PACK A GUITAR FOR RELOCATION

If you own a guitar, you’re probably familiar with the fact that they are quite delicate items. Guitars stay at their best when they are left in their containers and encounter as little motion as possible. When they are being used to play music is the only time they enjoy some shifting, and even then they are secured on the musician’s laps or securely strapped to them.

For a guitar owner who is relocating, packing a guitar may prove to be a challenging task. Even if this task does not present you with any challenges, you should aim to do it to the best of your capability to keep away any damage cases.

Toronto Movers have carefully laid out some procedures to follow in order to avoid any mistakes when packing your guitar for relocation.

Things to know when packing your guitar

While the process of preparing a guitar for a move might not present as many complications as the shifting of a piano, the task ahead of you should not be underrated.

Most people might assume that a broken string is the worst that can happen. However, even if the replacement of these strings is fairly cheap, the process of snapping might cause notable damage to the guitar surface. Another thing to worry about is the bridge as is could easily crack, and the same applies to the headstock and the tuning keys. None of these scenarios will be appealing as you unpack. Therefore, proper packing equipment is important.

Equipment Required to Stow a Guitar

Most guitar owners prefer placing the instrument in a guitar container that is either hard or soft. This case makes the process of putting it away and shipping it simpler. However, do not fret if you don’t have one of these cases as we have the proper guidelines to help you out.

Some of the supplies you’ll need include:

Packing container. The carton should be made out of strong material and sizeable to contain the instrument with or without its case as well as cushioning elements. Normally, a container that can comfortably hold a guitar measures fifty by twenty by nine inches. It can be purchased from your relocating firm or a music store near you.

Packing tape. This item should be of high quality as it will be used to seal the guitar box.

Packing paper. It advisable to purchase paper that has no printings on it as the ink could leak onto the guitar surface. Both heavy and soft paper will do just fine.
Cushioning materials. This can either be bubble wrap, a couple of sheets, or old towels.

Readying a Guitar for Transit

Prior to putting away your guitar, there are two important things that you should do.

Procedure 1: make the guitar strings loose – preferably by two octaves – so as to reduce the pressure applied to the instrument’s neck.

Procedure 2: detach any removable articles. This includes the capo, tuner, strap, etc. these items should be packed individually wrapped in packing paper and placed in a box of adequate size. Once you have secured it, label as “GUITAR TOOLS” and store it near the instrument itself.

Packing a Guitar for relocation

Below are some crucial procedures to follow when putting away your guitar for transit.

Procedure 1: encase the headstock in several leaflets of packing paper and bubble wrap respectively. Bear in mind that this is the most fragile part of the instrument, so extra care is necessary. Also be keen on protecting the tuning keys.

Procedure 2: owning a guitar case will work in your favor. Make the strings loose and then place it in its container. If you don’t own one, however, a few extra procedures will have to be done.

Procedure 3: if you don’t have access to a case, you’ll need to put some soft packing paper between the fretboard and the strings to separate them. Ensure that at no given time will the strings come into contact with the fretboard.

Procedure 4: without a case for your instrument, an extra cushioning covering will be required. Encase the whole guitar in the unprinted newspaper and some soft pieces of cloth until it’s bundled up nicely. Proceed to put it in its carton with the headstock facing up.

Procedure 5: this procedure is quite essential to the packing process. Use packing paper or old clothes to fill in any empty room between the encased guitar and the carton. Shake it a little once you’re done to ensure everything is immobile inside.

Procedure 6: seal the container and label it “DELICATE” and “HANDLE CAREFULLY”

Moving the guitar in your car is one way to go. However, the most advisable option to take is letting a skilled relocating firm help you out, especially if the instrument is of high value as they would provide adequate coverage.