shipping old guitars in cold weather (hagstrom question)

[Nick]

I'm pretty set on selling my old Hagstrom Viking soon to fund some other stuff, but because of the time of year and age of the guitar I was wondering if anyone ever had any problems with finish cracks/checking developing during shipping. I don't really even know the kind of finish this guitar has on it (1967ish Hagstrom Viking II deluxe). I would assume it's not poly, but I'm not sure. The finish is flawless aside from a few very short cracks that are started around the f hole binding....should I worry about those getting worse in cold weather? When you ship a package USPS does it stay indoors in heated environments anyway/am I just being paranoid?

My great fear is selling something then having the person get it in worse condition than I shipped it in. Any thoughts?

[jcyphe]

The things that makes guitars with old style finishes crack is rapid changes in temperature or prolonged exposure to see-sawing temps with high extremes, like if you have them in a poorly insulated room that gets hot summers and cold winters.

[Baaan012]

The things that makes guitars with old style finishes crack is rapid changes in temperature or prolonged exposure to see-sawing temps with high extremes, like if you have them in a poorly insulated room that gets hot summers and cold winters.

Question, dont make fun of me for this, even if in a poorly insulated room if you keep such a guitar in it's case when not in use, would this slow down the process?

[jcyphe]

The things that makes guitars with old style finishes crack is rapid changes in temperature or prolonged exposure to see-sawing temps with high extremes, like if you have them in a poorly insulated room that gets hot summers and cold winters.

Question, dont make fun of me for this, even if in a poorly insulated room if you keep such a guitar in it's case when not in use, would this slow down the process?

Yes because the case offers some protection. But it also depends on the place. If you keep a guitar in a case in the trunk of your car and you live in some place with harsh winters and hot summers like Michigan or Upstate NY, because it's in the trunk of a car that gets extermely hot and cold, there is only so much protection the case if gonna offer to the elements.

[timhulio]

How much did you get for it Nick?

The Viking finish is poly, but seems to me to be 'brittle, crack-happy poly' rather than 'throw me at a wall thick plastic poly' like you get on CIJ Jags. I use those big cardboard boxes you get from guitar shops to ship ebay sales, and they have things like "in cold weather, allow 1 hour for package to reach room temperature before opening" stamped on em.

[More Cowbell]

Ship it UPS. I sold my Jag-stang and Epi Acoustic recently and took them both to USPS for shipping, they took the heavy as shit, long as shit box for the jag-stang in its case, but wanted to charge an extra $50 for the acoustic because of its size, yet it was smaller box, and lighter? FUCK THEM. so, I took it UPS and was charged $40 total to have it shipped. NOt too bad. I also sold the Jazz Bass and shipped it UPS for $40 also. Plus UPS will not fuck up the box when you take it to them. All other things I will ship USPS but not guitars anymore.

If your shipping the hag in a case, maybe go to home depot or lowes and buy some insulation and put it around the case in the box to help drastic climate changes and put inusrance on it.

[Nick]

How much did you get for it Nick?

It's not sold yet. It needs a bit of work to be a solid player, but I'm hoping to get least $700+shipping which is what I'll probably set the reserve at.

So if I get it insured for the full amount and tell the buyer to wait an hour before opening I should be covered either way? It's going in its original (yet battered) hardshell case and a cardboard box so it should be ok I guess....Also the issues it does have and the excellent condition the rest of the guitar is in makes me think the previous owner kept it in an attic/basement/closet unplayed for many years through various temperature changes, which if that's the case I don't have anything to worry about.

Also, as far as shipping methods go cowbell, I've never paid much more than $35-40 through USPS, usually closer to $25-30 to most places. I get boxes from my local GC and use the smallest one I can for the guitar. Actually the one time they wanted to charge me an "oversize" rate like you mentioned is the time I shipped that radioshack keyboard to you and in the end I was able to manage to cut the box down the 6 inches total it needed to make it normal rates. I've shipped a few things UPS when the buyer asks me too and haven't had a problem, but it has been consistently more expensive than USPS would be every time I've done it

[More Cowbell]

The the "over the limit" charge is bullshit. But I've found USPS to be about the same price as UPS when it comes to shipping guitars. Parcel Post is a risk, thats what I did with the squier jazz bass I sold robertog and it got damaged.

I think you'll be okay shipping it and I doubt the weather will mess it up that fast. Take pics of you packing it, in fact do a video and take close up shots, so that you know it was in the same condition before you shipped it, and you'll be covered on insurance.

[westtexasred]

You only have to worry about when the box is opened.I got my Rickenbacker 360v64 today and I have to let it defrost for 48 hours before I open the box.

I can wait but Balloo can't!

[Fran]

Polysterene is a great insulator and protector. You can buy bags of that stuff cheaply, just put some of that in the case around the guitar. Although i think you are being a bit paranoid.