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How to Pack a Trumpet for Shipping
Shipping damage is more common than one
might think. Often the exterior box is not badly mangled,
yet the horn is dented or bent. Horns
shipped in a hard case are particularly vulnerable. When the box is dropped,
the inertia generated by a fall causes the instrument to slam into the hard
inside wall of the case, damaging the horn. If the
exterior box looks OK, shipping companies will often deny the insurance claim,
even though you purchased insurance for the shipment! If you follow these instructions, the odds of
a damage-free shipment will increase greatly.
1. Cardboard box (24"x12"x12" for most horns w/o case, 25 1/2"x17"x13 3/4" for most horns w/case)
2. Packing peanuts
3. Bubble wrap (large 1" bubbles)
4. Packing tape
5. Thread
How to pack a trumpet without a case (see below for how to pack a trumpet w/case)
It is safest to ship a trumpet without the case!
Use the thread (doubled up) or string to tie down any slides that may slip off.
Wrap trumpet in a "cocoon" of 4-5 layers of bubble wrap and secure with packing tape.
Surround with packing peanuts in box. Make sure there is enough room on all sides of cocoon.
Fill the rest of the way. Jiggle box so peanuts can settle.
Seal box with several layers of packing tape.
Packing a trumpet WITH a case.
Use the thread (doubled up) or string to tie down any slides that may slip off.
Any loose items, or a trumpet that can wiggle at all inside the case, will very likely cause damage.
Bubble wrap any loose items, and use bubble wrap around the trumpet so that it cannot wiggle at all inside the case.
Case should be a little hard to close for a snug fit.
Surround case with packing peanuts in a box big enough for cushioning on all sides.
See below for examples of what not to do.
Fill the rest of the way. Jiggle box so peanuts can settle.
Seal box with several layers of packing tape.
These are all examples of a box that is not big enough. The box must be big enough in all dimentions.
Crumpled paper does not work as a substitute for peanuts (it does not cushion enough, and by the time the box arrives it has compressed to a much smaller size).
Box not big enough.
Box not big enough. (Not tall enough.)
Box not big enough. Crumpled paper does not work as a substitute for peanuts.
Box not big enough. (The box must be big enough in all dimentions.)
Packing Hall of Shame
