Need to Ship an Amp...(Question)

gibson5413

gibson5413

Well-known member
I need to ship a combo amp back to the manufacturer in Minnesota for a tune-up. The combo is a 1x12 and weighs about 55 pounds. I don't have the original box. What is the best way to pack and ship an amp of this size? I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
 
get a hold of a double or triple wall box ..... double's are a lot more common ... big enough for the amp and some packing ...I would find something that will give you a few inches around any part of the amp

pack it yourself ..... don't rely on the UPS store or anyone else ....

protect the front and back of the amp with extra panels of cardboard ...

wrap amp in a trashbag big enough to fit it ........ ( you have no idea if your box will sit in the rain at some point or if something is spilled )

and pack enough packing paper or bubble wrap IN THE BOX SO THE AMP CAN'T MOVE at all inside the box
 
griff10672 said:
get a hold of a double or triple wall box ..... double's are a lot more common ... big enough for the amp and some packing ...I would find something that will give you a few inches around any part of the amp

pack it yourself ..... don't rely on the UPS store or anyone else ....

protect the front and back of the amp with extra panels of cardboard ...

wrap amp in a trashbag big enough to fit it ........ ( you have no idea if your box will sit in the rain at some point or if something is spilled )

and pack enough packing paper or bubble wrap IN THE BOX SO THE AMP CAN'T MOVE at all inside the box
Click to expand...

Is there a particular package carrier that you would recommend?
 
gibson5413 said:
Is there a particular package carrier that you would recommend?
Click to expand...
I always use UPS ..... who ever you use is going to pick it up and drop it a few times ...

I run a Industrial Warehouse for my day gig ........... ship big stuff all day every day ....

I've had the least problems with UPS in the last 15 years of running this place .

and when you go through Pirate Ship .... you save some serious coin

forgot to mention you can also schedule UPS to pick up at your front door
 
griff10672 said:
I always use UPS ..... who ever you use is going to pick it up and drop it a few times ...

I run a Industrial Warehouse for my day gig ........... ship big stuff all day every day ....

I've had the least problems with UPS in the last 15 years of running this place .

and when you go through Pirate Ship .... you save some serious coin

forgot to mention you can also schedule UPS to pick up at your front door
Click to expand...
Can confirm. I deal with UPS,FedEx and LTL freight every day. 20 years ago, I would only ship FedEx for high dollar items like amps and guitars. That company is so fucked up now, I wouldn't trust them with a pack of plastic spoons. Definitely use UPS.
 
Pirate ship has saved me a shit ton of money!
griff10672 said:
I always use UPS ..... who ever you use is going to pick it up and drop it a few times ...

I run a Industrial Warehouse for my day gig ........... ship big stuff all day every day ....

I've had the least problems with UPS in the last 15 years of running this place .

and when you go through Pirate Ship .... you save some serious coin

forgot to mention you can also schedule UPS to pick up at your front door
Click to expand...
 
Always double box. Layer of bubble wrap around inner box. Also take something to dull the corners of outer box as these are what often catch and cause bad drops and bounces.
 
gibson5413 said:
I have never heard of Pirate Ship. Are they reliable? Thanks for the recommendations, all!
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Pirate Ship lets you use UPS ..... at a huge discount .... and you still have what ever services you would if you went straight through UPS ......

UPS Store will rape you dry .... don't ship out of there if you can help it
 
Use pirate ship to buy a discounted ups label and for their insurance. Their payout process is WAY easier than UPS and they’ll actually pay out.
 
gibson5413 said:
I need to ship a combo amp back to the manufacturer in Minnesota for a tune-up. The combo is a 1x12 and weighs about 55 pounds. I don't have the original box. What is the best way to pack and ship an amp of this size? I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
Click to expand...

When I shipped tube amps, I used to place them in a plastic bag of a large size and tape it. After that I wrapped the amp inside multiple, multiple layers of bubble wrap, then a tighlty fitting cardboard box which I taped very well. After that additional layers of cushion (bubble wrap or similar) which was not as tight as the inner packaging to absorb the shocks and then finally an outer cardboard box. One time a buyer called me after 10 minutes of unpacking to ask if the TSL100 is there somewhere inside the package. 🤣
 
You may be able to get strong enough boxes at a UHAUL or shipping place. I did that for a 5150 way back & it was fine (With padding added in the corners as mentioned above)
 
Agree with a lot here. Key issue for me is no slop when I shake the box. Also 2nd on just shipping the chassis, if that wasn’t what you were going to do.
Also have used Pirate Ship many times with no issue.
 
gibson5413 said:
I have never heard of Pirate Ship. Are they reliable? Thanks for the recommendations, all!
Click to expand...
Yes. They are a 3rd party shipper....you'll save at least 50% off what UPS would charge; and probably 80% off the UPS store charge. The best part is, if there's damage Pirate Ship won't flat deny the claim like UPS will. Every shipping issue I've seen that involved Pirate Ship, the shipper did recover damage claim funds.
 
Go to FedEx Office and have them box the amp up. It will be about $25-$35 and they will custom cut a box to the size of the amp, wrap it, and use expandable foam that molds to the actual item in the box. Then use Pirate Ship to print your own label.

This is what I do when I ship amps and I literally just did this yesterday.
 
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