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need shipping advice!!

hintz

hintz

Jun 5, 2014
4,484
3,548
43
wahiawa, HI(Oahu)
#1
I need some guidance for having my head shipped to me, I've read as much as I possibly could on this forum and elsewhere, but I think some kind of consensus will help.

I own a 1976 fender ps300, my issue is I'm stationed in Hawaii and my amp is in Minnesota at my fathers house. I was up there about a month ago, I played through it a bit then had the tubes removed and packed separate before I left as I want it shipped here within the next year!

what I want to know is who would handle my amp the best?? I've read pros and cons about FedEx (cheaper) and UPS(more abusive/careless!!??), I know this will easily cost between $300-500 more than likely, I've already called both stores both here and the mainland and got varying prices for the weight (80lbs with packaging)and size, which also vary from their websites.

I've read up on how to pack it, unfortunately I can't do it myself, so I'd have to relay whatever info I have to my father to either 1.pre pack it somehow before shippers pack it
and/or2. Have him watch them pack it, cuz I really don't trust either UPS or FedEx

I'd appreciate any opinions on which company, or an alternative would ensure my amp arrives safely
 
#2
Heavy amps pop bubble warp and crush foam "peanuts or popcorn" which is what they will use. When this happens the amp is loose in the box, shifts around and the shifting weight can cause the box to fall from conveyor belts. You Dad or a friend needs to pack it for you. Closed cell foam panels like the insulation for garage door panels work well. Easy (but messy) to cut to size with a serrated knife, electric knife or razor knife.
1 1/2 to 2" on all sides between inner box and amp, same between inner box (with amp) and a double wall outer box. NOT overkill if you want your amp to stand the best chance of getting there undamaged.

It has to go air to the islands anyway so pay the extra for the 2 to 3 day instead of general freight that gets stuffed into larger containers. FedEx air is okay, its the ground people on the trucks but packed as I said they will have to try REALLY hard to damage it.
 
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#4
The air service is okay, ground service can be rougher than UPS. Either one if you can drop off at the hub not a third party store you'll get the best price and don't seal the top of the outer box so they can inspect the packing. Take your own pics of the inner and outer box packing.
 
#14
Here's an alternate idea. If you don't need the amp right away, and you are getting orders soon, you could could have the movers do a pickup at your father's house in addition to the pickup at your current place.

Otherwise, FedEx might be the way to go.
 
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#18
Leo Smith said:
Here's an alternate idea. If you don't need the amp right away, and you are getting orders soon, you could could have the movers do a pickup at your father's house in addition to the pickup at your current place.

Otherwise, FedEx might be the way to go.
Click to expand...

I wasn't aware of that(shame on me, I've been in for almost 5 year!), I'll have to look into that for sure, thanks!! And no I don't need it, just miss/want it, I'm in the army band at Schofield barracks, they have a few bass rigs, there not that good though IMO!! So that might be my best option, thanks again!!
 
#19
all good info much quicker than I expected, I can relay this info to my father to properly pack it for me and either wait a couple years to have it picked up, or if I get impatient at least it will withstand possible abuse from whoever I might go with, all good stuff here, thanks so much
Andy
 

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