Do you pack the bass at home of do you pack it in the Fedex or UPS store? I've heard that they wont pay the damage if its not them who pack it. Is it true? So whats the best thing to do? It's gonna be my first time to ship a bass. It's also hard to find a shipping box. went to the music stores there arent any. I might end up making my own box. Any Tips?
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Shipping a Bass?
- Thread starter cliff78
- Start date
Shipping in a case, or just the bass itself? Try again at the music stores in the area, and then go to the local u-haul. they get large, flat pieces of cardboard that are great for making boxes.
Another option: http://www.uline.com/product/AdvSearchResult.aspx?view=ALL&SubGroup=7906&Source=04
Another option: http://www.uline.com/product/AdvSearchResult.aspx?view=ALL&SubGroup=7906&Source=04
Forgot...
always double box. There is simply no excuse not to. If I spend 10 dollars extra to ship an extra box 20 times, it's still less than the loss of a mid-priced bass due to damage
always double box. There is simply no excuse not to. If I spend 10 dollars extra to ship an extra box 20 times, it's still less than the loss of a mid-priced bass due to damage
UPS sells guitar shipping boxes. The cost varies depending on the particular UPS store. I have paid $10 for one, and then $20 for another. If you are shipping in a hard shell case, then their box will be enough, just pad the bass in the case. If shipping in a gig bag, then you want to double box. I let UPS pack their own box, but I request to watch them.
I've shipped basses in gig bags and what i do is i buy bubble wrap and wrap the bass with a good amount of it and then put it in the gig bag.Then some more bubble wrap around the gig bag,some newspaper(or bubble wrap or the white foam) at the bottom of the box then the bass in the box and finally fill all the empty spaces with more newspaper.So far no problems when i've shipped my basses.
I always professionally pack at home ( I have 20+ years of shipping/receiving experience). Affix my own labels (I have my own account) and always include insurance. I bring directly to the Fedex depot and stand there until I see them scan it into the system. Never ever walk away without knowing whether it's been scanned or not! I usually ship with a gig bag. Only once did I ship with a HSC and I had to buy a frikkin' $27 'Guitar Box'! Never again!
Thanks man I'll go take a look for a boz at UPS. But i might ship via Fedex. I read forums here. I think it's cheaper and safer
I have shipped many basses through eBay sales. All of my basses ship with a hardshell case. Some UPS stores sell a shipping guitar box that is just large enough to accomodate the bass guitar case; it sells for about $10.00.
I get one side of the box tapped up and then head to the local UPS store. I then put the bass guitar case in the box upright and then have them fill the box up with packing peanuts. You are correct, if you packed the box and there is shipment damage, they might not pay for a claim for shipment damage.
I then have them put "arrow up" and "fragile" stickers on all four sides of the box. Obviously during shipment, it will lay on its side but when they need to stack the box upright, it will be stacked correctly.
Make sure you tune down all the strings on the bass guitar until they flap loosely before putting it in the case. This will ensure that the strings will not break or that the neck will not get any undue tension. I also put bubble wrap around the headstock then use a rubber band to hold it in place. If the bass moves around in the case, I put extra padding in it to hold it in place.
I insure the bass and request that the delivery is signed for. When I get home, I email the tracking number to the buyer and then check on its progress daily until the bass has been delivered.
I get one side of the box tapped up and then head to the local UPS store. I then put the bass guitar case in the box upright and then have them fill the box up with packing peanuts. You are correct, if you packed the box and there is shipment damage, they might not pay for a claim for shipment damage.
I then have them put "arrow up" and "fragile" stickers on all four sides of the box. Obviously during shipment, it will lay on its side but when they need to stack the box upright, it will be stacked correctly.
Make sure you tune down all the strings on the bass guitar until they flap loosely before putting it in the case. This will ensure that the strings will not break or that the neck will not get any undue tension. I also put bubble wrap around the headstock then use a rubber band to hold it in place. If the bass moves around in the case, I put extra padding in it to hold it in place.
I insure the bass and request that the delivery is signed for. When I get home, I email the tracking number to the buyer and then check on its progress daily until the bass has been delivered.
All good info in this thread that will help as I'm looking at selling a couple basses and guitars. My question, however, is about the shipping costs. Whenever I look at stuff on ebay and other sites, and anytime I've bought a bass/guitar and paid shipping, it seems to be between $20-40. Yet when I go the UPS's website and try to calculate shipping costs, it always comes out at $100+. I use the same measurements as the boxes I have and the weights they were when i received them. How do you ship a bass for only $20-40? Are people just losing money on this, or am I missing something?
Your doing it wrong. Use the Detailed time and cost calculator, Measure the boxes, add the weight, ect. Use real addresses, then look at all the rates on teh results page. The price at the top is the most expensive, but they aren't arrayed by price, so sometimes the cheap ground rate is hiding in the middle.
Also, consider a fudge factor of $10. You and the UPS clerk will occasionally have a difference of opinion.
Also, consider a fudge factor of $10. You and the UPS clerk will occasionally have a difference of opinion.
"Make sure you tune down all the strings on the bass guitar until they flap loosely before putting it in the case. This will ensure that the strings will not break or that the neck will not get any undue tension."
No, no, no, no....
Don't do this. The neck is under tension from the trussrod. The string tension counteracts this. If you remove all the string tension nothing is acting on the neck but the trussrod tension. If you take off the string tension then you need to relieve the trussrod tension as well.
Tuned to pitch will not produce any problems during shipment.
No, no, no, no....
Don't do this. The neck is under tension from the trussrod. The string tension counteracts this. If you remove all the string tension nothing is acting on the neck but the trussrod tension. If you take off the string tension then you need to relieve the trussrod tension as well.
Tuned to pitch will not produce any problems during shipment.
Crap.. Local music stores usually have boxes, but you have to catch them before they dump them. You know you are going to sell a bass, start looking now and not the day it is supposed to ship. Packing peanuts are everywhere. Talk to friends and family. You can usually muster a box full just about anytime. If you want extra protection, get a couple of cans of spray expandable foam. About $2 or $3 per can anywhere.. Put the bass in a garbage bag (or two and tape the seam) put the bass in, spray the foam.. Instant packing. The UPS and FedEx rule is 2" of packing on all sides minimum. Follow that and they don't have issues with claims.
I have never heard that before. You are probably right, but I have also flown on planes with my Peavy and just detuned it and it hasn't had any problems because of that.
What about stand up basses without truss rods?
