If I can’t get a Fender bass shipping box from GC, i’ll only ship one in an HSC, which i wrap in large sheets of cardboard and strapping tape. So far I’ve never had a problem with a bass being damaged by a shipper.
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Where to find bass boxes??
- Thread starter Knavery
- Start date
I fortunately have a friend with a music store who gives me boxes... It's mot a prerequisite that I buy it through his place. Not many of those around.
Go to Walmart, they'll usually let you get boxes in the back. Find a big screen tv box(or anything big) and some clear duct tape and build you one.
Double up to get some added stiff padding.
Go to Walmart, they'll usually let you get boxes in the back. Find a big screen tv box(or anything big) and some clear duct tape and build you one.
Double up to get some added stiff padding.
That FedEx option looks great (almost as great as getting a new bass shipped to you and keeping the box!). Another option is possibly your local Postal Annex. I have walked in with a bass in my hand and they packed and shipped it for me. I don’t remember how much it was, but it was more expensive than the FedEx option… I didn’t mind paying a little more to support the Postal Annex (My kids work there, lol.)
Buy a bass online. Then keep the box for shipping a different bass. Repeat.
No matter what you do, make sure the bass case/gig bag is well padded on both ends, on all corners, etc., within the box. Make sure the box is oversized so you can pack accordingly. Invest in a roll of good packing tape, good bubble-wrap, find foam corners, whatever.
If you find a cardboard box that just barely covers the case and does not allow for padding, you're rolling the dice for both you and your buyer on whether or not the bass & case will arrive as expected. Pack it the way you'd want to receive it. Do unto others.
Check the trash bins behind FedEx and UPS
Several times I picked up a bass at FedEx and disposed of the box that I opened in the store in the trash bin at the rear of the store parking lot. Worth a try.
Here's a little secret that a lot of peeps don't know about or realize.
USPS won't ship boxes longer than a certain size.
In order to save on shipping, I've had basses shipped in smaller size boxes using USPS with the neck detached from the body, but in the same box.
Agreed. Bass boxes are considered "oversized" as a rule, but you definitely need to know the shipper limitations.
Never throw guitar boxes away! You can always flatten them up for storage and build it back up when you are ready to ship a bass.
I found this to be the easiest method. And the boxes are a couple inches bigger on each side than a Fender hard shell case, so that's perfect.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. This is really good info to have.
Last time I shipped a bass, I got a box from a local ma/pop music store. I had to pay for it, but it was brand new, good quality and more than big enough for a Fender bass size hard shell case.
I'd try your local U-Haul and see if they'll give you one of the shipping boxes that the trailer hitch receivers come in, cause they usually just throw those boxes out and they're plenty big enough.
I've actually had luck with the local Music Store. Just asked the guy in the back who receives the guitar shipments, and he always had an empty box for me, from the new ones arriving. (if it's a short scale, then a guitar case will do, and there's more of them). I realize you may not be near a store like that.
