How To Ship A Guitar
A Step-By-Step Guide To Safe And Secure Packing
Need to ship a guitar? It's easy. We'll show you how.
First Things First...
First, make sure you have the right materials. You'll need:
- A sturdy box - Not too big and not too small, in new or like-new condition.
- Bubble wrap - Let the recipient do the popping (or have a little left over for yourself).
- Craft paper - Any soft, clean, inkless paper will do (ink can stain the guitar's finish.)
- Packing tape (also called packaging tape) - Not all tapes are created equally. Make sure yours is stretch- and tear-resistant.
Next...
- Next, get the guitar ready for a long ride. Loosen the strings to alleviate some of the tension on the neck. Remove any moving parts that might come loose or scratch the finish (think switch tip, whammy bar, etc.). Stow those safely in the case compartment. Cover the fretboard with some clean, neatly cut scrap paper.
- Now, set the guitar securely in its case. Fill any open spaces around the body with craft paper, taking care to ensure that the guitar is snug but not stressed. If the neck is fully supported and the headstock is isolated, then you're ready to close the case. If not, surround the neck and headstock with more crate paper to prevent movement and potential damage.
Finally...
- With the case firmly closed, give it a shake. Hear anything? Feel anything? No? Good. A properly packed case should have no detectable signs of movement, except for what you've stored in the compartment.
- Finally, wrap the case in bubble wrap or firm packing paper and slide it into your box. Fill any empty spaces with crate or packing paper. Resist the urge to use packing peanuts. You'll be glad you did (and so will we.) They're bad for the environment and your stress levels.
- Seal up the box and, once again, give it a shake. If the case doesn't move, you're set. Just cover up any old labels, slap a new one on there, and rest easy knowing that you packed it like a pro.
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