Shipping bass with neck removed

[Spectivum]

I haven't thought about this before but an ebay seller just told me he would unscrew the neck and ship like that. Is this normal? Any concerns? Even if I don't win this but another one should I ask to remove the neck? (yes, bolt-ons only )

 

[Clockwork]

It is fairly common, mostly it just makes it easier to ship.

 

[Jind]

I haven't thought about this before but an ebay seller just told me he would unscrew the neck and ship like that. Is this normal? Any concerns? Even if I don't win this but another one should I ask to remove the neck? (yes, bolt-ons only )

While I've heard of it before, you're the buyer - if you are at all uncomfortable with the idea of it, your the one paying money for the instrument so you should have the final say on what is acceptable. Personally if it was me - I'd insist on proper shipping of a guitar/bass without unbolting the neck. I know I'd be a bit pissed if I bought a new instrument say from Musicians Friend and when it showed up it was in two pieces with instructions how to assemble it. If I wanted something I had to put together I buy it that way as parts - but if it's being sold as a working unit, I want it fully functional out of the box.

As always, individual mileage may vary.

 

[Sloan]

totally normal, makes box smaller, hence cheaper to ship sometimes...

 

[colonel kurtz]

While I've heard of it before, you're the buyer - if you are at all uncomfortable with the idea of it, your the one paying money for the instrument so you should have the final say on what is acceptable. Personally if it was me - I'd insist on proper shipping of a guitar/bass without unbolting the neck. I know I'd be a bit pissed if I bought a new instrument say from Musicians Friend and when it showed up it was in two pieces with instructions how to assemble it. If I wanted something I had to put together I buy it that way as parts - but if it's being sold as a working unit, I want it fully functional out of the box.

As always, individual mileage may vary.

yea, but when buying a new instrument it's in the original/intended box, and it's expected that you're getting the as-new factory setup, as well

buying used, the original box is probably gone, and you'll probably want to set it up anyways after getting it, so fuck it. as long as care is taken to properly take the neck off and package everything, seems pretty win-win to me between lower shipping cost and less chance of damage.

 

[53Crëw]

Easier to ship that way, and I'd argue that it makes it less prone to getting damaged. If you're not comfortable reinstalling the neck and possibly doing a setup, you may want to ask for it not to be removed. Of course, not removing the neck is no guarantee that it won't need a setup anyway when you get it. YMMV.

 

[Jind]

yea, but when buying a new instrument it's in the original/intended box, and it's expected that you're getting the as-new factory setup, as well

buying used, the original box is probably gone, and you'll probably want to set it up anyways after getting it, so fuck it. as long as care is taken to properly take the neck off and package everything, seems pretty win-win to me between lower shipping cost and less chance of damage.

Perhaps. Guess it's all in the eye of the beholder. I've tend to keep guitar boxes and extra cases around so if I sell something I can package it correctly. As a buyer I'd be wiling to pay the increased cost of shipping to get an instrument in the condition I expect it in. Just me I guess. As I said in my original response - as a buyer, you set the "acceptable" conditions your willing to pay for.

 

[Severu]

No problems whatsoever, had 2 vintage Fender basses shipped from the US to Romania, no problems putting them back together.

 

[Spectivum]

Thanks guys, interesting arguments. it just happens that I got a box today that was damaged - luckily the item was fine. But it just shows that boxes are likely handled with single hand/under arm/whatever and not enough care (remember the starting scene of Ace Ventura?) So it pushes me toward the Ikea solution - I am fine reinstalling the neck if the seller is comfortable disassembling it.