• 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.

Double Bass Shipping TWO Doublebasses to Europe! HELP!

mcarrillomusic

mcarrillomusic

Jul 1, 2010
112
13
Madrid (Spain) & Michigan
www.mariocarrillomusic.com
#1
Well, the title says it all:
I am relocating from NYC to Spain and I need to take with me both of my Double Basses, (along with another Electric Bass, Keyboard, Effects, books and half of my house), and I am trying to figure out the best way to do it. And there seems not to be a "best" way...

I currently don't have a flight case (I had one but it's no longer usable), but I'm willing to buy one if that's the best option. Maybe ship one bass in the flight case; have the people in Spain ship the empty flight case back to me; and take the other DB with me on the plane? Is it too crazy?

I've also been looking at Shipping companies that build crates for your instruments, and I could take all of my stuff this way, but it all looks scary.

Any other ideas? Someone with a previous experience like this would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you all!
 
#3
Reinforced cardboard boxes seem to be available in the US, as once used for importing basses, there would naturally be a surplus. When I came over to Germany, I had a neighbor build be a rectangular crate out of 1/2" plywood. I was able to fill up the free space with all kinds of other stuff - clothes, whatever, and that cut down on the number of boxes I needed to ship.
 
#6
foilracer said:
Rotobass...was that air freight or shipping by "boat"? Was your crate inside a larger container or stand alone? Were shipping quotes easy to come by of difficult? Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

I airfreighted the crates through a freight forwarder. It went on a Lufthansa cargo flight and was pretty straightforward and professional. Also I thought the price quite reasonable at the time. However, I think this kind of shipping has gotten significantly more expensive since ten years ago. I'll pm the name of the company. Hope this helps.
 
#8
It sounds like a shipping co. could give you a quote for lots of your stuff in a "container"...by boat....4-12 weeks?....and your bass/basses as oversize baggage on the airplane. Does Icelandic air fly to Spain? Continental Airlines used to have a great 'Double bass' policy but you must look in the "terms" of their policies...often even the "help line" doesn't know about such policies. I know you are looking for answers but it may be the case that you will become the expert on this topic. Best of luck to you.
 
#9
I bought my bass directly from Gliga in Romania. They made a crate out of wood and suspended the bass by trying a rope around the scroll and fixing the other end to the crate, and then fixing a rope through the end pin hole and fixing that to the crate. The bass never touched the crate, and the empty space was stuffed with excelsior. The best part was that the crate was coffin-shaped, straight from Romania. I had it shipped by DHL for about $300 in 2001, but I don't think DHL serves North America any longer.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back