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Hi gang -
Just wondering how you all might suggest packing a new guitar (in hardshell case) for shipment via USPS. I know, I know.....in a titanium flight case.......

Seriously though...guitar in case, case in large plastic bag, all in cardboard filled with packing peanuts? Think that would suffice?

Strings loose, buble wrap the peg head, in a card board box with 1" min of protective pacing 2" is better, all the way around the case, be it peanuts, bubble wrap or foam. USPS is very good on their handeling but you still need to propery pack

I support the headstock with some bubble wrap, loosen the strings a little. I also make sure the guitar can't move around in the case, and the case can't move around in the box. If it's got an active preamp remove the battery.

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http://www.brackettinstruments.com/

First thing is to make sure your box is not over 108" (length plus girth) if shipping USPS. I just had one rejected that was 1/2" over. They will take it as freight but with a $74 add-on.

Loosen the strings a bit. Make sure there is nothing that can get loose inside the case (truss rod wrench, eyc). Wrap the headstock in a shop towel and sandwich it with soft foam thick enough so it's compressed a bit when you close the case. The towel prevents any kind of imprinting or reaction between the finish and the foam.

Most factory boxes come with a little cardboard cradle for the ends and folded cardboard spacers on either side of the neck. That and a good case and plastic bag is enough.

The next step up is to use those bags of expanding foam for the ends and neck.

Get insurance and hope for the best!

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http://www.chassonguitars.com

Styrofoam peanuts are not a good choice for filling the space between the guitar case and the cardboard box.
Expanding foam or crumpled paper will do a much better job.
To see the styrofoam peanut problem clearly, drop a stone in a box of RiceKrispies and shake well.

I've been on the receiving end of some really bad packing jobs, so speak from some experience!

Cheers
John

One trick with peanuts, if that's all you have, is to pack them tightly in multiple plastic bags, like grocery store bags, and stuff them around. That way, the peanuts don't shift around in the same way as they do when they are loose. However, peanuts should always be packed under pressure, never loose in a box. If you use them loose, make sure the box will hardly close, so you have to put weight on it to tape it closed. That way you have pressure from every side, against the peanuts, and it helps keep them in place.

I have shipped some pretty heavy, tube, amps, in peanuts successfully, but you really have to pack them tight.

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Waddy

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Thanks for the tips, guys!

Bryan Kimsey had good detailed list plus pictures for packaging instruments in the lutherie/techniques/shipping an instrument.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

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Loose peanuts are a real pain in the arse to deal with when unpacking anything!
Waddy's suggestion about putting them in bags I like.
Nelson