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Post by noodle on Dec 23, 2015 15:17:06 GMT
Hi! I've been lurking in these forums for a while, but have finally encountered a problem which I couldn't find a solution for in these threads.
I recently acquired a 13 string koto. It is almost 2m long, and has no case. The problem is, how can I get this to Australia? They don't seem to have hard koto cases, so I'm thinking of making a box out if cardboard and hoping I can bring it as excess baggage on the plane? Has anyone had any similar experiences?
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Post by davidmdahl on Dec 24, 2015 8:23:11 GMT
Welcome to the forum, Noodle. Your plan to construct a shipping container out of cardboard is reasonable. Just be sure to remove the bridges first, and use plenty of bubble wrap and other cushioning. Make sure that the box is large enough to allow for all of the cushioning on all sides and ends. Use thick cardboard, or double ply to get extra stiffness. If you are near the Los Angeles area, you might even be able to get a box and advice from Carol Chang at Sound of Asia. She deals in kotos, as well as the other Asian long zithers, so she has lots of experience with packing and shipping. You might contact the airline about guidelines for oversize packages to see if there is anything you should know. It might turn out to be best to ship the koto independently of the flight. At least it is worth considering.
If your new koto is really precious and expensive, and you are planning to return to the USA(?) eventually, you might consider ordering a cheaper koto to be delivered in Australia.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by noodle on Dec 24, 2015 14:35:28 GMT
Thanks for your response David. I've heard that koto bridges shouldn't be kept in the koto anyway, so they are out already. The only issue with constructing a box is finding suitably large pieces of cardboard. Thanks for the tips about types of cardboard that are suitable!
I'm not from USA. Sorry I didn't make it clear! It's not a very expensive koto, it's second hand, and I haven't been able to find cheaper koto online.
Is Sound of Asia associated with Sound of China! I'll check with them!
Thanks again for your prompt reply!
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Post by davidmdahl on Dec 25, 2015 21:37:06 GMT
When you wrote about your koto's length in meters, I should have guessed you are not in the USA.
Yes, Sound of Asia = Sound of China.
Best wishes,
David
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Post by noodle on Jan 27, 2016 11:42:00 GMT
Hi! Just wanted to let you know that I ended up making a cardboard box for my koto. Still haven't sent it though.
For people who may wish to know, apparently they used to have hard koto cases, but no one seems to sell them anymore. I think I saw one online for about 600USD. They only have soft cases. I've seen padded and unpadded cases.
Additionally, normal post offices won't send something the size of a koto. The easiest way for me is to check it in on my flight, as that is free of charge provided it's within the baggage limit.
Thanks again David for your replies!
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