Maybe you are a musician needing to ship your musical instrument to a concert venue where you are performing. Maybe you own a business and ship instruments internationally. Either way, it can be very expensive to safely get your instrument where you want it to go.
While it’s possible to ship musical instruments in an airplane’s hold, this is not always preferred. Most musicians would prefer a safer way to ship fragile instruments like cymbals, drums, violins, or harps. In addition to their fragility, these items are expensive–both to purchase and to repair.
This is where Stasher comes in handy. We ship musical instruments all over the world at a fraction of the cost that traditional couriers charge. We also provide you with the necessary information to ensure that your instrument arrives safely at its destination. So, how does it work?
Shipping Options
- Standard shipping: This option is the most affordable. Standard shipping is available for smaller instruments like ukuleles and tambourines, as well as accessories or parts that come with instruments.
- Pallet delivery: If your instrument is large (like a cello or harp), a pallet delivery might work best for you. This would also be ideal if you own a business and need to ship multiple instruments together.
- Delivery via Van: In the same way that you can fly your instruments to your location, you can also have them driven over. A van is a safe way to transport instruments, especially if you need them taken to a local venue for an event.
Things to Keep in Mind
If you’re shipping your instrument locally, you probably don’t need to worry about this part. But if you’re shipping internationally, here’s some useful information.
Please be sure to book your shipment as far in advance as possible if you have a venue date for when you need your musical instruments delivered. As much as we want your event to go well, and as quickly as we ship, there are some aspects of the shipping process that are attributed to time.
Pack carefully! We want your instrument to be safe and to make it to your venue with no damage whatsoever. However, this is only possible if you pack safely. Please do not send a musical instrument without it being in a hard, protective case. It’s also a good idea to wrap the instrument in bubble wrap or cushion it on all sides with newspaper. Make sure the instrument won’t bounce around in its case. More details on safely packing instruments are listed in detail in the next section.
Tips for Packing Different Kinds of Instruments
- Brass Instruments: Instruments like the horn and trumpet are brass instruments. Once your instrument is in its case, pack it with bubble wrap or newspaper, so that it can’t bounce around. Then, pack the hard case in another box to further protect it from damage. Put enough tape on it to ensure that it won’t come out of the box.
- String Instruments: The guitar, violin, and cello are all stringed instruments that need to be packed similarly. Here’s how to safely pack a cello.
- Place your cello in its bag or hard case.
- Place foam blocks under the strings that are underneath both sides of the bridge.
- Use foam or Styrofoam for the scroll and neck.
- Close your hard case/bag after securely packing your cello.
- Wrap bubble wrap around the exterior of the hard case or bag.
- Place the cello inside a larger box and further cushion it.
- Make sure there are no spaces for the cello to move around before sealing the box shut with tape.
The process is similar for guitars and violins. First, remove any parts that are detachable. Then, make sure the instrument is cushioned as much as possible before closing the hard case and packing it securely and tightly in a bigger box. This is the safest way to transport string instruments.
- Percussion Instruments: For instruments like drums, the same principles that apply for string and brass instruments apply here. The stands, legs, drum hoops, heads, snares, and symbols can all be packed separately. The drums should be packed according to size, with the smaller drums inside the larger ones. Packing peanuts should fill any open spaces.
- Woodwork instruments: These instruments include the harmonica and flute. They are pretty easy to pack, as long as you remember the bubble wrap/newspaper to keep the instrument secured. You don’t want any wiggle room for it to bounce around.
Stasher’s Insurance
No matter how carefully a musical instrument is packed or transported, there is always the risk that damage will occur. For this reason, Stasher provides shipping insurance covering instruments up to a certain percentage. This depends on the size and value of the instrument. Additional insurance can also be purchased when you book your instrument. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Why Ship with Stasher?
Stasher truly cares about your musical instruments. That’s why we will handle your instruments with the utmost care while they are in our possession. We will carefully transport them to protect them from damage. Our insurance will help cover the cost of repairs, should anything happen to your instruments while they are in transport.
Stasher helps millions of people ship their musical instruments every year. We promise to take care of your instruments while they are on the way to your destination. Thank you for considering Stasher for this important kind of shipment!
