The Solomonic-solution, set up
Reinforcing strips, and bumpers!
Every time I am shipping, or I am expecting the delivery of an instrument from a luthier in Greece, I am finding myself in a constant brainstorming, to succeed the most secure packaging.
It is maybe my first master degree in structural engineering, responsible for keeping my mind occupied and unease, in an attempt to find the best and most secure set up of packing a bouzouki instrument.
Sunday, DECEMBER 23, 2012 was the first time after a long research, I shared in this blog my personal set up of packing a musical instrument .The title of the post was: " Mission Possible"
Many followers of this blog adapted that personal initial set up the following years, with great success.
Two more posts followed years later, (on JANUARY 21, 2016 and JANUARY 19, 2016) after receiving and shipping multiple musical instruments, and my personal intense testings with bouzouki cases.
A debate regarding the option of using an external cardboard box outside of a bouzouki case (and filling it up with packing peanut material), or using the big size double bubble wrap to wrap and secure a high density foam case all around, inspired me to investigate further and perfect my initial set up.
Examining a bouzouki high density foam case, I discovered three areas where the case could accept further reinforcement, and imitate this way the additional strength which a strong cardboard box could provide, without using a cardboard box -set up. I called it the "Solomonic Solution set up"
Following the original set up from DECEMBER 23, 2012, the three areas of additional reinforcement are:
-The area where the neck and the bowl connect.
Usually the good quality high density foam cases are constructed with reinforcement at the area on top of the soundboard and the middle of the neck.
But the cases usually are lacking extra reinforcement at the area where the neck and the bowl connect.
You will need just one large flat rate priority-mail box to reinforce all three areas.
Cut the top of the box and fold 1/2 of it three times.You will create a very strong reinforcing strip
Place the cardboard strip on top of the case and stabilize it with clear packing tape as showing the image bellow
-The area at the end of the head stock .
This is most dangerous area where your instrument is closest exposed to the outer environment. The only protection your instrument has is only 2-3 cm of foam and hard cardboard box.
Any vibration or force by a strong "hit" applied at that area of your case, will be transported to the already under tension, neck and connection to the bowl
Use the other half of the priority-mail box and fold it 3 times across,
Fold now the strip 3 times in its length creating a bumper or a Π shape.
-The area at the end of the tailpiece .
This is also the area where your instrument is closest exposed to the outer environment.
Any vibration or force by a strong "hit" applied at that area of your case, will be transported to the soundboard and bowl
Use the other side top of the priority-mail box and fold it 3 times across,
Fold now the strip 3 times in its length creating a bumper or a big Π shape.
Finally follow the initial packing set up step by wraping the instrument case all around with the bubble cushion wrap and secure it tightly with the shipping tape.
Use double sheet of bubble cushion wrap, at the area around the soundboard, the bowl, the connection of the neck to the bowl, and at the head-stock.
Do not be "cheap" in materials in this step.Use most of the bubble role and the packing tape to secure properly your instrument.
You have just created a Hybrid set up between an external cardboard box set-up and a use of the big size double bubble wrap set-up
Good luck !
Every time I am shipping, or I am expecting the delivery of an instrument from a luthier in Greece, I am finding myself in a constant brainstorming, to succeed the most secure packaging.
It is maybe my first master degree in structural engineering, responsible for keeping my mind occupied and unease, in an attempt to find the best and most secure set up of packing a bouzouki instrument.
Sunday, DECEMBER 23, 2012 was the first time after a long research, I shared in this blog my personal set up of packing a musical instrument .The title of the post was: " Mission Possible"
Many followers of this blog adapted that personal initial set up the following years, with great success.
Two more posts followed years later, (on JANUARY 21, 2016 and JANUARY 19, 2016) after receiving and shipping multiple musical instruments, and my personal intense testings with bouzouki cases.
A debate regarding the option of using an external cardboard box outside of a bouzouki case (and filling it up with packing peanut material), or using the big size double bubble wrap to wrap and secure a high density foam case all around, inspired me to investigate further and perfect my initial set up.
Examining a bouzouki high density foam case, I discovered three areas where the case could accept further reinforcement, and imitate this way the additional strength which a strong cardboard box could provide, without using a cardboard box -set up. I called it the "Solomonic Solution set up"
Following the original set up from DECEMBER 23, 2012, the three areas of additional reinforcement are:
-The area where the neck and the bowl connect.
Usually the good quality high density foam cases are constructed with reinforcement at the area on top of the soundboard and the middle of the neck.
But the cases usually are lacking extra reinforcement at the area where the neck and the bowl connect.
You will need just one large flat rate priority-mail box to reinforce all three areas.
Cut the top of the box and fold 1/2 of it three times.You will create a very strong reinforcing strip
Place the cardboard strip on top of the case and stabilize it with clear packing tape as showing the image bellow
-The area at the end of the head stock .
This is most dangerous area where your instrument is closest exposed to the outer environment. The only protection your instrument has is only 2-3 cm of foam and hard cardboard box.
Any vibration or force by a strong "hit" applied at that area of your case, will be transported to the already under tension, neck and connection to the bowl
Use the other half of the priority-mail box and fold it 3 times across,
Fold now the strip 3 times in its length creating a bumper or a Π shape.
Place the cardboard bumper as showing the image bellow and stabilize it with clear packing tape.
Be sure to leave space between the "bumper" and the end of the case.You can fill up the empty area with bubble wrap.
-The area at the end of the tailpiece .
This is also the area where your instrument is closest exposed to the outer environment.
Any vibration or force by a strong "hit" applied at that area of your case, will be transported to the soundboard and bowl
Use the other side top of the priority-mail box and fold it 3 times across,
Fold now the strip 3 times in its length creating a bumper or a big Π shape.
Place the cardboard bumper as showing the image bellow and stabilize it with clear packing tape.
Be sure to leave space between the "bumper" and the end of the case.You can fill up the empty area with bubble wrap.
Finally follow the initial packing set up step by wraping the instrument case all around with the bubble cushion wrap and secure it tightly with the shipping tape.
Use double sheet of bubble cushion wrap, at the area around the soundboard, the bowl, the connection of the neck to the bowl, and at the head-stock.
Do not be "cheap" in materials in this step.Use most of the bubble role and the packing tape to secure properly your instrument.
You have just created a Hybrid set up between an external cardboard box set-up and a use of the big size double bubble wrap set-up
Good luck !
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