Guitar shipping boxes

JohnW63

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I need to ship a guitar to Fixit. The problem is, it's an Ovation and needs a deeper box than the normal 8" size. I think a 9" might work. A 10" would give room for packing material. I haven't found any. I saw some "telescoping" rectangular boxes, but they are too deep and you have to order a min of 10, I think. Got any sources ?
 

davismanLV

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I have two now, or maybe one after garage cleanout, however, when I need one I go to GC and ask them nicely if I could have one of their boxes and tell them my needs. Here in Vegas they're usually very nice and they throw them away by the dozens. Try GC, John. See what they got. Local is important because many people have boxes but if you have to ship a shipping box, well.... you know.....
 

Stuball48

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If you have a luthier you use on a regular basis, always a good source. Or a local Guitar Center should be a good source. I used a Martin box and it was just under USPS measurements they allowed.
 

Nuuska

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Hello

Whenever I need bigger boxes for shipping something I go to nearby Mercedes dealer. They have parts coming in almost daily - and they always have huge pile very sturdy cardboard boxes which they gladly give away for free.

Must be same with other car dealers or similar shops. They crush majority of them but always keep some for shipping stuff.
 

adorshki

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I saw some "telescoping" rectangular boxes, but they are too deep and you have to order a min of 10, I think. Got any sources ?
Liked Nuuska's idea about car dealers but it might take some time to find something just right, also, you may not be aware but there's actually a recycling industry here in CA of with a segment of "street level collectors" who actually pay the retailers for the cardboard boxes they would otherwise discard, so they ain't as easy to find as they used to be.
For a size like that yes a music store would probably yield quickest results, but one other thing to keep in mind is that shipping rates are "dimensional" these days so you might want look at UPS site for rates by sizes to help you be watch out for sizes that could incur massive surprise freight costs.
Haven't checked USPS but suspect they'll have similar resource.
BOXES:
Was it U-line you looked at with the telescoping box but 10pc minimum?
They're a packaging specialist but as a wholesaler might have those minimums simply due to warehousing/handling issues, depends on the item:
https://www.uline.com/Cls_04/Boxes-...V3h6tBh3BJAOnEAAYASAAEgLyWfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
And in fact they're located in So Cal.
Maybe a UPS store or even a U-Haul store because they sell boxes for moving?
Good luck!
 

wileypickett

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If you don’t mind paying for a box, UPS stores sell boxes specifically made for shipping golf bags that are thicker than the regular guitar boxes.
 

PittPastor

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I have two now, or maybe one after garage cleanout, however, when I need one I go to GC and ask them nicely if I could have one of their boxes and tell them my needs. Here in Vegas they're usually very nice and they throw them away by the dozens. Try GC, John. See what they got. Local is important because many people have boxes but if you have to ship a shipping box, well.... you know.....

Actually, this has been my experience as well. I had a young clerk go in the back and look for some time before she came out with a box deep enough. If you do business with them and they recognize you, they are very helpful, has been my experience.

The thing that is good about this is it is already labelled with the guitar "fragile this side up" and it is exactly the right size for a guitar.

You can buy boxes from UPS store but they are not quite the right size and pricey. You can buy them online, but usually to get a good price, you need to buy them in lots of at least 5. And, of course, you have to wait.

If you can wait, you can maybe have your repair center send you an empty box. Some of them buy boxes by the dozen, especially if they also build there own. He can ship it to you empty, you can return it with the guitar, and he can add it to your bill -- if he is willing. Maybe with a CC on file? IDK. Can't answer for your luthier.
 
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adorshki

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John's mentioned before he's in the high desert outside of LA and it may be "onerous" to get to a GC, but Wiley's idea of a golf bag box sounds excellent if the dimensions work.
 

fronobulax

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The problem is, it's an Ovation and needs a deeper box than the normal 8" size. I think a 9" might work. A 10" would give room for packing material.

I'm not certain that recycling a box that previously held a standard sized guitar will work. I'm guessing, if it will, the question would not have been posted.
 

GuildFS4612CE

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Check with your nearest Ovation dealer and ask if you can have one of their boxes after they get a shipment to send yours in for repair.
 

jp

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Go to an appliance store or a rent-to-own place. They have massive boxes that they often give away, and you can make your own custom-sized box to your necessary specs. I've done this multiple times when moving.
 

JohnW63

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I may have to get creative. Since a regular guitar box is too thin. I now recall when it was shipped to me, it was in a put together box construct.

There are no Ovation dealers near me. I suppose a GC, but when was the last time you saw a Good Ovation in one of those ? Especially a deep bowl one.
 

Bonneville88

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If it were mine, I might try some creative re-assembling using two standard 50 x 20 x 8 guitar shipping boxes
and using full-length 3/4" - 1" bead foam on the insides and top and bottom along with all the other packing juju.

gfrMLqE.jpg


Ecobox makes a killer 50 x 20 x 10, but apparently won't sell it online or ship it.
I received a guitar in one of these, and it's one helluva guitar box.
http://www.ecobox.com/Guitar-Box
 
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JohnW63

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That box you linked would be perfect. Except the part about " not sold online ". You're probably right about making 2 regular boxes into one. I just hope the shipping company will take that is good enough for any insurance claim.
 

Guildedagain

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Just cover the front adequately, I'm pretty sure the back could survive just about anything ;-)

A lot of good shipping info here.

These days, I get mine in the mail... and with this latest one, the F30 was just about in the biggest burliest box I've seen, really oversized in depth, which was good, since UPS managed a set of punctures into the box.

I know I'm kind of OC, but when I got into shipping guitars, I had to have a crown staplers to staple the ends. Scored one on the Bay, found the staples at a local Bostitch dealer. It weighs like 10bs ;-) I still have it, I still use it. Used it on over 100 boxes over the years.

I try to use the best USA made tape, not the thick stuff, because I like to tape, a lot.


Never a misshap on a guitar or an amp in shipping, including nutty stuff like a Fender Super Six, vintage Polk speakers, Marshall cabs, etc...
 

Bonneville88

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John, was thinking how I would try a sturdy box merge if I had to -
think I might try to avoid cutting down the long-side corners, instead
slicing down the middle of one face and then trimming / folding as needed
to get the depth needed, maybe more or less ending up with
a giant shoebox - anyway, kind of an interesting design problem to solve.

Also, not sure if you've ever used them, but Fedex Office Print & Ship has excellent
50 x 20 x 8s, I believe they're $14 around here - the only reason I mention is that used boxes
sometimes shouldn't be re-used. If I was doing a one-off expanded box on a valued guitar like
you're considering doing, I might start with fresh cardboard.
 
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