Double Bass Shipping a DB from UK to CA

[alstocko]

Hello all,

I am looking into moving my double bass from the UK to Canada, and hoping I can get some advice on if this is even worth doing.

I have a Westbury bass (I believe that is just a relabeled Eastman). Is this worth the hassle of getting across to me? What would that process look like?

Thanks,
Alec

 

[bassmanbrent]

You could talk to the bigger shops in the UK (Thomas Martin, Contrabass Shoppe etc.) and see if they are able to help you in some way. My suspicion is that it won't be worth it unless the bass is exceptional or sentimental. Good luck!

 

[jmpiwonka]

just the freight will be over $1000.
Might not make sense financially.

 

[james condino]

Airfare for you and the bass will likley be cheaper than shipping just the bass.

 

[TheBassPreacher]

Airfare for you and the bass will likley be cheaper than shipping just the bass.

I agree. Freight will probably cost you more and possibly increase the likelihood of damage since your eyes won't be able to be on it. Buy the bass a seat and ride with it.

That being said, if it just a relabeled Eastman like you said, it might be easier to sell it in the UK and purchase another one once you get across the pond.

 

[eh_train]

.... Buy the bass a seat and ride with it.

Hi BP, not tryna be contrary, but the topic of "buy your bass a seat" has been recently discussed on TB and I'm not sure it's possible any longer.

You can, however, get a flight case (even a cheap foam and cloth one) and check your bass for the flight. I did this 8 months ago and it cost $300. A noticeable amount, but still much cheaper than shipping it freight!

 

[RSBBass]

Hi BP, not tryna be contrary, but the topic of "buy your bass a seat" has been recently discussed on TB and I'm not sure it's possible any longer.

You can, however, get a flight case (even a cheap foam and cloth one) and check your bass for the flight. I did this 8 months ago and it cost $300. A noticeable amount, but still much cheaper than shipping it freight!

A flight case should be OK but a cheap foam and cloth case is looking for trouble IMHO.

 

[eh_train]

A flight case should be OK but a cheap foam and cloth case is looking for trouble IMHO.

Hi RSB,

The case below worked fine for my trip.

I think of them as "disposable" flight cases, in that they definitely won't last forever, but they probably will make a half dozen trips before they fall apart. Used ones tend to be inexpensive. They're also definitely lightweight, so you avoid overweight charges (alongside the oversized, which you can't avoid).

 

[RSBBass]

Good to know. My response has less to do with the quality of the case you suggest than with the way baggage handlers deal with heavy awkwardly shaped baggage.