Shipping instructions

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SAFELY PACKING AND SHIPPING AN INSTRUMENT OR BOW.

The following instructions will help you safely pack and ship an instrument or bow. Please note that Per S. Ovesen - Rare Violins makes every effort to guide you in shipping safely and efficiently but under no circumstances will Per S. Ovesen - Rare Violins be responsible for damage or loss in transit.

Also please note that unless otherwise instructed Per S. Ovesen - Rare Violins will NOT be responsible for cases shipped with instruments. These are generally of no commercial value and will be considered used for shipping purposes only unless we receive other instructions from you.

SHIPPING A VIOLIN, VIOLA, OR CELLO IN A CASE

99 times out of 100 an instrument shipped with its strings in tension and with its bridge and post upright will arrive without problems, however to be completely safe, we recommend that all instruments shipped to us are shipped with their bridge and post down or at least in low string tension. By default, all instruments shipped from Per S. Ovesen - Rare Violins will be shipped with the bridge and post down, unless we hear otherwise from you.

First loosen the string tension and remove the bridge. In many cases the sound post will now fall, if not, you can "push it over" with a small object through the f-holes. Wrap the bridge generously in tissue paper or cloth and place it under the tailpiece. Tighten the strings slightly to hold the bridge in place. The bridge and tissue will keep the fine tuners of the tailpiece away from the surface of the varnish.

Place the instrument in its case and securely fasten the straps or clasps. Wrap the head in tissue paper or cloth. You should fill all empty spaces with tissue around the ribs, in the C-bouts, etc. A small pad of folded tissue should go between the fingerboard and the top to protect the varnish. (see photo below)

Before closing the case, lay several folded sheets of tissue paper over the top of the instrument. Your name, address and phone number should be included inside the case.

You will need a long rectangular sturdy box, preferably one that opens from the broadest side. There should be several inches between the walls of the box and the case for protection.

Place the case in the middle of the box and surround it on all sides with Styrofoam, Polyfil, tightly crumpled newspaper or any other light, dense packing material.

PACKING A BOW WITHOUT A CASE

A PVC plastic tube is safe and inexpensive and can be found at most hardware stores. Wrap the bow in bubblewrap and suspend it inside the tube. It is important the length of tube is longer than the bow and the bow does not touch the tube ends at frog or tip.

Another solution is to tape the bow (after wrapped in bubble or tissue!) to a strong "splint" of wood or metal. Again, make sure the splint is longer than the bow.

The tube and the splint should be suspended inside a bigger box. The poster tubes of triangular cross-section available from FedEx and UPS work well for this. Again remember to include your name and phone number on the inside of the box.

SHIPPING AND INSURANCE TIPS:

FedEx, UPS, DHL, all work fine. Some are more convenient and some are more economical. Per S. Ovesen - Rare Violins has an account with DHL and will on behalf of our clients be able to arrange for pick-up by DHL at any location world wide, for this service please contact us prior to shipment for further instructions.For insurance matters we strongly recommend that you contact your insurance company prior to shipment in order to make sure that your valued instrument or bow is covered during the transit.

Alternatively  insurance is available through UPS and some other carriers in limited amounts although some have strict exclusions for musical instruments.. Rates are approximately 0.5% of the value you declare.

OUR ADDRESS FOR INCOMING SHIPMENTS: