I'm faced with quite a dilemma. In less than 2 months I'll be leaving home (North Attleboro, Massachusetts) headed for college (University of Colorado at Boulder). The 2,345 miles between the two locations poses a bit of a problem in regards to transporting my tables, mixer, coffin, and gear, since driving is out of the question.

I'm guessing my tables, mixer, and coffin weight at LEAST 100 pounds, so I'm assuming shipping them would run something to the tune of at least $250 with insurance, if not more. Being a college student, and having a compulsive vinyl-purchasing problem (that I'm sure many of you can relate to) that figure scares me (although it's cheaper than buying them their own plane ticket and sitting them next to me on the flight [that would probably run me $400]). In terms of protection adn cost, I thought about shipping the tables seperatley in their original boxes, taking the mixer on the plane with me, and then buying a used coffin out there. Do you think the coffin offers more protection that the original box?

What do you guys do when you need to travel? What would you recommend? Surley there has to be a way to beat the system without leaving me to sell my soul on eBay to astranged cult organizations.

Thanks for your help.

OUCH, tough dilema! i dont know much to say but maybe you could UPS or FedEX the turntables and mixer in thier original package... might be a cheaper idea

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If God is the answer, it must have been a very stupid question.

You know what I would do?
Get a suitcase...
Shove your mixer and TT's in it...
Line the suitcase w/ a buncha clothing so that its full and protected...
Make sure you have your needles taken out and the tone arm put in place...
If you can lift the platter out do so.
It should be enough protection

I believe UPS has the best long-distance prices (at least here, but hey, there's probably a difference!)

I have no problems using a coffin, tho... then just sending it on the plane. 'Course, you could just put it in normal luggage and pile in a few socks and boxer shorts.

The equipment should be able to take a good deal of beating directly, not that it will, or should. The only thing that is very important to remember is, as Skybreak said: Remove the needles!

It's got to be the most expensive part of your whole entire kit to replace in relation to size. Spare parts for mixer or decks are *cheap* in comparison.

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...For trance shall rise again, and we few, as it's dedicated followers, will stand at the forefront of this great wave and lead the rest through the unrefined wasteland that is trash music!