Packing Tips for Shipping
an Instrument or a Bow
Even though I prefer to pick up or receive instruments and bows in person, it is sometimes unavoidable to send something by post.
I have worked in an Auction House where they wrap, pack and send Chinese Porcelain of dazzling value to clients from all over the world.
So I am sure you and I together can manage an instrument or bow.
Sending an instrument or bow to the workshop?
If you let me know your tracking number and carrier’s website I can keep an eye out for your shipment from my end.
THIS courier is a trusted specialist musical instrument shipper offering appropriate cover as well against loss and damage.
BOWS
“Where possible,
do take pictures
of all the stages of packing
and also of the finished box!”
Loosen the tension on the hairs. Loosely wrap the bow in paper or bubble wrap.
If you plan to send more bows, you can use one big sheet and make sure the bows don’t touch each other directly.
One layer of wrap between bows is fine.Find a tube that is WIDE enough to fit the whole roll snug, but not tight or loose.
Preferably choose one that is made of plastic (like a plumbing tube - DIY stores and Trade supplier shops should stock them). Alternatively, a wide cardboard tube is fine too.
Make it long enough to fit the bows with a little bit of room to pack a some extra material to protect the bow tips and screw buttons.
Keep the total length UNDER 1.00 meter as many couriers will refuse anything over a meter in length.Put a note with sender and receiver’s NAME and ADDRESS inside the package before closing it.
Close both the ends with either a few bands of parceltape, ducktape or equivalent across and one band all around to keep the cross bands in place. If you cut a piece of cardboard round to cover the ends that is fine too.
One or two bands of Fragile tape around the tube should finish it off.
Check weight and measurements, then head over to the Royal Mail or Parcel 2 Go website to register and pay for your parcel.
Other shipping companies you could use are: DHL ; GLS ; YoDel ; UPS ; FedEX ; TNTI always recommend insuring the parcel for the full amount of the value inside plus postage costs as no responsibility will be taken by Bridge Street Violins for items received in other conditions than the condition you sent it in.
Violins / Violas
Instruments are a bit trickier. So before we start a word of caution:
Photo from Instrument Carnage Facebook-group.
NEVER USE bubble wrap for instruments straight on to the varnish.
Plastic is oil based just as most instrument varnishes.
So all it takes is a little heat and plastic starts releasing gases that break down the varnish wherever it touches.
First you should loosen the strings: tune them down, but leave them in place.
Find something pliable, like a crumpled up piece of newspaper, a piece of polystyrene or a wine cork made to size. Put it under the fingerboard and under the tailpiece as well with a piece of paper as protection in between the packing material and the varnish.
If you use polystyrene, you could fit a piece between the end of the fingerboard and the bridge, as well as from the tail piece to the bridge. This keeps the bridge in place in transit.
Wrap the instrument in paper or put the instrument in a fabric dust-sleeve. A piece of cloth like a kitchen towel works fine too. Not too thick as the instrument needs to fit in a case or a box. A single layer of thin bubble wrap is an option, but ALWAYS wrap the instrument in a layer of paper first.
Another option is to put the instrument in a light weight suspension violin case. Most cases will be suspension cases. Check if there is a cushion at the bottom curve only and a neck support (with or without velcro-type straps) at the neck joint just above the upper part of the body. If your case has that, it is a suspension case.
Next put a piece of paper with your name, address and phone number on in the case. Take out any loose material in the pockets, add any bows you would like to send in for a service in the appropriate holding places as well, put a cloth between instrument and bows and close the case securely. DO NOT LOCK THE CASE with a key.
Put the case suspended in a cardboard box (UNDER 1.00 Meter of length) with more packing and filling material. This can be anything from bubble wrap to news paper, cardboard strips (fine ones) to “peanuts” of polystyrene etc. Make sure the case does not touch the sides of the box if possible.
Add another paper to the box on top with sender (you) and recipient (me) names, addresses and phone numbers on before closing the box.
Close the box securely with strong parcel tape. Add ‘Fragile’ tape and a shipping label (I listed a few - with links - in the ‘Bows’ paragraph above).
I always recommend insuring the parcel for the full amount of the value inside plus postage costs.
Celli / Double Basses
I would recommend the same precautions as written under the ‘violins / violas’ packing section.
Old (CLEAN) bedsheets work well as instrument wrapping material.
Always ship it in a secure case or protective ‘gig’-bag.
Make sure to put a label with your name, address and phone number inside the gig-bag or case.If you can find a box big enough, please do so. Otherwise wrapping the case or gig-bag with more sheets and / or bubble wrap is an option too.
Make sure to put a piece of paper with sender and recipient name, address and phone number on it inside the box or inside the outer layer of packing.
A band of fragile tape on top, a shipper’s label (I listed a few - with links - in the ‘Bows’ section) and off we go!
I always recommend insuring the parcel for the full amount of the value inside plus postage costs.