Expensive Guitars
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,272
Expensive Guitars
Anyone shipped guitars and studio equipment back to the UK? would be interested to hear if they arrived safe and sound and did you have any special cases/packing for the?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
#2
Re: Expensive Guitars
We'll be shipping a few guitars and no idea how to do it, I can only hope they survive
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: My happy place
Posts: 3,043
Re: Expensive Guitars
Slacken off strings but don't remove completely. Put in some desicant packs, then pack out the remaining space. If acoustic make sure the neck/headstock join is fully supported from underneath, especially if there is a volute. I've tried lots of stuff for packing, but IMO it's hard to go past socks. They are thin, can be folded or laid sideways (make sure any gap between sides of the guitar and wall edges of the case are filled. Put someting soft and thing between strings and neck. Fill all the gaps but try not to pack it out so there is any undue pressure when the case is closed.
Don't forget to take out any accessories or tools from the case.
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 123
Re: Expensive Guitars
I'm interested to hear any experience with this. I have a $20,000 modular synth that I'm going to be shipping back to the UK in 3-4 months when I return, as well as a couple of vintage synths. I'm thinking of bringing the most valuable modules from the modular synth with me in hand luggage.
Out of all of the prep for moving back this makes me the most uncomfortable. I'm also shipping a couple of telescopes and astronomy equipment!
Out of all of the prep for moving back this makes me the most uncomfortable. I'm also shipping a couple of telescopes and astronomy equipment!
#5
Re: Expensive Guitars
I'm interested to hear any experience with this. I have a $20,000 modular synth that I'm going to be shipping back to the UK in 3-4 months when I return, as well as a couple of vintage synths. I'm thinking of bringing the most valuable modules from the modular synth with me in hand luggage.
Out of all of the prep for moving back this makes me the most uncomfortable. I'm also shipping a couple of telescopes and astronomy equipment!
Out of all of the prep for moving back this makes me the most uncomfortable. I'm also shipping a couple of telescopes and astronomy equipment!
#6
Re: Expensive Guitars
Also, in my recent experience, if you plan on carrying an instrument onboard with you, make sure you have a name to drop.
I brought my Gibson Les Paul Standard with me from the UK to Japan. Only worth around 1500gbp on the second hand market, but it means the world to me. I spoke to a guy at the KLM service desk who thought it would be okay. I had to drop his name twice, once at the gate and once at the gate for my connection. After that, there were no problems.
One last thing. It helps to know what type of plane you'll be flying on. My first flight was on a Boeing 737-800. There was a storage bin at the front of the plane with no seats under it. My guitar was stored in there and it was fine. On the second flight, I was on a 747-400. The overhead bins were too small, but a flight attendant found a small locker at the front and it fit like a charm.
In all cases, it's best to be at the gate nice and early so you can have first pick of the storage areas.
I brought my Gibson Les Paul Standard with me from the UK to Japan. Only worth around 1500gbp on the second hand market, but it means the world to me. I spoke to a guy at the KLM service desk who thought it would be okay. I had to drop his name twice, once at the gate and once at the gate for my connection. After that, there were no problems.
One last thing. It helps to know what type of plane you'll be flying on. My first flight was on a Boeing 737-800. There was a storage bin at the front of the plane with no seats under it. My guitar was stored in there and it was fine. On the second flight, I was on a 747-400. The overhead bins were too small, but a flight attendant found a small locker at the front and it fit like a charm.
In all cases, it's best to be at the gate nice and early so you can have first pick of the storage areas.
Last edited by Craig1987; Mar 5th 2012 at 8:05 am.
#7
Living in the Truman Show
Joined: Jul 2011
Location: land of make believe
Posts: 265
Re: Expensive Guitars
I'm interested to hear any experience with this. I have a $20,000 modular synth that I'm going to be shipping back to the UK in 3-4 months when I return, as well as a couple of vintage synths. I'm thinking of bringing the most valuable modules from the modular synth with me in hand luggage.
Out of all of the prep for moving back this makes me the most uncomfortable. I'm also shipping a couple of telescopes and astronomy equipment!
Out of all of the prep for moving back this makes me the most uncomfortable. I'm also shipping a couple of telescopes and astronomy equipment!
#8
Re: Expensive Guitars
Also, in my recent experience, if you plan on carrying an instrument onboard with you, make sure you have a name to drop.
I brought my Gibson Les Paul Standard with me from the UK to Japan. Only worth around 1500gbp on the second hand market, but it means the world to me. I spoke to a guy at the KLM service desk who thought it would be okay. I had to drop his name twice, once at the gate and once at the gate for my connection. After that, there were no problems.
One last thing. It helps to know what type of plane you'll be flying on. My first flight was on a Boeing 737-800. There was a storage bin at the front of the plane with no seats under it. My guitar was stored in there and it was fine. On the second flight, I was on a 747-400. The overhead bins were too small, but a flight attendant found a small locker at the front and it fit like a charm.
In all cases, it's best to be at the gate nice and early so you can have first pick of the storage areas.
I brought my Gibson Les Paul Standard with me from the UK to Japan. Only worth around 1500gbp on the second hand market, but it means the world to me. I spoke to a guy at the KLM service desk who thought it would be okay. I had to drop his name twice, once at the gate and once at the gate for my connection. After that, there were no problems.
One last thing. It helps to know what type of plane you'll be flying on. My first flight was on a Boeing 737-800. There was a storage bin at the front of the plane with no seats under it. My guitar was stored in there and it was fine. On the second flight, I was on a 747-400. The overhead bins were too small, but a flight attendant found a small locker at the front and it fit like a charm.
In all cases, it's best to be at the gate nice and early so you can have first pick of the storage areas.
Thanks for the tips about the socks tr1boy I'll pack it carefully to put in our shipping container.
#9
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: My happy place
Posts: 3,043
Re: Expensive Guitars
BA used to allow you to carry on one instrument up to a normal guitar size along with hand luggage, but when Ds went back after Christmas this time they had changed it, he'd have to check it if it didn't meet hand luggage measurements. So he left his precious Taylor here for me to deal with when we move back. Luckily it's still in the hard case (not a shipping one) that it came with when he bought it years ago.
Thanks for the tips about the socks tr1boy I'll pack it carefully to put in our shipping container.
Thanks for the tips about the socks tr1boy I'll pack it carefully to put in our shipping container.
Taylor's quality went quite a bit downhill after 2003, when they substituted Gotoh tuners for Ping, and replaced ebony with 'tusq' (read plastic and resin). The cases were an area where they cut corners as well, just as an fyi.
#10
Re: Expensive Guitars
If it's a Taylor and it's old enough (pre 2002ish) it should have what's known as the 'monkey butt' lining (black fur) and the large latches. They are pretty good cases as is, just need packing out. If it's a bit later it may have the cheaper pink lined SBK sub contracted case, they aren't as good so take extra care with those (I'd put duct tape around the out edges of the case).
Taylor's quality went quite a bit downhill after 2003, when they substituted Gotoh tuners for Ping, and replaced ebony with 'tusq' (read plastic and resin). The cases were an area where they cut corners as well, just as an fyi.
Taylor's quality went quite a bit downhill after 2003, when they substituted Gotoh tuners for Ping, and replaced ebony with 'tusq' (read plastic and resin). The cases were an area where they cut corners as well, just as an fyi.
#11
Re: Expensive Guitars
BA used to allow you to carry on one instrument up to a normal guitar size along with hand luggage, but when Ds went back after Christmas this time they had changed it, he'd have to check it if it didn't meet hand luggage measurements. So he left his precious Taylor here for me to deal with when we move back. Luckily it's still in the hard case (not a shipping one) that it came with when he bought it years ago.
Thanks for the tips about the socks tr1boy I'll pack it carefully to put in our shipping container.
Thanks for the tips about the socks tr1boy I'll pack it carefully to put in our shipping container.
Still, I took a friend to the airport with me as a safety net. Seems to be the safe thing to do.
edit: if your guitar has a bolt on neck, then disassembling it is the safest way, but mine has a set neck. A good repair job would've cost upwards of 600gbp.
#12
Re: Expensive Guitars
I don't like Country Western music but whenever I think of traveling with guitars I picture this
#13
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: My happy place
Posts: 3,043
Re: Expensive Guitars
Guitars are easy relatively easy
Now ask me how to pack a £6k road bike and £5k TT frame with integrated aero bars, all with extra training and racing wheels
Now ask me how to pack a £6k road bike and £5k TT frame with integrated aero bars, all with extra training and racing wheels
#14
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 11,272
Re: Expensive Guitars
thanks to all for their advice/experiences. He needs to find proper packing cases for his studio equipment, and that wont be expensive
He's still worried
He's still worried
#15
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Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Rural Virginia
Posts: 1,076
Re: Expensive Guitars
Just make sure when they load them in the container there is nothing heavy nearby to crush them. Make sure they are are in waterproof packing as well as containers do leak sometimes. For insurance get an agreed value on each item in writing.