Experiences with shipping a 4x12 internationally

[TheSneakyTruth]

Before you flame me, this is a purely academic question at this stage.
Living in Australia both our selection of gear being limited, and local prices of gear being astronomic, means I'm turning my search for a Fortin FL 4x12 overseas.

Has anyone bought used cabs from overseas and have any considerations?
I'm planning on shipping the cab unloaded, as that'll significantly save on weight and I already have a surplus of speakers.

Thanks in advance

 

[jtgainor]

I had a 2004 1960 BX shipped from England over to the states earlier this year. I would recommend double boxing if possible. The retailer I bought it from wrapped it decently in bubble wrap, but only used a single thin wall box that got destroyed in shipping. Ended up with a spot where the cab got hit and it flattened out part of a rounded edge. Other than that had zero issues and ups had it across the Atlantic and on my front porch in 3 days.

 

[Klauth]

Good luck!

 

[andrewd]

I've received big items internationally multiple times (including home theater speakers), and I usually asked for crate boxing.

It'll definitely make the shipping more expensive, but if even with the extra shipping it's still cheaper than purchasing locally, that's what I chose.

 

[Exo-metal]

It might be cheaper to move here

 

[Eazy-ESP]

I was thinking the same thing being an Aussie. But is a Fortin cab really that unique or special? I don’t know anything about them really.

 

[Klauth]

Before you flame me, this is a purely academic question at this stage.
Living in Australia both our selection of gear being limited, and local prices of gear being astronomic, means I'm turning my search for a Fortin FL 4x12 overseas.

Has anyone bought used cabs from overseas and have any considerations?
I'm planning on shipping the cab unloaded, as that'll significantly save on weight and I already have a surplus of speakers.

Thanks in advance

I've recorded a few Fortin 4x12's...nothing special. but if it inspires you to play...then go for it.

 

[Jack Luminous]

Got a 4x12 shipped from Italy to France recently. While it's not "overseas", it was already an ordeal. UPS was the less expensive, roughly 200 bucks without insurance.
Cabinet had a cover and had a special cut-to-size wooden shipping crate.
Even with the wooden crate, one of the V30 got ripped out of its inserts and was dangling inside only attached to the speaker wires due to super rough handling.
Still I fixed it easily. I was lucky, it could have been much worse.
So I would recommend shipping the speakers and cab separately if possible.

 

[2dor]

Got a 4x12 shipped from Italy to France recently. While it's not "overseas", it was already an ordeal. UPS was the less expensive, roughly 200 bucks without insurance.
Cabinet had a cover and had a special cut-to-size wooden shipping crate.
Even with the wooden crate, one of the V30 got ripped out of its inserts and was dangling inside only attached to the speaker wires due to super rough handling.
Still I fixed it easily. I was lucky, it could have been much worse.
So I would recommend shipping the speakers and cab separately if possible.

I had a Mesa 4x12 OS Straight shipped via UPS from Spain to Romania without too much protection / wrapping & it arrived in great condition; guess it's a luck / lottery thing.

 

[Jack Luminous]

I had a Mesa 4x12 OS Straight shipped via UPS from Spain to Romania without too much protection / wrapping & it arrived in great condition; guess it's a luck / lottery thing.

Ahhh ! I've been looking for a straight OS Mesa cab, waiting for the right deal for a long time, to go with my slant one and 90s rectifier (bought in the 90s, not the reissue). I'd really like a full stack ! Super hard to find used in Europe. New price here is f*****g insane !!! The best would be a 90s slant/straight, not the more recent real straight. Even harder to find. Never seen one with my own eyes in Europe.

 

[rsm]

UPS couldn't ship a Marshall 4x12 cab in its original factory sealed box without causing cosmetic damage; small area of ripped tolex and dented wood on the top front edge.

they also cracked the frame on a well-packed '76 Fender Super Twin that survived for decades; luckily it still worked, and the shop gave me the option to keep it with a good discount or return it...I kept it.

Both of these were domestic USA shipments.

Good luck

 

[WizardAmpIphoneClip]

Do anything in your power to do a local deal. Cash only. Shipping nowadays is a dice roll.

 

[Floyd Eye]

I once spent $35 to ship a $15 shave brush to @Thumbpicker in NSW. So my guess is it’s going to be fucking expensive.

 

[TheSneakyTruth]

I've recorded a few Fortin 4x12's...nothing special. but if it inspires you to play...then go for it.

In comparative recordings I’ve heard, it has a very dry and percussive sound. It would offer some difference and variability from my Mesa cab for studio use.

I once spent $35 to ship a $15 shave brush to @Thumbpicker in NSW. So my guess is it’s going to be fucking expensive.

Everything in this country is expensive, and selection so limited. I’m honestly so envious of the boutique gear in Europe and some American brands.

 

[Floyd Eye]

In comparative recordings I’ve heard, it has a very dry and percussive sound. It would offer some difference and variability from my Mesa cab for studio use.


Everything in this country is expensive, and selection so limited. I’m honestly so envious of the boutique gear in Europe and some American brands.

Or illegal. I offered to send him a slingshot in the mail but he didn’t want to get arrested.

 

[Racerxrated]

I had a 2004 1960 BX shipped from England over to the states earlier this year. I would recommend double boxing if possible. The retailer I bought it from wrapped it decently in bubble wrap, but only used a single thin wall box that got destroyed in shipping. Ended up with a spot where the cab got hit and it flattened out part of a rounded edge. Other than that had zero issues and ups had it across the Atlantic and on my front porch in 3 days.

This is similar to my experience as well. Over the years, I've bought 6 cabs from England. 2 just this year. No issues; and arrived within a week.

 

[DanTravis62]

Or illegal. I offered to send him a slingshot in the mail but he didn’t want to get arrested.

I laughed way too hard at this

 

[TheSneakyTruth]

This is similar to my experience as well. Over the years, I've bought 6 cabs from England. 2 just this year. No issues; and arrived within a week.

What kind of packaging/protection was used and how did you organise it?

 

[Racerxrated]

What kind of packaging/protection was used and how did you organise it?

I trusted the seller to pack it correctly. They did; bubble wrap over the cab...casters removed and packed in the handle insert, single piece of cardboard over the front grill, packed tight in a large box. Both showed up without injury. UPS was the vendor used.

 

[DanTravis62]

I trusted the seller to pack it correctly. They did; bubble wrap over the cab...casters removed and packed in the handle insert, single piece of cardboard over the front grill, packed tight in a large box. Both showed up without injury. UPS was the vendor used.

As long as it's packed correctly, it's not difficult to ship or receive 4x12s

That being said, I've never done it internationally