Grateful Dead Music Forum

Hey all,

Well the family and I are packing up and heading back up to the Northeast. Very excited about the move, however I am concerned about moving all my gear, in particular the guitars. I don't have the space in the minivan in which I am driving up the dog and cat while my wife flies up with the boys so I am left with the option of having the moving company, which is a very reputable company, move my guitars, nice mics, amps, etc.

Any one have any ideas on better options, if any exist?

Thanks all.

Crazy the 9 to the 1/2

What are you bringing in the minivan that's more important than your guitars? Seems like a whole lot of room for just you and a dog and a cat.

It is me, a friend who is flying down from NYC to drive up with me, the dog who is 70 lbs, the cat and my hard drives, computers and I guess my nice microphones. It's a Honda Odyssey so it is spacious but not cavernous. I have about 8 guitars and a bass that need to move, the Gibson SJ and Ibanez GB-10 take up a huge amount of space and I can't imagine I would be able to 6 more in there plus a bass. I have already conceded that I have to put the Twin Rev. RI and the Boogie which are in flight cases in the moving truck. You guys know how it is, god forbid these things get broke beyond repair or stolen, the insurance settlement will not replace THAT guitar, and we know how attached we are to our axes.

can you rent a rack mounted carrier? or a tow package that you can haul one of those micro-trailers?

I would find a way to take the Gibson acoustic or any really nice acoustic especially a all-solid wood guitar. Pack the electrics tight in the cases with towels and such so that they won't move. Electrics are less temperature sensitive and will probably be ok.

I just relocated to northern Virginia and when I met with the moving company I let them know about all my musical equipment as well as my other high dollar items. When they came to pack us up they packed my guitars and other gear pretty well and it arrived to our new destination all intact (I cant say that for some of our other stuff though). So talk to your moving company and find out how they will pack your gear and find out about there reimbursement policy for any loss and damage (see if the company has a high risk inventory if they do make sure its documented on there), and make sure your there and watch them as they pack your stuff, and make sure the serial numbers are documented, and make sure your are satisfied with there packing job if you dont feel comfortable sending it them have them repack it. I hope all goes well

maybe have it shipped air mail with insurance, for the things that are temp/humidity sensitive and ground with insurance that's not. At least you will be the one packing it and know its done right, plus the insurance deal with the shipping is a little easier to claim than all those hoops with numbers and photos and such... I dunno just a thought, it may be astronomical in price.

cant say anthing particular about the company your using, but i had a stint with a moving company in college... hand then each a twenty and they might be me likely to get the job done right. or maybe these guys from my home town would understand...http://www.truckinmovers.com/

U-haul trailers are a great idea. They're only about $15/day for the 4x8, maybe a small surcharge for one-way rental but I bet it's not bad. uhaul.com is a good site, very easy to get quotes and reservations.

Do you have any tube amps? I would be more concerned about them then guitars in hard shell cases. (not that I wouldnt be concerned about the guitars too)

FWIW, I was just camping with a buddy who, as we broke out our guitars, told the story of how when they last moved, the ONLY thing missing was his guitar.

I would do whatever you can to get your gear there other than trusting a moving company.

Good luck with the move,

John in San Diego

Lots of great advice here, thanks. To answer some questions, I do have two tube amps, both in flight cases, I have moved them with moving companies before, I just take the tubes out and remove the casters and surround the tank and speaker(s) with towels, seems to have worked well in the past. Both are combos and with the flight cases they are too big for the mighty Odysseus's vessel.

I guess I am going to fit as many guitars as possible with me and arrange them in most important to me order, or the irreplaceable factor. The acoustics will ride with me and the temperamental and vintage electrics as well. I was considering goin' all Kill Bill and putting a a black mamba in the case of my nicest guitar, but what if I forgot when I opened it, or worse, what if it pooped on my guitar. Ever smell snake poop?

ha! this is starting to drive you crazy. Black Mambas can be a double edged sword like you said. I have plenty of water moccasin's around my house, they're about to clump together in their annual snake love fest in the bayou. YEE HAW! I can get you a baby gator too...they're even scarier and feisty as hell.