Moving Cross Country… should I trust a moving company?

[skoora]

We moved from Seattle to Atlanta in 2014. Took my two Gibson V’s in the car and everything else went in U-Haul’s version of PODS. Like others said the drive across country was great. Even stopped in to Yellowstone on the way. Made sure we had insurance.
Drove solo from San Diego to Seattle with a full U-Haul and towing my car. But this was in 2000 and being a lot younger I was a lot less cynical and it was the only way. Probably stayed 2-3 nights at Motel/Hotels. Padlocked the U-Haul and hoped it would still be out there in the morning.
On our 2014 drive, when we stopped for the night I would take the guitars into the room.
There’s a negative possibility to every scenario. Just choose the one that’s easiest, Document your gear with their serial numbers and pics, get necessary insurance and get in a mindset of it’s just gear at the end of the day. Gear that we typically dial in to same the sound every time.

 

[IIBornotIIB]

I haven’t read all the replies, but, I don’t think you could pack and ship 12 heads and 15 guitars for $2,200, fully insured? I moved halfway cross country 4 years ago and half-assed the packing between doing my own and letting the moving company pack the rest and cart it. As long as you’re working with a reputable moving company and insured for value, I’d imagine you’ll be fine. Presuming you have cases for the guitars, pack them as though you’re shipping them. My lot was not as many pieces, but there were 5 IIC+’s, IIB KRG, IIA, and some other fairly significant cabs and 4 custom guitars. All arrived just fine.

Before move:

After:

Whatever you decide, best of luck!

 

[Magic Dragon]

I moved from San Francisco to Fort Collins a few years ago. Most of the amps and cabs went with the movers. The guitars and couple of vintage amps went in small u-haul enclosed trailer I towed behind my truck. When I left Colorado 9 months later, after discovering it was San Francisco East, I did the same thing again...

 

[VonBonfire]

Have guitar, will travel.

Have giant amp collection, ain't going nowhere.

 

[Dale B]

I feel like the answer is “no”…

I’ve got 12 heads and 15 guitars. All my shit would be considered “expensive or boutique”

Has anyone done this and how did you move large quantities of gear? I’ve though about just individually shipping everything which will be about $2200 for the heads and guitars…

What say you?

Hell to the NAW NAW NAW!!!!

 

[errrrrl]

Dayamn... anything thats not off the shelf or replaceable, probably not dude... good luck with that shit.

 

[changeofaseason]

I did an 800 mile move for about 7 amps, 3 cabs, and about 17 guitars. I had no issues. I told the moving company to take care of them, and the guitars were put in the top overhang of the cab, and amps first in the front of the truck against the wall. They drove the truck straight to my destination overnight, and unloaded. I put silica packs in the cases and kept the cases closed while indoors to prevent a shock of humidity change, then cracked them open the next day.

When you're doing a whole house move, the logistics of separately handling all the guitar gear is adding even more stress to an already stressful situation. I have musicians insurance in the event that there was an issue. (musicins.com covers moving).

 

[changeofaseason]

That will be a sweet change up as long as you can avoid the hurricanes.

The hurricane risk in Florida is much higher than the risk of destruction to gear during the move, IMHO. (I live in Florida right now and had 3 hurricanes this year come past us...) We're already planning to get the hell out of here after 2 years here and get back to a normal city that actually has things other than snowbirds and undersalted boring food (we're in SWFL).

 

[napalmdeath]

The hurricane risk in Florida is much higher than the risk of destruction to gear during the move, IMHO. (I live in Florida right now and had 3 hurricanes this year come past us...) We're already planning to get the hell out of here after 2 years here and get back to a normal city that actually has things other than snowbirds and undersalted boring food (we're in SWFL).

I moved to Florida in '89, and been through several storms. It definitely sucks. I disagree on the food part, (I'm near Tampa). Of course Latin Cuisine is my favorite, and Mexican, so I love the food here!

It's hot as balls 6 months+ out of the year.. 90's and humid AF from mid-May to November. September and October are peak hurricane months.