Packing Accordions for Shipping
How to pack an accordion for shipping
Accordions are prone to shipping damage, especially large older instruments. Here are two common problems - and how to reduce the risk of damage.
1. Sunken buttons
The larger the accordion, the greater the risk.
The springs in the bass/chord system are designed to handle only a few button-presses at a time. When an accordion gets dropped or bumped a certain way, it's as if ALL buttons had been swatted down at the same time! The springs can't handle it, so lots of buttons drop down… and get stuck down.
Use “keepers” and tape to hold the buttons in place.
Press soda straws or strips of cardboard between every 2nd or 3rd set of buttons. The top of the "keepers" should be level with the tops of the buttons.
Stretch tape across the buttons and keepers. Lightly run your finger across the tape to make sure it's sticking.
Use soda straws, wood coffee stirrers, strips of boxboard... etc.
USE Clear packing tape or masking tape
2. Something’s loose inside!!
Older accordions can arrive with loose stuff rattling around inside.
The reeds in an accordion (usually 200 or more) are attached with beeswax which gives a secure, airtight seal… for 20 to 30 years. After that wax tends to shrink, turn brittle, and crack very easily.
For older accordions, normal parcel delivery is bumpy enough to knock some reeds loose!
"...maybe we could use it for percussion, as a big, ornate shaker..."
Solution: use TWO layers of cushioning
FIRST LAYER - Cushion the ACCORDION inside the CASE
If you're shipping without a case, double-box it.
Place padding between the accordion and case on all four sides, top, and bottom.
Use bubble wrap, padded envelopes, layers of corrugated cardboard, crumpled craft paper. As you lower the lid, you should feel some resistance as you press it down and fasten the latches.
SECOND LAYER - Cushion the CASE inside the THE SHIPPING BOX
Use chunks of styrofoam, bubble wrap, layers of boxboard, etc. The case must have AT LEAST 1.5” cushioning on ALL sides.
Use 1.5" - 2" of packing between case and shipping box: all 4 sides, top & bottom.
Shipping an accordion with no case? Double-box it.
Use one sturdy box as the "case." Put cushioning all around the accordion; tape the ‘case-box’ securely. Put the ‘case-box’ in another sturdy box, big enough for 2" cushioning on for all sides, top & bottom.
Last Steps
Insure the parcel for full replacement value.
Put a copy of the shipping label inside the box.
As you pack, take pictures:
the “keepers” over bass buttons
the accordion in case, with cushioning all around
the case in shipping box, with cushioning all around
the shipping box, ready to go
If you need to file a damage claim, the pictures show that you packed it properly, and that the box was in good condition before shipping.