key points:
- the cost of shipping a guitar depends primarily on the weight of the shipment and the destination
- if your guitar is packaged in a hard case, expect to spend $100-$150 on shipping
- as a side note, also choose a courier with a reputation for safety and reliability, as you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to shipping fragile items like guitars
Knowing how to ship a guitar is crucial for eCommerce businesses working in the music industry. With this guide, your online business can stay up and running by better understanding the cost of shipping a guitar and some tips on how to ship a guitar safely and efficiently.
how much does it cost to mail a guitar?
the cost of shipping a guitar depends mainly on the weight of the shipment and the destination. If your guitar is packaged in a hard case, expect to spend $100 to $150 on shipping within the US. uu. if it’s in a gig bag, the cost will probably be $85 to $90.
This price variance is due to different shipping weight costs: while the gig bag weighs less, at nine to 12 pounds, the hard case typically weighs more at 18 to 20 pounds. and therefore costs more to ship.
The destination also affects the cost of shipping a guitar, as farther destinations generally cost more in terms of shipping.
how do you transport a guitar?
The best way to ship a guitar is to make sure you follow all the right steps, from packaging to choosing the right courier. The steps to ship a guitar to a customer include:
1. prepare the guitar
First, take the time to secure all moving parts of the instrument. If the guitar is going in a hard case, loosen the strings to relieve pressure that could cause the strings to break while the guitar is in transit, and place adequate padding between the fretboard and the strings. if you carry it in a case, you can remove the strings entirely.
make sure the headstock is well wrapped in bubble wrap, which can be held in place with rubber bands or tape. By securing most guitar parts, you can prevent scratches and serious damage to the instrument.
2. pack the guitar in a sturdy case
Making sure your guitar is packaged in a sturdy case is just as important as properly securing every part of it. Usually it is definitely preferable to ship the instrument in a hard case, as this tends to provide that extra layer of protection needed during transit.
You can use towels, foam, packing pellets, bubble wrap, or soft folded paper shreds as padding when shipping a guitar to a customer. Always fill the bottom of the case before putting your guitar in for maximum protection. After placing the guitar in the case, take the time to make sure that every space around the instrument is padded.
This reduces the chances of the guitar moving around inside the case while being transported to your customer. the guitar neck should always have reinforced padding for support.
3. do a shake test
The next step is to do a vibration test once the guitar has been placed in its shipping case. It’s important to make sure the instrument doesn’t move around in its case while being transported, so gently shake the guitar case and listen carefully.
If you hear any movement, add additional padding and double check that the guitar is secure. pack and gently shake again to make sure everything is in place.
4. choose a sturdy shipping box
This is a crucial aspect of shipping a guitar, as the type of box you choose is critical to safely transporting the guitar to the customer. For this reason, you should always go with a study safe.
The bursting strength of the case you choose should be determined by the weight of the guitar being shipped. For example, if your guitar weighs about 12 pounds, you should go for a 200 to 250 burst strength body. You can find more information on the bursting strength of corrugated cardboard boxes here.
For added peace of mind, you can also double the shipping box. After putting the guitar case on, do a final shake test to ensure there is no movement inside the case.
5. seal the case
Finally, seal and secure the shipping box. Do this by using good packing tape, which is quite different from duct tape and masking tape in that it holds together better and longer than other types of tape.
As a side note, also choose a courier with a reputation for safety and reliability, as you don’t want to cut corners when it comes to shipping fragile items like guitars.
shipping a guitar: protect it safely
By prioritizing the safety and security of instruments being shipped, you can be a true rock star to your customers by ensuring their guitars arrive safely.
Here at easyship, we partner with several couriers to ensure your online business has plenty of options when it comes to safely shipping a guitar to a buyer. Be sure to sign up for free today to strike a chord when it comes to your eCommerce shipping!