Double Bass Sound Post Slippage in Packing / Shipping

[nonfatmatt]

Hi There,
I was going to ship a bass, and to get it into the dimensions that UPS can ship it at I'd have to take the strings off and collapse the bridge. My question is, though is whether or not this will cause the sound post to slip out if the bass is subjected to the vibration of freight shipping.

 

[Steve Killingsworth]

I would say the odds are very much in favor of the post falling. You could take a couple of bungie cords (wrap the connecting hooks in heavy cloth or several layers of bubble wrap) and fasten them around the body of the bass. If they were short enough to provide adequate pressure, the post should stay put.

 

[Ron Lacey]

When I got my Upton last year it was packed with a section of 2x4 cut as a low bridge and the strings tightened down to hold it against the top. There were some cardboard shims underneath to prevent scratching. The real bridge was packed separately. The sound post stayed up fine from CT to TX.

Shipping dimensions aside, I wouldn't ship my bass with the bridge in place. It's gotta be the most likely place for damage to occur if it were hit.

 

[Martin Sheridan]

When I got my Upton last year it was packed with a section of 2x4 cut as a low bridge and the strings tightened down to hold it against the top. There were some cardboard shims underneath to prevent scratching. The real bridge was packed separately. The sound post stayed up fine from CT to TX."

That's a great idea! However, I'd never want to ship a bass with the post up; too much potential for damage, especially on a carved instrument.

I'm surprised to hear that UPS will accept a bass. The last time I talked to them about it they wouldn't do it because it exceeded their size requirements.

I was making a bass when I moved to Mexico, so I had it professionally packed and sent via UPS with the neck out.
It took three months for it to get to Laredo, Texas and then they told me repeatly that it wasn't there and that I didn't have the correct UPS number(I was reading it off their internet site). When I gave them the address, they told me they didn't have a facility at that address and that they guy I had talked to there didn't exist! I called him back and asked him to hold it for me and drove 1550 miles round trip to pick it up. Needless to say, I won't use UPS again. But that's another story. DHL anyone?

 

[Steve Swan]

I just received two Shen SB 90s by UPS Freight today. The two cartons were banded to one pallet and then shrink wrapped together. They arrived safe as milk for $233.20 going from Fairport, NY to Millbrae, CA.

I've also had good luck with getting in basses via Fed Ex Freight. DHL wanted a bloody fortune the last time I checked.

 

[mojoluthier]

Using a straight edge measure the distance from the soundpost to the ff hole. Write it on a piece of tape next to where you measured. Using a soundpost setter pull the post toward you a quarter inch to tighten it. It is unlikely to shift now, nor to damage the bass. Tell the end receiver to use a straight edge to push the post back to the exact number you wrote down. I've done this a few times without reported trouble.

 

[John Sprague]

Nonfat, do you mean they'll ship a 3/4 bass via UPS Ground? Their newer oversize dimension still looked tight for fitting a bass to me. If you go with UPS Freight, you can fill a whole skid, so you'll have room for anything. If not shipping on a pallet, I recommend Martin's advice of dropping the post, because your box will likely get hit on all sides at one time or another during the journey.

I don't know where you're located Matt, but you can check with your nearest bass shop to see if they have any ideas also. Feel free to call me if you have any questions about how we do it.
Good luck!
John

 

[Bob Branstetter]

I also agree with Martin on dropping the soundpost. It's not that be a deal to get the post reset by a luthier when the bass arrives at it destination.