I wouldn't even question the extra $15 to protect my new multi-hundred dollar (or more) purchase a bit more from the unknowns of shipping.
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Shipping bass with TSA case only, no box???
- Thread starter Burwabit
- Start date
I wouldn't even question the extra $15 to protect my new multi-hundred dollar (or more) purchase a bit more from the unknowns of shipping.
It will PROBABLY be safe, but I wouldn't do it. Plus I know from first hand experience that at TSA lock can be opened with a run of the mill flathead screwdriver... I've done it myself in a pinch. Others may try with less than honest intentions.
And a box secured with package tape can be opened with a house key or box cutter in seconds.
Good advice. Went this direction and paid the extra $15. $45 shipped ain't bad. If the bass is nice as it sounds, it'll be worth it.
Someone once told me that it was safer to ship this way because the loader would pick the case up and carry it by the handle rather than chunking the box.
I have no idea if this is accurate. lol
I have no idea if this is accurate. lol
I just recently received a bass in a molded hard case wrapped only in plastic wrap. I freaked. I opened the case hoping for the best but unfortunately the case had been dropped which cracked the body thru the control cavity. The case showed no signs of impact. It was a shame b/c it was a beautiful bass I wanted very much but not with a crack thru the body. The seller took it back no problem. There's a reason manufactures ship all their basses in shipping boxes and not hard cases...
I have sent and received numerous basses in a hardshell case, with no cardboard box. Never had a problem. When I ship them, I do this:
- bubble wrap around the headstock
- bubble wrap stuffed in extra space inside the case to keep the bass from moving inside the case
- slack the strings a little and put one layer of bubble wrap between the strings and fretboard, to keep the strings from grinding on the frets
- packing tape over the latches and handle to keep them from opening or moving. A loose handle is an invitation to get it ripped off by some machine.
- a layer or 2 of bubble wrap around the outside of the case
- a couple of layers of shrink wrap plastic around the outside
I think this is just as safe as being inside a well-packed box and a lot safer than being inside a poorly packed box. And it's cheaper to ship because it weighs less and the dimensions are smaller.
I also only use FedEx - no UPS.
In the end, if they seriously mishandle it, they can mess up the bass, no matter how you pack it. And if they don't mishandle it, packing it this way will be absolutely fine.
And, who knows, maybe being packed this way lets the package handlers see what it is and they take more care with it because they can tell it's a guitar. Dunno....
- bubble wrap around the headstock
- bubble wrap stuffed in extra space inside the case to keep the bass from moving inside the case
- slack the strings a little and put one layer of bubble wrap between the strings and fretboard, to keep the strings from grinding on the frets
- packing tape over the latches and handle to keep them from opening or moving. A loose handle is an invitation to get it ripped off by some machine.
- a layer or 2 of bubble wrap around the outside of the case
- a couple of layers of shrink wrap plastic around the outside
I think this is just as safe as being inside a well-packed box and a lot safer than being inside a poorly packed box. And it's cheaper to ship because it weighs less and the dimensions are smaller.
I also only use FedEx - no UPS.
In the end, if they seriously mishandle it, they can mess up the bass, no matter how you pack it. And if they don't mishandle it, packing it this way will be absolutely fine.
And, who knows, maybe being packed this way lets the package handlers see what it is and they take more care with it because they can tell it's a guitar. Dunno....
ps. and I always tell the buyer that I'm shipping it that way, so they don't freak out when it arrives. 
UPS stores sell guitar boxes. Just ask for one. Don't let them pack for you though. It'll cost a lot more.
Yeah UPS is expensive if they box it. I've paid for that a few times. For me, it's worth it to find a box and pack it myself.
Having suffered from G.A.S. for many years, I have a bunch of boxes on hand from basses I've bought. When I need to ship one, I just select one from the stack. Of course if you don't have any storage room, you're SOL...
Same here. I save boxes from previous orders I've made. Of course that doesn't help if the seller shipped a bass with no box
I don't think I'd be interested in buying a bass from someone who couldn't or wouldn't pack it properly.
I once received a P bass in an Anvil case. It arrived fine, especially since the hard foam inside the case was carved to the shape of the bass. If the dude told me he was going to ship it that way, I would have kindly refused. He gave me the Anvil case as a bonus. Nice bonus. I'd ship again in that case. We recently had it on the bottom of our gear in a Uhaul trailer going from RI to PA. UPS can't be much worse than that. As far as those Fender TSA cases? I wouldn't.
