Definitely tune down before shipping. The last instrument I received had been shipped fully tuned. Evidentlty the box had been dropped somewhere en route and the force pulled the neck away from the body. I was able to effect repairs myself, but I believe if the strings had been tuned down to reduce tension on the neck, this wouldn't have happened.
Also check with your local retail music store for boxes. There is a guitar seller near where I live who also stocks a few mandos. He's always glad to get rid of his extra shipping boxes as otherwise he has to cart them off to the recycling place himself. You can usually find one just the right size. He offers to let me have them free, but I always give him a couple of dollars for them. Beats what you'd have to pay at one of the specialty shipping places. I do recommend double-boxing, though, with plenty of peanuts.
John Craton
"Pick your fingers to the bone, then pick with the bone"
Bookmarks