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How do you guys ship your basses?

isher1992

isher1992

Nov 27, 2008
1,209
200
Little Rock, Arkansas
#1
I've got a bass I'm wanting to let go, but CraigsList is failing me.

I don't really want to pay fees for eBay, so I must peruse the Classifieds for someone wanting one.

But I've never shipped an instrument before. I have a hardshell case, but do I have to put the case into a box to ship it? Or could I pack the case with newspaper and/or bubble wrap to keep it safe inside?

Any help/guidance/shared experience is greatly appreciated.
 
#2
According to the fedex guy that shipped the last bass I sold, newspaper is a big nono as it really only flattens up and doesnt do any thpe of shock absorbing. Search up the forums (with the search function) and youll find plenty of info on shipping a bass guitar.
 
#4
I use newspaper all the time. Crumple single sheets and they will help hold things in place while having a slight "give". Bubble wrap and other stiff materials can actually put too much stress on the instrument under pressure.

I always double-box, whether it's a bass, amp, cabinet, etc. Even when the bass is in a hard case. If I don't have boxes that will fit inside of each other I tear up a box and stuff it along the inside walls of the outer box, acting as if a double box.
 
#7
Perusing the "Want To Buy" section of the classifieds is a loser on every level. Most of those want-to-buy ads are by dealers looking to buy gear for short dough from people who don't know anything. Very rarely do you see a "want to buy" ad from a wealthy enthusiast that just HAS to have exactly what you've got.

NEVER ship a guitar without packing it in a cardboard box. Shipping a bass unboxed is completely unacceptable. Doing something like that is a sure-fire way to piss off a buyer.
 
#8
smcd said:
Perusing the "Want To Buy" section of the classifieds is a loser on every level. Most of those want-to-buy ads are by dealers looking to buy gear for short dough from people who don't know anything. Very rarely do you see a "want to buy" ad from a wealthy enthusiast that just HAS to have exactly what you've got.

NEVER ship a guitar without packing it in a cardboard box. Shipping a bass unboxed is completely unacceptable. Doing something like that is a sure-fire way to piss off a buyer.
Click to expand...

Uhhh...is it even possible to ship one un-boxed?
 
#11
You can send a bass in the case through the USPS. I had a Peavey bass shipped to me that way and it arrived intact. Peavey uses those really nice molded cases (SKB style) so they protect the instrument really well. It cost around $25 Parcel Post from TN to TX and took 4 days. Just be sure to tape the latches and tape a large paper label to the outside of the case.
 
#13
Dluxe said:
You can send a bass in the case through the USPS. I had a Peavey bass shipped to me that way and it arrived intact. Peavey uses those really nice molded cases (SKB style) so they protect the instrument really well. It cost around $25 Parcel Post from TN to TX and took 4 days. Just be sure to tape the latches and tape a large paper label to the outside of the case.
Click to expand...

I ship about 3/4 of mine this way via FedEx ground.

It was brought to my attention by an airline baggage handling trainer that boxed basses are clumsy and bulky. This person also commented that visually seeing that it's a guitar normally has management watching it closer.

I tape the hinges and clasps .... If I want the case to avoid scuffs will shrink wrap it.

I've made at least 800 flights with only a hard case .... Shipped at least 250 with just the case.. Out of the 60 or so I've shipped in boxes 6 or so had claims.

Shipping case only commonly can sneak it under the <48" surcharge
 
#14
I've seen solidbody guitars shipped both ways (with and without a box)... But it's your responsibility to package properly for the trip... If you are traveling with your own guitar/bass, airlines will be watchful for you... However, when shipping via UPS and/or FedEx, the shipping carton loaded with styrofoam peanuts or crumpled paper is the way to go. A friend of mine made a living training companies how to package their items for safe shipping. He, too, says to use a shipping carton. I've found cartons large enough for bass at the UPS store for $14... I've been shipping instruments (and amps) around the world using new boxes for nearly 15 years, and I wouldn't ship any other way.
 
#15
Overseas, I take the neck off and have my UPS Store box it up for me. Costs about $25 to do so, but it has served me well.

US and Canada--one layer of bubble wrap headstock and fat part of the body, paper towel between strings and fretboard, then into the gig bag or case, then into the box. Enough bubble wrap at top and bottom of case to keep bass from moving (not moving in the box is as important IME as amount of padding), and out it goes.
 
#17
petrus61 said:
Uhhh...is it even possible to ship one un-boxed?
Click to expand...

Yes you can. A local UPS store told me I could ship the bass I recently shipped in just the gig bag and it would be tagged for special handling. Neither he nor I recommend this, he was just telling me what all my options were.

UPS stores do have "guitar" boxes that are easily big enough for a bass, big enough to trigger the shipping surcharge in fact. I was charged a total of $29.63 for the box and packing service to ship an Ibanez SR505 in a gig bag last week. From what I read above the UPS store prices for this can vary a bit, it may depend somewhat on the local store owner so it may pay to shop around. The advantage of letting a UPS store do the packing is that if they do then any insurance claims are paid no questions asked. I hear that if you do the packing there can be a lot of questions asked. It's not the cheapest option but if bass boxes are in short supply at local music stores then a UPS store is a source for them. They will sell you just the box if you'd rather.

Ken
 
#18
I buy my boxes from U-line. They make you buy 5 at a time but the price is right if you can't find a music store who has spare boxes to just give you. Much better than paying 25-30 bucks a box when you can get them for less than 10 if that is the route you have to take.

Khutch is correct about letting UPS pack it for you, but much more expensive that way.
 
#19
UPS will take your bass out and then snap the neck then retape the box. Fedex will actually take care of your package. I jokingly say this but I had a Les Paul sent to me back in my guitar days that UPS snapped. Fedex has always treated their boxes better.
 

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