Packing/Shipping Basses

[naetog]

I got my FNA Jazzman new, and it was received (relatively) in tune. I've heard you should detune the strings when shipping to keep tension off the neck. I've shipped other basses both in standard tuning tension, and detuned without problems. I've got to ship a bass in the next day or two, and I'm wondering what everyone thought. It seems to me that keeping the strings at playing tension would be best since that's how the bass exists every other day, PLUS it's how I got my Warwick......?

 

[avionix543]

I would think maybe drop it a couple of steps just in case it sees unusually drastic changes in temp or humidity. I've had three basses over the years that were shipped to me, 1 with lowered tuning, 2 were normal. Didn't see much of a difference myself... ~M~