Safe to Ship a Heavy Cabinet ?

Bubble

Bubble

Apr 17, 2013
1,024
616
4,571
LV-426
#1
I'm looking at a good deal from an internet music company but I saw a thing on TV that showed boxes in a shipping terminal. The boxes were rolling, tumbling, getting dropped, stacks piling up at the conveyor ends, and people who have picked up hundreds of boxes that day, just tossing it on another conveyor.
Then they said it is up to the shipper to anticipate this rough handling and pack accordingly.

The option is to take a less inviting price and get it local, handled mainly on skids or pallets, in a bundle and much better treated.

How well is that shipped cabinet or combo amp arriving ?
 
#2
Here is where Neo magnets and cast aluminum frame speakers come in to justify their cost. That is a perilous journey for most stamped frame drivers, Eminence stamped frames look to be of the best risk, especially with heavy ceramic magnets. A big old 15" with a 10lb or more magnet on an MDF baffle ? Ha good luck.
 
#4
I haven't.

I also wonder, maybe more of a concern, about dropped cabs being degaussed. Is there any reality to this? I know from science class that banging a magnet can do this; but is there a real concern here with cabs being banged around? How would you know if it does contain a speaker that has been affected by some degaussing? Is the power handling or frequency response changed?
 
#6
BadExample said:
Has anyone received a speaker properly mounted in a cab that had a damaged frame (basket), yet the cab was not damaged?
Click to expand...
Me. I bought a used Ampeg cabinet that had a "missing" caster wheel. I found after I got home the "missing" wheel must have been broken in a drop. There was some damage to the OSB cabinet bottom and the monster 15" (not Eminence) speaker inside had a bent frame and magnet that made an annoying buzz at medium and up volume. I ended up with a new replacement woofer and caster wheel, now the cab is in new condition for $125 total, $50 for the cab and $75 for then new woofer.

There I learned what sort of materials I want in a cabinet. At least Birch plywood baffle (at least baffle) and something like Eminence Double-T or BassLite speakers. Then I would not have to ask about shipping worries.
I asked Ampeg about this cabinet and they weren't happy about that design either, an oldie BSE115T. Sounds great, very loud but a bad choice of woofer and cabinet material. The OSB must be great for sonics but not so good for being bumped around. I see they are using Birch plywood on at least some cabinets, I don't know which all ones. I'll trade a little acoustic quality for the strength of laminated plywood on the bigger stuff.
 
Last edited:
#7
Recently had Guitar Center send me a used 1x15 cab.
Arrived with the plywood split on both sides of the cab.
Expect handling to be rough.
 

Attachments

  • DSCN2769.JPG
    DSCN2769.JPG
    586.2 KB · Views: 72
#8
On the opposite end.
A couple of years ago. Guitar Center sent me a used Basson 810.
It was boxed, put on a pallet, wrapped with plastic, and shipped freight. For $50.
Unbelievable service never to be duplicated again.
 

Attachments

  • DSCN2438.JPG
    DSCN2438.JPG
    246.9 KB · Views: 76
  • Like
Reactions: Novarocker
#11
basscooker said:
I haven't.

I also wonder, maybe more of a concern, about dropped cabs being degaussed. Is there any reality to this?
Click to expand...

In all my Physics courses on such things I can't think of anything in typical shipping that would degauss your speaker's magnet. Maybe if you ship it round trip to Mercury or the Sun, the extreme temps would have some effect (the cone and cabinet would catch fire long before you degauss the magnet), but on Earth, or a few miles above in a plane, I think you're safe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: agedhorse
#14
Bubble said:
Me. I bought a used Ampeg cabinet that had a "missing" caster wheel. I found after I got home the "missing" wheel must have been broken in a drop. There was some damage to the OSB cabinet bottom and the monster 15" (not Eminence) speaker inside had a bent frame and magnet that made an annoying buzz at medium and up volume. I ended up with a new replacement woofer and caster wheel, now the cab is in new condition for $125 total, $50 for the cab and $75 for then new woofer.

There I learned what sort of materials I want in a cabinet. At least Birch plywood baffle (at least baffle) and something like Eminence Double-T or BassLite speakers. Then I would not have to ask about shipping worries.
I asked Ampeg about this cabinet and they weren't happy about that design either, an oldie BSE115T. Sounds great, very loud but a bad choice of woofer and cabinet material. The OSB must be great for sonics but not so good for being bumped around. I see they are using Birch plywood on at least some cabinets, I don't know which all ones. I'll trade a little acoustic quality for the strength of laminated plywood on the bigger stuff.
Click to expand...

The Ampeg OSB cabinets have a way of shattering when dropped. Not very roadworthy when they are bounced around.
 
#15
The sharp knock of a drop could have some effect, but the wood cabinet absorbs most of the shock wave. I experimented with shock induced magnetism and would say it probably takes a metal rap like a hammer to have much effect.

Now how to get that shipped discount and payment plan. Buy a telescopic inspection mirror. When your cabinet arrives, you can hopefully take the grill off and look for baffle cracks or a loose speaker. Maybe a firm twist test on the speaker mount screws with a new condition driver bit that fits perfectly. If they feel firm, don't over-tighten, just check them for firmness. Then if you bought a ported cabinet, use the inspection mirror to be sure the speaker frame didn't get bent. You'll need a flashlight too.

I looked at Parts Express shipping containers, they use oversized boxes with thick foam padding.
I sure hope what I want would be packed like that, it stands a chance.
 
#17
Yea, I'm sure I won't get a pile of saw dust with a speaker and amp sitting on it, but maybe the above listed things need checking.
Here's what they say about the BA-210 v2. I tried it out and absolutely want that sound.

Rugged portability
  • Road-worthy 15mm poplar ply construction
  • Protective all-steel amp chassis
  • Impact-resistant black metal corners
  • Durable double-thick Ampeg Classic black Tolex®
  • Lightweight, portable design
    • 48.0 lbs / 21.8 kg
 
  • Like
Reactions: BadExample and beans-on-toast
#18
Dig those videos Mr. @Bubble I'm sorry you had to leave that job. It must have been amazing. Do you hate robots to this day? :cool:

Interesting examples on the shipping damage, but I think both would fall into insurance claim territory if they were packed properly. Now getting Fed Ex or UPS to actually pay a claim is another matter :cautious:

IMO, both of those smashed cab examples would be considered shipping damage and the seller would not be liable for the poor cabs scratches and dents, but that's just another innerweb opinion. I used to ship sensitive instrumentation (after repair) to customers on pretty much a daily basis. We finally went to self-insurance, because the big shippers know exactly how big of a PITA they have to be for a smaller biz to give up on an insurance claim. We had good packaging too, either pre-made (formed) foam rubber or "insta-pack." Shippers hate paying claims. We gave up and went self-insured, charged the same as the shippers, and made money at it. UPS invited me to their Indy hub so I could observe their 2 to 3 foot drops on the conveyors, but I declined.
 
  • Like
Reactions: agedhorse
#19
Bubble said:
Yea, I'm sure I won't get a pile of saw dust with a speaker and amp sitting on it, but maybe the above listed things need checking.
Here's what they say about the BA-210 v2. I tried it out and absolutely want that sound.

Rugged portability
  • Road-worthy 15mm poplar ply construction
  • Protective all-steel amp chassis
  • Impact-resistant black metal corners
  • Durable double-thick Ampeg Classic black Tolex®
  • Lightweight, portable design
    • 48.0 lbs / 21.8 kg
Click to expand...
You probably already know, but there's a $100 rebate on that one.
 
#20
I still like robots but just can't endure the physical requirements. It takes a person in good shape to work on them. I lifted a 200 lb roller assembly up out of a 3 foot wide belt sander that makes a finish on large aluminum panels. My muscles are stronger than my skeleton and after replacing the roller where it goes, it felt like I got shot in the back. Not really my employer's fault, I was in a hurry, didn't go looking for the lift, and from my free weight experience, thought it wouldn't hurt me. It did.
I know about the rebate, and I'm grinding on it. LOL
 
  • Like
Reactions: BadExample
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back