Take your guitar to a local UPS store with the provided prepaid shipping label. Have them provide a quote for packaging. This shifts the liability of the physical packing to the professionals.
Ship Your Les Paul Safely
Minimizing movement. Protecting the headstock. Ensuring your instrument arrives as beautiful as it left.
Choose Your Method
Les Pauls are iconic for their tone, but notorious for their headstock fragility.
Proper preparation is not optional—it’s essential.
Insurance Recommended
We highly recommend purchasing shipping insurance for the full value of the instrument when dropping off for delivery.
Option 1: The Concierge
Option 2: DIY Expert
Materials Needed
Don’t cut corners on the cardboard.
Guitar Box
Heavy-duty box from UPS, Sweetwater, or Guitar Center.
Hardshell Case
Highly recommended for maximum impact protection.
Cushioning
Bubble wrap or foam. Avoid newspaper (ink stains).
Strong Tape
Pressure-sensitive plastic packing tape only.
01
Prepare the Guitar
Detune about a whole step. This relieves tension on the neck/headstock to reduce break risk during shock.
Remove the tremolo arm and loose accessories. Bag them in the storage compartment.
Slide paper or a soft cloth under the strings to protect the fretboard.
Place padding under floating tailpieces/pickguards to prevent scratches.
02
Pack in Case
Fill voids around the body with bubble wrap.
Crucial: Add padding around and on top of the headstock to lock it. Do NOT place padding under the angled headstock (creates pressure point).
Close case and shake gently. There should be zero movement or rattling.
Optional: Tape latches to prevent accidental opening.
02
Pack in Case
Fill voids around the body with bubble wrap.
Crucial: Add padding around and on top of the headstock to lock it. Do NOT place padding under the angled headstock (creates pressure point).
Close case and shake gently. There should be zero movement or rattling.
Optional: Tape latches to prevent accidental opening.
03
Box the Case
Place cushioning material (bubble wrap, foam, peanuts) at the bottom.
Center the guitar case in the box.
Create a 2-inch barrier on all sides (top, bottom, sides). The case must not shift.
Place a spare label inside. Use H-taping method on seams. Mark “Fragile” & “This End Up”.
04
Ship It
We provide a prepaid UPS label. Using FedEx, USPS, or DHL are also reliable options.
Basic carrier liability is low. Third-party insurance for full value is strongly recommended.
Keep all documentation, receipts, and tracking numbers safe.
04
Ship It
We provide a prepaid UPS label. Using FedEx, USPS, or DHL are also reliable options.
Basic carrier liability is low. Third-party insurance for full value is strongly recommended.
Keep all documentation, receipts, and tracking numbers safe.