How to Safely Ship a Banjo

How to safely ship a banjo is important stuff! Whether you are shipping a banjo to our shop for repair or setup (a popular alternative for those who live in an area of the country where banjo repair people are non-existent) or shipping a banjo to someone as a gift, it is very important to know how to package and pack a banjo so it arrives safely.

Start by slacking the tension on the strings, but not all the way. Remove the bridge or lay it down face down on the banjo head and allow the remaining tension of the strings to hold it in place safely. Place the resonator (if your banjo has one) in the case and fill it with loosely crumpled newspaper or other packing material that will attenuate but not over-stuff the resonator. The idea is to make it difficult for the resonator to move should an impact occur. Replace the thumb screws and make them tight, but not too tight — enough to keep the resonator from moving, which can cause damage.

Now, place the banjo into the case. Begin by wrapping the headstock so that it can’t move from side to side or up and down in the case. Again, the idea is to prevent abrupt movement of the neck should the shipping box be dropped. I do not recommend shipping a banjo without a hard shell case. Then carefully stuff newspaper or bubble wrap in the remaining voids around the neck, resonator, and heel. The tighter you can make the banjo fit within the case without forcing the neck into a bent or unnatural position, the better. If the lid of the case doesn’t protest at least a little, the banjo may not be sufficiently snug. With that in mind, don’t pack it to the point that it requires brute force to close and secure the latches. Firm, not stuffed!

The box you use to ship the banjo should allow room around the case to pack material on the bottom, top, and both sides. Checking with music stores in your area for boxes of the correct size is a good idea.

After filling the box with packing material, tape it closed with wide box tape. Be sure to label it and insure the package for the correct amount. Some fragile stickers and you should be good to go.

Most carriers will suggest you print one additional label to place inside the banjo case. If the outside label is damaged, the carrier can open the box and still get it to the destination.

Please remember that the humans in the chain between the time it leaves your hands and the time it arrives are only… human. Prepare your package as if at least one or two handlers will be having a bad day — that’s the best you can do.

I NEVER recommend that you ship any musical instrument through the United States Postal Service. Use UPS or FedEx please… I’ve dozens of reasons not to trust the post office over the past 25 years.

I hope this was helpful and thanks for reading.