I would echo what Kenneth said. You definitely don't want it swimming around in the case. On the other hand if it is packed very very tightly, perhaps that would transmit vibration and shock which could knock a brace loose. Very unlikely with bubble wrap, in my opinion, but what do I know, I'm not a physicist. My Baroque lute rider was broken off because the lute slid lengthwise in the case and hit the end of it. Think about it, what is the most likely scenario for mishandling? Other than being crushed, which there is no defence against other than a strong case, it would be a case of being shocked by being dropped or slammed into something. Now if the outside of the case is padded, the likelihood of shock is greatly reduced. When I received my Baroque guitar, it was wrapped with so much bubble wrap that I realized it would have been fine without the expensive case I ordered! Also, something to consider is padding around the case protects the case itself from being damaged. Kingham cases are not cheap.
Good luck, >Hello all, > >I recently sold my Lute (8 course Ren Lute) to finance the purchase a = >new one. But I am having a hard time preparing >it for shipping. I have the neck and pegbox wrapped in bubble wrap with = >no problem. > >However, when I wrap the body in bubble wrap, and then put it in the = >Kingham case, I can barely >get the case shut. Will this be a problem in shipping? Any advise = >someone can give would be >greatly appriciated. Perhaps some Lute makers on the list... > >Al Fontana >-- > >To get on or off this list see list information at >http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html -- Ed Durbrow Saitama, Japan http://www9.plala.or.jp/edurbrow/
