[Pete]

Hi Pete here,

Here's another question, can anyone help with this please.
We are shipping all our worldly goods over in approx 6 weeks.. we are using Whites to pack us all up.
BUT I have two quite valuable acoustic guitars... ( worth around 3k Sterling)
I am concerned that although they are in hard cases - they may get hot in the container - particularly as it crosses the equator! ..
I will ask the packers to 'bury' them in the centre of the load, but I just thought I would ask!

Am I being neurotic?

cheers

[Smiler]

Hi Neurotic Pete :p

I think where ever they are they are likely to get hot, but what about humidity? Will that affect them too?

Could you pack some of those little silica gel sachets in the cases? You can buy them on eBay. I used teabags in our washing machine etc but I don't think they do so well in with musical instruments.

Can the makers of the guitars suggest a good way of packing/transporting them?

Will they be fully insured too?

Good luck with White and Co. ;)

[pieeater]

Just do the best you can.You can buy most guitars down here and unless they are brought in personally they mostly come in containers just like yours.You may have to make some adjustments to them when they start settling into their new home.

[TFR]

Let's hope they only get warm as better than than getting wet, eh? (sorry, only joking, couldn't resist! ;))

I'd speak to the shipper about it as they must have sent guitars over before and have an idea?

[Babette & Andy]

Hiya

I'm sure the packers will have the knowledge for you. Also, why don't you send a quick PM to Gil or Cardiff Irons, their container arrived recently and they brought some guitars over.

Happy packing!

Babette

[Milliemoo]

Hi Pete,

You shoukdn't worry too much. We shipped my hubby's Fender Strat plus an acoustic and another electric. The Strat and the acoustic were in hard cases, but the cheap electric was just in a soft case. They put all 3 of them in one box with the soft case sandwiched between the two hard cases.

I put silica gel in the cases, bought off ebay. Don't forget to slacken off all the strings.

She'll be right :nice1

Milliemoo

[Nathan]

I've been contemplating the same problem,,,,only worse.
I need to ship several flat-tops and an upright bass.....and a baby grand!

A couple local music stores will save packing materials for the bass and the guitars....and even the piano.

As for the guitars, my international traveller, instrument repairman and purveyor, musician friend said, "Move over there and have someone ship the guitars by UPS. I wouldn't put them in a container, that's too risky."
He was more concerned about humidity than heat. He recieves instruments from China that are shipped to States in containers, as does my piano store friend.

As for the bass, I'm considering building a plywood box for it. My friend suggested buying a different one over there rather than pay for shipping or risking damage, but I really don't want to part with this one.

The piano has to go into the container....no other choice.

Everything will have to be hermetically sealed with silica inside the packing.

I've yet to get any response from CFMartin or Engelhart as to how to ship, but if I do I'll post the result here.

[Nathan]

CFMartin can't recommend anybody for legal reasons, but they have good luck with UPS.

UPS estimates ca US$675 to ship three guitars insured at $6000 total.
They can't ship the bass due to it's dimensions.

I'm thinking they'll get packed in their cases, into plastic bags with silica, and then in a plywood box and go with the household goods... if I can get adequate insurance.

[Marie P]

Hi

We shipped our piano over with no problem ,they made a crate for it. It didn't even need re tuning as it sounded fine.

Marie x

[*Paul]

I shipped a 5-ft cube crate of personal effects from LA to Auckland in Dec 04 and had an expensive custom wooden crate made, sealed and loaded with desiccant.

Moisture was not a problem in the end but the crate was subject to extreme heat somewhere during transit, enough to kill all batteries in cameras and computers, and even cause some three-ring binders to "spring" open. A tube of toothpaste was completely hardened.

My only theory is that the ministry of agriculture (MAF) perhaps heats the shipment to kill bugs, but I never confirmed this.

In any case I would investigate this as much as possible and place notes on the various documents that the shipment is heat-sensitive.

To make it worst, the agent I used to clear customs (Planet Move) charged me an arm and a leg, and then stole my crate without a mention - all I got was the contents.

[The Hodges]

Moisture was not a problem in the end but the crate was subject to extreme heat somewhere during transit, enough to kill all batteries in cameras and computers, and even cause some three-ring binders to "spring" open. A tube of toothpaste was completely hardened.

My only theory is that the ministry of agriculture (MAF) perhaps heats the shipment to kill bugs, but I never confirmed this.

In any case I would investigate this as much as possible and place notes on the various documents that the shipment is heat-sensitive.

Has anyone else suffered the same? The only thing that'll be going in our container with a battery is the computer, so I'm interested to know... Thanks in advance for you replies.

[The Hodges]

http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/signs133.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org) http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/signs127.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org) http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/signs083.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org) http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/signs101.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

[Angelonthemove]

Our container had to have had extreme heat as it was on the dock in Cyprus for up to a week during 40C. All batteries fine in our computer, but a candle had completely melted, and some plastic tuppleware containers were not that shape when they left.

I guess good insureance is the key as you never know.

[marcia]

I guess once again its the luck of the draw, I had a big chocolate stash and it is all in perfect condition, :raebanana not melted in the slightest, nor are any of the candles we brought. We haven't unpacked everything but so far it all seems to be ok!

[Pimmar]

Think it will also depend where the container is stowed on board of ths vsl,
in case its on deck can be exposed to sun all the time
also ofcourse placing in ashore in full sun can help...

our container did well, was underway 6 weeks, inside 3 computers
and container was fully packed, nothing happened due to heat
i had opened the ventilation holes on the four sides, as they were tape-closed probably for fumigation before we got the container;
i did put inside 3 huminity-absorbers just is case, however forgot
to take the plastic off at the inside, but nothing happened :yes
during the trip anyway, saved lots of money, tip when you have time
you can easily stuff and unload your container yourself and
do the paperwork in nz after it arrived yourself too, saving again money.

[barryp]

Our goods made it over just fine, all told. But there was evidence of serious heat and, despite dessicant being hung inside, a little standing water inside the container as well.

Acoustic instruments buried in the middle came out just fine. But they were and are beginners' instruments. After seeing the effects of transport (eg: mould on many of my dress shirts) I would be fearful of shipping quality musical instruments this way.

[The Hodges]

http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/signs001.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org). Your responses are very much appreciated. If it lets me, rep points on their way to you. ED: Sorry Marcia - it won't let me give you any points

But BarryP, were the shirts moulded enough to be damaged and did you have to claim on your insurance?

[barryp]

(Sorry for the delay) Yes, a fair number of my shirts were damaged, and some of those were ruined by overuse of bleach from trying to fix them. We didn't have 'good enough' insurance to bother with a claim, and in any event I own too much clothing so no great loss.

Basically, anything you think is valuable and very sensitive to extremes of humidity and temperature shouldn't be put in a container. If the risk is lower, you should try to put that material in the middle of it.

Your container might be going through very hot and/or humid areas, unless the voyage is from Australia. By knowing more about the specific route, you'll be able to guess a bit about the temperature ranges. But then you'll have to allow for prolonged direct exposure too - some containers will end up on top of the boat with direct sunlight, and spend more time on top whilst in port. And since they are made of metal will heat up tremendously from this exposure. You have no control over whether or for how long your container will be on top during its voyage.

[Trigirl]

also you must inspect the inside of the container when it turns up. the first one that arrived at our house had just been steam cleaned after carrying a shipment of baked beans and had water literally dripping from the container ceiling, runnign down the walls and pooling on the floor. we sent it away and the second one was (thankfully) fine. it arrived here in welly on tuesday and what we've unpacked so far seems fine with no moisture or heat damage.

[Caroline and Dave]

also you must inspect the inside of the container when it turns up. the first one that arrived at our house had just been steam cleaned after carrying a shipment of baked beans and had water literally dripping from the container ceiling, runnign down the walls and pooling on the floor. we sent it away and the second one was (thankfully) fine. it arrived here in welly on tuesday and what we've unpacked so far seems fine with no moisture or heat damage.

This is what concerns us. We will be having a 40 ft container and have been told by two companies now that we cannot have the container at the house as it is too long and they will pack our stuff into furniture vans and then load it into the container at their depot. The other alternative we were told was to have two 20ft containers.We are awaiting costings for both options but I expect it to be very expensive for two.

Kindest regards

Caroline and Dave

[StevieD]

Yes, we have 1 violin, 1 cello and 2 possibly 3 guitars going. Been told that there is no problem and that they ship guitars this way all the time. I should imagine that if they well packed and enough silica that it will be ok. And I believe that you can request for your container to be kept farther down in the ship if you want that.

[Rizak]

i did put inside 3 humidity-absorbers just is case

Thanks for the idea Pimmar. I can get these (http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=53828&cat=1,43326) quite easily here.

[DB]

Have a read of the last post in the thread Musician on the move (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9968)