Whether you're sending a guitar in for consignment, posting one to a buyer, or shipping an instrument off for repair, packing it properly is what stands between a guitar arriving perfect and arriving with a cracked headstock. The good news is that shipping a guitar safely isn't complicated, it just takes a bit of care. Here's how to do it properly.

The golden rule: avoid the void

If there's one thing to remember, it's this: eliminate any gap that lets the guitar move around inside its packaging. Movement is what causes damage, far more often than a hard knock to the outside of the box. A guitar packed so snugly it can't shift even slightly will handle rough treatment far better than one with room to slide around.

Do

• Use a proper hard case wherever possible, and pack any empty space inside it with soft, non-marring material like clean cloth or bubble wrap so the guitar can't shift.
• Pack the case itself snugly inside a sturdy shipping box, with padding on all sides, top and bottom, so the case can't move around inside the box either.
• Use a heavy-duty cardboard box rated to handle courier transport, not a flimsy box that's already had a previous life.
• Wrap and secure any loose accessories, such as cables, picks or a truss rod wrench, so they can't shift and scratch the finish during transit.
• Loosen the strings slightly if you're shipping somewhere with a long transit time or big temperature swings, as a small buffer against additional tension from humidity or heat changes.

Don't

• Don't leave any gap between the guitar and the case, or between the case and the outer box.
• Don't overpack material under an angled headstock. Extra pressure in the wrong spot can actually cause more strain, not less.
• Don't use a soft gig bag on its own for courier shipping. It offers very little protection against impact.
• Don't leave accessories loose in an open case pocket, where they can rattle around and mark the guitar.
• Don't fully slacken the strings right off. A guitar is designed to sit under tension, and a completely slack neck isn't necessarily safer than one at or near pitch.

What about detuning?

This one divides opinion. Some manufacturers ship their guitars at full pitch, on the basis that the truss rod and neck are designed to handle that tension and a snug, well-packed case is what really protects the instrument. Others recommend tuning down slightly, particularly for long interstate or international shipments where temperature and humidity swings are more likely. If in doubt, a modest half-step to full-step down is a reasonable middle ground, rather than leaving the strings fully slack.

When you're shipping to us

If you're sending a guitar to us for consignment, trade-in, or a repair, following the steps above will get it to us safely. If you're ever unsure how best to pack a particular instrument, get in touch before you post it and we're happy to talk you through it.