Shipping an archtop around the world – loosen the strings or not?

[guavajelly]

I just sold my Ibanez GB200 to a gentleman in Australia, so it will travel from Germany to Australia. Should I loosen the strings a bit? Any other advice?

Thanks a lot.

[Drifter]

Here is some good advice:
archtop.com: shipping your guitar

[sgosnell]

I would loosen the strings a lot, remove the bridge, put it in the case pocket wrapped in some sort of padding, and place padding under the tailpiece and the strings, and under/around the headstock. The link above gives good advice. You should assume the package will be dropped from several feet onto concrete, thrown several feet, hit by objects large, small, and sharp, and otherwise sadly abused. It will not be handled like eggs or like a guitar.

[bluenote61]

Also keep in mind that the original case has a thin laminated wood shell only.
It should be padded also before placing into the shipping box.
Congrats to the sale!

[guavajelly]

You should assume the package will be dropped from several feet onto concrete, thrown several feet, hit by objects large, small, and sharp, and otherwise sadly abused. It will not be handled like eggs or like a guitar.

Wow, that makes me kind of nervous. I read the advice on archtop.com but wonder if all the extra padding and loosening would cause more damage (like scratching the finish) than good. When I bought the guitar from TFOA, a shop with good reputation they sent it in the case, in tune, no extra padding. OK, it travelled from The Netherlands to Germany only, but still ...
The guitar itself is a robust build and it sits in the case neatly.

[guavajelly]

I also wonder: When Ibanez ships these GB Guitars from Japan to the world, they just put them in the case and the case in a box. They wouldn't do that if they'd risk damaging these premium guitars?

[Little Jay]

Imho it’s more important to put something between the fretboard and the strings and something under the headstock.

When a guitarcase falls backwards flat on its back, the headstock can break at the neck support that’s usually under the top nut. When the strings are relaxed, this is even more likely to happen in my reasoning since the headstock has no counterforce from the strings anymore. You can prevent this by adding sufficient and stiff support under the headstock, so it can’t bend down anymore.

[ThatRhythmMan]

Imho it’s more important to put something between the fretboard and the strings and something under the headstock.

When a guitarcase falls backwards flat on its back, the headstock can break at the neck support that’s usually under the top nut. When the strings are relaxed, this is even more likely to happen in my reasoning since the headstock has no counterforce from the strings anymore. You can prevent this by adding sufficient and stiff support under the headstock, so it can’t bend down anymore.

The big risk with Gibson style necks is exactly in the opposite direction. If they fall face first that’s when they are at risk of breaking the headstock. That’s why the break starts at the back, very often ending up with an intact piece in the front, often just the overlay looking like a hinge.

I always loose the strings and pad the headstock front and back. I’ve personally never seen putting something between the strings and fingerboard make any difference.




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[bluenote61]

I also wonder: When Ibanez ships these GB Guitars from Japan to the world, they just put them in the case and the case in a box. They wouldn't do that if they'd risk damaging these premium guitars?

You may see it from a statistic point of view.
The companies ship hundreds of guitars in one shipment, if one or some more guitars get damaged its a loss of 1% or something. And I suppose there might be an insurance covering the loss.
Also, paying the insurance might be less costly than putting more effort in packing.

Same as for the large internet shops. They can accept the risk of damage caused by simple, less costly packing due to the high amount of daily shipments. It's statistic whether it will be damaged or not.

So, follow the good advices from archtop.com for save packing and do not forget on a shipping insurance covering the value of the guitar.

[sgosnell]

Large shipments of guitars fill a shipping container, which is strong and doesn't get thrown. One alone is mixed with all sorts of other packages, some very heavy, and they don't fit together. Shipping a container filled with neatly stacked guitars is a very different thing than shipping one guitar. There have been many horror stories posted on this forum concerning guitars being damaged in shipment. But it's your guitar, pack it as you like. I suggest insurance for the full value however you pack it.

[bluejaybill]

This is how Mark Campellone ships a new arch top, I was impressed enough to take a picture. Mark works really hard on these instruments and I would bet isn't interested in them being damaged in shipment!

As you can see, he tapes rounded spacers (rolled up corrugated cardboard with a poly foam wrapper around it I believe) between the lower body and the top of the case, to keep the guitar in place and not rattling around.

Cushion between tailpiece and body of guitar.

Bridge in place with a cushion over it. Strings have some pressure but were loosened IIRC.

Cushion over the pickup under the strings and blue tape over the strings to keep it in place

Cushion under and over the headstock.

In the box, wadded up newspaper around the case. Also a form fitted cushion under the bottom of the guitar, a "nest " that the guitar case can sit in when vertical. And then I think "this side up" and fragile indicators.

[vinnyv1k]

Insurance just means you must sue UPS and take them to small claims court to get your money from them. This guitar was fully insured with detailed packing pictures like what Mark Campellone does and my claim was denied. A nightmare court battle but I won.

[pdfiddler]

Support end pin, headstock and loosen strings and prayer.

[Little Jay]

The big risk with Gibson style necks is exactly in the opposite direction. If they fall face first that’s when they are at risk of breaking the headstock. That’s why the break starts at the back, very often ending up with an intact piece in the front, often just the overlay looking like a hinge.

I always loose the strings and pad the headstock front and back. I’ve personally never seen putting something between the strings and fingerboard make any difference.




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I stand corrected… I think you are definitely right now I realise how most headstocks break! (Like the one in the picture.)

[sgosnell]

I think headstocks tend to break that way because the top veneer is tougher than the actual wood beneath it, at least in many cases. Many manufacturers use a plastic veneer on top of the headstock, extending to near the nut, and that is very hard to break. Even if it's wood, it's usually fairly strong in that direction, and the glue joint helps. Therefore, a blow which forces the headstock toward the rear is less likely to cause a break. The rebound from the downward force could cause the reverse break which we usually see. I haven't done any actual experiments, but seeing wood snap over the decades makes me believe that the rebound could possibly cause a snap. Likely not all, or even most, but maybe some. So I don't think it's completely impossible to have a break like the photo to be cause by a fall to the rear, even while in a case.

[bluejaybill]

I think it's because the grain runs in that direction and, since the neck is very thin there, the grain ends abruptly because of the headstock angle, and there's a hole for the truss rod, it breaks along the grain at that point. (Ask me how I know- '68 LP Custom years ago!). After that, I never minded a volute again! And don't many builders put a scarf joint there for that reason?

What is a Scarf Joint on Guitars and How to Cut and Glue It? - Electric guitar lutherie, DIY, repair and maintenance

The veneer IIRC is poplar, and very thin, not exactly the most robust wood around, though it may help!

[sgosnell]

I've seen veneers of all sorts of materials, and wood species. But if you look, you'll see that in almost every case the break stops at the veneer, which is almost never broken. As to the actual cause of that, I can only speculate.

[vinnyv1k]

I often wondered if you wrapped the headstock with say blue shop towels or a guitar polish cloth to protect the finish then wrap the headstock very tightly with vinyl tape stretching the tape very tight if that would prevent a headstock break from a severe blow.

I never sleep well when their is a guitar in the shipping process.

[Max405]

Like a cast. It makes sense. The wood is less likely to flex in that spot. Not enough to allow it to fracture.

I’ve always thought a “fitted case” should really be fitted to the guitar.
If expanding spray foam is sprayed into a membrane (that is covered with fur, white fur would be best) and then placed around the unique head stock shape (or the whole guitar for that matter) and allowed to expand and dry - then made a part of the case itself, would provide the best protection. On top of the headstock and on the bottom, Like a 2 piece sarcophagus. When the case closes, there is no possible way the head stock could flex enough to allow the wood to break.
Instead, The guitar company chooses to buy a pre made case, that sort of fits the guitar. Big mistake. But they are really only concerned with shipping the guitar to the dealer safely.
JD