Is it a bad idea to ship a bass without a case?

[4metta]

Hi guys!! Been a while since I posted--job changes/back at school. Well, the time for arrival of my ordered Stealth 5 string Bongo from Steve is getting closer and I need to finance the second half of my payment. I am thinking of selling my Sterling SUB. Of course I wanted to offer it here first but the problem I have though is that I do not have a case for it. So should I not ship and just try and sell it locally? I am quite worried about it being damaged in shipment to a buyer. Has anybody here shipped a bass caseless safely? Would love to hear from the more experienced bass traders about this.

thanks in advance for any tips/replies,
Grace

 

[cdb]

Hi guys!! Been a while since I posted--job changes/back at school. Well, the time for arrival of my ordered Stealth 5 string Bongo from Steve is getting closer and I need to finance the second half of my payment. I am thinking of selling my Sterling SUB. Of course I wanted to offer it here first but the problem I have though is that I do not have a case for it. So should I not ship and just try and sell it locally? I am quite worried about it being damaged in shipment to a buyer. Has anybody here shipped a bass caseless safely? Would love to hear from the more experienced bass traders about this.

thanks in advance for any tips/replies,
Grace

I used to do a lot of selling on eBay, and I have successfully shipped a few basses uncased with no probs. Double boxes, lots of bubble wrap and blocking under the neck are the keys to success. And I always went with UPS not the USPS.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I've received several basses from overseas without cases, no problem. In this case, you're lucky, since you can unbolt the neck and pack the body and the neck very well in a smaller package. Unbolting the neck removes the major risk for serious damage. And, shipping will be cheaper as well, since the package will be smaller overall.

 

[4metta]

Thanks guys! Wow, I never thought about unbolting the neck before. It actually sounds scarey to me but it's good to know I have that option.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Thanks guys! Wow, I never thought about unbolting the neck before. It actually sounds scarey to me but it's good to know I have that option.

Nothing to be scared of - just remove the strings and unbolt the neck, and reverse the process to reassemble. If it was a risky thing to do, the manufacturer would make it harder for end users to do it, rather than just using screws.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Shipping without a case is no problem as long as it is done correctly. I shipped a Bongo from Georgia to the UK without a case with no problem.

 

[4metta]

Okay so is it considered okay to put used basses for sale here? Or should I go elsewhere? I want to make sure before I post a thread about it.

 

[4metta]

Now I need to scam some good boxes from Guitar Center or Sam Ash.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Okay so is it considered okay to put used basses for sale here?

Yes, there's a sticky thread at the top of the page for selling used EBMM basses.

 

[midopa]

Maybe the truss rod should be loosened as well? Good luck with a sale!

 

[Aussie Mark]

Maybe the truss rod should be loosened as well? Good luck with a sale!

I understand the neck is better off under tension, so I think it might be best not to touch the truss rod. Leaving it as is will also make for an easier setup once the neck is rebolted to the body and restrung.

 

[Caca de Kick]

4metta,
Most of the basses and guitars you see hanging in GC were shipped without cases. Those shipping boxes are made specifically for that, see if you can scab one.

 

[silverburst]

4metta,
Most of the basses and guitars you see hanging in GC were shipped without cases. Those shipping boxes are made specifically for that, see if you can scab one.

Most of the cheap guitars and basses were shipped without cases, but for the majority of their transit their box is in another box, or strapped to a pallet. IMO, always double-box it if you are going to ship without a case.

 

[silverburst]

BTW, is the MusicMan case included in the list price of the instrument? It was a point of contention when I was buying my Bongo at the local GC...

 

[bassmonkeee]

BTW, is the MusicMan case included in the list price of the instrument? It was a point of contention when I was buying my Bongo at the local GC...

That depends on how long that Bongo was sitting at Guitar Center. Bongos shipped sans case for at least the first year. After they started to ship in cases, the list price was raised to reflect the inclusion of a case.

 

[4metta]

Thanks guys. I'll see what happens. If I don't get a good offer I'll consider trading it in for gear and store credit.

 

[Musicman Nut]

BTW, is the MusicMan case included in the list price of the instrument? It was a point of contention when I was buying my Bongo at the local GC...

99.9% Stores yes, With a Music Man Bass Comes the Case, this is Kind of New though, I think within the last few years. GC still does not do it that way, you buy the Bass, you buy the case separate.