Looking for suggestions to ship

[Derrick Phillips]

Hi Folks,

I am purchasing a guitar and I would like to get some opinions on the best way to ship given my situation.

The guitar is about an 8 Hour Dr. away from me so shipping seems like the best option.

The guitar is in a flight case it is a universal 12 I'm assuming a ways around 70 pounds.

I looking into having the guitar dropped off at a shipping company (UPS, FedEx, ETC) or checked as luggage on a commercial flight.

Looking for suggestions, I'm sure everyone has a horrible story for both options. But looking for helpful opinions.

Thank you you all.

[Lee Baucum]

I would be tempted to spend the shipping money on travel costs and make the drive to pick it up.

[Jon Jaffe]

I have shipped only one way. Box it up in cardboard with the handle showing, but supporting everything inside with packing paper so that NOTHING moves around when you turn it upside down or on its end.

IMG_1318.jpeg

Open an account with Pirate Ship. https://www.pirateship.com . Ship it UPS Next Day Air Early Delivery. It will cost $300-$400 and arrive in less than 24 hrs, with minimal risk of damage. At 75 cents a mile, and I assume it's 400 miles away. It will cost about the same as driving.

[Bobby D. Jones]

If it is a 400 mile trip.
Ask the seller if they would meet you half way. If Inter State/good road, Eat breakfast, Drive 4 hrs. each, Meet at a restaurant, Pick up guitar. They may buy you lunch, Because they did not have to pack the guitar to safely ship it. And their worry until the guitar arrives and undamaged.
Both of you can be back home for dinner.

[Bob Hoffnar]

I also use pirate shipping. If you don't need it next day it will be way cheaper. Check out the options on the payment page.
Have the seller take lots of pictures of his packaging and packaging process to help with an insurance claim if you need it.

Figure out the shipping details and email a PDF of the label.

I have had no problems with pirate shipping

[Ross Shafer]

Virtually every shipping professional (mainly drivers, admin and shipping center staff) I've spoken with about shipping these beasts has said overnite shipping is by far the safest method, no matter what carrier. Very spendy indeed, especially lately!

For something 8 hours away, I'd go get it if time allowed. Remember not everyone has the same idea of what good packing job is. Some folks including the non-experts at places like the UPS store (the vast majority of whom are not actual UPS employees).

Good luck on your purchase and I hope it's the steel rig of your dreams!

[Dennis A Brown]

Back in the mid 80s, I had a long necked banjo shipped to me from Montreal to Ottawa by intercity bus. It had no packing, just the high quality hardshell case and arrived safe and sound in two hours time. This might still be an option depending on your location. The Bus Parcel Canada service still exists and I assume something similar must exist in the U.S.

https://www.busparcel.ca/

Have any forum members tried this shipping method in the U.S.?

[Dave Grafe]

First option is always to drive. Second option is to ship overnight via FEDEX or UPS, the longer it is in the system the more likely it is to be mishandled. I used to have the dependable gals at Fedex do the final packing for me but no more.

Airline baggage handling protocols are brutal, bus lines are a safer choice but ONLY if the bus ride is a nonstop journey.

[Lee Baucum]

Back in the mid 80s, I had a long necked banjo shipped to me from Montreal to Ottawa by intercity bus. It had no packing, just the high quality hardshell case and arrived safe and sound in two hours time. This might still be an option depending on your location. The Bus Parcel Canada service still exists and I assume something similar must exist in the U.S.

https://www.busparcel.ca/

Have any forum members tried this shipping method in the U.S.?

I had to ship a big ole heavy MSA D-10 to Herb Remington many years ago. It was going from the southern tip of Texas to Houston. He had me ship it via bus. It was lifted out of the trunk of my car and loaded on to their cart, rolled to the bus and loaded in the belly. He received it the next day. It was removed from the belly of the bus, loaded on a cart and rolled over to his car.

The bus station was near his home/shop. He said he preferred shipping guitars via bus.

~Lee

[Derrick Phillips]

Thanks for all of the input folks.

It’s about 9 hours from Jax to Nashville to get the guitar. I’ll more than likely drive at this point. I’ve got friends in ATL and if I need to break up the trip.

[Dave Grafe]

Thanks for all of the input folks.

It’s about 9 hours from Jax to Nashville to get the guitar. I’ll more than likely drive at this point. I’ve got friends in ATL and if I need to break up the trip.

There you go