Shipping a guitar can be intimidating, but with the right preparation and materials you can safely transport your instrument. Whether you're a touring musician or selling guitars online, you need to know how to securely package and ship it.
Follow this guide to learn the best practices for shipping a guitar and ensure your instrument arrives in one piece.
Key Takeaways
- Loosen the strings to decrease tension on the neck.
- Secure all movable parts to prevent rattling during transit.
- Add packing material around the body to prevent shifting in the case.
- Use a proper shipping container that tightly fits the guitar case.
Preparing the Guitar
To prepare your guitar for shipping, you'll need to follow a few steps.
First, loosen the strings and secure all movable parts. This includes detaching and wrapping any whammy bars and storing them in the case or separately.
Next, check the bridge and tailpiece for movement and use packing paper to stop any potential scratching.
If you have a vintage or valuable guitar, take extra precautions by removing the plastic pickup toggle switch and strap pins.
To prevent any shifting during shipping, add packing material around the body and secure the neck joint without putting extra strain on it.
Support any loose areas along the neck with packing paper or balled-up paper and make sure to keep the headstock area clear.
Lastly, shake the case to ensure nothing is moving and address any problem areas.
With the right packing materials and preparation, you'll ensure your guitar is safely shipped.
Securing the Guitar in Its Case
Once the guitar is prepared, you'll need to secure it in its case.
To do this, use foam inserts to fill any empty spaces and add extra padding. This will help prevent the guitar from shifting or moving during transit.
When choosing a case, make sure it fits snugly around the guitar. Be sure to wrap the case in bubble wrap for extra protection.
You'll also want to use packing paper or balled-up paper to support loose areas along the neck.
Checking Your Work
Once you have prepared the guitar and secured it in its case, it's important to check your work.
Make sure the box you're using is the right size, that the packing material is secure, and that the shipping label is visible.
Check Box Size
When checking your work, make sure to fit the case inside a new rectangular box and fill any empty space with packing material. Choosing the right size is key to ensure proper packaging. If the box is too big, there may be too much space for the guitar to move around and get damaged. If it's too small, the case may be too tightly packed and cause strain on the neck joint.
Make sure to shake the box after securing the guitar and check if it's moving. If it is, add extra padding material to fill in the gaps and secure the neck joint. If you're using two separate boxes, make sure to use filling material to keep the guitar secured.
Use brand-new or like-new rectangular boxes for shipping and only packing tape to reliably seal the box.
Secure Packing
Once you've secured the guitar in its case, check your work to make sure it's properly packed. Shake the case to test if the guitar is moving and look for any problem areas. Add packing materials around the body to prevent shifting. Use packing paper or balled-up paper to support loose areas along the neck. Keep the area around the headstock clear of packing materials.
If you have a vintage or valuable guitar, remove plastic pickup toggle switch and strap pins. Consider using the Electric Guitar Shipping System or Acoustic Guitar Shipping System, and use brand-new or like-new rectangular boxes with packing tape for shipping. Fill the empty space with packing materials and opt for Reverb Safe Shipping for extra protection.
Visible Label
Have you sealed the box with packing tape and ensured the shipping label is visible?
After packing your guitar in its case and securing it in a new rectangular box with packing materials, be sure to check that the shipping label is clearly visible. This is essential for the courier to deliver the package without any delays.
Use only packing tape to ensure the box is securely sealed and that it can't be opened during transit.
Make sure to fill in any empty spaces in the box with packaging materials such as bubble wrap or foam to protect the guitar from any movement.
To maximize protection, consider wrapping the guitar case in bubble wrap before placing it in the box. Doing this will provide an extra layer of security and ensure your instrument is delivered in perfect condition.
If You don’t have a case for your guitar, read this article: How to ship a guitar without a case
Shipping Corner
Shipping a guitar can be a daunting task, but Reverb makes it easier with their shipping labels and safe shipping options.
Get everything you need in one place, including discounted shipping labels, safe shipping tips, and responsive support from the Reverb team if anything is lost or damaged.
Reverb Shipping Labels
Take advantage of Reverb Shipping Labels to quickly and safely print labels at home. This popular service provides shipping container options to securely transport your guitar. You can print your labels from a computer or mobile device with ease, ensuring your package is ready to go in no time.
Reverb Shipping Labels offer a cost-effective way to ship your gear with confidence and peace of mind. Plus, you get extra protection with the Reverb Safe Shipping program, which covers any lost or damaged parcels.
With Reverb Shipping Labels, you can rest assured knowing your guitar is in good hands from start to finish.
Reverb Safe Shipping
Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with Reverb Safe Shipping. This alternative shipping method offers complete protection for your gear during transit, with the Reverb team ready to respond if anything is lost or damaged.
Reverb Safe Shipping is available when you buy or sell through Reverb, so you can trust that your purchases and sales are in safe hands. Plus, you can take advantage of discounted shipping labels and find shipping materials in the Reverb Merch shop.
With Reverb Safe Shipping, you can rest assured that your guitar will be safely shipped.
Support Team
Take advantage of the Reverb team's support when shipping your guitar safely. From providing discounted shipping labels to offering advice on safe shipping, the Reverb team is here to help.
You can find all your shipping materials, customer feedback, and helpful tips in one place with the Shipping Corner. Reverb Safe Shipping also offers protection for your gear during transit, so you can rest easy knowing your guitar is in good hands.
With step-by-step guides and responsive customer service, the Reverb team is here to make sure your guitar is shipped safely and securely. You can also explore the Reverb Merch shop for quality packing materials and boxes.
With the Reverb team's support, your guitar will arrive in perfect condition.
Additional Resources
In addition to the tips outlined above, you can find further resources to help you ship your guitar safely with Reverb.
Reverb provides a Shipping Corner with materials for safe packaging techniques, discounted shipping labels, and tips to maximize your earnings.
You can also get access to the Electric Guitar Shipping System or Acoustic Guitar Shipping System to ensure your guitar is securely packed.
Reverb Shipping Labels allow you to print labels at home and Reverb Safe Shipping gives you the peace of mind of knowing your gear will be safe during transit.
And if anything is lost or damaged, you can get responsive support from the Reverb team.
Removing and Securing Items in the Guitar Case
Remove all items from your guitar case and secure any loose parts to prevent movement during transit. Tuners, capos, picks, slides, and other accessories should be removed and placed in the compartment or pocket of a gig bag. Doing this reduces the risk of damaging your guitar during shipping.
You should also use packing paper or balled-up paper to support loose areas along the neck and keep the area around the headstock clear of packing materials.
Lastly, secure the neck joint without causing extra strain and make sure all movable parts are in place. Doing this helps guarantee your guitar case essentials remain safe and sound during shipping.
Loosening the Guitar Strings
To safely ship your guitar, there are several steps you should take. First, you should loosen the strings to reduce tension on the neck. This will help protect the headstock from breaking during transit. Proper tuning is necessary to maintain the tension on the strings and preserve the guitar's condition. Loosening the strings also helps prevent them from snapping during shipping.
Once the strings are loosened, make sure to properly tune the guitar upon its arrival at the destination. This will ensure that it is ready to be played without any issues.
In addition to loosening the strings, you can also use bubble wrap to protect the headstock and tuners from movement and potential damage. This will provide an extra layer of protection during transit.
Before shipping the guitar, it is important to check that the strings are properly loosened and that the headstock is securely wrapped. This will help ensure that the guitar is safe during shipping and will arrive in the same condition it was sent.
Protecting the Headstock With Bubble Wrap
To safely protect your guitar's headstock during shipping, wrap it in bubble wrap. Bubble wrap provides cushioning and protection for this delicate area, ensuring any international or domestic shipping cost is well spent.
Make sure the headstock is securely wrapped and immobilized, and that the bubble wrap doesn't shift during transit. Adding a thin padding material between the strings and frets can also help protect the frets from potential damage.
Be sure to check the padding upon arrival to make sure it hasn't moved or caused any issues.
With a few simple steps, your guitar will be safe and sound during its journey!
Placing Padding Between Frets and Strings
When shipping a guitar, there are several steps you should take to ensure its safe delivery.
First, you should place padding between the frets and strings. This will protect the frets from potential damage caused by pressure on the strings during transit. Be sure to use a thin padding material and securely place it so that it won't shift during shipping.
Next, you need to secure any loose parts inside the case. This will prevent them from moving around and potentially causing damage to the guitar. Additionally, fill any empty spaces inside the case with bubble wrap or foam to provide extra protection.
After securing the guitar inside the case, you should place the case in a box or shipping container that tightly fits it. This will minimize movement during transit and further protect the guitar. To provide additional cushioning, wrap the guitar case in bubble wrap.
Finally, seal the box with packing tape and ensure that the shipping label is clearly visible. This will help to ensure that the package is handled properly and delivered to the correct destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Packing Material Should Be Used to Secure the Guitar in Its Case?
To secure the guitar in its case, use packing material such as bubble wrap, padding, and foam for cushioning. These materials offer extra protection to prevent damage and shifting during transit.
What Is the Best Way to Prevent Scratching of the Bridge and Tailpiece?
To prevent scratching of the bridge and tailpiece, use bubble wrap or foam padding. Wrap each part securely to prevent movement during shipping. Be sure to fill in any empty spaces to ensure maximum protection.
How Can I Protect My Guitar From Extreme Temperatures During Shipment?
Use insulating foam and temperature controlled packaging to protect your guitar from extreme temperatures during shipment. Wrap your guitar in bubble wrap and place it in a box lined with foam. This will provide insulation and temperature control to keep your instrument safe.
What Type of Box Should I Use When Shipping a Guitar?
Use a new, rectangular box to ship your guitar and ensure it with insurance. Fill the empty space with packing material to protect against shifting and shocks. This will help minimize shipping cost and protect your guitar.
Is It Necessary to Loosen the Strings Before Shipping a Guitar?
Yes, it's important to loosen the strings to reduce tension on the tuning pegs and neck. This prevents damage and keeps the guitar in tune during transit.
Conclusion
Shipping a guitar can be a daunting task, but with the proper preparation and materials, you can safely ship your instrument.
Make sure to loosen the strings, wrap the headstock in bubble wrap, place padding between frets and strings, and secure the guitar in its case.
Following these steps will ensure your guitar arrives in one piece, so you can focus on the music instead of worrying about damages.