Shipping/Insuring Alembic and other high end basses

[ginobass]

I'm going to be thinning the herd soon, having hand function issues. I have a '77 Series I bass and an '80 BC Rich bass.

From my research, the US carriers don't come close to making available sufficient coverage for these expensive instruments. If I am wrong, please enlighten me.


How do members, or for that matter the company itself, ship and insure their Alembics?

If this post needs moving, please feel free.

Thanks!!

[mica]

I usually recommend you purchase musical instrument insurance from Heritage or similar. Make sure the insurance covers your instrument when it's being shipping on a common carrier. Often the price for annual coverage is comparable to one or two shipment's worth of declared value on UPS/FedEx, and some policies are transferable.

You can use the UPS declared value, but it's not insurance. You have to prove carrier liability to get paid. If damaged is concealed, you don't get anything.

Do not use FedEx declared value even if you use them for shipping. You need your own insurance for them. From their Service Guide:
"F. Shipments (packages or freight) containing all or part of the following items are limited to a maximum declared value of US$1,000...12. Guitars and other musical instruments that are more than 20 years old, and customized or personalized musical instruments"
The same limits are on all levels of service from them, ground to overnight.

[edwardofhuncote]

I have had a good experience with Heritage Insurance for about 3 years now. It's been as simple as a phone call to add or drop covered instruments from the policy.

I can't remember asking, but they may write a "one-way trip" type of policy for you, in the case of selling basses and guitars and shipping them. Won't be cheap, but might be worth it.

Just on a personal note, I'd wait until after the Holidays to ship anything unless it's absolutely necessary.

[ginobass]

Thank you very much! I will look into Heritage.
I tried to post pics of my two basses but no luck for some reason.

[keith_h]

One other suggestion is to limit the time the carrier has the instrument in shipping. I would recommend shipping on a Monday either overnight or 2-3 day service. It costs more but the longer the shipper has an item the higher the risk for damage.

[edwardofhuncote]

Amen to ^that^. The less time on a truck, the better. Sometimes you just can't help it. I just saw one "in transit" for almost two nerve-wracking weeks. It arrived unscathed, and I had insurance coverage in the event something tragic did happen, but it still wasn't fun.

[mica]

Although, I have experienced the most misrouted and damaged instruments on overnight shipments. Yes, Kieth's advice to ship on a Monday is great, but 2 or 3 day service seems ideal for them to move it along nicely and make sure you don't wind up with your shipment in a warehouse over the weekend.

Also, wait until January to ship unless it's an emergency. Holiday shipping is of course more crowded, and there are lots of new temporary employees at all these carriers who don't have the experience of the year-round crew.

One other thing: never, EVER ship by USPS. Basses and guitars don't belong in the mail.

[ginobass]

All excellent advice, thank you!!!
Funny, my post says I'm new here, I registered in 2005...


Indulge me in one more query.


The Alembic is housed a custom Anvil-type flight case, which is very large and very heavy, especially with the bass in it. When I played gigs with it my bandmates called it 'the coffin'.

How would I ship this? I can't imagine just locking it up (where is that key) and slapping a shipping label on it?

[cozmik_cowboy]

The member status is based on number of posts, not longevity of presence; you are obviously taciturn, so you're still New Here.

What I can't imagine (having once humped them for a living....) is paying the shipping on a flight case!  good luck.

Peter (who is Senior even though he joined a later, as he can't seem to keep his yap shut)

[StephenR]

Indulge me in one more query.
The Alembic is housed a custom Anvil-type flight case, which is very large and very heavy, especially with the bass in it. When I played gigs with it my bandmates called it 'the coffin'.
How would I ship this? I can't imagine just locking it up (where is that key) and slapping a shipping label on it?

My Series II bass was shipped to me in a flight case. The case was inside a cardboard box to protect it from getting scratched, banged up or having the latches knocked open/damaged (would be hard to do but probably not impossible if the latches aren't locked with a key). Shipping weight was about 60 lbs. Due to the size, weight, and bulk of the item I was impressed the the delivery guy could carry the package up the stairs to our front door. I keep the bass in the flight case for storage since I live in an earthquake zone but it is too heavy for me to use for gigging so I take it out in a lighter case.

[KR]

I've had Heritage for many years, and my policy covers me for all risk except when my instruments are shipped.

[mica]

Note that the foam in cases breaks down over time. It make the bass fit more loosely in a hardshell, but there is real risk of the case damaging the bass with the road cases. The bolts that hold the handles on, and lots of other hardware, are hidden in the foam. No big deal when it's fresh foam, but when it starts powdering out, the bass can contact this hardware during the handling with shipping. Make sure the foam is all sound and by pressing hard with your hand you don't feel anything hard that could potentially damage your bass.

[Spoilers!]

Note that the foam in cases breaks down over time. It make the bass fit more loosely in a hardshell, but there is real risk of the case damaging the bass with the road cases. The bolts that hold the handles on, and lots of other hardware, are hidden in the foam. No big deal when it's fresh foam, but when it starts powdering out, the bass can contact this hardware during the handling with shipping. Make sure the foam is all sound and by pressing hard with your hand you don't feel anything hard that could potentially damage your bass.

Here's a rather painful illustration of Mica's point, etched into 41 year old solid koa:



Photo courtesy of a previous owner's cheap case.

[hieronymous]

Wow, this post takes me back. I don't remember precisely how my doubleneck was shipped back in 2006, but I think it was just in the Anvil case with some tape covering the locks? Wish I had taken pictures! Pictures of the case itself can be seen partway down here: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/221447.html?1202788603

I picked up a Dean soft case meant for an Explorer (also Flying V?) bass which I planned for my Exploiter, but I sold the Exploiter and found that it works for the doubleneck! Only a little bit pokes out...

Sorry that I can't help with the shipping question! I don't even like shipping effects pedals...

[rv_bass]

Wow, this post takes me back. I don't remember precisely how my doubleneck was shipped back in 2006, but I think it was just in the Anvil case with some tape covering the locks? Wish I had taken pictures! Pictures of the case itself can be seen partway down here: http://alembic.com/club/messages/411/221447.html?1202788603

I picked up a Dean soft case meant for an Explorer (also Flying V?) bass which I planned for my Exploiter, but I sold the Exploiter and found that it works for the doubleneck! Only a little bit pokes out...

Sorry that I can't help with the shipping question! I don't even like shipping effects pedals...

Love the video in that link. That bass sounds great!