tips for shipping an amp head

[MesaENGR412]

I know there are a lot of sales on here on gear that requires shipping. I was just wondering what techniques you guys used to ship a head. I have a 5150 II that is going to a new home in Indiana. Thanks guys.

-AJH

 

[screamingdaisy]

I use a box that's bigger than the head, I wrap the head itself in 1 or 2 layers of that plastic stuff with the air pockets, then I cut up a bunch of other boxes so that they fill in the gaps on each side (plus top and bottom).

The idea behind this is if something sharp cuts through the first layer of cardboard, the 3 or 4 layers behind it might stop it from reaching the amp itself.

 

[RR]

tips for shipping an amp head ...

uh, ship it too me! I need a hi-gain amp. :lol:


Gosh, you may have to asks the buyer if he/she knows how to installed tubes. Usually you remove the power stage tubes and wrapped them up in bubble wrap. Many times I read about buyers receiving tube amps with the power stage tube(s) broken.

The preamp tube may have the spring loaded covers or something. They might be safe.

I suppose you could stuff where the tube area of the amp are with sponge material too. Its that one time I was getting my Boogie repaired at the Mother Ship (Petaluma, I actually live 150 miles south) and they told me to remove the tubes and package them up in bubble wrap material.

 

[fluff191]

tips for shipping an amp head ...

uh, ship it too me!

BAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAA!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[MesaENGR412]

I use a box that's bigger than the head, I wrap the head itself in 1 or 2 layers of that plastic stuff with the air pockets, then I cut up a bunch of other boxes so that they fill in the gaps on each side (plus top and bottom).

The idea behind this is if something sharp cuts through the first layer of cardboard, the 3 or 4 layers behind it might stop it from reaching the amp itself.

Do you remove the power and rectifier tubes or leave them in place? I have the original box with the foam inserts and the plastic wrap, so the head will fit in it perfectly. I just don't want any broken power section tubes in transit.

-AJH

 

[MrMarkIII]

Were the tubes removed when you received the head originally? The only time I received an amp with the tubes removed and packed separately, the idiot packed them poorly, allowing them to touch each other glass to glass, so of course they broke. You need to wrap each tube *individually* with bubble-wrap to cushion them. The whole package needs to survive a *four foot fall*, because that's exactly what will happen, not just off the back of a truck, but in the distribution centers themselves. Not to mention being skewered by fork lifts.

 

[fishyfishfish]

I remove the tubes and bubble wrap them and put them in their own box. Then I bubble wrap the head so there is about two-three inches of wrap around the whole head including corners. I then put in a box tape it up and then put that box into another box that is filled tight with styro or foam packing material and tape the hell out of the outside box. Oh, Tube box went into the first box.
Time consuming and redundant (Double Boxing) There are some really good videos on UTube with delivery dudes tossing boxes out of the trucks onto driveways.
Lots of insurance.

 

[Gtr_Pkr]

I remove the tubes and bubble wrap them and put them in their own box. Then I bubble wrap the head so there is about two-three inches of wrap around the whole head including corners. I then put in a box tape it up and then put that box into another box that is filled tight with styro or foam packing material and tape the hell out of the outside box. Oh, Tube box went into the first box.
Time consuming and redundant (Double Boxing) There are some really good videos on UTube with delivery dudes tossing boxes out of the trucks onto driveways.
Lots of insurance.

This is the best way!! Always make sure you take ALL the tubes out and wrap them individually. Double boxing is preferred too! The delivery people are not careful with this stuff. When I received my Triple Rectifier through UPS, the guy who shipped the amp didn't remove any tubes, so they all broke. Idiot. Then UPS decided to be rough with it, and it arrived with broken knobs, a transformer hanging on by one screw. Morons! It ended up costing them several hundred dollars for the repair. Foolish mistakes overall. Wouldn't have happened if the amp was packed properly.

 

[fishyfishfish]

While I don't like to point fingers at shipping company's, they to could be a lot more cautious when they see a "Fragile" sticker. I just try to imagine an amp I shipped taking a three story fall onto concrete, and pack accordingly. AND lots of insurance. :lol: