The Steel Guitar Forum

Hi, what is the best way to go about shipping a steel guitar in it's case? And what mailing source is the best?
dan colbert

I would also like to know the best way.

ive packed and shipped several steels over the years last time I did it I went to lowes and got some
3/4 foam style insulation and made a box to go around the steel case/then double cardboard boxed
the whole thing using lots of strong tape
when you ship a steel in the case its a good idea to put wood blocks in the ends of the case where the pedal rack goes this helps prevent case collapse
from the steel weight.....at drop points

the easy way is to let UPS (or one of the shippers) pack the guitar for you I did this once and the guitar went all the way to the buyer
when he took it out it was still in tune and no damage but that doesnt mean it WONT HAPPEN!!
there is no way you can be sure it will get there without damage but these are good ways
IMHO Mike

Another thing that helps; remember the guitar is upside down in the case. I always fold a couple of paper towels several times and put them between the strings and the pick up. This allows the string pressure to support the pick up, so as not to break the mounting "ears" loose from the body of the pickup.

If there is any slack between the case and the guitar, I take an old large bath towel and put in the case first, then the guitar, then fold the remaining towel into the bottom of the steel. This takes up any slack and keeps the guitar from moving during shipment. The amazing thing is that I actually got the same towel back after about a year. I always wondered where that towel had been in its travels.


The idea about blocks of wood in the case where to pedal board goes is very important. They keep the steel from breaking the "wall" loose between the back of the steel and the pedal board compartment.


Marvin

I've shipped a half a dozen or so in the last two years, including two over seas, I let ups pack them, it cost a few extra bucks but I think its worth it, I also use the towels and extra stuff inside the case. So far no trouble.

If you can help it don't let ANYONE at a UPS Store or packing store pack your instrument. So what they'll usually cover the cost if anything happens if they pack it, that's like asking for trouble up front. And besides, some guitars are irreplaceable so why take the chance. Normally they put it in boxes 100 times too big and just blow packing peanut in it, leaving the case to move around.

I've shipped dozens of steels by just using a form-fitted cardboard box, cut to fit the case dimensions. expose the handle, cut & put 2x4 blocks in the divider in the case so it won't collapsed (mentioned above) if you can't cut and fit the 2x4's pack it the best you can with bubble wrap or foam. And buy strapping tape, you won't use nearly as much strapping tape as regular packaging tape and it's much, much stronger. Double bracing all of the cardboard exterior is always a good idea, paying extra care to the corners of the case and the bottom.

I suggest using FedEx over the rest. IMHO they are the best, over 10 years shipping with them and no problems to date. Of course there are other guides to shipping steels & amps too, this is just how I do it.

Fedex, not UPS.

Shipping is a crap shoot at best. Assume it's going to be dropped, tossed and otherwise mishandled numerous times.

Imagine a cute little 90# gal trying to load, unload and deliver your 70# steel guitar.

Put it in your car and deliver it yourself if you can. If you're the buyer, same thing. You need a vacation and a nice trip anyhow.

Otherwise, pad the pickups by putting soft foam between the strings and pups. This will help cushion the blows from rough handling and hopefully keep from busting the guts out of your pickups.

Wrap the entire body in a towel or lightweight foam wrap.

Like said, make sure the guitar cannot possibly move in the case. Use cardboard or stiff foam between the ends and sides of your guitar and the case so that it's rigid. Also between the case lid and the body and padding between the bottom of the case and the guitar.

If if moves around in the case, your bright work and possibly lacquer finish will be marred. Nothing worse than buying a mint instrument only to find the finish has suffered from careless packaging and rubbing the case compartment.

Block the pedal board separator on each end and in the middle if you can, or it will likely break. This will keep the guitar tight to the case as well.

Remember that bubble wrap is useless against a 60# instrument. It's only good for wrapping the KL's, pedals rods etc. and other lightweight parts.

Use solid insulating foam sheets as shown in the photos below to wrap the entire case.

Load this into a tight fitting double strength carton.

Wrap that package with another round of insulating foam and put into a second 2X form fitting carton.




I spend several hours packing a guitar, so I have to add on a little extra for that and the packing materials. The pink insul board used to be 8 or 9 bucks, so I could absorb it, but it's gone up to $13+, so I have to add it in the price or the shipping.

Hand carry it to your nearest FedEx depot. Fill out the paperwork, insure it to the max and pray a lot.

My experience with UPS has not been good. Out of a half dozen shipments coming and going from my location in the last year, FedEx takes 3 days whereas UPS takes at least 7 from the same area and we have a major international UPS hub right here in my town. In every case, there has been some indication of rough handling with all UPS pkgs.

Very minor stuff with FedEx. Even if the handling care was equal, it's still half the shipping time. Less handling, fewer opportunities for damage. Everything that I have shipped and received by FedEx has arrived in good time and without any damage so far as I know.

I received this bit of advice a few years ago and so far, so good. NEVER ship any heavy item (such as a steel guitar) on a Friday or Saturday. The item is picked up at the shipping center and then deposited in a warehouse for the weekend (which I was told is where the majority of the mishandling and damage occurs). When shipping any steel guitar or amp, I always bring it to the Fedex center (my preferred shipper also)on Sunday night for pickup the following morning. This helps insure that the item will keep moving along until it reaches its destination rather than being shuffled around in a warehouse for two days.

Don't ever use packing peanuts as the weight destroys them. Once destroyed they allow the guitar to move around and that is when most damage occurs.

Pack it tight... cross your fingers.

Well, right now this is a topic near and dear to my heart. My "new" lap steel was shipped from California on the 12th of January and it's still not here (Vermont). Sigh. Hope it doesn't turn up as a kit! lol

I've read horror stories about UPS and FedEx regarding damage/insurance. I've used them both with no problems, but usually I go the USPS route. No problems there, either AND they deliver on Saturdays. The drawback is they don't have real online tracking the way the other two do (USPS has an online system, but they basically tell you when it's been shipped and when it has arrived, not much in between--so it's practically useless). I think USPS may have a better system if you go with their higher-priced, speedier service.

I'm in central Texas and recently received a steel guitar in two days, shipped from California with their very affordable "Priority" mail.

A couple of years ago I went to a Musicians Trade Fair in St. Paul, and there was an anvil style case that appeared to be a nice size for a steel guitar. It was cheap enough. I got it home and it is perfect size for any of my steels and is built like a tank. I have shipped my Emmons down to Bryan Adams in it, and my Zum to Bruce in it and they both commented, "Boy, you sure don't have to worry about any damage to this guitar". It was a nice find. Jerry is right though, to ship a guitar, it takes several hours to pack it right. None of the shippers are very trustworthy. It's a crapshoot.

This just makes you warm and fuzzy all over doesn't it.

Great thread. I recently bought a ShoBud from a fellow forumite and was worried about shipping. It arrived in perfect condition and the packing was exactly as described in Greg's link. I opened the case up and couldn't figure out why he had the 2x4 blocks in there - now I know.

I'm going to be selling a guitar, so this discussion is very timely!

I bought a steel through the forum and it arrived damaged. If the seller had seen this thread it wouldn't have happened, as he was well-intentioned but underinformed. This thread has great info and deserves sticky status (permanent top-of-list) so that future sellers will be able to refer to it easily.

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The best way is to take it there yourself. UPS or any other shipper will do their best to break it.