 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Morrigan
Date: 2024-04-12 00:29
Hi all, long time no post!
After 17 years in the UK I'm moving back to Australia!
I won't have room for my clarinets on the plane, I was probably going to send them ahead of time to family.
Has anyone done this? Any advice? Good companies to use?
Thanks!
Tim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-04-12 01:27
The recipient may incur hefty import duty fees based on the declared insurance value of them, so that could be a stinger unless you word things well in the customs form.
Any of the big name couriers (UPS, DHL, TNT, etc.) should be fine and none are without risks as anything can happen in transit. Just make sure they're packed well and don't shift about in the case and you hermetically seal the entire case in a plastic bag, then box up the case with plenty of bubble wrap or other cushioning just in case they get chucked about.
If I were you I'd aim take them on as hand luggage and keep any essentials you may need with them - that way you know they're safe with you and you're not ever likely to let them out of your sight.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: marcia
Date: 2024-04-12 23:10
When I moved back to Vancouver from Melbourne after 15 years, I debated taking my clarinets on board, or shipping them. I finally decided to take them as carry on. I was VERY glad I had chosen that option. All our shipped goods were delayed through a multitude of situations. They all arrived a couple of months after we did. I had already secured a seat in a community orchestra by then.
My two cents worth.
Marcia
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald
Date: 2024-04-13 07:10
Hi there Tim, good to hear you're returning to the lucky country- I hope one of the bands there will look after you!
Marie often flies around with multiple instruments in her hand luggage... and I too have flown with A/Bb/Eb clarinets in hand luggage. We tend to do that without the instrument case- joints can be wrapped in bubble wrap, and several instruments fitted into a plastic box (air tight food container from the super market). Bells and barrels, that need less protection, can just go inside a sock!
My way, using the plastic box (you have to search around for something the right size), you can fit multiple instruments in a small space and they are still protected.
Marie tends, rather than using the plastic box, to put instrument joints into these cloth bags that many historic players use, and roll them up, put them in hand luggage and then guard it with her life so no one sits on it or puts anything on top of it. I first saw a recorder player use this method back in the 1980s but would never have dreamed of doing that with an instrument with keys. Regardless, Marie does this with both her historic and modern instruments (often travelling with up to 6 or 7 instruments- including her modern pair).
Of course, you'd then have to ship the empty cases to Aussie, but that's less risky (and they weigh less) than sending the instruments that way.
I hope this was helpful.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2024-04-13 12:53
Can you have them sent as a diplomatic bag?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarimad
Date: 2024-04-14 10:41
UPS are the only courier, that I am aware of, that will insure items, including musical instruments, up to £1000.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Morrigan
Date: 2024-04-15 18:29
That's super helpful actually Donald, I might just have to do that! We have a shipping container so the empty cases can go on that.
Regarding service bands taking care of me... They all would have me do basic training again, and that's on my Never Again list I'm afraid!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: donald
Date: 2024-04-15 19:36
When I moved from USA to Germany to New Zealand (1998!) I had only 5 clarinets to take with me (all Bb and A clarinets of various makes). In the end my trusty Yamaha had to travel in a suitcase and got freezing cold etc. Not the slightest crack... all other instruments went into the overhead lockers etc. Looking back years later I realise both the Buffets I nursed along cracked on me and played up over the years, and that Yamaha (that I callously abused) turned out the most reliable.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
