Online shopping has made it easier to buy and sell guitars globally. But shipping a guitar means you're entrusting your valuable instrument to someone else for delivery, and it’s important to ensure that it’s packed and shipped with extra care. So, how do you ship a guitar safely?
What Do You Need to Pack a Guitar?
Before getting started, you'll need some supplies:
- A box big enough to fit the guitar
Ideally, the box should be strong and sturdy, with no sharp edges. Renewable materials like cardboard are best.
- Packing materials
The guitar needs to be cushioned and secured, so you'll need items like bubble packaging, packing peanuts, foam pads, and blankets. AIM Mail Centers prides itself on working with high quality, protective packing materials.
- Packing tape
You'll need packing tape to keep the box securely sealed.
Preparing a Guitar for Packing
You can start prepping the guitar for shipping once you have the necessary guitar box, packing material, and tape. Follow these simple steps:
1. Loosen the Guitar Strings
Avoid shipping your guitar with its strings tightly set in place—tension on the strings can stress the guitar neck. Instead, loosen the strings and use tape to secure them to avoid buzzing against the fretboard, and protect the instrument as a whole. Remember, packages are prone to bumps and jostles, even when handled properly by your chosen carrier.
2. Secure All Detachable Parts
Guitars have varying detachable components, like switches, knobs, and whammy bars. As these parts are easy to lose, it’s important that they are properly secured before packing and shipping. For instance, you can attach the whammy bar to the body, if the guitar has one.
This process should also involve removing any parts that may cause harm during transit, and properly packing them in the box alongside the guitar. For example, a guitar switch can cause scratches on the body, so remove and pack it in soft material.
3. Place the Guitar in its Case
Guitar cases range from hard-to-soft shell cases; most importantly, your guitar case should offer adequate protection to keep the instrument safe during transit, whether it's vintage or modern-day. To ensure your guitar’s upmost safety, you should check to see if it moves around once it's in its case. If there is movement, add packing material to avoid any potential damage caused by shocks or vibrations during transit.
4. Place the Guitar Case in a Large Shipping Box
While guitar cases afford some protection, it is minimal. It’s important to also place the guitar case in a strong and sturdy shipping box to get the best protection for your guitar. The guitar case should fit securely in the box so that it doesn't move around even when the box shakes. To achieve a perfect fit, stuff the box with packing material, such as bubble packaging or packing peanuts.
Attach a Shipping Label
Shipping the guitar is the final step in the process. Attach a shipping label to the box and ensure it's visible from all angles. It’s important to also ensure that the recipient’s address on the label is accurate and legible; otherwise, you risk losing track of your package.
Finally, apply packing tape around all edges of the box and check to see if there are any cuts. Generously applied packing tape will seal the box and ensure the guitar's safe delivery.
Ship Your Guitar at Your Local AIM Mail Center
Your guitar is now ready for its journey to the recipient or buyer. The only other tip is to ship with AIM Mail Centers for first-class service and affordable shipping options.