• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Shipping bass guitars

scottfeldstein

scottfeldstein

Roots and fifths and a little extra.
Jun 20, 2011
6,544
4,412
57
San Marcos, California
endlessblue.bandcamp.com
#1
I've received a lot of music equipment via UPS and FedEx over the years. But I've never shipped a bass. I'm thinking of flipping one of mine and in anticipation of listing it online, I started prepping...

First, I had to find boxes. I did find some. The supplier even shows the box with a bass, so I feel pretty good about those. I had to buy five of them and they were $12 each.

Then I'll need packing materials. Probably I'll go with bubble wrap. I can get it at Home Despot easily enough. I figure I'll wrap up the bass with it, jam it in a spare gig bag I have, then fill up the empty spaces in the box with it, too.

Then I went to UPS to get an idea of how much it is to ship a box of mine's dimensions that also weighs 10 pounds from where I live in Wisconsin to, say, California. I got an 87$ price tag on that. (And that includes my business account discount which I don't think I'll actually be able to use.)

Does it really cost nearly $100 to ship a bass guitar across the USA? Did I do well on boxes and is my packing strategy sound? Any tips/advice welcome!
 
  • Like
Reactions: TK4261
#2
Yes, it does cost that much now from UPS, Fedex, but I just sent two 23" scale basses from Los Angeles to Switzerland. FedEx, UPS and DHL wanted between $400-$500, but USPS cost was $210. I brought them to a pack and ship place near me and had them do it all for $268 including packing, priority, but I didn't know to ask for the least expensive USPS shipping, which is about $110.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: 6-3-2 and Ning
#3
KohanMike said:
Yes, it does cost that much now from UPS, Fedex, but I just sent two 23" scale basses from Los Angeles to Switzerland. FedEx, UPS and DHL wanted between $400-$500, but USPS cost was $110. I brought them to a pack and ship place near me and had them do it all for $160.
Click to expand...

Do you think it would be worth it for me to seek out such a place even though I'm only going to be shipping inside the continental US?
 
#4
scottfeldstein said:
Do you think it would be worth it for me to seek out such a place even though I'm only going to be shipping inside the continental US?
Click to expand...
Couldn't hurt to check it out. I wasn't sure I was going to use them, but I brought the basses and when they told me the price, I went for it. Be sure you tell them that you want the lowest price USPS service, the pack/ship place quoted $210 for priority shipping, but I didn't think to ask for the lower price (which is about $110). The packing for 2 basses was $58.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Ning
#5
Packing method seems sound, I have had good luck with 'fairly' tight bubble wrapped basses, I fill the voids and add more bubble wrap rolled or folded on the top and the bottom, the gig bag is a bonus. It's roughly $90 to ship em
 
#8
Your packing method sounds fine. Less than $100 for shipping is reasonable these days, but sellers often pass that cost onto the buyer (as they should). When shipping was $50 it was easier to offer free shipping as a cost of doing business, but now I'd just say price is X plus actual shipping cost for the carrier of your choice if you have a preference.
 
#11
I'd recommend shipping insurance. Ask "whos the best shipping company" and you'll get plenty of "dont use these guys" comments. No matter who is good in your area, it's likely not the same elsewhere. USPS will destroy boxes in my area, but I think it's a local thing. I've heard horror stories on all of the different companies.

Therefore the best conclusion I can come to is "pay for insurance."
 
#13
A tip from long time shipper -
You don't have to buy a single thing. Just go to a music store and ask for a box and bubble wrap. They will just give it to you.

I used to go behind grocery stores and malls where the huge cardboard bin is and grab tons of free boxes. I also break down and save boxes for future shipping. I have a box full of bubble wrap, and brown paper.

And yes. The price has nearly doubled to ship a bass in the US from coast to coast will cost about $100 bucks. It was about $50 for about 10 years.
 
#14
I put all my instruments on my equipment insurance policy which covers damage, theft, gig failure, water/fire damage, shipping loss and damage anywhere in the world.
It costs me just about $200 per year for a $15000 policy
When I ship a bass I use pirate ship and send ups ground for the most discounted rate. Depending on the zone you’re shipping to, the cost has been as low as $50. Insured packages usually run $25-30 more.
I tend avoid the ups insurance as they’re not going to pay anyway. They’ll just blame you and deny the damage claim saying it was insufficiently packed.
My personal policy would take care of
Any loss easier and faster.

btw, pack the hell out of it
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mb94952
#15
Lesfunk said:
I put all my instruments on my equipment insurance policy which covers damage, theft, gig failure, water/fire damage, shipping loss and damage anywhere in the world.
It costs my just about $200 per year for a $15000 policy
When I ship a bass I use pirate ship and send ups ground for the most discounted rate. Depending on the zone you’re shipping to, the cost has been as low as $50. Insured packages usually run $25-30 more.
I tend avoid the ups insurance as they’re not going to pay anyway. They’ll just blame you and deny the damage claim saying it was insufficiently packed.
My personal policy would take care of
Any loss easier and faster.

btw, pack the hell out of it
Click to expand...
100% accurate. I packed a bass well and UPS destroyed it and didn't cover a cent, even though I paid for insurance. It's a total scam and unless they pack it, you're screwed.
 
#16
Another discount shipping vendor to try is shipnerd.com. They've saved me A LOT of money. You can go to that site and get an estimate of cost for your package, but I don't think the shipping estimator allows you to enter insurance so figure an additional $10 to $20, depending on the value of your package.

They choose the shipping carrier. It has always been UPS for me when I've shipped guitars with shipnerd. And I have saved over $30 each time using them, compared to the UPS website, where I have an account and get a much better price than going to a UPS Store.

Shipnerd has their own optional insurance and they handle any claims themselves.

Check out shipnerd and pirateship. You'll save a bunch of money.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lesfunk
#17
scottfeldstein said:
Does it really cost nearly $100 to ship a bass guitar across the USA? Did I do well on boxes and is my packing strategy sound? Any tips/advice welcome!
Click to expand...

Geez, I wish it only cost ~$100 to ship a bass across the USA! The last few times I've done it it cost significantly more. However, I did ship those instruments in heavy-duty ATA spec hardshell flight cases (and then put an outer shipping carton around that case, because you don't want to advertise to potentially unscrupulous UPS/FedEx employees that there's a musical instrument in there) so the whole package wound up pretty large & heavy.

+1 to the folks suggesting you remove the neck if it's a bolt-on instrument.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JRA and scottfeldstein
#19
almadillo said:
I bought a bag of white rags from the Home Depot for cheap and covered the bass with them before the bubble pack. Didn't want the plastic bubble pack to leave marks on the finish.

And if you sell on reverb, you can use their shipping account which is a lot less.
Click to expand...

Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. I have sold pedals there before.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back