Amp Packing tutorial (Sticky in classifieds maybe?)

[madryan]

So I decided to do a amp packing tutorial since I had to ship my Orange out anyway.
First I took some fairly good pix of each side of the amp just to make sure if there’s a problem in transit I can prove that the thing looked good when it went out the door. I also pulled the power tubes and wrapped them up in some foam and packed them inside the amp so they wouldn’t get busted in transit.

So here’s the raw materials. I use double thick cardboard and buy Styrofoam insulation from Lowes or Home Depot. Get 2” thick as that’s the thickness the shipping outfits require for them to cover your amp.

I end up making my own boxes so they fit right and they’re sturdy. I glue everything together. Ryan (Norton666) is going to have to cut the boxes up to get the amp out when it gets to him. That’s better than the guys on the FedEx line playing around with the thing.

So the amp goes in a plastic bag and in the inner box with whatever I use in the inner box (1in styro foam) and the inner box gets glued shut. It’s nice and sturdy.

Here’s the outer box being glued up.

So this is how I cut up the foam. I just want 2 inches around the inner box.

Here’s the last few layers. The cardboard piece that goes in last gets glued to the box ears that close the box so it can’t be “accidentally” opened by some ******* at the shipping company.

Here you can see me using my Avatar 212 to hold everything flat and tight while the glue dries. I’ll throw some really heavy tape on the box and I’ll be off to Fed Ex in a half hour or so.

 

[Elpelotero]

Wow, I thought I was meticulous about packing amps. You are intense!

 

[madryan]

Wow, I thought I was meticulous about packing amps. You are intense!

I've read any number of threads with some variation of "My new amp got to me and it's smashed" or whatever so I figured I'd do up a tutorial of how I pack amps. It's not a big deal. Probably a 3 or 4 hour gig since I'm waiting on glue to dry and whatnot so I just pick a Saturday and buy a sixpack and get-r-done.

 

[Mongo1]

This thread is a 'must read' for anyone shipping me an amp or cab. The plastic bag is a must at minimum. I can't tell you how many pieces of gear I've recieved buried in peanuts. I have no choice but to dissasmble the whole thing just to get it all out. It's all staticly charged and finds it's way into every jack and corner recesses of the chassis.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Monsta-Tone]

You sick man! Only a 6 pack in 3-4 hours! :lol:

Ryan does a damn fine job of packing items.
I wish everyone sending amps to me did that good of a job!

 

[fluff191]

Jesus god you are an animal, my friend.

And I thought Elpelotero was good at packing! :lol:

 

[RR]

Everytime I have a complaint with UPS they send UPS inspector Sandra Summer.

Somehow my complaining goes away.

[edit note: moderators, fellow members please PM me to remove these images if this is too offensive for this board.]

 

[Mongo1]

I guess its better than Ace.

 

[madryan]

Bump for general consumption

 

[dodger916]

Thanks!

One thing I've heard from a few sources (including Mesa): Bubble wrap with the large bubble "pillows" is best to use, even better than 2" styrofoam. The reason I was given: styrofoam does not absorb much of the energy generated from shocks like a dropped package. It transfers much of the energy right to the product. Bubble wrap will compress and absorb more of the shock of impact. Styrofoam is good for adding rigidity and stability to the package, preventing the product from shifting.

Wrapping in a plastic bag is a great idea to protect against moisture.

Thanks again for finding and bumping the thread.