Shipping a tuba(?)

[harrell]

Ok, I am in the works of selling a tuba and buying a new one. I must ship the horn to the buyer and get my "new" one(though it is a used one) shipped to me.

What is the cheapest/safest mode of transporting?


(The safest would be to hand deliver, I know, but we're talking about several hundred miles)

Thanks.

[cjk]

I shipped a tuba last week to west Tennessee from central Georgia a week ago for less than $17 via FedEx Ground. For something valuable, insurance is .40 for every $100 over $100. The box (which I made from merging together two packing boxes) was 24x24x38 inches. I put a blown up beach ball in the bell and wrapped the entire thing in insulation from Home Depot. I filled out the box with extra packing crap I still had around from moving and more insulation.

http://www.fedex.com/us/services/us/ground.html

Just pack VERY defensively and you'll be AOK.


Best of luck,

Christian


This might help too:

[harrell]

Thanks for the info. This will be very helpful.

[james]

FedEx is a great resource. However, I would be VERY careful when using their services. I had a bell damaged from shipping through them once and didn't get the insurance. I put the horn in a hard box and didn't put enough padding inside. To be extra sure, ship your horn in it's flight case and get insurance either enough to fix or replace the horn(your choice but I recommend having at least some). If you don't have a flight case, find a CRATE or reinforced cardboard box(big enough to fit a tuba in a bag plus some) with tons of pading,foam or insulation equal on all sides of the tuba. Taping two shipping boxes together and putting padding inside may have worked but is sure to fail sooner or later. One piece crates or box are a little more safe. It would a shame for your customer to receive a damaged horn and not purchase your instrument(plus you end up putting out money to get it fixed before finding ANOTHER potential buyer) Last,if you pack a horn in any other way but a fitted flight case......PRAY.
-James

[JayW]

Grey Hound offers very reasonable prices and in my opinion good service (providing you have a station near you). I have bought and sold horns (and other large items ) through this method.

[Paul S]

Be aware of the size restrictions of whatever shipper you choose to use. If you ship a larger 4/4, especially one with a taller German type bell or with a full size case you can easily add $100 or so onto the the basic shipping charges of UPS & FedEx due to their oversize box fees.

[Dan Schultz]

I've had very good results from Greyhound Package Express. The only possible problem is the fact that their liability limits (should something ever happen!) are only $1,000.... enough to fix some damage but not enough if the shipment is lost altogether.
To prepare a horn for Greyhound, pack it in a sturdy cardboard carton and use plenty of padding. I use wadded newspapers inside of plastic grocery sacks with the tops tied. Figure that the box will travel lying on it's side since the luggage area of busses is under the passenger area and is not very tall. One good thing about Greyhound is that nothing will be stacked on top of the tuba. Loading and unloading of the busses is done by hand and the tuba will probably never see a conveyor belt.... maybe just a short trip from the bus to the terminal on a hand cart.

[harrell]

Great advice, guys. I think for convenience, I will go with FedEx and try to limit the size as much as possible. I have a wood case I will pack it generously in bubble wrap, etc. and then put it in a cardboard box. Maybe that will be an acceptable size. and maybe put a couple of pieces of spare wood in side for safety. Luckily I live in a new subdivision where scrap wood is plentiful.

Thanks.