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Shipping a CBG

I built a CBG that I was going to send from Oregon to my brother in New York. I had a box that was a little big but would do, all told it weighed a little over 8 pounds.

I went down to FedEx and it was going to cost $88US to send it. Yikes! I checked with UPS and USPS and they were about the same. USPS did have one option for about $55US.

The box was a bit big, about 48" x 18" x 12". I figured I can make a smaller box that will just fit it, 36" x 11" x 5", and I can get the USPS price down to about $30US. That's at least manageable. UPS and FedEx are still higher.

I was shocked how much it was going to cost, and still a bit put out even if I can get it down to $30.

How are you folks shipping your CBGs? Any way to do it for less?

Thanks,

Scott

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Permalink Reply by Ducati Scotty on November 14, 2017 at 1:37pm

Oh I like that! A bit messy to build but super light, super secure, and will fit like a glove! And a 4'x8' 1/2" sheet of pink stuff is only $8 locally. Plus, once you build the foam box, it makes a great form for bending the cardboard around it. Building a big box with no form is a bit awkward.

Pretty sure this is how I'll do it. Thanks David!

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Permalink Reply by Ducati Scotty on November 15, 2017 at 6:54am

Ok, to take it one step farther into the ridiculous: build the foam box, put the guitar inside a plastic trash bag too protect it, lay the guitar in the box, use expanding spray foam to fill in the gaps and seal the whole thing in super snug.

I think if you did that you could probably even safely skip the cardboard wrap. You've basically encased it in a single block of foam.

Hmmm..... Maybe skip the foam box altogether. Just build a rectangular form, line with plastic, spray in some foam, lay guitar in, spray in a little more foam on top and wait for it to set. No messy foam boards to cut, still costs just a few dollars per guitar to pack.

Yeah, I think I'm getting silly now, but I'm still thinking of trying it.

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Permalink Reply by Richard Dean on November 15, 2017 at 7:08am

I just chose a random Oregon and New York zip codes, put in the info in the USPS postage calculator, and my last git I sold("The Gambler") which in all reality, was a little heavy for a Git, and with packaging(and I package well) would have cost less than $23 priority mail. My total box size was 4x8x36" and weighed with packaging 5#'s, it arrived safely to a happy buyer.

That was a home made oak box with electrics and a lot of embellishments.

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Permalink Reply by gary herget on November 15, 2017 at 12:23pm

I use an 8 x 8 x 36 box and USPS has never charged more than $25.00 with insurance.

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on November 16, 2017 at 4:14am

Yep, shipping my last commissioned build from MA back to VA cost 85 bucks. Lucky for me my cx offered to pay for the shipping but dang. That did include them boxing it up too, so maybe not that bad I guess.

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Permalink Reply by Ducati Scotty on November 17, 2017 at 10:28am

I picked up a 4x8 sheet of 1/2" foam today. Hopefully I can get a box together over the weekend. I'll weight the guitar by itself and again boxed up to give you the info.

Thanks again for pointing me to that link David.

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Permalink Reply by David L. on November 17, 2017 at 1:55pm

You are welcome Ducati, always happy to point to the hidden gems experts like Wichita Sam have added over the years :0)

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Permalink Reply by Ducati Scotty on November 18, 2017 at 9:16pm

I weighed the guitar, it’s 2 1/2 pounds. I also pieced the box together. Now I just need to do some final duct taping, wrap it in cardboard, and ship it. I expect it will cost about $20. Much smaller box at 38” x 10” x 5.5”.