Shipping amps and the dreaded packing peanuts

[steve_k]

I flew over to TGP to check on a listing. This thread caught my eye. Here's why you don't drop off an amp at UPS to be packed, nor why you use only packing peanuts for protection. They are useless. This guy's Hiwatt combo came to pieces and even broke the PC board. Sounds like UPS is reimbursing, but that's not the point.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=999856

Steve

 

[The Hoff]

I'll admit it, I made this mistake. I shipped out an amp with packing peanuts as well as in a vertical position

I got lucky that it was only the headshell that cracked. Paid to have that replaced and learned my lesson. Vintage Hiwatt, hope it was fully insured.

 

[gtrwun]

I've had this happen to me. UPS packed a Meteltronix M1000 I got off eBay years ago. I had to beg them to reimburse me enough to get the amp repaired. The pots were connected directly to the board (a terrible design) and long story short, it never worked right. The whole thing was a nightmare.

 

[strungup]

The only time I ever had anything broken it was packed in those peanuts. I just got an amp last week that the same thing happened. I saw the peanuts on the ground outside the box and I knew before I opened it. I was hoping the broken tubes were all that was wrong but its more than that. Until it goes in for repair its not even usable. Packing peanuts are evil.

 

[mrkmas]

I saw that same forum yesterday. That must be a horrible experience when you are expecting an amp.

 

[Anonymous]

The only time packing peanuts should be used is to pad the outside box from the inside box that the amp is packed in.....I double box whenever possible and if I can't you won't see packing peanuts

 

[stoneage cabs]

Packing is a PITA plain & simple. Here's a method & material suggestion:

At minimum, use double wall cardboard cartons. If the product is not tight in the carton using these items, use additional cardboard cut to about the same size as the insulation, until item is tight in box. (I have a supply of triple wall for this). Be sure to factor in rubber feet, corner protectors & slip covers BEFORE you cut materials. Insulation can be purchased at home centers. And for God's sake use some good tape...

*expensive? Yes!
*hassle cutting to size? Yes!
Time consuming? YES..
*worth it? You bet!

 

[The Hoff]

Packing is a PITA plain & simple. Here's a method & material suggestion:

At minimum, use double wall cardboard cartons. If the product is not tight in the carton using these items, use additional cardboard cut to about the same size as the insulation, until item is tight in box. (I have a supply of triple wall for this). Be sure to factor in rubber feet, corner protectors & slip covers BEFORE you cut materials. Insulation can be purchased at home centers. And for God's sake use some good tape...

*expensive? Yes!
*hassle cutting to size? Yes!
Time consuming? YES..
*worth it? You bet!

Perfect

 

[verderacer]

I am currently working a deal for a Marshall head, and was wondering if your ship heads with the tubes removed ? If so, how do you package them and contain them?

 

[peterc52]

When I recieved my Hagen directly from Diezel, the tubes were not removed. And nothing happened. Works perfectly.

 

[::fred::]

I am currently working a deal for a Marshall head, and was wondering if your ship heads with the tubes removed ? If so, how do you package them and contain them?

If there are no spring holders on powertubes and the tubes are somewhat loose in their sockets (relatively), you need to take them out, wrap each one individually with bubblewrap, then duct tape them to the chassis inside. Also, stuff more bubblewrap/other anti-shock material inside, so that the packaged tubes don't move.

 

[Laura]

When I got my Uberschall a few years ago, it arrived in a box that was a bit larger than the amp. It has a slight amount of bubble wrap around the outside of the amp but the bubble wrap was just wrapped (not taped) around the amp. I cringed when I got the box because the amp was clearly not snug in the packaging but somehow it got here safely. Honestly, it was a miracle that the amp survived but it did.

 

[mentoneman]

bought a pcm 70 from gc manhattan that arrived in a box that looked like it had been used a thousand times before.
when i picked it up it felt like a paper bag.

one loose layer of cheap bubble wrap--big bubbles with large spaces between them and thin plastic-wrong tool for the job.

DOA

 

[jcj]

The only time packing peanuts should be used is to pad the outside box from the inside box that the amp is packed in.....I double box whenever possible and if I can't you won't see packing peanuts

This

 

[Red_Label]

Packing is a PITA plain & simple. Here's a method & material suggestion:

At minimum, use double wall cardboard cartons. If the product is not tight in the carton using these items, use additional cardboard cut to about the same size as the insulation, until item is tight in box. (I have a supply of triple wall for this). Be sure to factor in rubber feet, corner protectors & slip covers BEFORE you cut materials. Insulation can be purchased at home centers. And for God's sake use some good tape...

*expensive? Yes!
*hassle cutting to size? Yes!
Time consuming? YES..
*worth it? You bet!

Exactly how I packed the Shiva and Twin Reverb I shipped last year. Heavy cardboard, thick styro, TRIPLE-wrapped in the big bubble wrap, and peanuts to fill in any gaps so NOTHING can move an inch. And then duct tape and/or heavy tape the hell out of it! I took picks of every step of the process and sent the pics to the buyer so they'd know how it left my house.

I just sold my VHT UL to a fellow Rig Talker, but it shipped in its tightly fitted road case, so I just wrapped it in card board and taped well, leaving the sides open so one could carry it with the side handles. Also labeled both the cardboard and the road case with his name and address in case the cardboard came-off. I don't mess around or hope for the best when shipping amps. Like most, I'd rather just not ship them at all. But when you live in MT... you've GOT to do it.

BTW... I bought my XTC last year and when it arrived there was a large hole in the box, with peanuts dropping-out. I saw that and my heart sank. Luckily the seller had double-wrapped the amp in large bubble wrap, so even though it was kind of floating around in the box, it was fine.

 

[LP Freak]

I am currently working a deal for a Marshall head, and was wondering if your ship heads with the tubes removed ? If so, how do you package them and contain them?

I've had way better luck leaving the tubes in. If you're concerned, take the back off the amp and fill the cavity around the tubes with bubble wrap.

 

[Red_Label]

I am currently working a deal for a Marshall head, and was wondering if your ship heads with the tubes removed ? If so, how do you package them and contain them?

I've had way better luck leaving the tubes in. If you're concerned, take the back off the amp and fill the cavity around the tubes with bubble wrap.

Ditto that. If the tube sockets are nice and tight (and/or the retainers are there), then I personally think that leaving them in is preferrable. I've never removed them to ship, nor have I ever had an amp shipped to me with the tubes removed. The only issue I ever had with tubes and shipping was the Jet City Pico Valve amp that MF shipped to me last year that looked like someone had punted it 60 yards. One tube was broken and others were leaning. But the trannies were all bent-up as well. So it was hosed either way.

 

[Capulin Overdrive]

Since we're on the topic.

Who's the Dunhill smoker? Found a butt in a second hand Steve box.

 

[JackBootedThug]

fuck ups. i did a trade for a head on here and ups destroyed the cab. had it insured and they will not pay. lost about 700.

 

[Skrapmetal]

fuck ups. i did a trade for a head on here and ups destroyed the cab. had it insured and they will not pay. lost about 700.

What is their reasoning for not paying?