My Dad's last trip over here he bought a vintage guitar and took it back to the UK on BA as hand luggage...didn't want to buy a case for it as he has a spare case at home so we put a homemade splint on the neck and wrapped it in bubble wrap the flight attendants put it in the wardrobe. Have also taken DDs violin on as hand luggage, no problems!

I was loking at having some stuff sent over, the guy said it worked cheaper to keep it under 20kg per pack, which he could do, raher than sent it in one box.

to the OP - if you are not under huge time pressure, it may be worth your while looking into the surface crossing option - it may not be as spendy as yoiu think and luggage limits are not a problem...

It's also great fun!

One other thing, the lady in front of us carried her Guitar as hand luggage. For some reason all I could think of was Airplane!

My friend took his guitar on a flight to California and back - no problem. I would get an ATA approved flight case. They don't come cheap, though! I'm also not sure how to purchase one in the UK.

http://www.rockhardcases.com/index.p...tar-bass-cases

Good Luck!

P.S I have heard that some people have been able to get money from the airline if their instruments were in a proper case and were damged by the airline.

Looks like I'm now not shipping until I'm over there (managed to arrange storing stuff at my parent's as it was mentioned that I might have to pay duty since I don't live over there at the moment), so I can hold onto the guitar for the time being and just have that sent with the rest of the stuff I'm shipping when the time comes.

As far as I'm aware, an intending immigrant does not pay duty on personal affects they bring with them if they have owned said affects for 12 months prior to entry. My husband brought quite a bit of stuff with him (but mostly clothing and books) and he paid no duty.

Here is the Customs doc on moving.. maybe you can find out about shipping ahead in here:
Moving Household Goods to the U.S.
(source)
You are considered a Nonresident/First-Time Immigrant in their language.

My parents use these to ship over copious amounts of chocolate and necessities for me and the children. For the odd thing and if you know the weight of your extra's it may be worth a look. I know that the last batch of goodies that were sent over should have cost £80 with Parcelforce and Fed EX, but was £28 with Interpacel.