1x12 Combo Amp Shipping Advice?

[Kwebb1023]

Just sold a Vox Ac15h1Tvl and need to ship it from Nc to Ny.
I know some stuff about shipping amps; but walk me through what I should do
Thanks!
The amp weighs 50 lbs; and it's 20.25x20.25x10.375

 

[trailrun100s]

Just sold a Vox Ac15h1Tvl and need to ship it from Nc to Ny.
I know some stuff about shipping amps; but walk me through what I should do
Thanks!
The amp weighs 50 lbs; and it's 20.25x20.25x10.375

I recently shipped a 40+ pound combo...I used a large, heavy duty box (my Avatar 2x10 bass cab came in it).

First wrap the amp in clear plastic. Then wrap(fully encapsulate) the amp in about 3-4" of large bubble, bubble wrap all the way around, top, bottom, front, back and sides. I wrapped the output tubes in small bubble. bubble wrap and then placed them in the back of the amp. I filled the inside of the cab with bubble wrap so the cord and tubes would not move around...

Place it all in the box, make sure there is no motion. Fill with extra bubble wrap if there is any free space...

 

[Kwebb1023]

I recently shipped a 40+ pound combo...I used a large, heavy duty box (my Avatar 2x10 bass cab came in it).

First wrap the amp in clear plastic. Then wrap(fully encapsulate) the amp in about 3-4" of large bubble, bubble wrap all the way around, top, bottom, front, back and sides. I wrapped the output tubes in small bubble. bubble wrap and then placed them in the back of the amp. I filled the inside of the cab with bubble wrap so the cord and tubes would not move around...

Place it all in the box, make sure there is no motion. Fill with extra bubble wrap if there is any free space...

Did you double box it? That's a very popular method i've seen.

 

[trailrun100s]

Did you double box it? That's a very popular method i've seen.

I did not...I figured if Avatar shipped me a 44 pound cabinet and that survived shipping without any trouble, then I would be fine using the same box to ship the combo amp with approx the same weight...

If you have access to a double box, it wouldn't hurt

For what it's worth, two of my 50 watt heads both came in single heavy duty boxes with lots of bubble wrap...

YMMV

 

[JoeWV]

I suggest removing the speaker, or securing it with washers or larger screw heads. I recently shipped a 1x12 cab and the speaker pulled through the screw heads. I never thought of it doing this.

 

[Peeb]

Tubes- remove and bubble wrap or leave in the sockets?

 

[Heady Jam Fan]

I once bought an amp new and the tubes were installed.

Every time I've bought or sold a used amp, tubes in bubble wrap.

 

[Johnny Alien]

Tubes- remove and bubble wrap or leave in the sockets?

I usually leave that up to the buyer. Most amp manufacturers ship their amps with the tubes in so I don't think it's as big of a problem as some people think it is. I have left them in numerous times and never had any break. On the flip side of all the amps I have bought over the internet the only one that had tubes break in shipping was one where they were pulled. Go figure.

 

[ggwwbb]

I recently shipped a 40+ pound combo...I used a large, heavy duty box (my Avatar 2x10 bass cab came in it).

First wrap the amp in clear plastic. Then wrap(fully encapsulate) the amp in about 3-4" of large bubble, bubble wrap all the way around, top, bottom, front, back and sides. I wrapped the output tubes in small bubble. bubble wrap and then placed them in the back of the amp. I filled the inside of the cab with bubble wrap so the cord and tubes would not move around...

Place it all in the box, make sure there is no motion. Fill with extra bubble wrap if there is any free space...

Thats how I do it....then I wrap that box in plenty of bubble wrap and put it in another box. You are correct about movement, you don't want any. I've shipped several amps and have yet to have a problem.

 

[Kwebb1023]

I suggest removing the speaker, or securing it with washers or larger screw heads. I recently shipped a 1x12 cab and the speaker pulled through the screw heads. I never thought of it doing this.

What about wedging the speaker with foam? I've also read about doing this.

Heres my plan; tell me if theres anything i'm missing.

Pull tube; bubblewrap in seperate box taped inside the amp. Wedge speaker with foam, bubblewrap the entire inside and outside.
Place slip cover over it. Planning on building a box to fit the amp; then put that inside a bigger box, fill wth bubble wrap/packing something and tape it up

Sound good?

 

[moemoe6434]

Where do you guys get boxes for this?

 

[Kwebb1023]

Where do you guys get boxes for this?

I've heard music store dumpsters.
I was planning on making boxes out of big sheets of cardboard though

 

[doublescale1]

Get some insulation sheets of Styrofoam, 1/2 or 3/4 inch thick. line the box with the sheets, cut to fit all sides, top/bottom & all four sides. the amp should be completely surrounded by this foam styrofoam and there should be no movement at all within the packed box by the amp (cut the sides down to fit if you have to). It will arrive safe and sound - this will eliminate the need for a double box, but you can do that too. Leave the speaker mounted, I've always pulled the tubes (send the new owner a sheet that shows him where things go back) and bubble wrap them and packing tape them to the inside of the cab. It will get there fine.

 

[Kwebb1023]

Get some insulation sheets of Styrofoam, 1/2 or 3/4 inch thick. line the box with the sheets, cut to fit all sides, top/bottom & all four sides. the amp should be completely surrounded by this foam styrofoam and there should be no movement at all within the packed box by the amp (cut the sides down to fit if you have to). It will arrive safe and sound - this will eliminate the need for a double box, but you can do that too. Leave the speaker mounted, I've always pulled the tubes (send the new owner a sheet that shows him where things go back) and bubble wrap them and packing tape them to the inside of the cab. It will get there fine.

Should i wedge the speaker or anything?

 

[mg550]

Wear a helmet when you take it to the shipper. It'll help prevent head injuries after you pass out from how much its going to cost you to ship it.

 

[JDJ]

Tubes in bubble wrap. Cord rubberbanded and bubblewrapped. Combo placed in a plastic bag. Packed in a box with foam and upside down. Then double-boxed.

 

[trailrun100s]

Don't worry about wedging the speaker...Think about how many amps are shipped from manufactures without all of the insanity some people go to...

If the preamp tubes have shields, I just leave them in, since the shield locks them in place...

Again, sturdy box, wrap amp in thin film plastic bag, wrap the cord and output tubes, put them in the amp and stuff the insides with wrap so they don't move. 3-4" of big bubble, bubble wrap to encapsulate the amp. Put in box, fill any extra area with bubble wrap so the amp doesn't move in the box...

Get a FedEx online account, so you can save on the shipping charges as well as pre-print a label. Then just drop off at shipping store...Done...

 

[AR-305]

A couple tips I've been told from the UPS man himself. Pack the amp well as has been described. Now here's the key: Use a red magic marker and write in large print on all six sides of the Box the words FRAGILE GLASS DO NOT DROP
And the equally important key to having your amp handled properly is to insure it for a minimum of $1000.00. The drivers have told me that this puts it in a special category where the drivers and handlers themselves are held responsible if any damage occurs.

 

[Johnny Alien]

And the equally important key to having your amp handled properly is to insure it for a minimum of $1000.00. The drivers have told me that this puts it in a special category where the drivers and handlers themselves are held responsible if any damage occurs.

This is 100% true. Apparently anything insured for $1000 doesn't go through the standard channels. I have been told this by numerous employees.