Should I Ship SVT Power Tubes Separately?

[slick_tu]

I'm going to pack my SVT-CL as suggested in the sticky in the Amps For Sale Forum. I'm thinking that maybe I should ship the power tubes to the buyer separate from the amp by Priority Mail and wrap each one in bubble wrap. What do you guys think would be best, separate shippment or leave them in the amp when I ship it?

[waleross]

Sounds like a good idea, although when I bought mine new it came (Fedx) all in one box like they all do. IMO what company you ship with is really important. I usually try to buy from vendors that ship Fedx when I can, avoiding UPS and the PostOffice for really heavy and $$$ fragile items....I suppose shipping the tubes by themselves is a good idea......

[slick_tu]

Thanks. I'm using FedEx for the amp. UPS wants $33 more and it's too heavy for the Post Office anyway.

[eyeballkid]

when i ship tube amps i remove the tubes wrap them individually in bubble wrap.. mark them for which position each was in... make a bubble wrap 'pocket' in the inside of the amp, and stick em back inside and close up the amp... its like they are in a big wooden safe with bubble to float on... never broken a tube during shipping.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by slick_tu

I'm going to pack my SVT-CL as suggested in the sticky in the Amps For Sale Forum. I'm thinking that maybe I should ship the power tubes to the buyer separate from the amp by Priority Mail and wrap each one in bubble wrap. What do you guys think would be best, separate shippment or leave them in the amp when I ship it?

nah.....remove each tube,wrap in bubble and number each one,then wrap them into a bundle(s) with more bubble and secure them inside of the head

[coreyfyfe]

My SVT was shipped to me with the power tubes individually bubble wrapped and tapped onto the back grill and they all arrived just fine. The tape has started to pull away form the grill, but none of them broke or anything. Plenty of room in there for them in an SVT. When I shipped my V4 I packed/shipped them separately since I wasn't sure if they'd fit in comfortably with all the bubble wrap.

[christw]

Originally Posted by Jim Campbell

nah.....remove each tube,wrap in bubble and number each one,then wrap them into a bundle(s) with more bubble and secure them inside of the head

This!

[Oren Hudson]

I've shipped several SVT and other larger tube amps. Unless the tubes are not as tight as they should be in the socket, I just leave them atached and stuff crumpled newspapers all in and around the open spaces in the head. Never had a problem. Leaving them in the sockets and surrounding with tight but flexable material provides the best protection short of handing them over to the new owner in person. Nothing is fool proof, but based upon my experiences, this way gives max protection.

[bassybill]

Originally Posted by Oren Hudson

I've shipped several SVT and other larger tube amps. Unless the tubes are not as tight as they should be in the socket, I just leave them atached and stuff crumpled newspapers all in and around the open spaces in the head. Never had a problem. Leaving them in the sockets and surrounding with tight but flexable material provides the best protection short of handing them over to the new owner in person. Nothing is fool proof, but based upon my experiences, this way gives max protection.

This sounds a good solution - just avoid sending anything by UPS (as stated above) and you should be safe.

[johnk_10]

i've always just left them in the amp, but the amp was wrapped in 3" of large bubble bubblewarp, boxed, that box wrapped in 3" of bubblewrap and boxed again, and i then say a prayer. i never use UPS. fedex has been alot better for me, since the UPS guys are like handing it to spastic monkeys on my end of town.

[slick_tu]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I had to flip a coin on this one, and left the tubes in place with bubble wrap surrounding each one. I always planned to use FedEx.

[RickBlair]

Originally Posted by slick_tu

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I had to flip a coin on this one, and left the tubes in place with bubble wrap surrounding each one. I always planned to use FedEx.

Just make sure that you inform the buyer so that he/she doesn't turn the amp on with the packing material in place. When we shipped my son's SVT out I taped a big note to the top of the amp telling the buyer to remove the packing material.

Rick B.

[slick_tu]

Thanks, I did think about that. Ha Ha. I put a BIG note in a zip-lok bag along with the owner's manual and power cord.