Shipping a Trumpet, Cornet, or Flugelhorn

With few and very rare exceptions, the safest (as well as less expensive) way to ship your trumpet, cornet, or flugelhorn is generously cushioned in a separate box, and NOT in a case. (In almost all instances, if your horn arrives at the Doctor Valve shop in a case, it will be shipped back to you separately.) A carefully prepared instrument, cushioned in a 5 to 6 layer bubblewrap pillow and nestled TIGHTLY in a doublewalled box will survive most anything.

The "old" packing directions have been relocated to a separate dial-up friendly page and we now have a NEW slideshow page with better pictures and a special guest packing assistant. Download size is about 600KB, approximately 1.5 minutes on dial-up, less than 20 seconds on broadband. Please see either (or both) of those pages for some detailed pictures and instructions on how to pack your trumpet for safe shipping.

Necessary Materials

A double-walled box, approximately 24" x 8" x 12" for trumpets
24" x 12" x 12" for flugelhorns
25 to 30 ft of 12" wide 1" bubble (large bubble) bubblewrap
for flugels, 2 bubblewrap "pillows" and 2 bubblewrap "cushions" for either side of the box
2 twister-ties, pipe-cleaners, or poly bands
tape

Detailed Instructions - With Pictures

For instructions plus pictures, you may see the "old" directions (with Steve wrapping a trumpet) on the dial-up friendly page or the new slick presentation with our "guest packing assistant" on the broadband slideshow page. To open either of these in a separate window, click the appropriate button below.

Shipping Charges

The invoiced shipping charges on services which include instrument refinishing (replates or instrument overhauls) is $90.00. This consists of insured shipping of your instrument to and from the platers as well as insured Express Mail return shipping of your horn to you.

The invoiced shipping charges on services which include valve plating (valve overhauls or valve restorations) is $65.00. This consists of insured shipping of the valves to and from the platers as well as insured Express Mail return shipping of your instrument to you.

The invoiced shipping charges on services for an instrument which does NOT require a trip to the platers is $55.00 for insured Express Mail return shipping to you.

If your case needs to be sent back to you separately, the invoiced shipping charges will be $20 to $35 for Priority Mail, depending on distance.

I enjoy meeting my clients, so if you live near Chicago, or your work or travels bring you to the Chicago area, you are welcome to save yourself the delivery and/or return shipping charges. Please email or phone first if you plan to deliver and/or pick-up your instrument at the shop.

Shipping your horn to the shop

I recommend shipping via Insured Express Mail.

If getting to your local post office isn't convenient, good alternatives are Insured UPS* Second Day Air or Insured FedEx. I haven't had a problem with any of these specific shipping methods, however, be sure to insure your horn for its full value.

* I do NOT recommend shipping your horn via regular ground UPS (with other packages which can weigh up to 150 pounds!) The cost savings do NOT outweigh the increased possibilty of an injured horn.

Doctor Valve
479 5th Street, Lemont IL 60439-4115
voice: 708-482-8153, or

Doctor Valve	Brass Instrument Specialist Expert Service for Trumpets, Cornets, and Flugelhorns Lemont, Illinois 708-482-8153