Shipping Boxes for Marshall-sized Amp Heads

[LucSulla]

I'm purging a good bit of gear, but one thing that is creating a bit of an issue is finding a box for a Marshall-sized head. Guitar stores aren't really an option, and I'd like to avoid paying to have it packed. I'd prefer to do my own packing. There are double-sided, 32"x16"x16" boxes on the net, but you have to order quite a few of them at once. It ain't cheap. Still cheaper than having an amp damaged, but I'd love to hear any other suggestions. 

[velorush]

We ship tons (literally, and literally-literally, not Gen Z "literally") of very sensitive equipment all over the country, much of it oddly shaped. Where necessary we cut down larger boxes to fit.  Some of the best boxes out there are refrigerator boxes - vast planes of uninterrupted cardboard that can be cut down as needed.  Cut out the rough dimensions, use a razor blade to cut the first layer of the inside of a corner for easy, uniform folding and work it into the box size you need.

OTOH, I *think* I've got an old Marshall head box in the attic.  If you are going to be in the greater Memphis area I could see if my brother (lives in Lakeland, works downtown) is coming up my way to my parent's house any time soon. Yours for the picking if you have time to work through the logistics. 

LMK and I'll shoot him a text and run up to the attic to make sure it's still there.

 

ETA: just realized you typed "boxeS" not "box."  Offer stands if one will help out.  Otherwise, refrigerator boxes are great raw material.

Edited July 31, 2024 by velorush

[velorush]

Uline has a double-wall box rated for 275 lbs., minimum quantity of 10.  Shipping to Oxford is $48.65, so all-in cost is $14.28 per box. 

Not sure what is considered acceptable, but that seems low enough to be able to recoup in the amp sale terms. 

[cynic]

Not sure how they are everywhere, but one of the two times I've shipped an amp head I took it to a Fedex/Kinkos in San Diego.  They built a box and according to the recipient, packed it for war.  Them doing the packing added zero cost so I only paid the flat shipping cost.

[velorush]

^^That would be a bargain!^^

[LucSulla]

On 7/31/2024 at 2:28 PM, velorush said:

We ship tons (literally, and literally-literally, not Gen Z "literally") of very sensitive equipment all over the country, much of it oddly shaped. Where necessary we cut down larger boxes to fit.  Some of the best boxes out there are refrigerator boxes - vast planes of uninterrupted cardboard that can be cut down as needed.  Cut out the rough dimensions, use a razor blade to cut the first layer of the inside of a corner for easy, uniform folding and work it into the box size you need.

OTOH, I *think* I've got an old Marshall head box in the attic.  If you are going to be in the greater Memphis area I could see if my brother (lives in Lakeland, works downtown) is coming up my way to my parent's house any time soon. Yours for the picking if you have time to work through the logistics. 

LMK and I'll shoot him a text and run up to the attic to make sure it's still there.

 

ETA: just realized you typed "boxeS" not "box."  Offer stands if one will help out.  Otherwise, refrigerator boxes are great raw material.

I just need a box, and that's only if this doesn't sell locally. It would probably be more cost effective to just pay for packing though with gas prices being what they are. I appreciate the thought though!

[HSB0531]

On 7/31/2024 at 3:40 PM, velorush said:

Uline has a double-wall box rated for 275 lbs., minimum quantity of 10.  Shipping to Oxford is $48.65, so all-in cost is $14.28 per box. 

Not sure what is considered acceptable, but that seems low enough to be able to recoup in the amp sale terms. 

I was just about to suggest Uline.

I used their larger guitar shipping boxes when I sold off most of my basses.