Shipping a tuba

[Tom Mason]

If you sold the horn cheap, then bussing the horn is a viable alternative. the downside is that they will not insure for more than $300.00. (At least the bus line that I used wouldn't. It's name rhymes with greybound).

Amtrak is also good, but you will need to make sure that your destination grets rail service and receives freight. Also, your closest depot may or may not receive freight.

Tom Mason

[Dan Schultz]

If you sold the horn cheap, then bussing the horn is a viable alternative. the downside is that they will not insure for more than $300.00. (At least the bus line that I used wouldn't. It's name rhymes with greybound). Tom Mason

I just sent a sousa via Greyhound from Indiana to the East Coast and had no problem buying extra insurance at the station. They must have changed their procedure recently.

[Dave Roberts]

Had very good luck with Yellow Freight. They'll even drop it off at the residential destination.

[CJ Krause]

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[Dave Roberts]

Bottomline Gents...If it's damaged, you didn't do a good job of packing it up. There's no way I'd have the company pack it up. Can't blame the shipper.

[Dan Schultz]

I just had another successful shipment via Greyhound from Indiana to San Francisco. I'm very confident with the busses but with any mode of shipment, you've gotta pack it right! If I'm shipping a bare horn (no case), I select a box that is at least 4" larger each way than the horn. If the bell is 20"... then use a 24" box. Shrink-wrap the entire horn. The shrink wrapping will provide good cushioning and will cut down on the amount of packing materials you will need. Support the inside of the bell with a rubber ball or a big wad of foam rubber. This is important. If the box is put on a truck with the bell down, you DO NOT want the outer edge of the bell flange absorbing the weight of the horn (and bumps) for thousands of miles. Place the tuba in the box with the bell down with the bell well supported and place pads all around to keep the horn centered in the box. I like to use plastic bags full of shredded newspaper and tied at the top so they resemble soggy soccer balls. Once the horn is supported on the bottom and all sides, pour in loose fill like foam peanuts. Peanuts are great packing but won't do much good if the horn is touching the side of the box. Last, place pads around the bottom bow and support the horn all way around to keep it centered in the box. Add final packing and padding and close the box. It does no good to mark the carton 'this side up' or 'fragile'. The box is going to be transported in any fashion that it will fit in the truck. One of the reasons I like to ship by bus is that the box will be carried in the luggage compartment under the bus and that are is not tall enough for anything to be stacked on top of the horn. Also, tranfers are done bus to bus and the horn will probably never see a bulk conveyor belt. A final word... ALWAYS assume that the box will be dropped.... sometimes perhaps three or four feet. ALWAYS purchase insurance. If the liability limits aren't enough to cover the horn check with you own insurance agent to see if your horn will be covered under 'personal property - off premises'. I've shipped over 20 or so horns all over the world with no damages. I think I have been pretty lucky but like I said before.... you've gotta pack it right!