Anyone know where in the UK I can get a cardboard box to ship a cello in a hard case

[charltonyy]

Hello

I'm putting this out there to see if anyone can help me.  My mother just moved house and she doesn't have room for the cello any more.   Not sure how much it is worth but it was made by a relative in the 1880s, so I want to make sure it's not damaged.  I bought a hard case for it but would like a box to protect the case during shipping.  I will ship it fedex UK to USA.  It's a full size cello.  The case dimensions are 140 x 56.5 x 39 cm.  It came in a box but unfortunately that box is no longer available.  I contacted the casemanufacturer and they haven't responded.  Does anyone have an idea of where I can get a box?  I'll be travelling between Manchester and Edinburgh with a biggish car. 

If I can't get a suitable box, any recommendations on packing the cello another way?

Any help you can provide is appreciated!

Many thanks!

Cheers,
Dave

[Brad H]

You might try contacting stringed instrument dealers/stores in your area to see if they have one.

[avandesande]

I've found it easiest to cut down a larger box to dimension try getting something at an appliance store.

[reg]

Brad Surely the hard case came in a box?

if it is only from Manchester to Scotland just strap it into the passenger seat with the seatbelt?

[Nick Allen]

14 hours ago, charltonyy said:

Hello

I'm putting this out there to see if anyone can help me.  My mother just moved house and she doesn't have room for the cello any more.   Not sure how much it is worth but it was made by a relative in the 1880s, so I want to make sure it's not damaged.  I bought a hard case for it but would like a box to protect the case during shipping.  I will ship it fedex UK to USA.  It's a full size cello.  The case dimensions are 140 x 56.5 x 39 cm.  It came in a box but unfortunately that box is no longer available.  I contacted the casemanufacturer and they haven't responded.  Does anyone have an idea of where I can get a box?  I'll be travelling between Manchester and Edinburgh with a biggish car. 

If I can't get a suitable box, any recommendations on packing the cello another way?

Any help you can provide is appreciated!

Many thanks!

Cheers,
Dave

Try going to your local appliance store. Often times they have large boxes lying around from unpackaging dishwashers and fridges and the like that they'll more than likely just give to you. 

[charltonyy]

8 hours ago, reg said:

Brad Surely the hard case came in a box?

if it is only from Manchester to Scotland just strap it into the passenger seat with the seatbelt?

Thanks Reg.  Sorry I wasn't clear - *I* will be travelling between Manchester and Edinburgh when I am in the UK, but the cello will be travelling from the UK to USA.  Yes it came in a box but unfortunately that box was recycled.

[charltonyy]

9 hours ago, Brad H said:

You might try contacting stringed instrument dealers/stores in your area to see if they have one.

Thanks Brad.  I tried the store I bought the case from but they didn't have any.  I'll certainly try other stores, though.

[charltonyy]

9 hours ago, avandesande said:

I've found it easiest to cut down a larger box to dimension try getting something at an appliance store.

Thanks, avandesande.  Good idea!  I'll definitely give that a go if I can't get one from a music store.

[charltonyy]

8 hours ago, Nick Allen said:

Try going to your local appliance store. Often times they have large boxes lying around from unpackaging dishwashers and fridges and the like that they'll more than likely just give to you. 

Thanks Nick.  Great idea and I will defo try that if I can't get a box from a music store.

[Pluto Vermin]

If you can't get a box from a music store, I discovered shipping stores that have a box making machine are pretty common, at least over here. 

[Wood Butcher]

Why not contact violin shops in Edinburgh and Manchester? Seems the most likely source.

[Bishopstrings]

Mail Boxes etc in Mafair send cellos for most of the dealers. Contact them!