Shipping Methods: I use USPS or UPS for US shipments of parts and UPS for shipping my basses. I prefer UPS over FedEx for a number of reasons. Once I do all the configuring, I'll use USPS Internationl for everywhere outside the US.
Shipping to Me: Do not use the US Postal Service to ship bass guitars; they charge too much. Use UPS or FedEx.
If you are shipping your bass to me I no longer recommend you sending it in your hardshell case because it adds unnecessary expense. Do not ship your bass with loose items in the box. If you're sening strings and things then wrap them in bubblewrap and then tape them securely to the inside of the box. There's no need for double-boxing but you should make sure the bass is protected.
If you have no bubble wrap then use balled-up newspaper under, over and around the bass, especially the headstock. This is important to keep the neck from shifting around. A box that has from 2 to 3 inches of extra room on all sides is what UPS recommends because they make extra money on the added size and weight to fill it~!
IF you need a shipping box, and you can't get one from the local music shop, the only place you can get just one box (besides making one from larger boxes) is from me.
Contact me, I may have one.
Please don't use shipping popcorn, not just because I don't like sweeping it up, but because I think crushed newspaper is better for insulating against damage. It's springier than the semi-solid foam. Make sure the case doesn't touch the box on any side.
Tape the box shut with some good shipping tape. Make sure to seal any of the seams to protect against rain water. You may even want to wrap your hardshell case in a large plastic bag. Print the Ship From Address on top and the Ship To Address on the bottom of your label. Suggestion: print in large (red) letters:
FRAGILE -
Please don't write your name and address all over the box in huge letters. Shippers don't use that information; they scan the bar code and I have to black all those addresses out before I can re-use the box to ship back to you. For more good info see CB Guitars.
Package Insurance: I recommend you insure the bass guitar for slightly more than it's worth or the full replacement value, whichever is higher. Even though I personally have not experienced loss or damage through my years of using Ebay, I've read many horror stories. Make sure you also send an email to me with your Tracking Number so I can be here for when your bass arrives.
Send to: Brian W. Cornwell
2207 71st Street W, Bradenton, Florida 34209
Shipping Costs: Plan on shipping costs of $35 via UPS Ground. To avoid excess shipping charges, you should keep the overall box dimensions under 108". This works out to a box 48" tall x 20" wide x 10" thick. If it's even 1/4" over that, UPS will charge you for Oversize 2 (OS2) which costs approximately twice as much as OS1.
Receiving Your Bass: Try to be available to receive your bass so you can check the outside of the box for damage. There have been instances where, even though the box showed no sign of abuse, the acoustic bass guitar inside had a smashed side. Have a razor knife handy so you can quickly open the top of the box to inspect the bass. Do this quickly before the UPS guy disappears.
Precautionary Note: Once your bass guitar arrives at your place, it needs some time to acclimate to its new environment by waiting a few hours to open the case. If it's winter and you bring it into the house where there's more than likely a 40 degree or more temperature difference, this could cause problems with your finish cracking. This is called "checking". Finish checking is a result of the difference in elasticity between the woods comprising the instrument and the finish that protects those woods. The hard finish reacts to temperature and humidity changes more rapidly than the soft woods, and it is this difference in rate of reaction that causes the finish to check. So, leaving your bass in its case will allow the bass to reach room temperature more slowly.
Returns of Parts: Contact me before you plan to return anything. I have to deal with my suppliers first and there are rules each use that prohibits my listing them all here. Things like restocking fees and electrical component policies. Basically, if you use an electrical item, it's yours, with no return. If something arrives damaged you'll need to contact me as soon as you notice.
Cancelled Orders: Cancelled orders are subject to a 20% restocking fee. If you place an order and cancel the order before shipment, you will be issued a refund of the total purchase price minus shipping and 20% of the list price.
Cancellation of custom orders is usually unacceptable after a 24 hour period has elapsed. You will NOT receive your deposit, or any other funds paid, especially parts that I may have already ordered for your project. The reasoning for this is because WE would have already spent considerable time and effort in preliminary planning to have arrived at that point where you have sent money to fund the project.
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