Here’s a blow by blow explanation of how I pack a banjo for
mailing via the US Post Office.
I usually shape my cardboard boxes to fit each banjo, since
the old ones on which I work (1) generally come without a case, and (2) are
often eccentric sizes – ranging from small scale lady’s banjos and parlor
banjos to somewhat larger minstrel banjos.
When I’m packing a modern
resonated bluegrass banjo and case, I use commercial boxes because of the basically
standard size, shape and weight of the item being mailed.
I usually shape my cardboard boxes to fit each banjo, since
the old ones on which I work (1) generally come without a case, and (2) are
often eccentric sizes – ranging from small scale lady’s banjos and parlor
banjos to somewhat larger minstrel banjos.
When I’m packing a modern
resonated bluegrass banjo and case, I use commercial boxes because of the basically
standard size, shape and weight of the item being mailed.
I will leave two inches or so on the rim end and the peghead
end so that I can ensure that the
bubblewrap and packing peanuts allow a decent pillow of packing material for
the banjo.
The photos here walk through the process of packing a banjo
without a case. Actually, more
accurately, in this instance I’m packing the banjo AND a soft shell case. Packing a banjo for mailing in a hard shell
case is a slightly different art form.
I’ll document that drill next time I get a bluegrasser in the shop that
needs mailing.
In the instance of a vintage open back of this sort, I lower
the tension on the strings and remove the bridge. I pack the bridge separately. If possible I will place the packaged bridge
behind the dowel stick before I swath the rim in bubble wrap. Once I have the rim wrapped in two or three
plies of bubble wrap, I place a plastic bag over the rim and secure the bag
with tape at the neck.
In the instance of a vintage open back of this sort, I lower
the tension on the strings and remove the bridge. I pack the bridge separately. If possible I will place the packaged bridge
behind the dowel stick before I swath the rim in bubble wrap. Once I have the rim wrapped in two or three
plies of bubble wrap, I place a plastic bag over the rim and secure the bag
with tape at the neck.
I wrap the section between the fifth string peg and the heel
in a layer or two of bubble wrap.
As for the fifth string peg, I take a length of bubble wrap,
fold it over once or twice and use it to wrap the neck so that the fifth string
peg is surrounded by layers of bubblewrap, as though I was bandaging a
limb. Then I swath that in a layer or
two of bubblewrap, and move up the neck.
I swath the peghead
the same way I wrapped the fifth string peg area, so that I am building a layer
of wrap that protects the peghead the same way I look to protect the button and
peg at the fifth string area.
I use packing peanuts because they weigh less than crinkled
up newspaper, which is cheaper and bio-degradable, but produces a heavier
package. The goal is to use enough
peanuts to immobilize the banjo in the cardboard box. I prefer to “front load” the peanuts into a
box that is standing on end rather than lying on a workbench because I can pack
them down better – the peanuts compress more easily when they are being fed
into an upright box from an open end.
I take the peanut-filled box closed, and then waterproof it
by sealing all the entrances with scotch brand packing tape or a reasonable
substitute.
I try not to use the metal tape, but when I do use it – for
construction purposes, aimed at securing a joint for example – I make sure that
I layer over it a paper packing tape (thread reinforced, water activated gum on back of tape.
I add my name and the addresse’s name to the cardboard box,
just as a fail-safe measure in case the address that I affix to the brown paper
in which I wrap the box gets spoiled, torn, or hard to read for the postal
clerks.
At this stage I remain attentive to the orientation of the
box, and will often sketch out the location of the rim and the peghead so that
the recipient has a sense how this thing will come out of the box – but also
because I want to be able to indicate which side should be up (peghead end) and
which side should be down (tailpiece end).
I use brown wrapping paper to give the package a better
look, and secure the seams of the package and the sections of wrapping with
commercial grade paper tape, with threat reinforcement and water activated
glue.
I place a fragile STICKER on front, back and all sides of
this package, type out the address and glue and tape it to the box – I type the
address to make certain that handwriting interpretation does not end up sending
my package to Ho Chi Minh City.
I insure all banjos being mailed, and I request
tracking. Tracking (or Delivery Confirmation) enables a
record of the progress of the banjo through the mail, and documents the
delivery or non-delivery of the instrument, the latter of which would be the
tripwire for making an insurance claim.
Play hard,
Lew
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