better yet, go the day before and ask if they can leave you a few large sheets of cardboard that you can pick up the next day).

If you're not a Costco member, hit up a Home Depot and ask the same question. They might be able to set something aside for ya.

Ultimately, this means you'll be creating your own box.