Anyone ever shipped an 810 overseas?

Frank Booth · #1 05-20-2010, 08:24 PM

I have an SVT CL and an 810 that is currently in California. I have an interested buyer in Prague of all places, and I am trying to figure out if there is any possible way to get the amp there safely. I checked with UPS and the cabinet alone is beyond the shipping weight limit, so I am trying to figure out freight possibilities for overseas. Anyone ever deal with this? I know this seems like a ton of trouble but if the guy is willing to pay I will try to make it happen for him.

And to answer the questions before they are asked, this amp is 1 of 3 custom made by Ampeg with white tolex and grills, made for the band AFI on their decemberunderground tour. I have had it for 2-3 years and I am ready to part with it, I am assuming that the person who wants it in the Czech Republic is a fan of the band, hence him even trying to figure out how to get it. Any input is appreciated, thanks!

groooooove · #2 05-20-2010, 08:29 PM

IMO once he finds out the real price of sending it he's going to back out..

i doubt its even really going to be doable..

let us know how it ends up

Jeff Scott · #3 05-20-2010, 08:43 PM

I know a guy who shipped an STV, head and two cabinets, to Israel from the US.

Frank Booth · #4 05-20-2010, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

I know a guy who shipped an STV, head and two cabinets, to Israel from the US.

any idea how he did it?
I am guessing it is just going to be too much for him also. I punched in the specifics for a 95 lb package on UPS.com (since the head is about 80 lbs) and the cheapest method was still almost a grand. yikes. It seems that the cheapest way to send it would be by boat and truck, which DOES NOT seem safe.

Frank Booth · #5 05-21-2010, 08:54 AM

JackANSI · #6 05-21-2010, 09:04 AM

For something that 'small' its not going to even be worth it for anyone 'big' to handle... maybe try a company like Rock-It Cargo or Shannon Express (Shannon is local to me and I have used them to ship a car motor) that already has something heading in that direction...

You're also going to want to have a shipping crate made for it, so be sure to include about $80-100 for that too.

No matter what you're looking at enough shipping charges to pay for a used one over there and the cost of getting it refinished to match by the best craftsman in his country....

NicJimBass · #7 05-21-2010, 09:07 AM

A couple years ago, I shipped a Carvin 810 to Italy, IIRC. Can't remember the name of teh company I used, but it was an airline company based at Rickenbacker Air Force Base here in Columbus. I think it was a couple hundred dollars to ship, but it was less than I thought it would be. The only hassle was finding the place to drop it, the guy buying it did the rest.

beans-on-toast · #8 05-21-2010, 09:38 AM

You should contact the air cargo divisions for the international airlines or couriers that serve your area. DHL, FedEx and UPS and others have international air cargo divisions. UPS http://www.ups.com/aircargo/ or http://www.dhl.com/en/logistics/frei...r_freight.html for example. Look for freight into Prague International Airport (PRG).

You should also ask if it is more cost effective to ship two containers or one with both items.

You can save money at the destination airport if you pick it up. Extra delivery adds to the cost. It is also important to have all the paperwork in order.

Jeff Scott · #9 05-21-2010, 06:52 PM

I will try and get the details on the Israeli SVT.

Dubista · #10 05-22-2010, 01:49 AM

Bump, I would like to know how too. Shipping cheap second hand 810's out of America seems cheaper than buying a new one in Australia.

But I'll hold my horses till someone gets a loose figure on the cost.

tom once dead · #11 05-22-2010, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubista

Bump, I would like to know how too. Shipping cheap second hand 810's out of America seems cheaper than buying a new one in Australia.

But I'll hold my horses till someone gets a loose figure on the cost.

I got a couple of quotes on shipping a 210 cab over from the states, it was around 400-500, and thats on a 210.

tomich · #12 05-22-2010, 02:03 AM

you think they could buy a new one here in europe...

i am asking the same thing about shipping a 2x12 from the us to europe!

Jazz Ad · #13 05-22-2010, 02:20 AM

It makes no sense. Since Ampeg production moved overseas, price in Europe went way down because gear gets delivered directly to Europe.

Just to put things in perspective :
Ampeg 810 @ Musician's Friend us$999
Ampeg 810 @ Thomann 1.099 € = us$1,381.44

There is no money to save here. The cost of VAT and shipping will be much higher than the little you could save.

Dubista · #14 05-22-2010, 02:23 AM

The cheapest new Ampeg 810 I can find is $2275 AUD.. loosely $1880 USD.

Jeff Scott · #15 05-22-2010, 10:29 AM

Here is the reply from my friend:

"Hey,
I shipped a pair of 8x10 cabs and a head, total weight with packing: 214Kg
Packing material was about $130, I was lucky to have a friend's brother
pack it for me.
Air freight was about $900 including tax agent fee (NOT including tax).

It's a bit of a pain but it was worth it

"

Keep in mind this was for a vintage early '70s SVT and two cabs, so the price was considered reasonable. YMMV.

fu22ba55 · #16 05-22-2010, 10:41 AM

Try Forward Air

http://www.forwardair.com

I had a Ampeg V-9 cab (9x10) shipped to me in the midwest from California. It cost $200.

You'd need to build a forklift-friendly crate for the 8x10, but I think Forward Air could make it happen for you. I don't know what it would cost.

rbonner · #17 05-22-2010, 11:10 AM

First you start with having or building an International Shipping Container for botn the head and cabinet. They both will have the ability to get under them with a fork lift.

You will need to pay for this professionally if you don't know HOW. I have now built 7 International containers. You need to print out and provide the international paperwork and customs delcorations, staple it in waterproof folders to the outside of the crates and stencil 1 of 2 and 2 of 2 to the outside of the crates. You could since you are building a custom container include both the head and cab in one crate, but they would need separate compartments.

Lots a 2X4's and 1/2" plywood or OSB. I used 1" pink foam board as the protectant, I wraped everything in shrink wrap to keep moisture out and protect finish. The cases firmly hold the item inside, no rattle.

BOB

Then you contact a freight forwarder. In my case a guy showed up in my driveway with a door to door truck with a lift gate truck and hauled the 5 large boxes 3500# total to a big truck, then a ship on the great lakes in canada on its way to Belgium where this stuff was going. He got it a month later.

GibsonLP · #18 05-22-2010, 11:32 AM

Hi there.
Thought I'd jump in, I am the one who had his SVT shipped to Israel.
I used air freight and got it within 4 days, when shipping freight the price difference between sea and air freight is not that bad for these relatively small figures (214Kg is a small package for freight services).

The truth is that if I were to buy a modern rig - I'd just buy it local.
I bought mine abroad because getting a vintage SVT set in Israel is impossible.

Here are some images of my SVT as it arrived

Jeff Scott · #19 05-22-2010, 12:02 PM

Welcome, Gil!

Frank Booth · #20 05-22-2010, 12:38 PM

Hey thanks so much for all the replies. It seems that this is going to be more than I am willing to deal with, so I am just going to have to try to sell this locally. I know it doesn't seem like it makes sense to pay that much money for a modern/used rig, but the guy who wanted it is just a huge fan of the band that owned it. Thanks for all the info, it was very helpful!