I know the conventional wisdom says loosen the strings - but Jean Larrivee did write to me personally, and did explain, as I have above - that his reccommendation was to keep the strings tuned to full pitch, that reduction of stress on the neck/frame as a result of slackening strings was potentially more harmful to the intrument. I took him at his word. I never loosen the strings of my instruments and I always pack the heads (and I have well made hard shell cases). They have always arrived unharmed and in tune.