Shipping a Tuba

[JustisKaiser]

Hi all,

I am buying a tuba across the country and we are struggling to find out how to ship it. They tried just to ship the hard case wrapped saran but UPS said it needed to be in a box. When UPS looked for a box, they said the package was too big and they couldn't ship it. Any suggestions? It's an Eastman F tuba so it should not be that crazy large compared to what you all have shipped.

Thank you!

[Michael Grant]

FedEx would probably do it. I received a tuba via Greyhound. I know some folks don’t feel that is as safe an option. It got to me just fine but took a little longer than a FedEx package for example. It was packed very well.

[the elephant]

Drive to pick it up. Rent a car. It will be a little more expensive, but no one but YOU will touch the horn, and you will have a great adventure in the process.

Seriously, shipping tubas domestically in the US from one individual to anotehr (and not from an experienced, insured shipping departement at a major retailer) is a dumb idea. So is dropping ten grand on a tuba and not buying a top-pt-the-line gig bag and a very good hard case. That is short-sighted and, well… dumb.

When you buy a horn you need to factor in these costs or you end up in this situation. Perhaps you are not yet fully funded to buy this tuba and should wait until you are before you search for one?

Just trying to inject some realism to this thread.

I hate driving cross-country. I am old and have health issues. I have a very busy job schedule. I still will not buy a horn unless I am fully funded and prepared to pick it up in person. When I am ready to do this I can then negotiate some sort of deal regarding a test period, or shipping, or whatever else needs to be nailed down. Because if I *really* want the horn and the seller cannot accomodate my needs I can still rent a car, pay for hotel, gas, and food, get off from work, and drive out to pick it up so that NO ONE ELSE TOUCHES MY MULTI-THOUSAND DOLLARD PURCAHSE.

Give it a thought. Treat this with the gravity it deserves.

Best of luck, whatever you end up doing.

[arpthark]

FedEx would probably do it. I received a tuba via Greyhound. I know some folks don’t feel that is as safe an option. It got to me just fine but took a little longer than a FedEx package for example. It was packed very well.

Unfortunately, Greyhound has not offered shipping service since 2021 or so, which is a shame. I used to use it all the time.

[circusboy]

Great experience with these folks: https://www.gonavis.com/

Not cheap, but completely reliable and cheaper than driving across country.

[Easy Mac]

UPS does better with large boxes than fedex or the post office. Best way is to have it palatized and sent via OTR trucking company like ABF or JB Hunt. Usually it has to be droped at a business address with a loading dock, though, so of you cant access something like that then ups. but they cost a lot for such big items and they will bang it up some.

[backrow]

UPS was okay for a big horn (1-piece King 1240) I bought a while back, but I don't know if I'd do it for a horn that cost more than $2K. Freight company likely the best remaining shipping option, but it will take more work to palletize and will not be cheap. Picking it up yourself, even with an overnight stay, is safer and likely not much more expensive. Might even be cheaper.

[circusboy]

I once asked UPS if they could pack and ship a large tuba. They said, "of course." I asked how they would pack it. They said that they'd put it in a large box and fill it with styrofoam peanuts, then tried to assure me that that would be adequate protection. I would def avoid UPS unless you pack it yourself.

[JustisKaiser]

Thanks for all the advice. Ended up getting it shipped. Gets here tomorrow and we will see how it went.

[opus37]

Try shipping by bus (ie. Greyhound). Schedule is random and you or the recipient may have to travel a short way, but it works and it's significantly cheaper.

[the elephant]

GPX is no longer a service offered by Greyhound. You have to travel with the tuba now. Sorry. They terminated their GPX service a few years ago.

[cm2ncfsu2]

GPX is no longer a service offered by Greyhound. You have to travel with the tuba now. Sorry. They terminated their GPX service a few years ago.

Judging by the inside of the closest station to me (San Bernardino, CA), and the people I’ve seen in there when picking up tubas in the past (Yes, I’m being a bit judge-y there), I am highly unlikely to hop on a Greyhound bus in order to get a tuba from A to B.

[greenbean]

When you ask a UPS employee a question, you are getting that person's opinion - not knowledge.

Putting a tuba hard case in a cardboard box makes it much harder to handle, so it will end up being dropped (or at least put down hard). Just imagine yourself wrapping your arms around it. It won't be easy.

I would ship it in its case with a "beachball" in the bell. Pallet-wrap the case closed. Put FRAGILE signs/stickers on it. Get its weight and dimensions and round up a bit if you are not sure. Then buy a shipping label from Easyship.com or PirateShip.com. And, yes, UPS will ship it. As will FedEx. And pay for insurance in case it gets lost/stolen. The shipping cost will be less than half what you'll pay if you walk into a retail location. And the insurance, too, and they actually pay claims with no hassle.

Good luck!