Unlike some other solid musical instruments, guitars aren’t designed to be tossed around carelessly. This is why packing a guitar for a move should be done carefully to avoid damaging any part of it.
If you are passionate about your guitar, you’ll easily turn down the idea of having it packed together with other household items and tossed onto a moving truck.
As a creative person and someone who spends long hours strumming the instrument, you would prefer packing it properly to keep it safe throughout the move. As it is, guitars are quite vulnerable to damages and need special care while being carried from one place to another.
So, what’s the right method of packing your guitar for a move to avoid ending up with broken strings or even a cracked bridge? We have all the information you need to have your guitar packed, transported, and delivered in one piece.
How To Pack Your Guitar appropriately Before Moving
Let’s get started!
Find a proper moving box for your guitar
First, you’ll need the right moving box size for packing your guitar for moving. Find a box of the right size, where the padded guitar just fits in snugly with no room to move around. You can visit your nearby UPS store to find guitar shipping boxes that are just the right size.
You might have to order special shipping boxes at least a few weeks before your scheduled packing day to get boxes of the right dimension.
Prepare the guitar before you pack
Just before you start packing your guitar for moving, you’ll have to do a few things to prepare it for the move. The first step is to loosen the strings so that they do not snap during the actual relocation process.
Remove the strap and other parts that are attached to your instrument and pack them separately. This simple practice can go a long way in preventing damage and safeguarding your guitar.
There are a few detachable parts, such as capos, tools, and bridge covers that are really small; pack these inside a plastic bag and tape the bag shut so that nothing gets lost in transit.
Pack the guitar appropriately for the move
Use old blankets, unprinted newsprint, or paper towels to wrap the guitar and give it a few additional layers of padding. Make sure you are not using bubble wrap as it can damage your favorite musical instrument rather than protecting it.
Place the guitar inside the box and ensure that the wrapped instrument is sitting in comfortably. Moreover, the size of the box should be such that you do not need to force the box shut.
Use crushed newsprint to fill in the empty spaces in the box to keep the instrument in place. Place an extra layer of padding behind the headstock and the tuners to provide maximum support to your much loved instrument. Close the box and secure it with packing tape.
Label the moving box containing the guitar
Whether you intend to pack and move your guitar all by yourself or hand it over to a professional mover, make sure you label the box that houses the guitar.
Mark the box as fragile after it has been packed. Another good practice is to draw arrows on the box to indicate the direction you want the box to be placed, when it is being loaded onto the truck.
Let a professional pack the guitar
If you’re worried about making a mistake that could damage your guitar while packing it, you should consider hiring a professional mover to help you pack and move it. This is safer than putting your valuable musical instrument on the line because you’re moving.
Move your guitar with you
If you have a car and moving within a short distance such as within the same city or a nearby city or town, you should consider keeping your guitar in your car while moving.
This means you can keep an eye on it throughout the move. You wouldn’t have to bother about anyone dropping a heavy item on your guitar or damaging it by accident.
Hire professional movers to move your guitar
If you’re worried about damaging your guitar while it’s in transit, your safest and most convenient option is to hire a professional mover to pack and move it. You may even consider hiring a special-item-mover to help you pack and move the guitar.
