HOW TO SHIP A GUITAR AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
“My guitar is not a thing. It is an extension of myself. It is who I am.”Joan Jett
The quote by Joan Jett, the Rock ‘n Roll icon, proves that most musicians have strong emotional attachments to their instruments. So, when it comes to shipping musical instruments, whether you're selling a musical instrument, getting it repaired, or travelling it for work, you need to feel confidence that it will arrive securely and in the same condition as it left.
This information from DHL Express will assist you in ensuring that your instrument arrives at the different destination of the world in good condition, while getting the market insight of musical instruments around the world.
China is the demand holder
By 2027, the global musical instrument industry is expected to be valued US$18 billion. The largest market is China, where domestic manufacture and decreased musical instrument import duties are helping to boost growth. The second-largest market is the United States, followed by India, Japan, and Indonesia. Despite strong demand, the epidemic disrupted global production, which may take some time to get back on track...
- Chinese piano makers now dominate the market, accounting for 80% of global production and sales.
TIP: People's preferences are changing. New players are posing a threat to established premium brands.
- Currently, about 30 million Chinese youngsters are learning to play the piano, with the number increasing by 10% each year.
TIP: Who is your potential consumer in the future? Is it possible that the market for beginner keyboard pianos will expand? - Traditional Chinese instruments such as the zheng have remained stagnant, accounting for only 7% of the local market compared to 59 percent for Western instruments.
TIP: Are you able to deliver odd or popular things to customers in other parts of the country?
Opportunity for traditional instruments
Due to a lack of mass manufacture in impoverished nations like Botswana, indigenous instruments like the segaba, or 'one-string violin,' must be handcrafted by skilled artisans. While this distinguishes each model, it also puts their survival in jeopardy.
In Iran, on the other hand, the indigenous tonbak drum is gaining popularity among young artists. This modest historical instrument is rarely heard outside of the traditional Persian scene, but thanks to Instagram, it is having a local renaissance. Make sure you're thinking locally and keeping an eye on market trends in your area.
Acoustically, the guitar market grows.
The guitar is an established instrument that continues to gain popularity, with 45% of Fender models sold to new players. Half of those new consumers are now female, thanks to a growth in young female performers like Taylor Swift and Haim, who have infiltrated a formerly masculine segment of the musical world. Don't assume that all of your customers are men; diversify your marketing efforts accordingly.
Acoustic guitars currently outsell electric guitars as audiences prefer pop and country to rock and roll. While electric vehicle sales have fallen by half a million units in the last decade, acoustics have climbed by 36% since 2009, resulting in total sales of 2.6 million units in the United States alone.
Musicians prefer to buy used musical instruments over new ones, whether they are valued treasures for lifelong fans or second-hand deals for the novice player.
Electric has got the trend
Musicians are also purchasing their audio-recording equipment online, thanks to technological advancements that allow even inexperienced songwriters to create professional-sounding tunes at home. MIDI controllers and electronic drums now account for 16% of the market, ahead of orchestral stringed instruments, which account for 15%.
Multiple pricey instruments can be replaced by digital synthesizers. ROLI's Seaboard, for example, looks like a rubber piano yet responds to touch and pressure like a conventional one. It can also pitch bend and slide, with celebrities like Stevie Wonder and Hans Zimmer approving of the technology.
DHL Express, your logistics partner delivering the musical instruments to the world
DHL Express has lot of experience and competence in transporting musical instruments. Since 2016, we've been traveling the complete contents of The Rolling Stones' 'Unzipped' exhibition around the world, including some of rock's most cherished instruments. Several guitars belonging to Keith Richards and Ronnie Woods, as well as a rare dulcima (a type of double lute) played by Brian Jones, the Stones' founding member and polyinstrumentalist, are among them.
Thanks to E-commerce, DHL Express now has over 9 million customers and ships millions of instruments worldwide.
You'll need to properly box your instruments before entrusting them to DHL. There are different packing procedures for different types of instruments. Follow our tips below.
How to ship guitars and stringed instruments
- When shipping guitars, violins, double basses, cellos, mandolins, or any other stringed instrument, one of the most important things to remember is to loosen the strings before packaging. Because the temperature may fluctuate during the travel, the strings may tighten and shatter, or the instrument's neck may distort. Also, protect that susceptible neck area by wrapping it with extra cloth or bubble wrap.
- All small, loose pieces, such as tremolo arms, capos, and so on, should be packed individually to avoid scratching the instrument. Don't forget to cover the area between the fretboard and the strings by putting some cushioning there. Finally, before storing the instrument, cover it with bubble wrap.
- While guitar-shaped packing cases are now available, a packing crate or guitar shipping box with a 6cm space between the instrument case and the crate, which you can cover with bubble wrap, is an alternative. This will prevent the instrument case from shifting around while being transported.
Shipping drums
- Because most drums don't come with cases, it's recommended to wrap them in multiple layers of bubble wrap before placing them in a packaging box or container. Each one will require the appropriate-sized box, as there won't be much room for moving.
- If you're sending more than one drum, remove the big drums' heads and hoops and nest the smaller ones inside, padded with crumpled newspaper or cloth. After that, reinsert the heads and secure them with tape. Small pieces should be placed in a separate bag.
If you're shipping an entire drum set, you'll need to disassemble it by removing the legs and disassembling the rack tom stand. Wrap the rack tom components in crumpled newspaper and lay them within the kick drum, filling in the crevices with crumpled newspaper to keep them from moving.
Shipping brass instruments
- Because trumpets, trombones, horns, tubas, and other brass instruments are built up of many distinct parts, it's preferable to disassemble them and wrap each element individually. To protect each part, wrap it in bubble wrap and attach it to the box, then place it in the crate with its cases wrapped separately
Shipping wind instruments
- Flutes, clarinets, saxophones, and oboes, for example, can be packed in their cases. For safety and shock absorption, wrap both the instrument within the case and the case itself in bubble wrap and secure it with tape. If your instrument is being shipped without a case, wrap it in at least three layers of bubble wrap before placing it in the shipping crate.
Clear labeling is a must!
To avoid your instrument being lost in transit, it practically goes without saying that you should clearly identify your shipment. Some professional musicians go to greater lengths.
You can also include labels with handling instructions to ensure that the package is treated properly during transit. Up Arrows, indicating the direction in which the package must be transported, handled, and stored; Fragile, Handle with Care, indicating that it should be handled carefully and never tipped over or slung; and Keep Dry, indicating that it should be protected from excessive humidity and stored under cover.
Insure your instruments at all times.
While you can never insure your instrument's sentimental value, you can insurance its monetary value just in case. As standard, we provide complimentary £25 cover for all UK and Ireland deliveries and £50 for foreign deliveries, however this may easily be enhanced if your instrument is worth more.
Six tips for shipping musical instruments
- Use sturdy instrument cases that are in good working order.
- Loosen the strings of guitars, violins, cellos, and other stringed instruments.
- To reduce movement, use a lot of bubble wrap and make sure the instrument is entirely covered to avoid harm.
- Select the appropriate plastic crate or box size.
- To avoid loss or mistreatment, carefully label each shipment.
- 6. Insure your instruments at all times.
Due to the fragility of many musical instruments, the less time they spend in travel, the better. As a result, you might want to think about our express delivery option.
If you require more information about any of the instruments you're shipping, or for any other reason, please contact us. Remember, if the Rolling Stones — the World's Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band – put their valuable, historic guitars in our hands, you should too!
