shipping ukes

Philstix

Philstix

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DSCN2577.jpgDSCN2579.jpgI just finished rubbing out the finish on my son's ukulele, he built it with my instructions and I applied the finish, now I need to get it from here (Seattle) to Longview Texas where he is going to school. As a mailman who years ago also worked for UPS I know how brutal each can be on parcels. So how do you protect it when mailing? I have ideas but experience shipping would be helpful. The body is Australian Blackwood, Spanish Cedar neck, binding is maple, walnut, and padouk, Grover tuners, Stew Mac rosewood bridge, Behlen spray lacquer finish.
 
Yes we did, I enjoy making them. Using google I found an old thread on the forum about shipping so I think that question is answered. One final detail on the uke, the fretboard is cocobolo. When my son Andrew gets the uke it will be played alongside the uke that started me on this madness of building as his friend Matt, who has been in Africa for the last three years, and who owns the first uke that I 'mentored' is also going to the same school.
 
I haven't shipped Ukes but I have shipped hundreds of guitars and amps cross country and international. Get the Uke in a case, hardshell preferred. make sure it fits snug inside the case. Put the case into a box which fits snug, then put the 1st box into a second box and be sure to have at least 3" of padding in between boxes. Most shippers void the insurance if you do not have 3" of padding. Be sure to pack it it in such a way that it can take a lot of abuse. Sometime it seems like shipping Co's are trying to damage packages.
 
Ship it in a case, in a box. The instrument should not be able to slide around inside the case. You should have about 2" of packing material between the case and the box. That's a requirement from UPS. Personally, I use an expandable foam packaging set up from InstaPak. You can buy expandable foam bags from ULINE. Just get a couple to put on the corners, in the middle and top and bottom.
 
One thing I've heard of as a concern before is shipping when the instrument might be exposed to extreme heat.

In that case, what I've seen recommended is to ship FedEx priority overnight (guaranteed by 10am delivery) as late in the day as possible. That keeps it from being held over or being in a hot truck all day. I've read of guitar finishes being ruined by heat in transit. More expensive, but it may be worth it.

Also, if you are not going to ship it in a case, be sure to double box with lots of padding. But don't wrap the instrument directly in bubble wrap. Wrap it in a towel or some t-shirts or such first so the plastic wrap can't affect the finish.
 
Pete Howlett used to have a video on Youtube about how he ships ukes. I used his method to ship one to my sister in law and it arrived in perfect condition. It was nothing fancy just a cardboard box with rigid styrofoam lining the box on all sides.
 
Why would people ridicule it?
 
To some I am an inspiration, to others a Pariah.... close communities eh? Full of intrigue and jealousy ;)
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. Years ago we bought a moderately expensive violin for my daughter and it was shipped in a box that was very much like Pete's. Thanks for posting the video Pete. I'm on my way to the local home depot to get materials and will send it in a similar container.
 
I always wrap the box afterwards with pallet wrap. It's like industrial cling film. You stretch it as you apply it and it pulls very tight afterwards. The box will never come open "accidentally" from rough handling during transit. Which happens far too often with packages being sent to me from various companies both domestic and overseas.

Also I imagine most people do this but worth mentioning, drop the string tension off prior to packing. If the instrument sits in a hot truck over a weekend then it shouldn't come to grief.
 
Pete Howlett said:
To some I am an inspiration, to others a Pariah.... close communities eh? Full of intrigue and jealousy ;)
Click to expand...

Pete, you seem like a good man to me, I enjoy your posts. Many people like to hear themselves talk. Makes them feel important, and have forgotten what their mommy's used to tell them, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then Shut Your Pie Hole"
 
UPS requires 2" of packaging material between the wall and the item being shipped. If you don't meet their requirements then you risk reimbursement in the event of a claim. Their requirements, and instructions on packaging, can be found HERE I will say that I rarely ship anything next day air and if going cross country will ship three day select. The biggest risk of damage is extreme and rapid temperature changes.
 
Very nice rope. I make my own rope binding too....but can't say I like making it.
I've shipped by UPS and FedEx with no problems. Lots of instruments get sold online and shipping is not a big problem. Just ask the folks at the shipping center how to best box and label it.
 
I won't ship an instrument without it being placed inside a hard case. The whole thing goes into a stout cardboard box with at least 2 inches of large cell bubble wrap between the instrument case and the cardboard box. Top, bottom and all sides are protected by the bubble wrap.
Despite this I have had 1 incidence with a shipping company that somehow managed to damage the instrument. Thankfully the damage was very minor. There's only so much one can reasonably do to protect instruments from shipping damage. I am amazed how some folk ship acoustic Guitars in nothing more than a cardboard box, no other protection. Some actually get through unscathed!
Several years ago it was relatively easy to obtain shipping insurance (loss and damage) for musical instruments. Thanks to Ebay and the folk who ship instruments, those days are long gone. Nearly all the couriers have now placed musical instruments on the exclusion list. It's not cheap going to the specialised shippers either.
 
Last edited:
There is an outfit we have been using to insure our products called U-PIC. http://www.u-pic.com/
They are very reasonable. Something like $.55 on the $100.00 up to $5,000.00, UPS domestic shipping.
We have had to use them on claims a couple of times and they were great.
 
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