Shipping Questions: GUITAR HANDLE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF BOX?

steve takacs · From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

This is a questions for those of you who ship instruments:

Do you prefer to keep the handle inside the cardboard box or do you prefer to cut a slit so the handle can be accessed and package carried using the handle?

What is the rationale for your choice? What has been your experience?

Personally, for heavy pedal steels, I have been using the latter where the handle "can" be used (I did not say "would" be used). thanks, stevet

Rick Barnhart · From: Arizona, USA

My new Williams 600 series was sent from the manufacturer with the handle exposed and clearly labeled. Makes good sense to me.
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Clinesmith consoles D-8/6 5 pedal, D-8 3 pedal & A25 Frypan, Pettingill Teardrop, & P8 Deluxe.

steve takacs · From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

Good point Rick, the handle should also be clearly labelled. The shipping label should be near the handle to increase the chances of the handle being seen. Enjoy the Williams steel. thx, steve

Dale Rottacker · From: Walla Walla Washington, USA

Mickey Adams UPS’d me a steel this summer and I also sent him one...he advised me to cut an access hole for the handle and said that he always ships that way...When my steel got here, I met the UPS guy’s downstairs and even offered to carry it upstairs for them...the fella declined and though he was a little short he was stocky and grabbed a hold of the handle and pretty much ran up the stairs with it...that being said, at some point during shipping the thing was banged on one of the edges and did crease both the box and case the guitar was in, and although there was no internal damage, who knows if the handle was used when that happened...I was told by the guy at UPS when I shipped mine to Mickey that everything is so automated these days that actual hands only touch the thing very little...However with the number of guitar’s that Mickey sends I still think the advice is sound...if the option is there for a person to use the handle the few times during the process that a human does actually touch the guitar...well it can’t hurt.
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John De Maille · From: On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.

When I got my new Zum from Bruce, there was a cut out in the box for the handle. Thankfully, it came through unscathed and in perfect condition. I was worried and quite surprised, but, all was well.

Dave Beaty · From: Mesa, Arizona, USA

Steve,
We ship and receive instruments and amplifiers fairly regularly. In the first few years of such activity we suffered several disappointing damage incidents in one year.

Subsequent to packing the cases in two thicknesses of good, substantial cardboard, some special internal packing for problem items such as legs and pedal boards, reinforcing the leg compartments and also making the handle clearly accessible, we have had no damage whatsoever in the last five years.

Howard Steinberg · From: St. Petersburg, Florida , USA

I would only expose the handle if it is a strap style amp handle or a metal spring loaded handle. Fedex ripped an axle type of handle, which was exposed, off of a case that was shipped to me. Forrtunately that was the extent of the wreckge.
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Justice Pro Lite (4-5), Justice D-10 (8-5)x2 , Quilter Steelaire, Hilton Pedal, BJ's bar.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Strap handles exposed. Hard handles should be protected (you COULD make the outer box thick enough to leave it fully recessed when flopped over).
This from a package handler friend of mine.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

I always cut the box to expose the handle - it seems logical to me. I've twice asked delivery guys about whether or not they like it and both said: "Yes, please!"

From personal experience (and a recent near-tragedy!!!) I must emphasise the need to securely brace the leg/pedal-bar compartment! If the package gets dropped and if it isn't reinforced the weight of the steel's body will almost certainly break that divider from its fastening.

Best thing is two blocks of wood (3" x 3"-ish) wedged in at each end and the package will be far more resistant to accidental damage.
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Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles, Martins, and a Gibson Super 400!
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George Redmon · From: Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.

Anyone bother to check with FedEx, or UPS? Will the extra insurance pay for damages to your baby, if for some reason it's damaged, by an automatic sorter, because of something sticking outside the packed box? Will UPS pack your guitar with the handle out? Who trust a handle on any type of instrument case? I carry my light keyless with two hands, one on the handle, the other on the bottom of the case. I figure I have at least a fighting chance that way. I dunno? Might be ok?

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

George, they can (and often do) deny insurance claims for 'improper packing."
That's why the company Jack Stoner used to work for would test their prep by dropping their machines 12' to concrete.
I don't think exposed handles would either increase or lessen the capricious nature of the damage claim process. But exposed hard handles do one good thing and one bad thing. They make manual transport easier, but they increase the risk of damage either from the belts or other packages.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Darrell Birtcher · Posted 30 Dec 2014 8:41 am

I know many folks like the handle being exposed but I think the concerns over the handle itself getting damaged are valid.

I prefer to double box. I build a cardboard box around the steel case after packing and padding everything inside the case so nothing moves and is well protected. Then I put that box inside a larger box with a few inches of heavy packing material between them. I make sure this outer box is just under the limit for an oversized box to avoid that fee. At this point it's so big and heavy that nobody could transport it without a dolly.

I feel it's less likely to be manhandled/mishandled that way and nothing sticks out to be snagged. If it does get mistreated, it's more likely to withstand the abuse. The comment I got from the last buyer I worked with was that it could have been dropped off a three story building with no problem.

Yes, it's expensive, and worth it to preserve the cargo and peace of mind. I usually just include the shipping price in the sale so nobody complains about the cost. The last one cost me around $125 plus materials to go from Arizona to Florida. I never entrust the packing process to anyone else. Too many horror stories and too expensive. I photograph each step of the process in case there are any disputes.

Is this overkill? Not in my book. I sleep better knowing I've done my best to ensure a safe delivery. I then track it religiously and call the carrier if I see that anything gets off track or seems strange, which happens often.

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