best way to get 5 guitars across the country unharmed?

[sixstringking713]

Hey guys -

I have a high chance that I might be moving to CA within the next few weeks for a new job. What is the best way for me to transport my guitars/basses across the country? I will most likely have a moving company transport my stuff across the country while I take flights and meet it there.

Somebody online suggested unbolting the necks on the guitars (they are all bolt on neck guitars) and putting the bodies wrapped in cloths in my suitcase on the plane? Not sure if this is a good idea or not. Just saw the other thread someone posted about delta airlines crushing a guitar..

or should i just keep the guitars in their hardshell cases (not roadcases unfortunately, they are those plastic type hard cases) and let the moving company drive it across the country? The thing i'm worried about this is the temperature swings going from NY to CA being parked outside overnight and whatnot..

maybe i'm making a big deal out of nothing..

 

[Marshall Law]

most moving companies are pretty good about handling with care

 

[mjtripper]

Pack them like you would ship them and let the moving companies do it. I'd check with your home owners / rental insurance as well to make sure they cover the moving period as well as some don't.

 

[Deleted member 16554]

I drove across the country with 7 guitars this summer, left them in their hard shell cases (standard Gibson, Jackson, ESP hard shell cases). Rented a suburban, guitars filled up the base of the back of the car, covered all the guitars with an old comforter, and left them in the car overnight. The only thing I recommend is planning your drives so you're stopping in major cities each night as they're likely to have large hotels with parking lots that have 24 hour attendants and camera surveillance. All the guitars made it just fine, and didn't even need to be tuned.

Driving across the country was awesome, looking forward to doing it again...minus the guitars