Advice on shipping a cab...

mizzou541 · #1 12-14-2010, 01:56 PM

Can anyone tell me the best way to ship a 70 lbs. 410 cab? I looked into FEDEX and UPS and it looks like FEDEX is a bit cheaper. Problem is I don't have the original packaging and I don't want to spend a ton of money on packaging if at all possible. I've tried my local music store and they don't have any boxes that size right now...kinda luck of the draw if they get something in that size anytime soon. Anyone out there with experience shipping cabs have any advice as to where I could get some shipping materials for free or cheap? Thanks!

Awesomenaut · #2 12-14-2010, 01:59 PM

I had a cab a big, heavy cab shipped to me from Chicago to suburban DC via UPS. All they did was wrap about four layers of flattened out boxes tight around the cab. It arrived without a scratch.

anonymous02282011 · #3 12-14-2010, 02:00 PM

I've found some nice boxes just walking around Target.

Ask the workers stocking the shelves if you can take some of the empty boxes.

You could also check Best Buy or some other big department store. You can also ask them when might be the best time to stop by for cardboard boxes as they often have deliveries in certain days of the week, and perhaps even certain times during the day when they compact the empty boxes they have.

anonymous02282011 · #4 12-14-2010, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awesomenaut

I had a cab a big, heavy cab shipped to me from Chicago to suburban DC via UPS. All they did was wrap about four layers of flattened out boxes tight around the cab. It arrived without a scratch.

You could do that too . . . make your own box

jnewmark · #5 12-14-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awesomenaut

I had a cab a big, heavy cab shipped to me from Chicago to suburban DC via UPS. All they did was wrap about four layers of flattened out boxes tight around the cab. It arrived without a scratch.

When all else fails, this works. I sometimes go to the recycling bins for cardboard to do this at my local grocery store. Be sure to put some on the bottom of the box and a couple layers on top. I'm also lucky enough to have a source for free air paks and bubble pack occaisionally.

Eric Moesle · #6 12-14-2010, 02:54 PM

I did this once by making my own box, really effective, and here's how I did it:

Make "corner protectors" for each of the corners out of 4 layers of cardboard scrap. Each corner protector covered about 6 inches on each side. Anchor them to the corners with simple masking tape. These will give the cab suspension protection when dropped. And it WILL get dropped in transit, count on it.

Then fold cardboard scrap sheets around the cab, and tape the pieces together well. The larger the pieces together. When done, repeat it with ANOTHER layer of cardboard.

Take it to your local FEDEX or UPS distribution center. Do NOT take it to one of their "stores", they charge way too much. The distribution centers charge lots less.

mizzou541 · #7 12-14-2010, 03:16 PM

Thanks for the all the suggestions!

Smokin' Toaster · #8 12-14-2010, 03:33 PM

Go to your local appliance store and get a refrigerator or washing machine or dryer box. You can cut it down or wrap the cab as mentioned above. Often you can find cardboard or styrofoam 90 degree corners too.

ErnieD · #9 12-14-2010, 04:58 PM

I recently got a UL410 from a TBer via FedX;

I'm in the process of filing a damage complaint.

I felt he did a very good job of packing this cab. Alot of heavy plastic wrap around the cab, to keep out moisture. Alot more layers of this heavy thick plastic above and below the cab, so it was snug in the box.

I asked before he shipped to pls protect the corners. He slid long, strips of thick cardboard along each side of cab that ran from top to bottom of the cab. This reinforced all four sides of the from box top to bottom.

But I could see where one bottom corner was abit "accordianed in" when I got box home. I unwrapped the box and saw where the plastic corner protector that was at that same bottom corner was cracked. The top of cab was upside down since all the labels were on the bottom of the box. The plastic protector looked new but was split up the middle, like it cracked from impact. Had it been damaged outside the box, I feel there would be some discoloration or scratches from a wall, concrete, etc where the corner took the hit. The plastic protector looks new but again is split.

That's why I say put protective material at all EIGHT corners of the cab, not just the four sides, top and bottom. Seems obvious to me the cab took a hit while in a protected cover like the box it was shipped in. And the slightly pushed in single corner seems to show that it mighta landed pretty hard on that one corner.

I could live with the broken/cracked plastic corner protector but the cab has a buzz it seems in the driver that's in the same upper lefthand corner as the damaged corner. I pulled the front grill, that driver and checked for loose wires, screws, any damage to cab. I lightly pushed the cone surround in, no scratchy noise there. I checked all around the cab and everything seems tight. No other loose screws, drivers or anything on the cab I can find. I can't say for sure its that driver now but I still hear some buzz when I play thru it in that exact area. And low notes of my 5 string def make that area buzz/distort.

Finally, since it was over 80lbs, we had to have it shipped to my local Fedx office as they won't home deliver 80lbs or more. The day it arrived my wife went by to pick it up on her way home, and get this; another driver had accidentally put it in his truck and took it back to the main warehouse, ***? So they brought it back to the local store late next afternoon.

Jeez, that's all I needed was the box spending even more time being moved about. I can't figure out where the buzz is coming from and really don't want to take the new-ish looking cab apart anymore than I have. Guess I need to take it in to local speaker shop and see if they can find the buzz. And I'm dealing with FedX along the way. My new cab, still sits unused.

**JxBass** · #10 12-14-2010, 05:02 PM

I get my boxes from U-Haul, they have a big selection - inexpensive too. I always buy a second box, usually one size smaller. I break that one up and stuff it in on all sides. I've never had a problem.

ErnieD · #11 12-14-2010, 07:23 PM

some say they have good experience sending large boxes on Greyhound bus.

I think I'd trust the hound more after my recent Fdx ship attempt. Although til recently I'd always recommend Fedx.

jnewmark · #12 12-14-2010, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErnieD

I recently got a UL410 from a TBer via FedX;

I'm in the process of filing a damage complaint.

I felt he did a very good job of packing this cab. Alot of heavy plastic wrap around the cab, to keep out moisture. Alot more layers of this heavy thick plastic above and below the cab, so it was snug in the box.

I asked before he shipped to pls protect the corners. He slid long, strips of thick cardboard along each side of cab that ran from top to bottom of the cab. This reinforced all four sides of the from box top to bottom.

But I could see where one bottom corner was abit "accordianed in" when I got box home. I unwrapped the box and saw where the plastic corner protector that was at that same bottom corner was cracked. The top of cab was upside down since all the labels were on the bottom of the box. The plastic protector looked new but was split up the middle, like it cracked from impact. Had it been damaged outside the box, I feel there would be some discoloration or scratches from a wall, concrete, etc where the corner took the hit. The plastic protector looks new but again is split.

That's why I say put protective material at all EIGHT corners of the cab, not just the four sides, top and bottom. Seems obvious to me the cab took a hit while in a protected cover like the box it was shipped in. And the slightly pushed in single corner seems to show that it mighta landed pretty hard on that one corner.

I could live with the broken/cracked plastic corner protector but the cab has a buzz it seems in the driver that's in the same upper lefthand corner as the damaged corner. I pulled the front grill, that driver and checked for loose wires, screws, any damage to cab. I lightly pushed the cone surround in, no scratchy noise there. I checked all around the cab and everything seems tight. No other loose screws, drivers or anything on the cab I can find. I can't say for sure its that driver now but I still hear some buzz when I play thru it in that exact area. And low notes of my 5 string def make that area buzz/distort.

Finally, since it was over 80lbs, we had to have it shipped to my local Fedx office as they won't home deliver 80lbs or more. The day it arrived my wife went by to pick it up on her way home, and get this; another driver had accidentally put it in his truck and took it back to the main warehouse, ***? So they brought it back to the local store late next afternoon.

Jeez, that's all I needed was the box spending even more time being moved about. I can't figure out where the buzz is coming from and really don't want to take the new-ish looking cab apart anymore than I have. Guess I need to take it in to local speaker shop and see if they can find the buzz. And I'm dealing with FedX along the way. My new cab, still sits unused.

Are you sure it's not the cracked plastic corner that's buzzing? There was a thread not too long ago about tracking down buzzes and rattles. You can really drive yourself nuts with these things if it's not obviously apparent what is causing the noise. I went crazy trying to find a buzzing noise and did everything you did and more, including resetting every screw, and still could not find it. finally I discovered it was one of the spring loaded handles vibrating against the metal cup it was in.

BTW, I always try to get metal corners on my cabs if possible, or replace the plastic ones. They crack and scuff with hardly any abuse at all, unless you have a well padded cover.

ErnieD · #13 12-15-2010, 01:56 PM

for that suggestion. Yeah, I know finding them buzzes can drive ya nuts. Only thing is, when I hit those few low notes on B string or crank bass or volume I can almost narrow the buzz down to that one driver. But now after I pulled the metal grill and driver and put it all back together, CRAP! the grill started vibrating when I hit certain low notes. If I put my hand against it, it stops. So I added a buzziness now.

The cab seems to be all tight like factory screws have not ever been loosened. That's why I hesitate to remove more screws, drivers, etc. I'm gonna take grill off and reinstall it again but I'm done til I can get it to my local repair shop and let them try to find the issue.

I think FedX said I have like 9 months to still file my paper work for a refund and with holidays coming the cab will prolly sit til after first of year unused til I can get it to the shop to see what they can find. So the claim is open but on hold til I can send in my paper work. I mainly wanted this second UL410 for my larger spring/summer shows. Looks like it'll be til then before run my two UL410's as I planned.

But thanks again for that reply J. I think my buzz hunting days are done for now...well at least when it comes to cabs.

Now, where's my Salvia stash.

tecss · #14 12-15-2010, 02:01 PM

Sucks about your FedEx experience, but my buddy that owns a packing store still makes me use FedEx when shipping gear for two reasons:

1) FedEx holds the drivers responsible for shipping oopses so the driver takes better care, and
2) UPS drivers are union and a lot harder to fire if the screw up a bunch of shipments.

Those two mean your FedEx crew is probably taking better care of the gear, all things being equal.