A packaged musical instrument including a carton having a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, an upper side wall, and a lower side wall together defining an inner chamber; and a guitar disposed in the cavity and having a body, and a neck joined to the body and terminated with a tuning head portion. Also included is a first insert disposed in and restraining the body in the cavity and having one side wall engaging a lower portion of the first side wall, another side wall engaging a lower portion of the second side wall, and an end wall engaging the lower side wall; and cavity; a second insert disposed in the cavity and having one portion engaging an upper portion of the first side wall, another portion engaging an upper portion of the second side wall, and a cross member extending between the one portion and the another portion with the cross member being shaped and arranged to support the neck; and at least one window defined by the top wall and displaying at least a portion of the guitar.