How do I ship an amplifier- meaning "How do I pack it up safely?"

[StevoDOD]

Hey,

I'm big on pics, any ideas on how to successfully ship an amp without breaking the bank? I was thinking of going to Guitar Center and getting an amp shipping box, but don't want to mess this up. Thoughts?

thanks,

Stevo:crazyguy

[KeithC]

Here's how I do it.

First pull the tubes and bubble wrap them and pack them in the back of the amp. Make sure the cord is wrapped or secured so it won't stab the speaker if this is a combo. Pack the back of the amp full will something like bubble wrap or newspaper or wrapping paper.

I like to bubble wrap the amp after I put it in some sort of plastic bag or wrap. I have used thick outdoor trash bags for this.
Then put the wrapped amp in a smaller box that just fits the amp.

Then that box goes in a bigger box with some good hard foam in corners if possible or at the least a lot of peanuts surrounding the closed up inner box. Or if you have a lot of bubble wrap use that to surround the inner box.

So far so good for me.

I took a Dr. Z Maz 38 combo to our package store and had them do it once. They said you had to do the inner/outer box thing with at least 2 inches of peanuts surrounding the amp in the inner box and then at least 2 inches in the outer box to surround the inner box.
I think it was 2 inches...may have been four.
But, according to them it had to be that way for UPS to honor a claim.

That packing cost me over $200.00 with the packing and shipping.
That's the last time I had them do it though!

[Flyin' Brian]

Here ya go:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=288817

[Nolatone Ampworks]

Hey,

I'm big on pics, any ideas on how to successfully ship an amp without breaking the bank? I was thinking of going to Guitar Center and getting an amp shipping box, but don't want to mess this up. Thoughts?

thanks,

Stevo:crazyguy

I'm considering this as well and I'm sure you will get some answers here.

I've been parusing www.uline.com (http://www.uline.com). I'm looking at the expansing foam systems but won't go that route untill I have enough volume for shipping.

For a one off, if you don't have lot's of bubble wrap, go to Home Depot and get sheets of that 4' x 8' insulating sheeting. It usually has a foil backing of some sort. It's easy to work with and you can pack several layers around your amp making for great shock obsorbtion. Make sure you stack some boards on the bottom of the box to sit the amp on.

Make sure you pick a box that's big enough to allow enough packing, and sturdy enough that it won't buckle under handling causing someone to drop the amp.

Guitar Center boxes should be fine as long as they are large enough.

[otaypanky]

I have another Richter on it's way, hopefully next week. I'll take some photos of their shipping style. Sara shipped me a head earlier this year and it arrived in a wooden crate lined with foam. The UPS guy could have hooked a chain to the crate and towed it here and that amp would have been perfect. The 5E3 she sent me was packaged differently as it's very light, especially with a neo. It was double bubble wrapped, snug fit in a box, then snug fit in a 2nd box with bubble in between. It was so well packed I was tired by the time I was done unpacking it ~ She builds her amps just as conscientiously ~

[908SSP]

No Peanuts.

[Scumback Speakers]

No Peanuts.

Farking right. No peanuts. The thread link referenced above is how I do it with the 1.5" thick Insulfoam from Home Depot.

http://www.ih2000.net/ira/bmt-wth.htm

I've never had a damaged amp doing this. Make sure you have the 3" minimum (two 1.5" thick sheets) or you will not meet the minimum guidelines for Fedex and UPS.