So bummed right now...

[PrestoDone]

When I Received an amp from guitar center Texas, the box had a slash through the front of it and the tolex had a small 1/2 - 1 inch ding on it. Nothing major but just by looking at the box it scared me. The good thing was that the amp was tightly packed with bubble wrap and the tubes had been pulled out and bubble wrapped too. I really dig the classified section in these forums, you can get really nice stuff for a fair price, but the whole shipping thing has me scared. As a buyer I know I will be insured from the shipping company, but the point is I rather have the gear I am after rather than my money refunded and of course the seller who takes the hit too.

 

[gibson5413]

What a bummer. I'm sorry this happened Steve. Hope it all works out for the best.

 

[cyndicate]

I have a buddy who is a shift manager at a UPS hub in Minneapolis. He is also a guitar played and says he would NEVER ship anything big heavy and expensive threw UPS. Also he's stated say that pakages fall off conveyor belts ALOT. Sometimes falling more than 10 feet, which is what looks like happed to yours. I think someone should start a company that is disigned to ship musical instruments and other high-end breakable expensive items. It only makes sense because these high volume companies aren't going anywhere cause they have made it in the commercial world and don't give a shit about there reputation anymore. It's a sad sad truth that us gear flippers have to face.
I don't know WTF happend to that amp it is a mystery. Looks like Hulk Hogan did an elbow drop from about 10 ft. on that sucker, and the box is barely damaged. Seriously WTF!!

exactly..this is whats wrong with business in america. these dudes are phoning it in. They have reached a level where it just doesnt matter anymore. We need more competition here. Its what creates a balance. Im looking into DHL right now. Maybe they will show a little common decency and better yet, professionalism.

I used to use DHL for everything, but I think they no longer do domestic shipments.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm sure you shipped the amp properly and it should have withstand most abuse by the shipping company, but one word of advice....Take the tubes out before you ship. (not sure if you did, but it didn't look like it.) I recently got a tube head from Guitar Center in Texas.(I Live in Los Angeles), I was scared of something similar happening, but I guess I got lucky. Hope it all works out for you bro.

I have probably shipped over 30 amps and I have never pulled the tubes out. Have never had a problem (*knock on wood*) If it's packed well enough it should survive if the carrier doesn't abuse the shit out of the box. Even all manufacturers ship this way. In this case however it looks like UPS just threw the box around or ran it over with the truck.

Beat me to it...I'd actually prefer a shipper leave them in.

Yup - agreed. I always prefer them left in.

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I am very interested to hear how this plays out. Can you update the thread, Steve?

Will do. I'm sick over this. A painstaking re-creation of a vintage 12000, a true work of art, and the thing is destroyed...

Steve

 

[Gainfreak]

WTF!!!
Sorry to see this but hopefully the insurance will take care of it.

I shipped Kages Bogner Ubershall to Jason Wallas years ago and he called me up to tell me that he witnessed them rolling the amp end of end in his driveway all the way up to his door. needless to say that the amp was destroyed and was featured the the now legendary Dropped Ubershall video lol. Whenever I see something like that, Im almost positive that it was done by a disgruntled employee.

 

[tripstan]

I have a buddy who is a shift manager at a UPS hub in Minneapolis. He is also a guitar played and says he would NEVER ship anything big heavy and expensive threw UPS. Also he's stated say that pakages fall off conveyor belts ALOT. Sometimes falling more than 10 feet, which is what looks like happed to yours. I think someone should start a company that is disigned to ship musical instruments and other high-end breakable expensive items. It only makes sense because these high volume companies aren't going anywhere cause they have made it in the commercial world and don't give a shit about there reputation anymore. It's a sad sad truth that us gear flippers have to face.
I don't know WTF happend to that amp it is a mystery. Looks like Hulk Hogan did an elbow drop from about 10 ft. on that sucker, and the box is barely damaged. Seriously WTF!!

exactly..this is whats wrong with business in america. these dudes are phoning it in. They have reached a level where it just doesnt matter anymore. We need more competition here. Its what creates a balance. Im looking into DHL right now. Maybe they will show a little common decency and better yet, professionalism.

Yeah I told him I had my Diezel shipped with UPS and his eyes bout feel out of his head. . . .Thats when he informed me about the "quality control" of UPS. UPS only about timing. I thought of getting a job with them and he stated that the only thing that matters to them is time, show up on time and don't waste their time. They act like they need to deliver pizza in 30 mins or less or it's free, Again. . . .WTF!!

 

[jerrydyer]

I have a buddy who is a shift manager at a UPS hub in Minneapolis. He is also a guitar played and says he would NEVER ship anything big heavy and expensive threw UPS. Also he's stated say that pakages fall off conveyor belts ALOT. Sometimes falling more than 10 feet, which is what looks like happed to yours. I think someone should start a company that is disigned to ship musical instruments and other high-end breakable expensive items. It only makes sense because these high volume companies aren't going anywhere cause they have made it in the commercial world and don't give a shit about there reputation anymore. It's a sad sad truth that us gear flippers have to face.
I don't know WTF happend to that amp it is a mystery. Looks like Hulk Hogan did an elbow drop from about 10 ft. on that sucker, and the box is barely damaged. Seriously WTF!!

exactly..this is whats wrong with business in america. these dudes are phoning it in. They have reached a level where it just doesnt matter anymore. We need more competition here. Its what creates a balance. Im looking into DHL right now. Maybe they will show a little common decency and better yet, professionalism.

I used to use DHL for everything, but I think they no longer do domestic shipments.

oh really??? saved me a phone call. I know everytime Nik shipped something it arrived here perfect. it wasnt until me and this other uy shipped in the states with fed ex and ups that we had probs. And we did like 2 dozen Overtones here in the states.

 

[ibenhad]

Sucks man I have had 2 shipped that got damaged bad. At least USPS paid me full insurance on the one 2061X and I didn't even bother with an Ampeg VL502 that was damaged in almost the exact place as yours.

Take the tubes out... I just bought an Ecstasy Classic from Oregon and I am in NY it arrived perfect but the trader made a good point, the guide pin in the center of the power tube will break off in the socket and I have seen this. Doesn't ruin the tube and is more of an annoyance so why not remove, wrap and drop in the headshell.

The best packing I have seen on amps is from VooDoo amps. They have a blown styrofoam lining and then hard cardboard L shaped beams that run the outer edge on the back and front to absorb hits like yours took. Some really good vids online about packing. I tried some of that spray foam (shit that never stops growing) on the last amp I shipped and it arrived perfect. I took a garbage bag and lined the bottom of the box. Sprayed cans of that foam all into the bag on the bottom. Put another bag over it and laid the amp down in to it. It formed around it. I then put a bag over the top and did the same. The amp was also wrapped in bubble wrap and plastic itself. Another heads up is that most times UPS, USPS and FED EX WILL NOT PAY insurance claim if you boxed it

Good luck man.

 

[ratter]

Holy crap that must have taken a hell of a knock to bend the chassis so far. Jeez....

 

[carlygtr]

Feel your pain. Looks like the full weight of the amp connected with a pole or something blunt at full force

 

[TeleBlaster]

I bought a guitar from a forum member and had it shipped FedEx Ground (& pound), it arrived with a tire track across the box!!!
Totally smashed, case broken, etc.
So they picked it up to be "inspected" before processing the insured value.
Then, unbeknownst to me or the seller, they taped it up and sent it back to the seller's address, (this is not even the address it was shipped from!!)and left it on his front porch with no signature!!
It was stolen from his front porch.
They refused to pay the insurance.
Fortunately for me, I am a vendor to a very large international corporation, and am on good terms with their head shipping manager. She acted on my behalf and many weeks later I got a check for about 80% of what I lost....
I'm very lucky all things considered.

 

[rockstah]

on second look i don't even know how its possible that the head box is not damaged with that much done to the chassis? ....seems like an impossible magic trick... the pot and the knob aren't broken... bizarre!

 

[prsguitars1]

I'm currently going through the same situation. Prepare to have UPS try and bend you over. This happened probly almost 2 months ago and it's still not settled. UPS is going to do everything they can to not pay you and say it's your fault. They'll drag their feet too man. Hope you get through it quickly.

 

[Anonymous]

A new development. You guys are not gonna believe this one. From the seller:

"I threw a JJ in the slot vacated by the destroyed Mullard EL34.

Good news: it sounds great. Haven't turned it up yet, but it works. So...seems like the chassis and plexi plates are the only casualties...though honestly I think the headshell is probably toast as well. I'm sure the plywood is cracked under the tolex. For it to take a shock hard enough to cave in the backside, dimple the front and arc the entire chassis (it is bowed), the headshell had to be damaged.

Such a shame...but wow does it sound good."

My mind is blown that the amp even fires up, never mind makes ANY sound, but that it sounds great??? C'mon...

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

on second look i don't even know how its possible that the head box is not damaged with that much done to the chassis? ....seems like an impossible magic trick... the pot and the knob aren't broken... bizarre!

I'm with you - seems impossible without more damage to the box and I'm concerned that is what UPS will say as well... I cannot see how this could happen in the basically intact box...

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

What I was going to say was, maybe get in touch with George at Metro. He may be willing to help that brother out in getting the boards and component in a new chassis while waiting on UPS to get their shit together.

Yeah, I contacted George via email with the pics, etc already...

Steve

 

[rockstah]

on second look i don't even know how its possible that the head box is not damaged with that much done to the chassis? ....seems like an impossible magic trick... the pot and the knob aren't broken... bizarre!

I'm with you - seems impossible without more damage to the box and I'm concerned that is what UPS will say as well... I cannot see how this could happen in the basically intact box...

Steve

.... he gets the amp... takes the chassis out of the head box to appreciate the workmanship... drops it off the bench and then says "look what UPS did!"... hmmmm

 

[rockstah]

though honestly I think the headshell is probably toast as well. I'm sure the plywood is cracked under the tolex.

"the headshell had to be damaged"....? hes there looking at it isn't he? you couldn't write this stuff... i don't know man

 

[jerrydyer]

when its dropped on a side, the weight of the trannies causes buckle, Thats why no knob damage or strike marks on the plate. (s)