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How to pack and dispatch a guitar (electric, acoustic, bass)

Quick answer

Safely packing a guitar comes down to three steps: prepare, pack, and test. Loosen the strings and cushion the guitar so nothing can move, then give the sealed box a "shake test" to make sure nothing’s rattling. Take photos of the packaging before you dispatch in case it’s damaged in transit, and enter your package's actual weight and dimensions when using a Reverb postage label to avoid extra postage charges. We always recommend adding protection to your label, whether it’s Reverb Safe Delivery or compensation through the carrier directly.

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What you'll need

It’s a good idea to get packaging materials ahead of time so your listing has accurate weight and measurements. Plus, this helps ensure you dispatch within Reverb’s 3-business-day timeline.

  • Shipping box: If you're reusing a box, make sure it's still sturdy and remove all old stickers and labels. Carriers sometimes charge extra if old labels are left on the box.
    • Electric & acoustic guitars: Keep it under 48" long to avoid oversize charges.
    • Bass guitars: Since basses often need a longer box, keep it as short as you can – up to about 52" long.
  • Harmless packing material: Kraft paper is best, but rigid cardboard inserts, packing peanuts, or egg crates work too.
  • Packing tape

Don't use:

  • A hardshell case with no outer box. Every case needs a padded shipping box around it. Cases with no outer box are also more likely to receive overage charges.
  • Newspaper or anything with ink, which can damage the finish.
  • Bubble wrap in hot weather, which can stick to and damage the guitar.
  • Any tape other than packing tape.
  • Old clothing as padding.

Extra care for Gibsons and sharp-edged guitars

Gibson headstocks are especially fragile. Tuck loose, crumpled, paper around the sides of the headstock to stop it moving, but don't jam padding directly underneath the angled headstock. Doing this can act as a lever and snap the neck if the box gets dropped. Guitars with sharp edges (Flying V's, Jackson Rhodes, and the like) need extra material around the points so they can't poke through the box.

Packing steps

Step 1: Prepare the guitar

  • Loosen the strings.
  • Place paper between the strings and fretboard.
  • Detach any whammy bar and wrap it separately, then pack it in a case pocket or the shipping box.

Step 2: Pack the guitar

Wrap and secure any loose components separately, then pad the guitar based on your case:

  • Softshell case or no case: Surround the guitar with enough padding that it never touches the box. For high-value guitars, use a softshell case at minimum — ideally a well-padded one with velcro to hold the neck in place.
  • Hardshell case: Pad over and around the headstock, not under it. Shake the case before packing it — nothing should be loose or moving inside. Fill around the case so it can't move in the box, and don't overpack to the point the case won't close.

Once everything's snug and nothing moves, seal the box with packing tape and keep the postage label visible.

Avoid postage overages: Make sure your weight & dimensions are accurate

Gather your packaging materials in advance and measure all three sides of your box from the outside (printed dimensions are often the inner size). Weigh it on a scale, photograph the measurements and scale reading as proof, and round up when in doubt. If your package doesn't match what you entered, carriers re-measure and bill the difference as a postage charge correction.

Step 3: Do the "shake test"

Shake the box to make sure nothing is rattling or moving. Carriers typically follow a "3-foot drop rule," meaning your package should survive a flat drop from 3 feet. ("Fragile" labels usually don't change how a package is handled, so pack for the drop.)

Protect your package

  • Add protection to your postage label. You can add Safe Delivery when purchasing a label through Reverb, and if your item gets damaged in delivery, you’ll work with our compensation partners at XCover to quickly resolve the issue rather than going through the carrier. You can also use carrier compensation if you’re buying a label from them directly.
  • Photograph the package from all sides before drop-off. This helps if the item gets damaged in transit.
  • Keep your drop-off receipt as a record of when the item was handed off to the carrier.
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