Renters, this post is for you! Packing a cello can look complicated. How you do it is important to prevent damage to the instrument. If you rent from us and need to ship your cello back, we developed a packing method many years ago that protects the cello from damage.

Before We Start:

• Take note of how the cello was packed when you received it. We have pictures in this post, but it doesn’t hurt to take some of your own to make sure you remember how to pack it.
• Save all of the packing materials. Seriously: ALL of them, including the return shipping label.

You Will Need:

1. The cello and case
2. Box
3. Foam
4. Bubble Wrap
5. Tubes
6. Packing Tape
7. Shipping Label

Cellos 1/2 – 4/4

STEP ONE: Prep the Cello

Pack foam anywhere that something on the cello could collapse, such as:

• Either side of the bridge, to keep it upright
• Under the tailpiece and fingerboard, to keep them from collapsing on the instrument

STEP TWO: Prep the Box

• Add the cardboard inserts to the box
  • The neck support goes roughly where the neck will lie
  • The endpin support sits at the bottom of the box
• Save the final insert! You’ll need this later.

Line the bottom of the box where the body of the cello will be with bubble wrap

Step 3: Add the Cello

Put the cello inside the case and place it in the box with the bridge FACING UP. The endpin should slide into the endpin insert.  Then adjust the neck insert so that it is touching the body and supporting the neck.

Put the final insert above the neck and scroll as shown above.

Step 4: Stabilize the Cello

Place the two tubes in the bouts on either side of the instrument. This keeps the box from collapsing on top of the instrument if something is placed on top of it in shipping.

Pad the sides around the body with bubble wrap. You want enough that the instrument won’t slide around.

STEP FIVE: Cushion the Cello

Pad the top of the body with a few layers of bubble wrap, but make sure not to put too many layers over the bridge. This is because it can create too much pressure on the top of the instrument and cause damage.

Add just enough that the bubble wrap and the top flaps of the box are flush. Any more than that and you risk the same type of damage we mentioned with the bridge.

Close and securely tape the box.

Cellos 1/4 and Smaller

Prep the cello in the same way described above, then place it inside the case. Wrap it with bubble wrap. Then line the bottom of the box with bubble wrap.

Note: for smaller cellos, there are no inserts.

Add the instrument to the box and place the four tubes around it.

• Two go on either side at the widest point at the bottom of the instrument
• Two go on either side at peg-leve

Stabilize the cello around the entire instrument with bubble wrap, then build up in layers until filled. Don’t forget to be careful of the bridge!

THINGS TO NEVER DO:

• Pack the instrument with the bridge facing down.
• Pack the instrument outside of the case

As always, if you have any questions we’re happy to help! Please give us a call at 800-359-3951.

 

Fake strings in the music world are an ongoing concern. String makers and shops take pride in the products they produce and sell; while imitations may be cheaper, they do not have the same quality as the original.  Here is what you need to know about fake strings:

How To Tell If A String Is Fake

• Strange Packaging. If the package looks off somehow (not just a new design), there is a chance it’s a copy. Some things to watch out for are:
  • Blurry lettering or graphics
  • Missing inventory numbers
  • Badly sealed inner lining
• Wrong Color Windings. Each brand has a specific color they use for their windings depending on which string it is and which variety. Many fake strings will have colors that are duller or are a close match but not exact.
• Floppy or Bendable Strings. You are not supposed to be able to fully bend a string. If it feels different from what you normally buy, be wary.

This is all well and good if you already have the string in hand, but that means you’ve already purchased the fake string. What about avoiding buying one in the first place?

How To Protect Yourself From Purchasing Fake Strings

• Only buy from reputable dealers. Any reputable dealer will only buy directly from the company or from a trusted distributor.
• Check the price. Does the price look too good to be true? It probably is. While there are many honest dealers on these sites, Amazon and eBay sellers are the biggest culprits when it comes to selling fake strings. Check the seller’s Amazon or eBay stores to verify who they are. If someone’s price is drastically lower than what you’ve been seeing, there’s a good chance this is not a legitimate string being sold.
• Buy your instrument from a reputable dealer too! Many cheap instruments that you find online keep costs down buy using cheaper fake strings. This typically happens with foreign factory-made instruments.

Johnson String takes pride in purchasing our strings directly from companies such as D’Addario, or their American distributor for companies like Thomastik-Infeld (Connolly Music).

To learn more about identifying fake guitar strings, check out D’Addario’s website.

Looking for strings? Browse our complete string inventory.

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Copyright © 2016 · All Rights Reserved · Silvija Kristapsons