Remove bolt-on neck to ship guitars by air?

greenblob · May 22nd 2021

I'm relocating internationally and am taking 16 guitars with me (that's a bit embarrassing to type!) in a mix of air and sea freight. 6 of them are bolt on neck guitars (all U.S fenders of various styles).

Question - Is there any issue taking the necks off the bodies to ship, then reassembling at destination?

I could take 6 guitars with the necks off in the space that 2 with necks on (in cases) would fill. Air freight is space and weight limited, but in this scenario the space constraint is the challenge.

All will need a setup a few weeks after hitting destination (relocating from dry arid climate, to a tropical one) but cant immediately see any big issue shipping "neckless", but hoping to be educated!

whippinpost91850 · May 22nd 2021

shouldn’t be any issue at all. Just tape any shims to the corresponding neck pocket

From one lefty to another, where ya going

paults · May 22nd 2021

Should be no problem.

greenblob · May 22nd 2021

Cool. That's easy then! Moving from Salt Lake City UT, to Brisbane, Australia.

jarabuandi · May 22nd 2021

Quote from greenblob

Cool. That's easy then! Moving from Salt Lake City UT, to Brisbane, Australia.

G'day mate....Let's get together for a beer when you get here.

whippinpost91850 · May 22nd 2021

wow, that’s quite a trip. What made you decide to move to Australia

BobbyKa · May 22nd 2021

Did the same (with only two Guitars), Germany to Ecuador and back, two times. No Problem at all. Didn't need a new setup, despite the klimate change.

Ingolf · May 23rd 2021

Wow! Good luck for the move.

stratdude · May 24th 2021

16 lefties? I'd suggest send them via Adelaide first so there's not such a humidity shock. I'd expect to lose a couple of nice ones in transit, that's freight companies for you.

My address is...

stratdude · May 24th 2021

Another thought, maybe take some photos of them all in your current music room together, it may seem your importing a commercial quantity of guitars to sell, they may try hit you for import duties. Being they're all left handed should help your cause, no one would be silly enough to sell only left handed guitars in Aus. Suggest at least check ahead with Australian customs

lightbox · May 24th 2021

And don't panic when you reassemble and string them. It might take up to 2 days for the neck to set properly. Do not adjust anything before the 2 days have passed.

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