How To Ship A Guitar
A Step-By-Step Guide To Safe And Secure Packing
Need to ship a guitar? It's easy. We'll show you how.
First Things First...
First, make sure you have the right materials. You'll need:
- A sturdy box - Not too big and not too small, in new or like-new condition.
- Bubble wrap - Let the recipient do the popping (or have a little left over for yourself).
- Craft paper - Any soft, clean, inkless paper will do (ink can stain the guitar's finish.)
- Packing tape (also called packaging tape) - Not all tapes are created equally. Make sure yours is stretch- and tear-resistant.

Next...
- Next, get the guitar ready for a long ride. Loosen the strings to alleviate some of the tension on the neck. Remove any moving parts that might come loose or scratch the finish (think switch tip, whammy bar, etc.). Stow those safely in the case compartment. Cover the fretboard with some clean, neatly cut scrap paper.
- Now, set the guitar securely in its case. Fill any open spaces around the body with craft paper, taking care to ensure that the guitar is snug but not stressed. If the neck is fully supported and the headstock is isolated, then you're ready to close the case. If not, surround the neck and headstock with more crate paper to prevent movement and potential damage.
Finally...
- With the case firmly closed, give it a shake. Hear anything? Feel anything? No? Good. A properly packed case should have no detectable signs of movement, except for what you've stored in the compartment.
- Finally, wrap the case in bubble wrap or firm packing paper and slide it into your box. Fill any empty spaces with crate or packing paper. Resist the urge to use packing peanuts. You'll be glad you did (and so will we.) They're bad for the environment and your stress levels.
- Seal up the box and, once again, give it a shake. If the case doesn't move, you're set. Just cover up any old labels, slap a new one on there, and rest easy knowing that you packed it like a pro.


CONTACT US TODAY
Help us, help you! Give us an email, chat us on our site, or give us a call and we can help answer any questions you may have!
Related Posts
CME on Tour | Powers Electric May 2025
Recently, CME Director of New Product, Dan Bordonaro, visited Powers Electric’s San Diego headquarters to select tonewoods for a new run of A-Type Select guitars! Working with Andy Powers himself, who is uniquely hands-on with the tonewoods and building process of every Powers Electric guitar, the two selected tonewoods and specifications for our next run of striking Powers Electric A-Type Selects!
View DetailsOrangewood | Del Sol Baritone
Meet the Del Sol: Orangewood’s First Electric Guitar—Now at CME! Known for quality, affordable acoustics, Orangewood breaks into electric territory with the Del Sol Baritone, a bold collab with boutique builder Josh Forest of TreeTone Guitars. Featuring a chambered mahogany body, roasted maple neck, P-90 pickups, and a 27.5" scale length, the Orangewood Del Sol blends vintage tone with modern playability. A phase switch adds tonal versatility, while locking tuners and premium hardware make it stage-ready out of the box. Shop the Del Sol and the full Orangewood lineup today at Chicago Music Exchange!
View DetailsIntroducing | Strandberg Guitars
Explore the cutting edge of electric guitar design with Strandberg Guitars, now available at Chicago Music Exchange! Renowned for their headless construction, ultra-lightweight builds, and ergonomic EndurNeck profiles, Strandberg guitars deliver maximum comfort and precision for today’s most adventurous players. From 6, 7, and 8-string models to signature artist designs, these multi-scale instruments combine futuristic tone, innovative hardware, and sleek aesthetics—perfect for prog, metal, jazz, and beyond. Shop the full lineup of Strandberg guitars online or in-store and experience modern guitar mastery at CME.
View Details