Remember how people used to get deals driving someone's car to a new town? Maybe you can find someone to busk your instruments from MN to TX. OK, I'm kidding-- but what if a Catter was going that way?

Would you local luthier pack them to ship with the same packing set-up in which they receive new stock? Hardi has done that with a bicycle-- bike shops will happily set a good-quality bike up for best shipping condition. If you ship them to yourself insured, would that make sense? You could ask the luthier to held them a week while you travel, and then ship them?

~Susan