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What you'll need
It’s a good idea to get shipping materials ahead of time so your listing has accurate weight and measurements. Plus, this helps ensure you ship within Reverb’s 3 business day timeline.
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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
Pro tip: You can purchase boxes from the Reverb Essentials shop, and our shipping kits come with kraft paper.
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.
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 shifts, seal the box with packing tape and keep the shipping label visible.
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 shipment
- Add protection to your shipping label. You can add Reverb Safe Shipping when purchasing a label through Reverb, and if your item gets damaged in shipping, you’ll work with our team directly rather than going through the carrier. You can also use carrier insurance 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.
- Photograph each side of the box next to a tape measure, plus the package on a scale, so you have proof of the dimensions and weight if you get an overage charge.