Klarinet Archive - Posting 000236.txt from 2000/01

From: Neil Leupold <leupold_1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] How to ship a bass clarinet?
Date: Fri, 7 Jan 2000 22:42:45 -0500

--- Sheryl Katz <slkatz@-----.com> wrote:

> I have shipped a clarinet, bass clarinet and saxophones as well as a few
> guitars. The best thing to do is to make sure nothing is rattling around
> inside the case. Fill blank spaces with bubble wrap or peanuts.

I don't believe that the logic behind the above statements is correct.
While there may be slight benefit from minimizing gaps inside the case,
the "rattling around" effect is not the primary factor in instrument
damage during shipping. The primary cause is the rigidity of the mat-
erial of which the inside-case is constructed. No matter how much you
restrict the movement of the instrument inside the case, if the case
is dropped or slammed hard enough, the force of the instrument against
the material inside the case CAN very easily bend the keys of the in-
strument. The bigger the instrument, the greater the chance for bend-
ing.

> Then, either wrap the case well with bubble wrap, or put the case in
> an over sized box and fill it with peanuts. If you can't find the right
> sized box go to a box and ship place and they'll cut some boxes down for
> you. Any instrument that I've shipped in this way has been fine.

Needless to say, and not to be redundant, but I think it's a bad idea
to ship the instrument in its case, whether you protect the case in a
separate box or not. I shipped my bass clarinet by this very same meth-
od, and it came back to me with over $100 of damage, which brings me to
my next point, concerning...

> Usually I've used UPS, which is actually a little bit risky, obviously
> the shorter the duration of the trip the less likely something is to go
> wrong so one or two day air is probably better.

UPS was responsible for the major damage that my instrument experienced
during shipping. I had to threaten with a lawsuit before they relented
and reimbursed me for the full repair amount. FedEx has a much better
reputation for their treatment of packages in transit, not to mention
their customers. I always ship FedEx.

> I actually think that sending the pieces separate from the case is
> asking for trouble.

An interesting statement, which goes completely without justification.
I would be interested in reading the rationale behind the assertion that
sending pieces separately from the case -- especially in the careful man-
ner which I have prescribed in earlier posts -- is "asking for trouble."
Care to comment?

To Ms. Zarnow: the cost of shipping the instrument and its case separately
need not be prohibitive. Send the instrument separately in the careful man-
ner I described -- ship it FedEx Overnite -- and simply send the case via
a slower and less expensive means (even UPS ground is good; there's little
likelihood of UPS damaging the empty case, especially if you go ahead and
ship it in an ample-sized box with some peanuts).

'Hope my suggestions are helpful to you.

-- Neil
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