Want to ship a SVT or other heavy tube head?

[Rok Hollywood]

Thanks for all the info. Billy! I appreciate it!

[gwreid]

Just throwing an idea out there. I recently shipped two amps. About 20 to 30 lbs each. I first sealed the amp in a plastic bag and then taped pipe insulation to every edge. The pipe insulation is the heavy duty stuff you would slide over exposed pipes in your basement. It's made of a very dense polystyrene like product which is much denser than the poly sheets. I used the one inch internal diameter size which is about 2.5 inches outside diameter. Anyway, it comes sliced the full length so you can get it over the pipes. I made another slice to remove one quarter of the material leaving an open tube that can very easily be cut to length and attached to each edge of the amp. I then made a custom box to size and used poly sheets to fill the gaps between the edge protectors. I think this protects the edges and corners a bit better than just the sheets and certain will help with any edge impacts.

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Interesting idea except that it focuses all of the stress on the edges of the box, nothing is distributed across the sides, bottom, etc. No doubt it's fine for lighter stuff but not for heavy anything.

[gwreid]

Originally Posted by BillyB_from_LZ

Interesting idea except that it focuses all of the stress on the edges of the box, nothing is distributed across the sides, bottom, etc. No doubt it's fine for lighter stuff but not for heavy anything.

Hi Billy, for the sides etc., I "used poly sheets to fill the gaps between the edge protectors".

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

FedEx is dirt cheap...IF you go directly to them and not to a packmail store! I shipped my Ampeg V-4 from CT to CA for $16. Prices are similar for all the amps i've shipped. I think the most i've ever paid to ship an amp was $27. That was to ship a Vox AC-30 from CT to OH.

-Nick

I honestly cannot believe that; I've shipped 500 packages with FedEx. I can't even ship a 9 lb. guitar body from CT to CA for $16, without insurance.

[the dude]

Update:

Just shipped an all-tube head from Indy to Atlanta.

Got the dish pack from the Box Shoppe - $8.50

Took it to FedEx with the head.

We packed it together.

Cost of shipping including $1,500 insurance: $35.38

Amp arrived like it left. Total cost: $46.88.

Easy.

[StuartV]

Question for you all: I have an SVT 2 Pro (4U head), a 1U tuner, and a 1U power conditioner all mounted in a RoadReady 6U rack case.

Is there any feasible way to ship that as it is? Or do I really need to take the amp out and ship it separately, ship the tuner and power conditioner separately, and (maybe) just buy a new rack?

(I moved from FL to CA over the summer and had to leave some things (like my SVT) in storage. Now I really want my SVT out here with me)

[matti777]

I didn't read through every post so perhaps this has been mentioned...ship in an Igloo cooler. I had a transmission shipped to me this way. Just pack it with dense foam pieces inside so it can't be moved around.

[Marley's Ghost]

Originally Posted by BillyB_from_LZ

For big cabinets, I usually build a custom box for them starting with a flattened out refrigerator or washer/dryer box or similar (I'm always on the look-out for what I call "big cardboard").

I often cover the cabinet in a plastic garbage bag or wrap it with plastic sheet or something to protect it from scuffing during transist. I may tape a single layer of cardboard over the grille...certainly would with a cloth grille like an Ampeg Classic cabinet.

I find some styrofoam sheet (may purchase a sheet from Home Depot if needed)...often 1-1/2 in. thick. I cut the sheets to approximate the size of the cabinet and then essentially wrap the whole thing with cardboard (using a long board to pre-form the corners). Another method I've used is to take extra cardboard and make a bunch of 8 in. wide strips that I form into long corner protectors. Stack three or four of those up along each edge and then wrap the whole thing in cardboard.

I sometimes use wood glue to glue down the seams and flaps on the new box and use a whole lot of tape.

I use FedEx Ground (or Home Delivery for packages of less than 70 lbs) because their rates are better, I get better treatment when I drop the package off and I've had fewer problems with shipping damage over the years.

I've used Forward Air for shipping things like SVT-810s and big Acoustic 301 folded horn cabinets...but those have to be crated (which I've made out of 1/2 in. CDX plywood and 2x4s).

Have fun and good luck!!!!

Can you share the approx cost of shipping a 110lb cabinet?

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Can you share the approx cost of shipping a 110lb cabinet?

I shipped one from NY to CT a few months back and I think it was $50 with FedEx Home Delivery (with my discount which is about 10%). I think it was 100-110lbs. It mostly depends on the distance and size more than weight.

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

Can you share the approx cost of shipping a 110lb cabinet?

Zip codes and Dimensions make a big difference.

Best bet is to go to fedex.com and ups.com, plug in the numbers (and zip codes) and see what you come up with.

For worst case cost, I use Bellingham, WA as it's about as far from Chicago as you can get in the lower 48. Zip codes can be found at usps.com

[SVE]

Great Guide! I'm wondering should I be shipping the amp with the tubes in it? I'm guessing if the packing is good enough it should be cool,right?

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Originally Posted by SVE

Great Guide! I'm wondering should I be shipping the amp with the tubes in it? I'm guessing if the packing is good enough it should be cool,right?

I generally remove them, pack them very carefully in another box and place the box inside the amp (if there's room).

[SVE]

Okay.. I might pack them separately. I just got quoted $185 for shipping at UPS.. Ridiculous.

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Originally Posted by SVE

Okay.. I might pack them separately. I just got quoted $185 for shipping at UPS.. Ridiculous.

Ground? From where to where?

Is that just shipping (and insurance) or packing/insurance/shipping?

Check at www.FedEx.com their Ground service is less expensive and the service/treatement is (IMHO) much better.

[BoomBoomOGTL]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

I shipped one from NY to CT a few months back and I think it was $50 with FedEx Home Delivery (with my discount which is about 10%). I think it was 100-110lbs. It mostly depends on the distance and size more than weight.

This is tough to understand since FedEx charges an OS3 oversize surcharge of $55 on anything over 110" in girth.

[Marblou2]

Looking for a used Aguilar DB 751 !!

[bimoho2alof]

and ss, if i may say, you put more time in your posts, than anyone on this board. thx for that.

ok, so, i just watched it.. (beetles themed)

kree- wow!!!! and with a cold at that, wow! also love her stage presence. i got super chills for the first time this whole year.

burnell- (glee boy).. churchy but good. even freak judge said it was churchy. but it was good.

amber- like her vibrato but... nasally, pitchy, and mariah never heard the song before? wow. sad. the singer looks so much like michelle obama. kind of freaky.

lazaro- flat and just awful, ouch. for the first time, i felt sorry for him. the ceo man had to have a "clicker" to keep him on tempo in practice? my mom had a band back in the day, and her backup was unable to sing harmony. so, mom worked with her forever trying to teach her how to sing harmony. why? move in and find another. so, laz is not "prime" material. but i did feel bad for him. they better not vote him on though.

candice- wow. even the band had fun, was super. freaky judge talked freaky odd stuff that was inappropriate again. then randy's reply to her cracked me up.

paul- blah. band was great though. even freaky judge said it, the way it was. she got to the point.

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by BoomBoomOGTL

This is tough to understand since FedEx charges an OS3 oversize surcharge of $55 on anything over 110" in girth.

I can show the receipt if you like...the cab was probably 36"x14"x2.