Moving a music studio.

December 8, 2005 11:41 AM

Cheaply moving instruments, a PA, and an Amplifier from DC to PA.

So I've got two guitars, a mandolin, an accordion, a PA system, a largeish guitar amp, a good amount of recording equipment, and a suitcase of personal effects that need to travel with me to Philly from DC on December 19th or thereabouts. It's too much stuff for greyhound, flight, or amtrak, and my craigslist rideshare post is turning up nothing. I'm trying to minimize cost, and the cheapest thing I've found so far is a $164 U-haul. Any suggestions for a cheaper move?

Note: Can't mail the stuff either, not enough time.

posted by The White Hat to Travel & Transportation (2 answers total)

You might want to look in to renting a van from a company like Enterprise rent a car. Or maybe just a station wagon. Make sure that they don't charge you a bunch for dropping it off at a different store then you pick it up at. If you only have the car for a day, it's going to be quite a bit cheaper then $164.
posted by jefeweiss at 3:02 PM on December 8, 2005

Greyhound also does package delivery from station to station - And it's usually pretty damned cheap IIRC. The only problem is you have to drop off/pick up from the station, which ain't so bad if you're traveling same day.

You're not just limited to Greyhound for DC-Philly - IvyMedia and Apex Bus run that route as well. ($15 one way?) They might be more willing to talk about cargo. There's contact info on their websites for questions.

Or, if you don't mind living dangerously, just tag a friend or two to go with, and schedule the bus trip - Use cling-wrap and spare blankets to bundle the stuff together into two or three big-ass( hopefully wheeled) bundles, and see if they try to kick you off, or just accomodate you.
posted by Orb2069 at 10:17 PM on December 9, 2005